Often described as the ‘best American prog‑rock band you’ve never heard of’ may well be accurate, although it does rather undersell the band and certainly doesn’t do them justice.
Crack the Sky (CTS) has been making waves for over five decades, however with the exception of their self-titled debut album from 1975, they has caused relatively few ripples within the music world. This lack of commercial success has not stopped the band from releasing new work with undiminished enthusiasm and with some regularity. In 2021 they released Tribes, From the Wood followed in 2023, and last year, Live 1st Album: 50th Anniversary, saw a complete live performance of their illustrious debut album. Also released in late 2025 was a new studio album, Blessed.
Although little is known about its background, the accompanying interview with founder John Palumbo clarifies the situation. What I can reveal however is the line-up from the aforementioned live album remains in tact, with the exception of the keyboard duties, which fall to Glenn Workman, replacing Bill Hubauer who had been seconded by Neal Morse to contribute to his new album. This seasoned group of professional musicians provide a strong musical foundation for John Palumbo’s socially charged lyrics. With tasteful keyboards, beautiful dual guitar interplay, and a solid rhythm section, they form the ideal backdrop John Palumbo’s sometimes grim vocal delivery, bolstered by consistently strong harmonies. However, the prog quotient is low, lower than ever, in fact with fourteen, circa four minute songs, delivered in just under an hour, place Blessed firmly in the American FM‑radio idiom.
Imagination opens the album with its modern prog/pop sound featuring those characteristic twin guitars, inventive keyboards, and Palumbo’s mournful vocals. Kiss the Dog picks up the tempo with a menacing edge and biting lyrics about the “new modern man”, and again we have the wonderful twin guitar work delivered in the best tradition of Wishbone Ash. Whereas the title track, Blessed, is driven by a pumping The Knack‑like rhythm, and finds Palumbo counting his blessings in a New Wave-esque number with a fine synth solo.
Stare continues in similar musical territory, a fine rock song skewering contemporary woke morality. “You can’t say that,” is the female singer’s response to the male singer’s advances. Brain Police softens musically with a Beatles‑esque touch, though the lyrics remain pointed. I Can’t Walk on Water channels Tom Petty/Joe Walsh influences, while How Can You Sleep? leans into psychedelia and heavy drums dominate. Little Men With Big Guitars is a delightful parody of the rock world from the perspective of a fledgling band with big egos and even bigger dreams.
China, Japan, and Korea is where the backdrop as Artificial Man blends rock with minimalist techno‑pop touches with a catchy, sing along chorus. It’s All in My Head offers straightforward West Coast rock, whilst Air Strike, the shortest track on the album is a playful, early 60s Beatles/Kinks styled rocker, with two guitar solos packed into three minutes.
Mojo Man shifts gears entirely as CTS go soul; complete with funky bass, matching accompaniment and backing vocals behind the Joe Walsh‑like vocal tone. Topping it off is beautiful slide guitar and a sharp synth solo. The Dance is undoubtedly one of the album’s standouts, a country‑tinged ballad with uncharacteristically tender lyrics. The lyrics are less biting, rather loving. Has Palumbo gone soft? No, not really. All of which takes us to the radio edit of Imagination which closes the album, trimmed by thirty seconds for U.S. radio presumably, although its added value is debatable.
Where Tribes was angry and From the Wood contemplative, Blessed feels like resignation/acceptance of age, relationships, social standing, and life’s absurdities in general. The tone is wry, often humorous, occasionally sharp, and musically eclectic. The prog elements continue to fade, but the passion and relevance remain. After fifty years, Crack the Sky still sound like a band with something to say.
[To tie in with the review of Blessed, John Palumbo spoke with Alex Driessen – you can read the interview HERE]
TRACK LISTING
01. Imagination (4:22)
02. Kiss the Dog (4:25)
03. Blessed (4:25)
04. Stare (4:43)
05. Brain Police (4:12)
06. I Can’t Walk on Water (4:11)
07. How Can You Sleep? (4:08)
08. Little Men with Big Guitars (3:34)
09. Artificial Man (3:51)
10. It’s All in My Head (4:25)
11. Air Strike (3:06)
12. Mojo Man (4:39)
13. The Dance (4:48)
14. Imagination (radio edit) (3:51)
Total Time – 58:35
MUSICIANS
Bobby Hird – Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Vocals
Joey D’Amico – Drums, Vocals
Dave DeMarco – Bass, Vocals
John Palumbo – Guitar, Keyboards, Lead Vocals
Rick Witkowski – Guitar, Ukulele, Vocals
Glenn Workman – Keyboards, Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: US
Date of Release: 28th November 2025
DISCOGRAPHY
– Blessed (2025)
– Live 1st Album 50th Anniversary (2025)
– From The Wood (2023)
– Tribes (2021)
– Vinyl Reissue (2020)
– Crackology (2018)
– Living In Reverse (2018)
– The Beauty Of Nothing (2015)
– Östrich (2012)
– Machine (2010)
– All Access dvd (2008)
– The Sale (2007)
– Alive And Kickin’ Ass (2006)
– Dogs From Japan (2004)
– Ghost (2001)
– The Best Of The Rest (And Then Some) (2000)
– Live Recher Theatre (2000)
– Cut (1998)
– Rare! (1994)
– Dog City (1990)
– From The Greenhouse (1989)
– Raw (1986)
– The End (1984)
– World In Motion I (1983)
– Photoflamingo (1981)
– Classic Crack (1980)
– White Music (1980)
– Safety By Numbers (1978)
– Live Sky (1978)
– Animal Notes (1976)
– Live On WBAB (1976)
– Crack The Sky (1975)
LINKS
Crack The Sky – Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
