CRACK

This spinster release by would be Spanish prog masters entered my collection well over a decade ago but I never got around to formally evaluating it. I just remember I found it overly busy and a little too "up" all the time, which tends to exhaust me. Returning to it recently, I still feel there is too much going on too often, and, while the vocals are functional, I am now most appreciative of the breadth of the keyboards and flutes and the bass timbre in particular.

While influences from the usual Anglo and Italian suspects are apparent, as well as a few of the better timed Iberian artists, CRACK really does justify its own story for most of these 40 minutes. Like QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA to whom some have drawn similarities, they tended to top load the album, with the two major triumphs occurring at the start. The intensely masterful "Amantes de le Irrealidad" is mildly sullied by the way it chooses to bow out, with a timid vocal passage and no reprise of the exhilarating instrumental themes. For the rest, the melodic vocal and expressive keyboard approaches are similar but perhaps not quite as cohesive. Still, the virtuosity without showboating is worth it for most symph (especially YES) fans who don't mind some folk foundations.

While not quite moving or consistent enough to be a lost or even near classic. "Si Todo Hiciera Crack" deserved more success in 1980 but thankfully is now far better known thanks to all of us. 3.5 stars rounded up.

This is just a unique album from any point of view. Recorded over 40 years ago, the music from Crack still sounds fresh and new. Every minute is worth listening, every minute is different. With almost no choruses every track tells you a story, the same way you would find in a tale. There's fantasy and myth and there's creative power in all their lines. It has been a real pleasure to listen to this "Si todo hiciera Crack". I have used Google translation and some dictionaries to better understand their stories: all them either beautiful or simply interesting. I had not previously listened to any Spanish prog rock. Having discovered Crack I will now go on and search for other Spanish speaking groups. It seems as this is the only album the band released and it's really a pity that we will never have the opportunity to compare to other possible works they might have offered us if the band had not disappeared in such a short time. Anyway, don't miss this album!

Spain came late to the prog party due to Franco's iron grip on the nation until 1975 when artistic freedom was once again allowed to flourish. While a few bands like Triana, Canarios and Fusioon snuck out some progressive releases before the big change, most of the movement didn't start until 1976. One of the last vestiges of 70s Spanish prog came from the northern coastal city of Gijón by the symphonic prog group CRACK which consisted of Alex Cabral (bass), Alberto Fontaneda (guitar, flute, vocals), Mento Hevia (keyboards, vocals), Manolo Jiménez (drums) and Rafael Rodríguez (guitar). While the band released only one specimen with the odd title of SI TODO HICIERA CRACK (If Everything Made Crack), it has nonetheless gone down in history as one of the finest examples of Spanish prog often only behind Triana and Mezquita on best of lists.

Given the proximity not only geographically but in a linguistic sense, the Spanish progsters looked towards their Italian cousins for inspiration and found the warm romantic classically infused symphonic prog from the superstars such as PFM, Banco and Locanda Della Fate as their main inspiration for crafting their own belated contributions to the scene. In the case of CRACK, other influences range from the symphonic style of Genesis as well as a veritable Jethro Tull inspired inclusion of the flute. SI TODO HICIERA CRACK is very similar to the Italian greats in that it delivers an album's worth of lush melodic tracks that are rooted in classical piano music and augmented with rock bombast and folky acoustic guitar and flute placidity. Lyrics are sung in the Spanish language which is very similar sounding to Italian and the vocals display the same passionate operatic melodrama in perfect form. An uncredited female backing singer also adds a unique element missing from many Italian classics.

CRACK cranked out perhaps one of the most symphonic sounding albums in all of Spain with lush keyboards that range from classical arpeggios on piano to symphonic wizardry reminiscent of Keith Emerson. Despite the rather Italy meets England prog fusion, CRACK added touches of their Spanish ancestry but didn't go as far as bands like Triana that went all out and included flamenco. This is the type of prog that is instantly addictive and could be considered too pop oriented for many who prefer a more angular approach but despite the strong likable ear hooks, the passages are laced with off-kilter time signatures at various moments. The tracks are quite diverse and different movements take place within them without predictability. The dynamics and tempos parade around rather loosely and the variations on any given melody are quite creative displaying some jazz improvisation skills mixed into the tapestry of the symphonic elements.

While the band were dedicated to entire prog scene, the sad reality is that they were about five years too late and were but mere minnows swimming upstream of an ever growing raging waterfall as the musical world had moved on to a more post-punk and pop reality. The band broke up soon after due to many years of economic hardships that were suffered to bring this album to fruition. The band had every desire to carry on and were 100% committed to the symphonic prog paradigm that they deliver so well on this album but were realistic enough to understand that without public support they would receive no record company support and instead of dying in the process, aborted the project and moved on to other arenas. Despite the utter lack of interest at the time of its release, time has been kind to CRACK and their sole prog offering that squeaked by in 1979. This is indeed a lavishly produced product of its time that, like many other late to the party bands, found a way of unleashing a career's worth of ideas stuffed into a single album. This has stood the test of time for good reasons and it's obvious why this has only grown in popularity over the decades.

I was drawn to Crack because I've seen it suggested that Galadriel's debut album was reminiscent of their style, and in that respect I wasn't disappointed - like other Andalusian rock efforts, it combines a prog rock-inspired approach (in this case, a mashup of Genesis and Yes) and adds some gorgeous classical guitar into the mix, yielding a delightful mix of the acoustic and the electric. Vocalists Alberto Fontaneda and Mento Hevia do a fine job, and likewise the guitar performances from Rafael Rodriguez and Alberto deserve applause making the album a charming piece of prog which has rather slipped between the cracks due to being too late for the golden age of prog and a little early for the neo-prog revival.

Undoubtedly one of the finest 70's spanish prog albums. The best-known 70's spanish prog bands belong to either the north-east Catalan school firmly rooted in Jazz-Rock or to the southern Andalusian school with its flamenco influences.

Crack (not to be confused with the catalans Crac which became integrated into Maquina! for their 2nd live album) were from the north-west city of Gijon and therefore alien to both schools, and their sound is totally RPI. Melodic, with lots of piano, flute, acoustic guitar and mellotron, very symphonic in nature leaning towards the soft side. Sure enough there are faster tempo sections, electric guitar and synths but even in the most energetic parts the music still sounds gentle. To give some well-known reference think of a mix of 75% La Locanda Delle Fate's "Forse Le Lucciole?" and 25% of Hamonium's "Si On Avait Besoin?". Yes, indeed great for any symphonic lover!

The musicianship is excellent but they do not indulge in virtuosism, the lyrics are in spanish, with the vocals by guitarist/flutist Alberto Fontaneda and keyboardist Mento Hevia reinforced in some tracks by the beautiful female vocals of guest singer Encarnacion Gonzalez "Cani".

Originally the band developed very long compositions, "Descenso En El Mahellstrom", "Marchando Una Del Cid" and "Epilogo" were actually movements of a long epic called "El Cid". "Amantes?", "Cobarde?" and "Si Todo Hiciera Crack" were also quite longer, but on suggestion of the recording label Chapa the songs were split and shortened to accommodate 7 tracks in the album. Despite some initial reluctance, the band eventually admitted that this was a good decision, and in any case except for the closer "Epilogo" (2m20s) all tracks still clocked between 4 and 10 min.

The opener "Descenso?" (Descending The Mahellstrom) is a 5:30 min instrumental overture in great RPI symphonic style. "Amantes?" (Lovers of Fantasy) continues the style, this time with vocals, great track. "Cobarde o Desertor" (Coward or Deserter) and "Buenos Deseos" (Good Wishes) are a bit more acoustic, some sections of "Cobarde?" remind me of the very early Pendragon (The Jewel) and some sections of "Buenos Deseos" of Yes And You and I with its synth lines on acoustic guitar.

"Marchado Una Del Cid" (This One's About El Cid) is a true epic, El Cid was a castillian military leader in the 11th century and the music and lyrics reflect his medieval epic story. The 10 minute title track (If Everything Would Crack) is another highlight, with more predominant female vocals by Cani, and the instrumental closer "Epilogo" closes the album in style, with a chord progression that reminds me of some section of Jesus Christ Superstar but played in 4/4 instead of 7/8.

All the songs are great, no fillers at all, just a bit short of deserving the 5 stars when compared to other masterpieces, but surely a great addition for any lover of 70's symphonic prog. Too bad they just released this great album and disappeared.

The Spanish prog band CRACK is one notable exception in the progressive rock scenery from that country. I say this, because unlike their countrymen's from MEZQUITA, GUADALQUIVIR and GUALBERTO (for mention just some) in their music is not so evident the characteristic Moorish or Arabian influences, besides the resource of "flamenco" guitar scales are absent in their arrangements. The result is one albun really more "framed" in the Symphonic Prog style. In fact Crack's music is more close to Italian and British Symphonic prog music. Soon as the music starts the atmospheric "landscape" bring to my mind LOCANDA DELLE FATE in their masterpiece "Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Più", the track 1 "Descenso en el Mahellstrong" from 'Si tudo ..." is a theme with melodic and structural similarities ( the alternation between agressive and calm passages, the use of the flute and a almost "whispering" electric guitar ) with the track 1"A volte un istante di quiete" from "Forse Le Lucciole..." The track 2 "Amantes de le Irrealidad" presents a "sweet" male/female vocal duo . The track 3 "Cobarde el Desertor" shows a something from space-prog with the same captivating duo vocal "game" from the previous track., another attraction is the moog in Wakeman's or Banks's "vein". The track 4 "Buenos Desejos" is a folk-prog with detached twelve-strings guitar making the harmony with keyboards and eletric guitar ocasional solos. The track 5 "Marchanda Una del Cid (Pt. 1, 2)" as the name already says is a martial theme that reminds me in some moments JETHRO TULL with a middle section in the best MEZQUITA"S style . The track 6 "Si Todo Hiciera Crack" is one ballad where the vocal duo leading the music until a unexpected "majestic" instrumental theme with keyboards and guitar prominence. The Track 7 "Epillogo" is a type of "coda" where the rhythmic section accelerates the beat, until the mellancolic end of track. In all of the 7 tracks you can find very beautiful melodic moments and highly inspirated instrumental passages. Im my opinion "Si tudo Hiciera Crack" deserves one of the highest place in the "Temple" of Sapanish progressive rock. My rate is 5 stars!!!

A beautiful album from this Spanish band!

Crack was the name of this band from the north of Spain, Gijón to be more precise. And this was sadly one of those bands that only released one album and then disappeared; I said sadly because when you hear this kind of brilliant music, you wonder why they did not continue composing and sharing their talent with us.

Their only album was entitled "Si Todo Hiciera Crack", released in 1979 and composed of 7 songs that together reach 40 minutes. The first one is "Descenso en el Mahëllstrong". An instrumental and exciting opener that will let you appreciate the talent they had. The piano plays a main role here, having first a delicate sound but later turning faster and in some way powerful. There is also a magnificent flute sound all over the song. The symphonic and Spanish passage is obvious here, so with this song you can expect what's next.

"Amantes de la Irrealidad" is the first track that features vocals, of course in Spanish. There is a predominant male voice but you will also appreciate some female ones. The music is softer with nice piano and acoustic guitar. Later it changes and sounds like if you were inside a fairy tale, walking through a happy land, I believe that feeling was made on purpose because if you translate the title it would say "Fantasy Lovers", so I believe it has something to do. The music in general is beautiful, with excellent keyboard passages and nice guitar solos.

"Cobarde o Desertor" begins with vocals since the very first minute, those vocals have that distinctive Spanish sound. The music is nice, good bass notes and odd sporadic keyboard moments, this is not a bad, but by far not the best song on this album. "Buenos Deseos" is another short song, folk with symphonic, great keyboards and drums and there is also a choir, I believe made as well by keyboards. The sound is gentle and comfortable, the vocals are good and the bass lines sound strong but also gentle.

"Marchando una del Cid" starts precisely with a sound of people marching, military drums you know. Then it changes with the introduction of that special flute sound. All the instruments make an excellent job: bass, drums, piano and guitars, of course accompanied by those flute and keyboard masters. A couple of minutes later vocals appear and a classical piano appear. The music has its ups and downs, changes everytime on both music and atmosphere. The vocals are showing a lot of passion, while the music sounds fast and sometimes even nervous. The symphonic sound prevails here. There is a kind of interlude where the piano disappears for a second but later it returns faster and powerful. Later some brilliant keyboard solo appears while the rhythm of the whole song keeps the same form. This is an extraordinary composition.

"Si Todo Hiciera Crack" is the longest track. Melodic, melancholic in moments and adventurous in others. With a soft and charming sound produced by the vocals (male and female) and by the instruments. This time I feel again like a character of a fairy tale, the music has fantasy inherent so you can travel to new lands and worlds. The keyboards are the best thing here, sometimes with exceptional solos and sometimes just as "filler" which are not really. The previous song and this one are the strongest points of this brilliant album.

"Epílogo" represents what the name suggest, just the final part of this story. It is short and instrumental passage full of flute and exquisite drumming. A Beautiful way to finish this great album.

This is an album I like so much, forty minutes of great music made by this one shot Spanish band. Though it is not especially a masterpiece, it could be considered as a fabulous addition to any prog lover, and a must have for the symphonic prog ones. My final grade, four stars.

Enjoy it!

What to say about a glorious classic record ? MUCH !!

This is an alternating beautiful /romantic with bombastic pieces music. Musicians are of Banco or Yes caliber and the record production is pretty good. This is art.

I guess I can make analogy with classics from Italy for the conception and ideas richness. Also because it's Latin origin sung music. Comes to mind 2 Locandas : 1st Quella Vecchia and delle Fate for the flute and complex acoustic instruments interplay. The Spanish vocals with female chorus are great, when it comes I reminded by Città Frontale, but Crack is better structured than the last.

The moog (one could say with old fashioned sound, I prefer to say "avant guard" sound) and strings keys (mellotron ?) brings personal characteristic to Crack. I have already listened those similar tones with Bloque, Mezquita or Gualberto. But they don't keep that evident flamenco sound we can listen in many Spanish bands, they are much more varied. Italian school analogy is more appropriated to describe the music.

I love when bands bring the typical country culture (or even unexpected elements) into the hybrid prog realm. Better when it works pretty well like Crack. I also love Los Canarios "Ciclos" and Gotic from Spain, but what to say about ITOIZ sung in Basque language ? This is another review for sure.

These guys sure know how to create pleasant melodies. Piano and flute lead the way most of the time with little in the way of instrumental outbreaks. The Spanish vocals fit the music well.

"Descenso En El Mahellstrong" is an instrumental that begins and ends with birds singing and water flowing. Very pastoral. In between piano, gentle guitar and flute lead the way. The tempo does pick up before 1 1/2 minutes. Some nice prominant bass late. "Amantes De La Irrealidad" opens with piano,gentle guitar and vocals. A fuller sound arrives 1 1/2 minutes in. Mellotron before 3 minutes as flute then guitar come in. Vocals return 4 1/2 minutes in. Mellotron 6 minutes in to end it. "Cobarde O Desertor" is probably my favourite track. The melody sounds great with vocals.

"Buenos Deseos" has a pleasant melody with vocals. "Marchando Una Del Cid" is an excellent tune as drums and flute lead the way early with piano joining in. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes, mellotron a minute later. Synths 5 1/2 minutes in. Cool song. "Si Todo Hiciera Crack" features female and male vocals in this the longest track. Lots of synths late followed by tasteful guitar before 9 minutes. "Epillogo" features a piano,drums and flute intro as the tempo picks up. A calm with flute to end it.

This really deserves 4 stars it's so well done. For me though if it's light and pleasant like this album is it has to move me or do something special for me. It doesn't. Good but not great. 3.5 stars.

This spanish band release a single album way back in 1979, but what an album, high class symphonic prog. Si dodo hicera crack is an album full of vintage keyboards with solid guitar, bass and drums interplay. Vocals are sung in spanish and are very well done with loads of harmonic passages. Sometimes Crack reminds me of italian scene from the '70's but as well some of thier country fellows like Iceberg, Goma and Gotic and even in places Banana. Anyway this is an excellent album with spanish floavour just good to keep your attention on the highest levels. This is a great musical experience for me and i will give 4 stars without hesitation, one of the best bands from Spain no doubt. recommended.