SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Crack The Sky is a rather obscure rock band from Weirton, West Virginia who released their self titled debut record in 1975. Led by multiinstrumentalist and vocalist John Polumbo they achieved some success in the Baltimore area but went largely unnoticed anywhere else. Their style is a unique blend of the crunchy hard rock of the time with a progressive edge and witty, sometimes sexually charged lyrics. Backed by a fantastic rhythm section their first three albums are quintessential listens I think.

I first stumbled upon them when Rolling Stone magazine included the debut on their list of the 50 best progressive rock albums of all time. 'Safety In Numbers' is their third album and to this date the only one to be recorded without any direct involvement of band leader Polumbo, although he penned all of the songs on the first side. As far as I'm aware he left amicably during this time before returning for 1980s 'White Music' and he his thanked in the albums liner notes. Gary Lee Chappell took on the lead vocals for this one album while guitarist Rick Witkowski was largely responsible for the music on the second side. Under these circumstances it is remarkable that this album is as good as it is.

Album highlights include the opening track 'Nuclear Apathy' which starts out on acoustic guitar with sombre vocals before breaking out into a fierce prog rocker with a riff to die for. A lyrical highlight is 'Flashlight' again with a great lead guitar and some very busy drumming and bass playing it features the great repeating chorus with one of the best sexual innuendos in rock music.

"She showed him her x-rays he turned on his flashlight of love"

'Lighten Up McGraw' and 'Give Myself To You' are more standard rock tracks albeit with great riffs and melodies. Lyrically again very funny is 'A Night On The Town' depicting a poor fellow who is "high on romance" and takes his girl out on a rather.. inexpensive date. Closing track 'Safety In Numbers' (side fact, the first side closing prelude to this song is only available on the vinyl, since this album has not seen a standalone CD release yet) ends the album in a dramatic fashion with great interplay and a late mellotron appearance. The only track I'm not that keen on is the ballad 'Long Nights'.

~ first published at 'audio.philip' on Instagram ~