SI TODO HICIERA CRACK

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.