Crack The Sky’s Sixth Compilation Is As Successful As Its Predecessors

Courtesy: Carry On Music

Veteran prog rock band Crack The Sky is keeping itself busy this year.  The band opened the year with the release of its latest album, Tribes, Jan. 15.  The band also re-issued its 1994 compilation Crack Attic in January.  That record compiled songs pulled from the band’s first five albums.  Now Friday, audiences will see the release of another, new compilation from Crack The Sky in the form of Between The Cracks.  The 12-song collection is a presentation that the band’s established audiences will find interesting.  That is due in large part to its featured songs, which will be addressed shortly.  The songs’ sequencing adds its own interest to the record and will be discussed a little later.   The songs’ production rounds out the most important of the record’s items.  It will also be addressed later.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the compilation’s presentation.  All things considered, they make the collection one more presentation that Crack The Sky’s most devoted audiences will appreciate.

Crack The Sky’s forthcoming compilation record Between The Cracks is a presentation that the band’s most devoted audiences will enjoy.  That is due in large part to its featured songs.  The songs in question are deep cuts from the band’s albums which spanned the years 1983 and 2015.  None of the songs featured in this compilation are singles.  Nor are they featured in the band’s five (yes, five) other compilations.  That adds to these songs’ importance.  When these songs are set alongside the songs featured in those records – Classic Crack, Rare!, Crack Attic, The Best of the Rest (And Then Some), and Crackology – that overall body of work gives audiences quite the rich cross section of CTS’ catalog.  Far too often, bands and groups release multiple hits/singles compilations – and do so clearly as nothing more than contractually obligated space fillers – using many of the same songs over and over again in the process.  It is nice to see that Crack The Sky did not go that route this time (and in its other compilations).  Considering everything noted here, the songs featured in this album are reason enough in themselves for CTS’ most devoted audiences to add this compilation to their libraries.  They are just a portion of what makes the record appealing for the noted audiences.  The songs’ sequencing adds its own interest to the presentation. 

Between The Cracks’ sequencing is important to address largely because it is clear that there was an intended obvious chronological order here, beginning in 1983 with World in Motion I and progressing to 2015’s The Beauty of Nothing.  In all, seven of the band’s albums are represented here, including Ghost, Ostrich, Machine, The Sale, and The End.  What audiences get in the end is a record that takes audiences through a very specific portion of its catalog.  It would have been so easy for the band to just toss the songs together in some random order, but instead, the band makes it clear that it wanted to take listeners on a journey through its life and catalog.  That in itself adds even more appeal to the compilation’s presentation. It makes the listening experience that much more special for the noted audiences, even with some of the noted albums already having been represented in previous compilations from Crack the Sky.  That is because while some of the albums were already represented, they were not represented by the songs featured, here, reaching back to that element.  Keeping both elements in mind, the whole makes all the clearer why the collection will appeal to Crack The Sky’s noted audiences.  Even with all of this in mind, there is still one more item to address in examining the album’s overall presentation.  That item is the record’s production.

The production that went into each of the record’s songs is important to examine because of its role in the collection’s general effect.  It has already been noted that the songs featured here are lifted from a handful of the band’s existing albums.  The band handled the songs’ remastering itself.  The band’s attention to every minute detail of the songs resulted in 12 songs that sound just as good in this presentation as in their original recordings if not somewhat better.  That includes items, such as echo effects, vocal effects, and the balance in the instrumentations.  Every detail received equal attention.  The result is a record that will appeal to CTS’ fans just as much for its general effect as for its content and the content’s sequencing.  When all three elements are considered together, they make the presentation in whole a record that will appeal mostly to Crack The Sky’s most devoted audiences.

Crack The Sky’s forthcoming compilation record, Between The Cracks is a collection of songs from the band that the group’s most devoted audiences will appreciate.  That is due in part to its featured the songs.  The songs featured in this compilation are not featured in the band’s five other collections of its music.  The songs’ sequencing is just as important as the songs themselves.  That is because it essentially takes audiences on a journey through a specific portion of the band’s catalog.  That element, while maybe secondary, is still important because of its role in the listening experience.  Speaking of the listening experience, the record’s production puts the final touch on that experience.  That is because it ensures the songs sound just as good in this case as in the songs’ original presentations.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of Between the Cracks.  All things considered, they make Between the Cracks a unique addition to this year’s field of new compilations that Crack The Sky’s most devoted audiences will appreciate. 

Between the Cracks is scheduled for release Friday through Carry On Music.  More information on the compilation is available along with all of Crack The Sky’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/officialcrackthesky.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Walking Papers’ New LP Is One Of 2021’s Essential Albums

Courtesy: Carry On Music

Independent rock band Walking Papers’ forthcoming album The Light Below is one of the most welcome surprises in the very young year that is 2021.  Scheduled for release Friday through Carry On Music, the 12-song record succeeds because of its unassuming nature, both in regards to its musical and lyrical content.  From its start to its end, the subtleties in the 64-minute presentation make it such an interesting collection of songs.  It is not one of those records that will appeal to audiences expecting short, radio ready singles.  Rather, the album in whole is one of those works that requires listeners to give it their full attention.  In doing so, listeners will agree that there is a lot to like here.  ‘Rich Man’s War,’ which comes late in the record’s hour-plus run time, is just one of the many songs that this album has to offer audiences.  It will be discussed shortly.  On a completely opposite end of things, ‘California (One More Phone Call),’ which closes out the album, is another example of what makes The Light Below such an exemplary new offering from Walking Papers.  On yet another side of things is the deep electronic composition ‘Creation Reproduction and Death.’  All three songs noted here are crucial in their own way to the overall presentation of The Light Below.  When they are considered alongside other entries from the album, such as the Muse-eque ‘What Did You Expect,’ ‘Where Did I Go Wrong?,’ which conjures thoughts of The Doors,’ and the brooding instrumental ‘The Other Shoe (Reprise),’ as well as the rest of the album’s songs, the whole of this record becomes a presentation that is unquestionably one of this year’s first great overall albums.  In other words, it is one of year’s essentials whether listeners are fans of the mainstream or independent realm.

Walking Papers’ new forthcoming album The Light Below – the band’s third studio recording – is one of 2021’s first great overall albums.  That is the belief at least of this critic in particular.  The record’s musical and lyrical content alike fully supports the noted statements.  ‘Rich Man’s War,’ which comes late in the album’s run, is just one of the songs that support the noted statements.  The song’s musical arrangement is a funky, upbeat composition.  The fuzzed guitar effect immediately lends itself to work that famed guitarist Tom Morello has crafted throughout his career.  Listeners can immediately hear hints of his work with Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave right from the song’s outset.  The subtle addition of the keyboard in the chorus adds its own nice touch, especially what with the echo effect used for that line.  The drums sound so tight throughout, along with the bass line.  The overall instrumentation makes the song’s musical arrangement stand strongly on its own merits.  When that whole pairs with the clear socio-politically charged lyrical theme in the song, the song gains even more traction.

The noted socio-political commentary is inferred even before the song starts, in its title.  The very title ‘Rich Man’s War’ lets listeners where this song will take them.  Front man Jefferson Angell sings in the song’s lead verse, “It’s a rich man’s war/It’s a poor man’s blood/Things will never change/It’s understood/You can ask for help/It does no good/It’s a rich man’s war/It’s a poor man’s blood.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “To the powers that be/We think the convenience of reality/I find it hard to believe/That you’d still lift a leg…It’s a rich man’s war/A poor man’s blood/You can ask for help/It does no good/It’s a rich man’s war/It’s a poor  man’s blood.”   He adds in the song’s third verse, “I see the world differently/’Cause I can’t look up to people that look down on me/How are you supposed to compete…”  The line that follows is difficult to decipher without a lyrics sheet to reference.  That aside, enough of this verse and the song’s other verses are understandable that there is no mystery as to the song’s lyrical theme.  This is a protest of sorts.  Considering that, the RATM/Audioslave type musical arrangement makes that much more sense.  It also serves to strengthen the song even more.  That in turn shows in part what makes The Light Below stand out in whole.  It is just one of the songs that makes the album such a strong presentation.  ‘California (One More Phone Call)’ is another part of what makes The Light Below shine.  Yes, that awful pun was intended.

‘California (One More Phone Call)’ is completely unlike ‘Rich Man’s War’ and everything else featured in this hour-plus record.  The gentle, airy effect from the guitars and keyboards lends itself to comparison to the famed Eagles’ song ‘Desperado.’  It should be stressed here that said comparison is only stylistic.  The two songs sound nothing alike in general.  It is just the stylistic approach between the two that is so enjoyable similar.  Angell’s smoky vocal delivery, set alongside the almost ethereal instrumentation makes the experience in this song even more enjoyable in its own right.  All things considered in this aspect, the musical side of this song makes for quite the contrast from the album’s opener – ‘The Value of Zero’ – and its own example of why the musical content in this record overall stands out.

When the wonderfully moving musical arrangement featured in ‘California (One More Phone Call)’ is considered along with the song’s familiar lyrical story of a broken relationship, the song in whole stands out even more.  Yes, the way in which the story is told is a bit cliché and overly saccharine, but it still works thanks to its musical accompaniment.  The story opens with the subject singing about his romantic interest preparing to leave him.  He sings, “Give me just/One more phone call/One more kiss/Before you go and leave me alone like this/’Cause it’s gonna hurt to see you go/Put your dreams on hold to make/Mind control/Held your breath/Until your face turns blue/… gonna tell me/All I needed to know/She wants to move to California/She needs a change of scenery/She won’t take no for an answer/Who am I to disagree?”  He continues, stating, “I wish there was something I could say to make you change your mind…She won’t make it through another Winter/Who am I to disagree/Give me one more phone call/Give me one more kiss/Before you leave me alone like this/’Cause it’s gonna hurt to see you go.”  This song might not bring every listener to tears, but there is no doubt it will still move listeners.  That is especially when listeners take into account the noted lyrical content along with the song’s rich musical arrangement.  Collectively, they make the song another clear example of what makes the album in whole such a strong offering.  It is just one more example of what makes the album stand out, too.  ‘Creation Reproduction and Death’ is among the most unique of the album’s entries.

‘Creation Reproduction and Death’ is the longest song on Walking Papers’ new album.  It clocks in at nine minutes, 23 seconds.  So it only makes sense that the song is used as the album’s midpoint.  The song’s heavy, industrial musical arrangement immediately lends itself to comparisons to works from the likes of Gary Numan and Nine Inch Nails.   The heavy keyboards that form the song’s foundation work with the more airy secondary keyboard line and drums to make this work sound unlike anything else in the album.  That alone serves to show even more why the album in whole is so unique. It helps to show the vast diversity in the album’s musical content.  The lyrical content that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement adds to the song’s appeal.

Angell opens the song, singing, “I/Depend on the light/I know it ain’t right/I want you in the worst way, baby/My fate will wait for me there…I want you in the worst way, baby…If you got under my skin/You know I’d never show it…I bet you think you got a dark side, don’t you/What have I got myself into…You said you’d hold me ‘til  there’s nothing else/You said you don’t know who you’re f******  with/The beads of sweat…Creation reproduction and death.”  While much of the lyrical content here is difficult to decipher without a sheet to reference, it can mostly be inferred here that this song centers on a man who has gotten into quite the interesting relationship with a woman who is perhaps a bit of a drama queen.  The song’s second verse continues the story, which will certainly keep listeners engaged in itself.  When this seeming story is coupled with the song’s powerful, industrial style musical arrangement (again, which is unlike anything else in this record), the whole becomes even more powerful.  It shows even more what makes this record stand out.  When it is considered along with the other songs noted here and the rest of the album’s songs, the overall production becomes a work that is one of 2021’s essential albums.

Walking Papers’ new forthcoming album The Light Below is a production that shines from beginning to end.  Yes, that awful pun was intended.  That is evidenced through the album’s musical and lyrical content.  The songs examined here serve well to support the noted statements.  When they are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole proves itself to be one of this year’s top new independent and overall albums.  The Light Below is scheduled for release Friday through Cary On Music.

More information on Walking Papers’ new album is available along with all of the duo’s latest news at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkingpapersmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/walkingpapers

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Christopher Shayne’s New EP Will Appeal Widely To Southern, Country Rock Fans

Courtesy: Carry On Music

Independent rocker Christopher Shayne is helping southern rock fans start off the new year on a good note.  The up-and-coming singer-songwriter is giving the noted audiences reason to be happy as 2021 opens with his new forthcoming EP Ten High.  Scheduled for release Friday through Carry On Music, the seven-song record offers audiences something to like in its musical arrangements.  They will be discussed shortly.  The lyrical content that accompanies the EP’s musical arrangement offers its own appeal for listeners, too.  It will be discussed a little later.  The sequencing of the noted content rounds out the record’s most important elements, bringing everything together, completing the EP’s presentation.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of Ten High.  All things considered, they make Christopher Shayne’s new EP a record that guarantees its appeal to its target audiences.

Christopher Shayne’s forthcoming EP Ten High is a presentation that is certain to appeal to Shayne’s specifically targeted audiences from start to end of its 24-inute run time.  That is proven in part through the record’s featured musical arrangements.  The arrangements in question all present a distinct southern rock approach and sound.  While each arrangement displays the same kind of approach and sound, the arrangements in whole do at least give audiences something unique from one song to the next.  Case in point is a comparison between maybe ‘Any Given Sunday’ to the album’s title track.  ’10 High’ gives audiences plenty of the noted southern rock sensibility at points throughout the song.  At the same time, the verses in this song present a clear AC/DC style influence.  The contrast of those two styles gives audiences something interesting in itself.  Meanwhile ‘Any Given Sunday’ presents more of a southern/country rock style approach.  Shayne’s own unique composition adds subtle influences from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and maybe Josh Turner.  Again, the influence is so subtle, but it is noticeable through a close listen.  When that whole is compared to the whole of the EP’s title track, it leads to more appreciation for the record’s musical arrangement. 

On another level, ‘Jus Get Drunk,’ which closes out the EP immediately lends itself to comparison to work that Zakk Wylde has composed with his side project Pride & Glory in terms of its acoustic approach and distinct southern rock sound.  Shayne’s vocal delivery style is even right up there with that of Wylde and other powerhouse vocalists.  By comparison, ‘Give A Damn’ is arguably the EP’s most intense arrangement.  It is yet another full-on composition, but there is so much fire and vim in this work.  It is comparable to works from virtually any southern rock outfit out there today.  The subtle addition of the banjo in the song’s opening bars adds its own unique touch to the whole of the song, too.  When one examines this song in comparison not only to ‘Just Get Drunk,’ but also to the rest of the EP’s arrangements, its power becomes even more evident.  What’s more, when all of the songs are considered together, the whole of that content makes for reason in itself for southern rock fans to take in this record.  That foundation is strengthened even more through the EP’s lyrical content.

The lyrical content that is presented in Ten High is just as accessible for listeners as the EP’s musical content.  The record’s opener and closer are both pretty clear in their content.  They center on drinking.  What is interesting to note is that where ‘Pour The Bottle’ presents a man who is having no regrets about just drinking his troubles away and tells the bartender, “I ain’t finished yet/Pour the bottle/I won’t have any regrets.  He even goes on in the song’s second verse to sing about drowning himself “in alcohol.”  So again, this is someone who is just giving that proverbial middle finger to the world, including obviously a woman that has wronged him.  ‘Jut Get Drunk,’ by comparison is the opposite end of that emotion.  This song is that person sitting at the bar, having gotten drunk, he talks about not feeling the same without some whisky and that he’d “rather just get drunk/’Cause I need a little time/To sort what’s in my mind/Just one more and I’ll be fine.”  So again, here are two songs that lyrically tell their own story.  The contrast in those two sides will ensure listeners’ engagement in itself. 

On another hand, ‘Getaway Babe’ changes directions but keeps listeners engaged with its lyrical content.  This song’s lyrical theme is that familiar topic of a man who is crazy for a woman.  He tells her to “come get gone with me” in the song’s chorus, while adding plenty of praise in the verses.  That familiarity and the song’s catchy musical arrangement pair to make the song in whole yet another standout addition to Ten High.  When it is considered along with the equally engaging story presented in ‘Just Get Drunk’ and ‘Pour The Bottle’ and the rest of the EP’s lyrical content, the whole of that content makes for plenty for audiences to enjoy lyrically, too.  The appeal that the EP’s lyrical content provides audiences is just one more part of what makes the EP stand out.  The sequencing of the content puts its own ouch to the record.  The sequencing of the record’s musical and lyrical content puts the finishing touch to its presentation.

The sequencing of Ten High’s overall content brings everything together in this record, to complete the EP’s presentation.  As has already been noted, the EP’s opener and closer certainly seem to work hand in hand even if not intentionally.  That book-ending, generated through the sequencing is sure to present its own appeal.  Along the way, the sequencing changes things up, going from the seeming celebratory title track to the equally familiar topic of a man who is crazy for a woman in ‘Getaway Baby’ to the slightly introspective ‘Any Given Sunday’ and ‘Burn Me Down.’  The rather rowdy ‘Give A Damn’ changes things up even more before the EP closes out in the almost rueful ‘Just Get Drunk.’  The whole of the noted lyrical content ensures in itself shows that plenty of thought was put into the sequencing of this side of the EP.  Just as much thought was put into the sequencing of the EP in regards to its arrangements and their energies.

What more can be said of the sequencing of the EP in regards to its musical arrangements and their energy than it ensures the energy stays high.  The only time when the EP really pulls back is in its closer.  Other than that moment, ‘Burn Me Down’ is the only other point that presents any pull back in the record’s energy.  That pull back is noted in the song’s opening bars.  It only lasts that short time, too.  From those opening bars, things waste little time picking back up.  Overall, the sequencing of Ten High in regards to its energy ensures that aspect keeps listeners remain engaged just as much as that of the lyrical content.  It barely lets up at least until the EP’s finale.  To that end, it will keep listeners fully engaged and entertained.  Keeping this in mind, when this final touch is put to the EP, it brings everything together and completes the record’s presentation.  The result of that completion is that the record will appeal strongly to Christopher Shayne’s target audiences.

Christopher Shayne’s forthcoming EP Ten High is a record of which southern rock and country rock fans will think highly.  That is due in part to its musical arrangements.  The arrangement in question boast some very clear southern and country rock vibes while also making sure the arrangements do not just copycat one another.  There are subtle changes in each song that show a wide range of influences.  That alone helps the EP’s appeal.  The lyrical content that accompanies the EP’s musical arrangements adds its own touch to the EP’s presentation.  That is because the topics presented in the lyrical themes are accessible.  They are familiar topics for any listeners.  The sequencing of that musical and lyrical content brings everything together, completing its presentation.  Each item noted here does its own important part to make Christopher Shayne’s new EP appealing.  All things considered, the EP proves a work that will appeal equally to any southern and country rock fan.  Ten High is scheduled for release Friday through Carry On Music.  More information on the EP is available along with all of Christopher Shayne’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/christophershaynemusic.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.  

Rock, Prog-Rock Purists Will Enjoy Crack The Sky’s Latest LP

Courtesy: Carry On Music

Veteran prog rock band Crack The Sky is apparently one of those acts that doe not rest easily on is merits.  The band has released more than 15 albums since the release of its self-titled debut album in 1975.  In the time since its release, the band has let no more than four years pass between any of its albums.  One would think that as much music as this band has released in the more than 40 years since its debut record’s release, the band would have slowed down a bit or even shown a hint of wear and tear in its music.  The band’s latest outing – Tribes — however, says quite the opposite, as is evidenced in its musical and lyrical content.  ‘Another Beautiful Day’ is just one of the songs that serves to support the noted statement.  It will be discussed shortly.  ‘Boom Boom,’ which comes later in the album’s hour-plus run time, does its own share to show what makes the album such a strong new offering from Crack The Sky.  It will be addressed a little later.  ‘Dear Leaders,’ one of the album’s early entries, is yet another way in which the record shows the band’s continued success and strength.  It will also be discussed later.  When it is considered with the other songs noted here and the rest of the album’s entries, the record in whole a strong new offering from one of rock’s currently longest running bands.

Crack The Sky’s latest album Tribes is a positive new offering from the veteran prog-rock band.  It is a work that shows despite staying so busy over the course of more than four decades, this band has not lost its step.  That is proven in part through the song ‘Another Beautiful Day.’  Coming almost halfway through the album’s run, this song’s musical arrangement is a very King’s X style composition.  That is evidenced in the song’s guitar arrangement and vocals.  There is also a bit of a classic rock sensibility to the arrangement that adds to its interest.  The two influences together make the arrangement overall an engaging and entertaining work.  It is just one part of what makes the song stand out.  The commentary in the song’s lyrical content adds to the appeal.

The lyrical content featured in ‘Another Beautiful Day’ is a social commentary.  It opens with the song’s subject stating, “turn on the TV and I feel like screaming/I close my eyes and I hope I’m dreaming/get out of bed, but feel like going back/The world is having a heart attack/Another beautiful day.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “I got a feeling that big brother is watching me…Look out my window to see what’s going on/Another country heard from, hey, hey/Another beautiful day.”  He then adds, “Nobody’s listening/Everybody’s screaming/I hold onto you/Baby, I’m scared/But I’ll take good care of you.”  As noted at the start of this, the song’s lyrical content is clearly a commentary about everything going on in the world today.  The way in which the commentary is delivered is rather sarcastic with a clear sense of cynicism.  That would explain why the song’s musical arrangement is not the angry work that it could be.  The arrangement works to help translate the noted almost disillusionment exhibited in the song’s lyrical content.  Keeping all of this in mind, the song overall may not be necessarily unique in its lyrical content, but is still a sign that this band can effectively make a song that will resonate with audiences.  It is just one of the songs that makes the band’s latest offering stand out.  ‘Boom Boom,’ which comes late in the album’s run, is another example of the album’s strength.

As is the case with ‘Another Beautiful Day,’ the musical arrangement featured in ‘Boom Boom’ is another clearly classic rock-influenced composition.  Front man John Palumbo’s slightly gritty vocal delivery and keyboard performance works with the guitars, bass and drums to give the song another King’s X vibe.  What is important to note here is that the song is not just a re-hashing of the previously discussed arrangement.  It is still its own unique work whose laid back groove will keep listeners engaged and entertained.  It works with the song’s lyrical content to add even more appeal to the work.

Palumbo’s vocals are not as easy to decipher here without a lyrics sheet to reference.  However, what can be deciphered leads to the interpretation that the song is about perhaps just that need to have someone.  That is inferred as Palumbo sings near the song’s end, “Life is easy/When you’ve got someone who cares.”  He goes on to mention the impact of “a nice meal ready in the kitchen” and “hot coffee” as well as apparently even intercourse.  Looking through what can be deciphered here together with the mood set by the song’s musical arrangement, the two elements collectively make this song its own unique addition to the album.  It becomes yet another aspect of Tribes that shows why this album is worth hearing, but not the last of the album’s most notable entries.  ‘Dear Leaders,’ which comes early in the album’s run, is another standout addition to the album.

‘Dear Leaders’ changes things up significantly in terms of its musical arrangement.  Instead of the classic rock sensibilities that run through the majority of Tribes, this arrangement instead opts for something a little more modern with its heavy percussion and its electronics.  The best comparison that one can make here is to what Pink Floyd might sound like if it was still around today.  The song has that kind of air about it in its arrangement.  At the same time, one might even make a comparison to some of U2’s works from the mid to late 1990s here, too.  It sounds like an odd combination of influences, but somehow it manages to work here.  The melancholy mood established in the song’s musical arrangement does well to help translate the emotion in the song’s lyrical theme, which is its own socio-political commentary.

The commentary come right from the song’s outset as Palumbo sings, “Dear leaders/Are you watching/Dear leaders/Are you listening/Dear leaders/Are you watching/Dear leader/There’s something wrong with you/Dear leaders/Can’t see what’s in front of you/If I could/I’d make you all go away forever.”  He continues, “Dear leaders/It’s not too late/Dear leaders/To put aside your hate/Dear leaders/To set your people free.”  From there, he mentions that he’d “tell my wife not to go outside/tell my Jesus not to cry his eyes.”  There is even a mention of the world committing its own suicide.  Again, this plaintive message to the world’s leaders will resonate with plenty of listeners, especially considering how the song’s musical arrangement accompanies the lyrical theme.  It is just one more song in whole that shows what makes Tribes a successful new effort from Crack The Sky.  When it is considered along with the other two songs examined here and the rest of the album’s songs, the whole presents itself as a work that rock and prog rock fans alike will find is worth hearing at least once.

Crack The Sky’s new album Tribes is a positive new effort from the veteran prog rock band.  It is a presentation that will appeal widely to rock and  prog rock fans alike will enjoy.  That is proven both through the album’s musical and lyrical content.  Each of the songs examined here serves to support the noted statements.  When they are considered with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole may not *ahem* crack mainstream radio, but will still appeal widely to plenty of audiences.  Tribes is scheduled for release Friday through Carry On Music.

More information on Crack The Sky’s new album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/officialcrackthesky.  

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.  

Walking Papers Debuts New Single, ‘Divine Intervention,’ Companion Video

Courtesy: Carry On Music

Independent music duo Walking Papers debuted its latest single and video this week.

The duo — Jefferson Angell and Benjamin Anderson — debuted its new single ‘Divine Intervention‘ Friday along with its companion video Thursday at Loudersound.com. The song debuted is the third single from the band’s forthcoming album — its third — The Light Below, which is scheduled for release Feb. 5 through Carry On Music. Its premiere follows that of the album’s first two singles, ‘The Value of Zero’ and ‘What Did You Expect?’

The 12-minute-plus video for ‘Divine Intervention’ plays out like a hybrid mini-movie and music video, taking place on a dark, rainy night in and around a seedy hotel. The song’s blues-based rock style musical arrangement plays over the video, with Angell singing in some of the scenes and driving a car around the darkened city streets in others.

As noted, the song’s musical arrangement is a plodding but infectious blues-based rock style work. It is a composition that will appeal widely to audiences. The lyrical story that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement adds to the song’s overall impact, too.

Angell talked about the inspiration behind the song’s lyrical content during the duo’s inerview with Loudersound.com.

“The song ‘Divine Intervention’ was born from the ongoing conversations between myself and the spirits of those whom I was close to, but who are no longer with us,” said Angell. “Although their molecules have been redistributed, I knew them well enough to know what they might say and how I felt in their presence. I don’t necessarily think they are hovering over me whispering in my ear or anything. It’s more like the relationships I had with them made such an impression that the benefits continue despite their absence.

More information on Walking Papers’ new single and video is available along with all of the duo’s latest news at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/walkingpapersmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/walkingpapers

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.