Crack The Sky was formed in the early ‘70s in Weirton, West Virginia, not the typical place from which you'd expect a progressive rock band that would go on to tour with Styx, Kansas, Yes, Frank Zappa and many more in the latter part of that decade.

A great band that just couldn't quite come up with that "breakout" single, they have disbanded and revived several times in the nearly four decades they've been making music. But despite the elusiveness of major international success, they have maintained a devoted, loyal following and have continued to release superb new music throughout their existence.

On "Machine," their 14th studio release, the band shows once again that they don't intend to compromise their music for the sake of a pop single. The album, like others in their lengthy catalog, is a conceptual album, dealing with the relationship between man and machine, and hits upon themes of visionary alarm as they have in previous albums. The music is complex and at times intense, but clearly accessible, with beautifully performed vocal harmonies throughout, memorable melodies, and great instrumental performances that you'll want to hear again and again.

John Palumbo, the primary songwriter and creative force behind the band, has never been better, Rick Witkowski's guitar playing is as intense as ever, and the rhythm section of bassist Joe Macre and drummer Joey D'Amico is as stunningly tight as it was in the '70s.

Crack The Sky's history is, no doubt, one of the most frustrating in rock 'n' roll, but you can't count them out as "Machine" is testament that they are as viable today as they ever have been.