Not too long ago Troy Sanders stopped by for a Progress Report on Crack the Skye Mastodon’s fourth album and followup to their indie (and Grammy) crossover Blood Mountain. Now we have some sounds to go with the King Crimson, Yes, and Frank Zappa references via first single, “Divinations.” It’s opens with a bit of banjo and then moves into a three-minute blast of the Atlanta crew’s catchy psychedelic crust. Lots of guitar. Lots of traded vocals (growled, smeary). Of course, big drums. You can also hear a snippet of “Oblivion” in a in a video teaser at the band’s site. It’s admittedly not much to go on, but if you know how to use the Internet, you will likely find more. In the meantime, take a listen to “Divinations” at the band’s MySpace while you figure out how to turn the Crack The Skye album art into your new tattoo:
Crack The Sky‘s track listing:
01 “Oblivion”
02 “Divinations”
03 “Quintessence”
04 “The Czar”
I. “Usurper”
II. “Escape”
III. “Martyr”
IV. “Spiral”
05 “Ghost Of Karelia”
06 “Crack The Skye”
07 “The Last Baron”
Crack The Skye is out late March via Reprise. The “Divinations” single is out today. Here’s its packaging:
[Band photo by Jimmy Hubbard]
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bad ass.
epic as fuck
the divinations single artwork is my favorite..
unleash those crazy bears wizard dude!
To quote The Wire’s Clay Davis:
“SHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-IT”
nostradamus and his bears are coming to eat us all. good.
Wow, that’s some embarassing cover art.
I don’t even *own* a bong.
What’s a bong? And what does it have to do with this cover?
Fucking rad. Can’t wait to hear this!
I’d like a crack at Ione Skye, myself.
have you SEEN her lately? she looks like she’s been mainlining cheez whiz.
Once I got over my disappointment that this album was not a collection of covers of 70′s prog rock band Crack the Sky, I actually really dug the song. Mastadon = good
Once I got over my disappointment that this album was not a collection of different renditions of 00′s prog rock band Brand New’s hit song “Play Crack The Sky”, I actually really dug the song. Mastadon = good
Damn, another great release slated for 2009. It’s gonna be another grand year for music.
that wizard and those bears would look badass tripping face