Safety in Numbers (Crack the Sky album)

Safety in Numbers
Studio album by Crack the Sky
Released 1978
Recorded 1978 at Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec
Genre Progressive rock
Length 33:45
Label Lifesong
Producer Rob Stevens
Crack the Sky chronology

Animal Notes
(1976)
Safety in Numbers
(1978)
White Music
(1980)
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Safety in Numbers is the third studio album by American rock band Crack the Sky, released on LP in 1978 (see 1978 in music) by Lifesong Records (catalog #JZ 35041). It is the band's highest charting release on the Billboard album chart, peaking at #126.

This album is markedly different from the previous two Crack The Sky releases, being largely written by Rick Witkowski with Joe Macre and Rob Stevens. Keyboardist/vocalist John Palumbo, who had previously composed all of Crack The Sky's material, departed the band early in the recording process for Safety In Numbers. Consequently, Palumbo is not credited as a band member on the finished album, though the re-organized group did end up using three of his songs (one a co-write with several other Crack The Sky members).

To replace Palumbo, the band recruited Gary Lee Chappell to sing, and producer Rob Stevens to play keyboards. However, only the original band members (Joey D'Amico, Joe Macre, Jim Griffiths, Rick Witkowski) are pictured on the back cover of the album, with Chappell and Stevens relegated to one small photo each on the inside sleeve. There was a tour in support of the album (documented on Live Sky and Alive and Kickin' Ass), after which the band folded.

In 1980, Palumbo and guitarist Rick Witkowski started a new version of the band and released White Music. Crack The Sky has continued recording ever since; Safety In Numbers remains their only studio album that does not feature Palumbo as lead vocalist/chief songwriter.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Nuclear Apathy" (John Palumbo) 8:32
2. "Long Nights" (Palumbo) 3:59
3. "Flashlight" (Palumbo, Joey D'Amico, Joe Macre, Jim Griffiths, Rick Witkowski) 4:45
4. "Prelude to Safety in Numbers" (Macre, Witkowski) 1:15
5. "Lighten Up McGraw" (Rob Stevens, Witkowski, Macre) 5:08
6. "Give Myself to You" (Witkowski, Stevens) 3:23
7. "A Night on the Town (With Snow White)" (Witkowski, Deborah Kucan) 3:25
8. "Safety in Numbers" (Macre, Witkowski) 6:41

Personnel

The band

Production

Additional credits

Alternate versions

In 1989, Lifesong released a CD pairing Safety in Numbers with Animal Notes on a single disc (LSCD-8803). In order to fit both albums on one CD, the song "Prelude to Safety in Numbers" was omitted.

Sources