By Nick Viccione / Asst. Entertainment Editor

I will not write this album off right away for that reason. It is actually a spectacularly catchy album with great song writing. However, there are parts throughout the record where I feel the technicality that I have grown to love from Mastodon’s previous efforts, is just not showcased enough. This could have been the mindset of the band going into the writing process for the album, whether they wanted to make Crack the Skye more accessible to a wider audience or whatever their motive may have been. The fact is, from a technical standpoint it does not match up to previous efforts. 

That does not discredit the band’s ability to write a fluent album though. I am all about fluidity and Crack the Skye flows from start to finish and it is a testament to any band when this is accomplished. The vocals are brooding as always. The guitar work is still great. There are not as many memorable riffs as there was on Blood Mountain. But I guess that comes with the territory. The drumming on Crack the Skye seems a little curbed.  Brann Dailor is a beast behind the kit, and this album does not showcase his talents as much as earlier material. 

All in all, Crack the Skye is not a letdown by any means. And I know for sure that it will grow on me the more I listen to it. However, strictly in relation to previous efforts, I can understand how this album may seem like a step back to some. I will continue to embrace Mastodon with loving arms. And if Crack the Skye does not work out, I will just throw on Remission and rip phone books in half.