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Cressida - Cressida CD (album) cover

CRESSIDA

Cressida

 

Symphonic Prog

3.57 | 189 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

bristolstc
4 stars Four and a half stars really! I've been meaning to write about this for awhile, having heard the album many times and not really to be sure of where I stand on it. Cressida were short lived and all but ignored at the time, but when progressive/proto-prog rock became collectable they were one of the first bands to gather praise. Musically, Cressida's first album is much, much the better of the two- a sort of minor masterpiece or "flawed" masterpiece. The music derives much from folk, jazz, classical, British pop, and even a bit of subtle psychedelic influences with the guitar and organ interplay the strongest point. The rhythm section are also brilliant, changing time signatures and grooving along with ease. Only problem is that singer Angus Cullen possessed a rather monotone and grating voice, better augmented by harmonies and a bit monotonous when solo. Despite his seeming tone deafness and other short comings he managed to be a convincing voice on the album and gave the group, along with the organ work, a slight Canterbury flavour (like Caravan). I would say that "To Play Your Little Game," "The Only Earthman In Town," "Depression," and "Tomorrow Is A Whole New Day" are the best tracks here, although the others are also excellent. Whether this album is worth the investment an original would cost is another matter, but it does need to be in your collection at least as a CD. Side One is markedly less slow moving than Side Two, there isn't really a "concept" to this album, but it flows together nicely with no embarrasing moments. Sometimes these records have very pretentious or even laughably bad lyrics, not here. The words are thoughtful, clever, and interesting. There is lots of organ including a fair number of organ solos, and also some fantastic guitar work. The harpsichord passages too are very appealing. The problem goes back to the vocals, not bad, but not in the league of Asgard, Argent, or Deep Feeling. Song lengths are thankfully short, devoid of the unfocused self indulgence of Cressida's second record. This album is a minor classic, to some a MAJOR classic. I enjoy it quite a lot in the right mood, and the tranquil nature of much of this record is pleasant to listen to. All told, one of the better records on Vertigo, maybe one of the best. I'm not a huge fan of most bands on the label, with the worst being DR. Z which is impossible to listen to. This album is a welcome change from the ordinary dull jazzy prog of most Canterbury groups, instead opting for the Moody Blues/Caravan melodic prog rock sound. A really good album definitely worth investigation.
| 4/5 |

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