Search - Cressedia :: Asylum

Above-average early 70s British progressive rock

Allen Ray | Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea | 08/02/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you like hammond organ/piano/electric guitar-driven early 70s rock with some jazz leanings, then this is for you. The singer has a good sense of melody and an interesting, pleasant voice that doesn't annoy, unlike a few other bands working similar territory (Spring comes to mind). It's not complex music, but it's still enjoyable, especially the occasional shift into jazzier territory. Also, the quality of the recording is pretty good considering the era. I'm just wondering why "Asylum" has been widely acclaimed to have mellotron on it, specifically the track "Munich," when in fact there is no mellotron on this CD...AT ALL. Several sources have made the mellotron claim, which I find odd to say the least. There ARE real strings in this song and on a couple of others, as well as a bit of real brass here and there. It's pretty obvious that they're not mellotron strings or brass. In fact, by reading the liner notes, you will see that there is an actual orchestra credited, whilst there are NO mellotron credits listed anywhere. End of story. I was disappointed because I was expecting to hear mellotron, which I love, though the orchestrations apparently mistaken for mellotron are done very tastefully, especially on "Munich." Overall, this CD is good, but it's nothing spectacular. Though certainly a pleasant listen, there isn't anything on here that leaps out as being outstanding. Thus, I wouldn't call this essential unless you are really attracted to this type of sound."

The best of two

Sigmund Ruud | Horten, Norway | 06/04/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was Cressida's second and last album, and the best one. The starting line "Lunatic Larry beating his head on the wall" fits well in with the title of the album, "Asylum". It's got a couple of longer tracks than the debut and sounds a bit more mature. Still a pleasent group to listen to, without too many "turn-arounds" in rhythm like too many bands loved to do at this time. For Uriah Heep fanatics: Iain Clark, the drummer is the same as on "Look At Yourself" He plays on both Cressida albums."

Interesting early 70 s progressive band

Sigmund Ruud | 06/06/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the band signed by Phillips asylum . Early 70 s progressive mixing up everything with a particular taste of Jazz . piano player & singer very interesting"