CATAPILLA

CATAPILLA is early progressive rock that needs another serious look by music historians and further inspection by listeners. This is their original recording on the Vertigo label released in 1971 and reissued on 180-gram vinyl by Akarma Records in 2000.

Vocalist Anna Meek sounds like a distraught Nico as she wails, cry's, and screams out her pleas to anyone that will listen. I didn't particularly care for her voice; it was out of tune and annoying for the most part. The music however is what saves her from complete disaster.

This group was known for its long instrumental breaks, and thankfully that is what a majority of the album gives you. A lot of saxophone is utilized giving their sound an eerie albeit free form setting without any room for compromise. Side two is comprised of one song that runs for 24:09. It's wasn't your typical prog-rock song mind you, keep in mind this was 1971 and these folks were making groundbreaking music. Today it's more commonplace for one song to go on for that long on a studio album, it does happen; however it's apt to be in live setting that it happens more often.

I have to give them credit, they were a force in music in Britain in their short lifespan and they helped to create a wake that many groups would continue after they dissolved.

Rating: 3.5/5