To the Center
To the Center is the first studio album by the stoner rock band Nebula.[3][4] It was released in 1999 on Sub Pop.[5][6]
To the Center | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 24, 1999 | |||
Recorded | April 1998 | |||
Studio | Hanzsek Audio, Seattle | |||
Genre | Stoner rock | |||
Length | 47:51 | |||
Label | Sub Pop | |||
Producer | Jack Endino & Nebula | |||
Nebula chronology | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Sun-Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Production
Recorded in Seattle, the album was produced with Jack Endino.[7] Guitar player Eddie Glass employed a Gibson SG.[2]
Mark Arm sang on the band's cover of the Stooges' "I Need Somebody".[8]
Critical reception
Exclaim! wrote that Glass "transformed himself into a veritable guitar god almost overnight in an era wherein the slightest six-string noodling is waved off the road, considered indulgent."[5] The Chicago Tribune thought that "acoustic guitars, sitar, [and] synthesizer give this Hendrix-like trio added texture."[9] OC Weekly decided that "the band also gets a little groovy, pulling out the aural incense to jam on the Fugazi-like 'Freedom' and synthesizer-laced, Jefferson Airplane-ish 'Synthetic Dream'."[10]
The Province determined that "this power trio seems to have blotted up its churn and burn from ancient Frisco acid rock band, Blue Cheer."[11] Tucson Weekly deemed To the Center "an album which undeniably pushes the band to the forefront of its genre, whether or not you've got a bong in front of you."[12]
Houston Press wrote: "On a song such as 'Come Down', Nebula actually does what few '90s bands have ever done, chemically enhanced or not: It achieves true heaviness. After the song's simple three-note syncopated intro doubles back on itself, Glass scratches his guitar pick down his strings before singing the hurried lyrics. And it's during those one and a half seconds, the time it takes for Glass's pick to travel a few inches, that Nebula is the heaviest band on earth. Not since Ritchie Blackmore's days with Deep Purple has the simple gesture of pick scratching been used so perfectly."[13]
AllMusic called the album a "retro-psychedelic heavy rock platter, long on stripped-down riff muscle and surprisingly technically adept guitar jams."[1]
Track listing
All Music by Eddie Glass, Lyrics by Eddie Glass/Ruben Romano, except where noted
- "To the Center" 6:31
- "Come Down" 2:01
- "Whatcha Lookin' For" 2:37
- "Clearlight" 4:29
- "Freedom" 7:14
- "Antigone" 2:30
- "I Need Somebody" 4:18 (Mark Arm on Vocals) (Written by Iggy Pop and James Williamson)
- "So Low" 3:45
- "Synthetic Dream" 4:28
- "Fields of Psilocybin" 2:15
- "Between Time" 3:22
- "You Mean Nothing" 4:21
Personnel
- Eddie Glass - Guitars, Vocals, Percussion
- Ruben Romano - Drums, Vocals, Percussion, Sitar
- Mark Abshire - Bass, Vocals, Audio generator
Credits
Produced by Jack Endino & Nebula
Engineered by Jack Endino
Recorded at Hanzsek Audio, Seattle, April 1999
Except Track 6 recorded at Private Radio, Seattle, August 1998
Mastered by John Golden
All songs by Eddie Glass Volcanic Pineapple (ASCAP)
Except Track 9 by Neil Blender & Eddie Glass
Track 7 by Iggy Pop/James Williamson, Bug Music/Fleur Music Limited/James
Osterberg Music/Screen Gems Music/ Strait James Music BMI
Track 11 by Randy Holden, Guitar God Music BMI
Front, Back, & Band Photos: Alex Obleas
Live Photos: Jenny Mcgee
Extra Collage Photos: Craig McDonald, Manu & Birgit
Cover Concept: Nebula
Cover Assembly: Mark Abshire
References
- "To the Center - Nebula | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- Williams, Kevin M. (November 14, 1999). "SPIN CONTROL". Chicago Sun-Times. SHOWCASE. p. 15.
- "Nebula Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- Kassulke, Natasha (7 Oct 1999). "SPOTLIGHT: NEBULA WITH ATOMIC BITCHWAX AND CORE". Wisconsin State Journal. Rhythm. p. 20.
- "Nebula To The Center | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca.
- "Nebula - Let It Burn (Heavy Psych Sounds)". The Big Takeover.
- Niesel, Jeff (October 28, 1999). "NEBULA ... rides out choppy surf to find its 'Center'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Entertainment. p. 15.
- Morris, Chris (Nov 13, 1999). "FLAG WAVING". Billboard. 111 (46): 57.
- Kot, Greg (23 Apr 2000). "RETURN OF THE STONER AGE BANDS LIKE MONSTER MAGNET AND NEBULA REKINDLE THE FIRE OF HARD ROCK, WITH LOTS OF SMOLDERING GUITARS". Chicago Tribune. Arts & Entertainment. p. 7.1.
- "CD Reviews". OC Weekly. November 4, 1999.
- Derdeyn, Stuart (11 Jan 2000). "Quick Spins". The Province. p. B5.
- Seigel, Stephen (October 28, 1999). "Soundbites". Tucson Weekly.
- Mariani, Anthony (November 4, 1999). "Happy Daze - Nebula conjures up memories of loud Les Pauls, long hair and weed". Music.