JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EYE

I agree on many things with Maani's 2-star review (of this debut of a British band that started life in Germany): "The music is not very original (influences include Floyd, Moody Blues, Crimson and, oddly, The Who), and the studio tricks and effects used are, by 1971, actually rather passé." However, I don't mind so much about obvious influences - add German Krautrock to the list - or a sound that would be more at home in the year '68. I enjoy the very psychedelic and 'old' feel. But this album undoubtedly has some weaknesses of sort AS IF they were experimenting on some new genre (and technics) where things are only developing. I suppose Nektar themselves were too busy searching their style to see how prog had matured already.

It's a concept album - about a trip into an eye: inner space? hallucinogenic? or just surreal imagination? Being mostly instrumental it's not the easiest 'story' to get. It's definitely not an album to take advantage of CD player's track programming possibility without breaking the flow and as the passages I found quite unpleasant are often within an interesting track. (I edited a 23- minute taping for myself and hope that the seams are unnoticeable.)

Mellotron and organ dominate this album more than other Nektars, I believe. Highlights for me include 'Dream Nebula 1-2' and 'Burn Out My Eyes' where distorted vocals bring deeper emotion to music. In places it's really a strong listening experience to dive into, in all its outdated psychedelia. Darkness and headphones help! And in places it's like bad throwaway sketches of early Pink Floyd.