Customer Reviews

BBC Peel Sessions

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Good
Nebula's latest release compiles material from the BBC's John Peel sessions and a Radio One Rock Show session recorded between 2002 and 2004. It features the classic line that recorded the first two classic Nebula albums. The opening jam "Radio 1/Clearlight" obviously and homage to those giving them the opportunity to record this album. There are some great guitar grooves here, with improvised vocals. "Instant Gravitation" is predominately a hard rocking instrumental with a few vocals thrown in for good measure. "Carpe Diem" is lead some chunky guitar riffage and fiery guitar licks. "Way to Venus" keeps the energy flowing, while "This One" kicks back and relaxes a bit. "All the Way" brings the tempo to a crawl with trippy guitar tones and dark vocal overtones. The nine minute plus epic "Strange Human" gives you the best of the mellow and the best of the energetic. The guitar work is phenomenal.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
The only album of Nebula's that I had heard prior to this one was Atomic Ritual. I thought it was quite boring and mundane, so I didn't have much hope for this one. WOW! Nebula clearly comes alive in a live setting. The group comes out with all barrels blazing and delivers a fiery performance that rivals the biggest names in the rock world today. This live set is built around killer guitar riffs and even more impressive guitar licks and runs. Even if you took the vocals out of the mix, you still have a fantastic album.

I own all of Nebula's full length albums and EPs, along with a smattering of splits and other odds and ends put out by the band. The Peel Sessions trump them all.
These BBC studio sessions are the perfect mix between studio quality and live recordings. Nebula loosens up and returns to its stoner rock roots, incorporating extended jams seamlessly into its more structured songs. And man, do they ROCK OUT!
The album's version of "Sonic Titan" is a bit weaker than on the original EP, but other than that, not one complaint.