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 BIO | ALBUM REVIEWS | LIVE REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS |
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| Album Reviews |
 NEBULA - DOS EPS Hellride Music by Kevin McHugh Nebula's fourth full-length album, 'Dos EPs,' was released outside the US several months ago, and is only now seeing a proper release in their home country. What we have here is a reissue of their two classic EPs; 'Sun Creature' on the now-defunct Man's Ruin label, and the legendary Nebula/Lowrider split. Both have been at least partially remixed and remastered. Dos EPs also includes three new tunes, lest the buyer be under the mistaken impression that they are buying a simple reissue. Make no mistake: Nebula is perhaps THE premier band in what some call stoner rock. They carry the banner high, writing guitar-led, ass-kicking tunes with a strong 70s vibe, dealing with the joys of substance indulgence, denim jackets, smokin' women, and the freedom of the open road. Plus, they tour like hardened road dogs, traveling the world and living the life. Other prominent bands that deal with such subjects have either broken up or produced recent music of questionable value. Nebula's recent music seems slightly more spare compared to earlier efforts, with lyrics that seem oversimplified at times, but as I see it they've outlasted the other "famous" bands of the genre with their integrity intact, and deserve their place in the sun. In any case, Dos EPs has some of the strongest music Nebula ever released, and they're right to keep it available. With the help of engineer Mathias Schneeberger, some of the previously released tunes have been changed, whether in tempo or with the addition of a Fender Rhodes piano. The results are enhanced and the songs are reinvigorated. The new tuneage sounds like it would be perfectly at home on their previous full-length, Charged. 'Rocket' has a classic charging riff, straight out of AC/DC's 'Whole Lotta Rosie,' or Led ZEPs 'Rock and Roll,' or even Motorhead's 'Over the Top.' 'Long Day' encourages the listener to just take it easy with a basic boogie vibe, and 'Bardo Airways' has rhythmic sighs like in Jimi's 'Purple Haze,' punctuating lyrics about the joys of getting loaded. This is far more than a simple reissue; it's a disc by a band that obviously cares a lot about its recorded output. It seems that they review their past music as available for re-evaluation, rather than as a "sacred" body of work. Well, its paid off. Hell, I've got the originals, and I'm pleased to add this to my CD shelf. You should, too. back to album reviews |
NEBULA - DOS EPS StonerRock.com by Rob Wrong Nebula's latest release is a mix of previously released material along with three new cuts - most will recognize these songs as being those off of the split with Lowrider on MeteorCity, and the now defunct Man's Ruin label release "Sun Creature"... make no mistake though, these songs are revamped, re-mixed and re-mastered making the release probably the greatest collection of Nebula songs out there. The production overall is crisp and well rounded, very full and top notch. The three new songs are pretty cool, mainly "Long Day" sticks in my head with it's super heavy blues feel that really drives the point across like a ZZ-Top song. Overall the songs are 100% Nebula. Loud driving rock numbers, blues based and fuzz heavy. Blue Cheer influenced and drenched in sludgy goodness. 'Smokin' Woman' is another tune that I dig... great Rhodes keys over the top of the mix... laid back classic rock blues groove with some provacative lyrics... hehehehe... good stuff. This is the perfect little collection if you haven't really gotten into Nebula yet. It's a nice variety of the different angles of Nebula. The already hardcore fan on the other hand might want to pick it up for the extra tracks, the new mixed up song order of the previously released material in new mix and master. What more can you ask for? back to album reviews |
NEBULA - DOS EPS All Music Guide by Craig Curtice Nebula is one of those bands that would have fit perfectly on a concert bill with Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, or the Stooges - circa 1973. The power trio of Eddie Glass (vocals, guitars), Ruben Romano (drums), and Mark Abshire (bass) has quietly fused a somewhat modernized but highly distinctive '70s hard rock sound all its own. Releasing Dos EPs is a smart move, combining the very limited Sun Creature EP and the scarce Meteor City split with three additional songs that groove on raunchy guitar hooks, opaque slacker vocals, and bleed-heavy drumming. Of the unreleased material, "Long Day" pegs an infectious hard-luck guitar swagger against a catchy slippery rhythm, while "Rocket" and "Bardo Airways" scream in a straightforward attack that would make any old-school AC/DC or Judas Priest fan proud. Also sounding retro-fresh are previously released rockers "Full Throttle," "Fall of Icarus," and "Rollin' My Way to Freedom," which all intertwine nicely together. "Smokin' Woman" is truly a signature piece that blisters in a fog of heavy fuzzed-out midsong riffage. Despite the presence of occasional lyrical fluff, it's the shredding musical jams that should satisfy desert rock listeners, making Dos EPs essential for Nebula collections. back to album reviews |
