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I just got my copy of the new Nebulas. I am very happy. At first I thought,
uh-oh, it's not "kill you dead aggressive" like the first one (how can you
top Rhino Chaser?). And I first thought I would not like it as much as the
first. But, I believe the songwriting has gotten better and they are trying
slightly new things (especially on the 13th song). So after a few listens, I
am sold, it is just as good as the first one, but shows a bit more variety
and some good solid progression from the first. That's the problem with 2nd
albums, people always compare it to the first. But here, clearly they have
met the rather high expectations that the first one set for them. And judged
soley on its own merits, its still a home run must have CD.
The new original songs are very solid and interesting. Lots of surfy flavor,
boooching, and rapid fire picking. Daring leads, lots of the drama and
danger from their first CD. I love the covers too, the Astronauts song is
amazing and true to the boooch-boooch of that band. Mar Gaya has some twists
that keep in from being a stale repeat. It's surprising at first that the
dead simple but so familiar drum beat from the original is not used here,
perhaps to set it apart. But TFJ still does it justice. The rhythm guitar
and bass line also help make it more of a Nebulas version than a carbon copy
Fender IV song. Plus, I don't think (?) the guitars are detuned like the
original either...?
Anyway, these are just a few thoughts after about 3 listens, I'll post more
later. Also, great packaging and production. The guitar tones are great, and
each instrument can be heard clearly.
I love the "Pink Floydish WTF is going on" hidden track. Is the very last
song (after the spacey part) a Dynotones song? I thought I had heard that
one before, but maybe I am wrong. Love the premature "GO" at the end
too...cracks me up everytime.
Fantastic job guys!!!
I should also say its a bit difficult to post this, what with 1/2 to 3/4 of
the band being on this list at various times; but believe me, I ain't
kissing up. This is a fantastic CD and must be owned by everyone!
BN
First, I'll cite the same butt-kissing waiver as Brian (I'm not
kissing up!) . . . now on with the comments!
This CD is truly awesome - as Brian says, it's not only a great
second release, but also fully stands on its own as a solid disc.
It's everything I like to hear in a surf release: lots of energy,
tight arrangements, dripping wet reverb, and excellent musicianship.
The replay value with this one is unreal - it truly gets better and
better the more you listen to it. Some of the tunes I have heard
only once or twice before (at Nebulas shows), but they sounded
immediately familiar the first time I listened to the disc. To me,
that's the sign of great songwriting!
The arrangements are really nice, too. I agree with Brian - the
Nebulas version of "Mar Gaya" is a lot different from any other
cover I've heard, but that difference makes it so very refreshing -
a nice take on a classic tune.
This release goes under the "highly recommended" category in my
book - it's just good stuff! Check it out!
-Dick
--- In , "Brian Neal" <bneal@i...>
wrote:
> I just got my copy of the new Nebulas. I am very happy. At first I
thought,
> uh-oh, it's not "kill you dead aggressive" like the first one (how
can you
> top Rhino Chaser?). And I first thought I would not like it as
much as the
> first. But, I believe the songwriting has gotten better and they
are trying
> slightly new things (especially on the 13th song). So after a few
listens, I
> am sold, it is just as good as the first one, but shows a bit more
variety
> and some good solid progression from the first. That's the problem
with 2nd
> albums, people always compare it to the first. But here, clearly
they have
> met the rather high expectations that the first one set for them.
And judged
> soley on its own merits, its still a home run must have CD.
>
> The new original songs are very solid and interesting. Lots of
surfy flavor,
> boooching, and rapid fire picking. Daring leads, lots of the drama
and
> danger from their first CD. I love the covers too, the Astronauts
song is
> amazing and true to the boooch-boooch of that band. Mar Gaya has
some twists
> that keep in from being a stale repeat. It's surprising at first
that the
> dead simple but so familiar drum beat from the original is not
used here,
> perhaps to set it apart. But TFJ still does it justice. The rhythm
guitar
> and bass line also help make it more of a Nebulas version than a
carbon copy
> Fender IV song. Plus, I don't think (?) the guitars are detuned
like the
> original either...?
>
> Anyway, these are just a few thoughts after about 3 listens, I'll
post more
> later. Also, great packaging and production. The guitar tones are
great, and
> each instrument can be heard clearly.
>
> I love the "Pink Floydish WTF is going on" hidden track. Is the
very last
> song (after the spacey part) a Dynotones song? I thought I had
heard that
> one before, but maybe I am wrong. Love the premature "GO" at the
end
> too...cracks me up everytime.
>
> Fantastic job guys!!!
>
> I should also say its a bit difficult to post this, what with 1/2
to 3/4 of
> the band being on this list at various times; but believe me, I
ain't
> kissing up. This is a fantastic CD and must be owned by everyone!
>
> BN
