Journey to the Centre of the Eye is the debut album from English progressive rock band Nektar that came out in November 1971. Though formally divided into 13 tracks, the entire album consists of a single continuous piece of music, with some musical themes which are repeated throughout the work. Because of its narrative nature, it has been called a rock opera and/or dense concept album. The story follows an astronaut who, while on a voyage to Saturn, encounters aliens who take him to their galaxy, where he is suffused with knowledge and wisdom. It is usually interpreted as a commentary on the nuclear arms race.[1]
Allmusic's retrospective review was a rave, avowing that "Throughout Journey's 13 cuts, Nektar introduced their own sort of instrumental surrealism that radiated from both the vocals and from the intermingling of the haphazard drum and string work." They gave unqualified praise to both the compositions and the performances of each of the individual members.[2]
Track listing
All songs written and arranged by Nektar.
Side one
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Prelude"
1:25
2.
"Astronaut's Nightmare"
6:27
3.
"Countenance"
3:33
4.
"The Nine Lifeless Daughters of the Sun"
2:55
5.
"Warp Oversight"
4:10
6.
"The Dream Nebula I"
2:14
Side two
No.
Title
Length
7.
"The Dream Nebula II"
2:26
8.
"It's All in the Mind"
3:22
9.
"Burn Out My Eyes"
7:50
10.
"Void of Vision"
2:02
11.
"Pupil of the Eye"
2:47
12.
"Look Inside Yourself"
0:54
13.
"Death of the Mind"
1:57
Personnel
Roye Albrighton - guitars, vocals
Mick Brockett - liquid lights
Allan "Taff" Freeman - Mellotron, pianos, organ, vocals
[2]