Journey to the Center of the Mind

Journey to the Center of the Mind is the second studio album released by The Amboy Dukes. Released in April 1968 on Mainstream Records, the album is best remembered for its hit single title track, which charted at No.16 on the Billboard singles chart.

The album demonstrates a more pop-oriented approach than the band's debut album, as well as a psychedelic, garage rock and hard rock sound. Retrospective commentary on the album have called it a classic album of 1968.

Composition
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the Journey to the Center of the Mind album "bridged psychedelia and hard rock". Singers Room described the album as "a blend of garage rock and psychedelic influences". The album also demonstrates more of a pop sensibility than the band's debut. Steve Farmer co-wrote the hit title track and entirely wrote most of the ambitious suite that makes up the album's second side. The album opens with two blues-influenced rock songs, "Mississippi Murderer" and "Surrender to Your Kings". Ultimate Classic Rock said that "Why Is a Carrot More Orange Than an Orange" delved "deeper into waters more familiar to the Strawberry Alarm Clock or even the Lemon Pipers" with "pseudo-intellectual gibberish lyrics and an almost bubblegum musical approach".

The album also showcases Ted Nugent's guitar skills, with Ultimate Classic Rock writing, "His lead on 'Flight of the Byrd' [is] down and dirty, while his playing on 'Scottish Tea' is highly melodic and inventive". AllMusic said that producer Bob Shad contributed to the album's distinctive sound by recording Nugent's guitar as if Journey to the Center of the Mind was "a mainstream jazz album".

Reception
The "Journey to the Center of the Mind" single, released in June 1968, charted at No.16 on the Billboard singles chart, while the album only charted at No.74 on the albums chart. In a retrospective review, AllMusic said that the album was "hard-hitting, well-done psychedelic music, recorded with taste". Singers Room ranked the album as the 83rd best album of 1968, describing it as "a classic album that is a must-listen for fans of psychedelic rock."

The Amboy Dukes

 * John (J.B.) Drake – vocals
 * Ted Nugent – lead guitar, vocals
 * Steve Farmer – rhythm guitar, vocals
 * Greg Arama – bass
 * Dave Palmer – drums
 * Andy Solomon – organ, piano, vocals

Technical

 * Bob Shad – producer
 * Roy Cicala – engineer
 * Maxine Epstein – album coordinator
 * Jack Lonshein – cover design