Nektar formed in 1969 which means like any band formed around the same time who’s still active today, you’re bound to have some pretentious snob ask, “Well who’s left of the original lineup?”. For your information Mr. or Mrs. Hipster, Nektar features original members Ron Howden (drums) and Derek “Mo” Moore (bass, keyboards, vocals), as well as their trusty special effects artist, Mick Brockett. The remainder of the lineup is rounded out by Kendall Scott (keyboards), Randy Dembo (bass), and Ryche Chlanda (guitars, vocals). All of these are veteran players who faithfully carry on the Nektar legacy in the wake of leader Roye Albrighton’s passing in 2016.
Personally, I don’t care who is or isn’t in a band as long as the records being made do justice to that band’s classic output. With only 2 original members and 1 longtime member, Kansas released one of the best albums of their career in The Prelude Implicit (2016). Uriah Heep have put out a string of excellent albums in the last decade with only guitarist Mick Box left at the helm. Nektar joins the rankings of these legendary acts and others with their latest release, The Other Side.
The album begins with the rocking “I’m on Fire”. Driven by heavy organ and guitars, it sounds straight out of the early 70s. Ever since their heyday, Nektar has flirted with hard rock. Iron Maiden even covered “King of Twilight” as the B side of “Aces High”. After a few minutes of headbanging goodness, we veer into a Beatlesesque section (think Sgt. Peppers), only to go back to where we began.
If there’s one thing Nektar proves, it’s their impeccable ability to craft lengthy, memorable progressive rock epics that don’t stray into senseless noodling interludes. A great example of this is the longest track on the album, “Love Is / The Other Side”, which clocks in at nearly 18 minutes. The first part of the suite, “Love Is”, sounds eerily familiar. I can’t place where I’ve heard it, but the Beatle-isms continue with guitar work that reminds me of George Harrison. Then we’re taken to “The Other Side”. This track is loaded with subtle virtuosity. It also displays their sublime use of atmosphere to shape a song.
My favorite track on the album is “Drifting”. A dark, doom laden riff sets the stage for a song that can only be described as a “trip”. For the next 9 minutes, we are treated to cerebral synths, dreamlike vocals from Chlanda, and an absolutely savage guitar solo. Following this track is “Devil’s Door” which features more organ and guitar wizardry. The Other Side closes with a keyboard interlude (“The Light Beyond”) and two mellow ballads (“Look Thru Me”, “Y Can’t I B More Like U”) which differ from the rest of the album, but are still enjoyable.
Despite what the current legions of music tastemakers may have you believe, progressive rock is far from dead and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon…not so long as Nektar has something to do with it.
7 out of 10
Label: Esoteric Recordings
Genre: Progressive Rock
For fans of: Camel, Eloy, Gentle Giant