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The Other Side (CD/DVD)
Blow out price on the CD/DVD version. DVD includes a "making of" documentary and "Drifting" official video.
Roye Albrighton had been carrying the Nektar torch over in Europe for many years. With his passing original members Mo Moore, Ron Howden, and Mick Brockett basically came out of retirement to resurrect the band. Enlisting former musicians associated with the band from the 70s, we are graced with a new version of Nektar. The Other Side actually includes material that the band composed and performed in the 70s but never got to record before they imploded. The new material has Nektar DNA in the writing and overall I'd say that any Nektar fan will be pleased with the results. While its not going to supplant Recycled or Remember The Future it actually sounds like Nektar and frankly thats far beyone what I ever could have expected.
"The new studio album by Nektar ( The Other Side ) is a return to form for Nektar. This album sounds like a classic Nektar album and I think its Nektar's best album since the 1970's. This album has 3 original members on it. The members are Derek "Mo" Moore ( bass, vocals ), Ron Howden ( drums, vocals ) and Mick Brockett ( Illumination ). The band also has Ryche Chlanda ( guitar, lead vocals ). Ryche was in the band in 1978 for few months. Another member of the band is Randy Dembo ( bass, 12-string guitar ) he played with Nektar in the 2000's. and finally there is also Kendall Scott ( keyboards ) who just joined the band in 2019. This album made through Kickstarter. Now lets review the songs.
I'm on Fire - This song starts off the album well with its rocking beat and guitar musicianship. Right away i realize this is going to be a classic Nektar album. Derek "Mo" Moore Sings on this song and does a pretty good job. I also really enjoyed the instrumental in the middle of the song ( one thing you will realize is that i like a lot of instrumentals in this album ) ( 4/5 )
Skywriter - This song starts off with a mysterious guitar riff and then the song starts and you can hear Ryche's singing. His vocals are very beautiful in this song. This song gives me a Beatles vibe whenever I hear the chorus. I also really enjoyed guitar during the instrumental. Ryche did a great job on this track. I also really liked the grand feeling of the instrumental, especially with the choir in the background. ( 4.5/5 )
Love Is / The Other Side - This is the epic of the album. This song is on par with some of Nektar's early epics such as ( Remember the Future Pt.1 and A Tab in the Ocean ) that's how good this song is! It starts off great right away with all the instruments fitting together very nicely and the musicianship on this song is spectacular. This is one of the best Progressive Rock songs I have heard in a long time, It never gets boring and keeps you interested throughout the entire song. The song is just awesome! ( 5/5 )
Drifting - This song comes right after the epic Love Is / The Other Side and it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. This is probably the darkest song in the album. But the song is beautiful at the same time. The keyboards on this song, they were great. Very unique for Nektar. Great track. ( 5/5 )
Devils Door - The guitar and vocals during the first 1:17 of the song is Roye Albrighton ( The lead singer for Nektar from 1969 - 2016 when he passed away ) and the switching ear to ear effect that you hear in the beginning of the song was the producer who passed away. They used old audio and put it in the beginning of the song in their memory. I love that they did that, it made me emotional the first time I did learned that they did that. The song itself is also amazing! its a great Nektar track. Everything is good on this one. ( 5/5 )
The Light Beyond - This song is only 2:51 which makes it the shortest song on the album. I wish this song was used as a intro to another song on the album rather then being used a separate track. But even though the song is short, it still is a stunning track. Reminds me of something Yes would do. ( 4.5/5 )
Look Thru Me - This song didn't right away sound like a something Nektar would make. But it is still a great song and I am very glad it made it onto this album. The acoustic guitar on this track is also very pleasant. This is a very calming song. I really enjoyed this song. ( 4.5/5 )
Y Can't I B More Like U - When I read the song title I expected this song to be a silly pop song. But I was very wrong! This song is fantastic. Reminds me of a Beatles song mixed with a Nektar song a bit. I really enjoyed Ryche's vocals here. The drums were also rocking during the instrumentals. ( 4.5/5 )
Overall this album was fantastic. It sounded like a classic Nektar album. This album just blew me away! I was totally taken my surprise on how good this was. I think this could be one of Nektars top 5 best albums. I think the only bad thing about this album was the lyrics. I wish they would have gone in more a Tab in the Ocean style for the lyrics. But they lyrics on this album are still pleasant. I really loved this album. ( 4.5/5 )" - ProgArchives