NEKTAR are among the seminal acts progenitors of the progressive rock movement of the 1970s as well as the jam-band scene that arose in the late 1990s. Their sound traveled well to the States, where they enjoyed Top 40 success with “A Tab in the Ocean” (1972) and “Remember the Future” (1973).
NEKTAR always has been an intriguing band, with their music sonding like no-other. While their beginnings were prog / space-rock, over the years they added a rock&pop flavor to the songs. Currently, NEKTAR style is Classic Rock, with pop infusions and a little proggy atmosphere on a couple of tracks.
2024 NEKTAR is broadening their horizons with the first in the “Mission To Mars” trilogy. Still with founding member Derek “Mo” Moore (bass) at the helm and with young musicians developing the songs – including new drummer Jay Dittamo – “Mission To Mars” sounds & feels fresh, timeless.
”Mission To Mars” is comprised of four songs running from four to ten minutes, so the album as a whole is under 33 minutes total. Sometimes less is better. As with the majority of the Nektar catalogue, the band covers a lot of ground musically.
The end result for my money is a classic rock album with a prog veneer. If you’re looking for twisty time signatures and lyrics about alien interventions in mankind, look elsewhere.
In fact, the opening title track, ‘Mission To Mars’, sums up the proceedings pretty nicely; solid, chugging rhythms, lyrics exhorting the listener to “Celebrate, scream and shout / Find yourself, let it out”, jubilant rock and roll. It isn’t till the midpoint of the song where the vocals drop out and the band rides an extended instrumental that things get really fun. The piano and synths take the song beyond blues rock tropes. Rhyche Chlanda does a fine job stomping his wah wah pedal into submission and the chord structure escapes the confines of corporate rock to say something interesting. There are several changes in tone and attitude that bring the song to a more satisfying conclusion.
‘Long Lost Sunday’ begins promisingly enough with guitar and keys leading the charge. In fact, synths are the star of the show. Chlanda’s voice has a pleasant rasp which lends it a lived-in feel. Melodically, the vocal lines are actually catchy and travel to some unexpected places.
Beautifully rendered orchestral synths introduce ‘One Day Hi, One Day Lo’, a long track with some proggy variation. When the bass and drums kick in, it is with a sense of command and power. Even the lyrics and melodies rise to the occasion, evoking the feel of prime Nektar. Chlanda’s guitar parts are equal parts razor sharp and Byrds-ian jangle. Break out the headphones and listen to the song for the nuances and the fun stereo gimmickry. Moore and new drummer Dittamo lock into a groove and ride it for all its worth. I do wish that the layered vocal parts had been expanded upon; they are that good.
The closing song, ‘I’ll Let You In’, begins with an acoustic guitar and vocal notable for their sense of presence. The recording makes it feel as if Chlanda is sitting on your sofa opposite you in your living room. The entrance of acoustic piano heightens the feeling and the singer-songwriter vibe. When the full band enter, the song ratchets up the emotional quotient. Chlanda’s simple guitar solo is perfect for the song, understated and elegant. The song builds in power until the final moments, ending as it began, simply and quietly.
The latest iteration of Nektar shows that the band still have something to say. They may not be walking the high wire any longer, but they are still willing to take some chances, give the occasional thrill, and provide a bit of bang for the buck.
When other bands their age are resting on their laurels, it’s great to see the some of the old guard burning out rather than fading away.
Highly Recommended
1 – Mission To Mars
2 – Long Lost Sunday
3 – One Day Hi One Day Lo
4 – I’ll Let You In
Derek “Mo” Moore – bass, vocals
Ryche Chlanda – guitars, vocals
Jay Dittamo – drums
Kendall Scott – keyboards
Maryann Castillo – backing vocals