Prog Rock Review: Nektar-The Other Side

Release Date: January 24, 2020
Label:  Independent
Website

Early influencers of the ’70s prog-rock movement, Nektar has returned with a satisfying new release. The Other Side reaches into the past and skillfully carries the band’s groundbreaking sound into the modern age. Like many prog-rock pioneers, Nektar took chances. Their debut album, for example, contained a single 40-minute song. As with any early 70s band that is fortunate enough to remain together, Nektar has gone through changes. Today, Nektar consists of three original members (Mo Moore, Ron Howden & Randy Dembo), a returning stint player (Ryche Chlanda), and a new keyboardist (Kendall Scott).

These are experimental rock songs with driving, complex rhythms supporting flights of fancy on keyboard and guitar. Think of Jones & Bonham of Led Zeppelin meeting Rick Wakeman of YES meeting Steve Hacket of Genesis. The most enjoyable moments on this album come when the band flies away from the derivative and predictable choruses and allows Chlanda and Scott to take the listener to new heights.

Case in point is the opening track, “I’m on Fire.” The lyrics Mo Moore wrote in 1978 for his fiancé fall flat against the imaginative underlying sonic texture. “SkyWriter” is a more accessible and reminiscent of an Asia track bridging prog with pop. On the other side of the coin, “Love Is/The Other Side” is a masterful progression of melodies and tempos taking off mid-way and not relenting until the end. “The Light Beyond” and “Look Through Me” are slower, more orchestral, and introspective songs heavy on keyboard with strains of Alan Parsons.

At times it feels as if The Other Side is attempting to combine the experimental and ethereal nature of progressive rock with down-to-earth hard rock sensibilities. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. As a listener, I found myself tuning out for the chorus and turning in for the jams. Overall, the offering is strong, and the experience is worthwhile. The better news is that Nektar is still producing quality albums and is still touring. Legend has it that they do not let their live audiences down, so check out their tour list and go see this iconic band while you have the chance.

Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff

January 23, 2019

REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:

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MuzikMan Productions

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Tracks:
1. I’m On Fire
2. SkyWriter
3. Love is/The Other Side
4. Drifting
5. Devil’s Door
6. The Light Beyond
7. Look Through Me
8. Y Can’t I B More Like U

Prog Rock Review: Nektar-The Other Side

Release Date: January 24, 2020
Label:  Independent
Website

Early influencers of the ’70s prog-rock movement, Nektar has returned with a satisfying new release. The Other Side reaches into the past and skillfully carries the band’s groundbreaking sound into the modern age. Like many prog-rock pioneers, Nektar took chances. Their debut album, for example, contained a single 40-minute song. As with any early 70s band that is fortunate enough to remain together, Nektar has gone through changes. Today, Nektar consists of three original members (Mo Moore, Ron Howden & Randy Dembo), a returning stint player (Ryche Chlanda), and a new keyboardist (Kendall Scott).

These are experimental rock songs with driving, complex rhythms supporting flights of fancy on keyboard and guitar. Think of Jones & Bonham of Led Zeppelin meeting Rick Wakeman of YES meeting Steve Hacket of Genesis. The most enjoyable moments on this album come when the band flies away from the derivative and predictable choruses and allows Chlanda and Scott to take the listener to new heights.

Case in point is the opening track, “I’m on Fire.” The lyrics Mo Moore wrote in 1978 for his fiancé fall flat against the imaginative underlying sonic texture. “SkyWriter” is a more accessible and reminiscent of an Asia track bridging prog with pop. On the other side of the coin, “Love Is/The Other Side” is a masterful progression of melodies and tempos taking off mid-way and not relenting until the end. “The Light Beyond” and “Look Through Me” are slower, more orchestral, and introspective songs heavy on keyboard with strains of Alan Parsons.

At times it feels as if The Other Side is attempting to combine the experimental and ethereal nature of progressive rock with down-to-earth hard rock sensibilities. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. As a listener, I found myself tuning out for the chorus and turning in for the jams. Overall, the offering is strong, and the experience is worthwhile. The better news is that Nektar is still producing quality albums and is still touring. Legend has it that they do not let their live audiences down, so check out their tour list and go see this iconic band while you have the chance.

Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff

January 23, 2019

REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:

The Final on Vinyl

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write a Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate the Tracks

Tracks:
1. I’m On Fire
2. SkyWriter
3. Love is/The Other Side
4. Drifting
5. Devil’s Door
6. The Light Beyond
7. Look Through Me
8. Y Can’t I B More Like U

Review: Jonas Lindberg-The Other Side

This release, The Other Side, a mini album by Jonas Lindberg is another of those recordings that had not registered on The Ancient One’s radar. Jonas Lindberg is a Swedish bass player and producer who, in 2008 at the School of Music in Pitea, put together a 4 track recording, In Secret Pace, for an exam project. This involved some talented friends and musicians, but didn’t see the light of day until released just last year. When this second album was being planned, Jonas decided that it would be with a 5 piece band and the name came into being, Jonas Lindberg and The Other Side. The music seems to draw influences from many sources, but there are definite “nods” in the direction of Pink Floyd, Sting, Genesis and Level 42 (anyone remember them?) and, nearer to home, I could hear hints of Kaipa, Flower Kings and Moon Safari.
 

The band currently comprises 5 members and they are, Jonas Lindberg (bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals), Jonas Sundqvist (vocals), Jonathan Lundberg (drums), Calle Stalenbring (guitar), and Michael Ottosson (keyboards).

The Other Side is a 5 track mini album which has a total playing time of around 29 minutes, with track 4, *Little Girl,” the shortest at 4:38 minutes and the final track, “Line No 18,” being the longest at 8:23 minutes.

The Other Side starts with “Lies” (5:27) which intros with an excellent piano theme, a little blast of bass and then the voice of Jonas, which is very powerful. The sound picks up with a very solid bass/drums foundation, and the song simply flows along effortlessly. Keyboards and guitar appear here and there and the piano passage from the start reappears, which means that this opening track has it all. There are memorable hooks, a silky smooth melody and it successfully sets the scene for the remainder of this mini album.

The title track, “The Other Side” (5:26) is a little “heavier” but no less melodic and interesting than the opener and “Where to Begin” (5:28) continues the flow of superb music, has excellent harmonies and a stunning guitar passage. The penultimate track, “Little Girl” (4:28) is very different with an intro that reminded me of Star Trek, but it soon turns into a stunningly simple acoustic guitar leading the vocals. This track shows a very different aspect of Jonas Lindberg and The Other Side, gently meandering along with a superb vocal making it a standout track.

The final track, “Line No 18” (8:23) moves off with a blast, showing this band can really rock and even the vocals have a grittier feel. There is no disguising the melodic nature of music on show, as the track simply flows from one section to the next, pulling the listener deeper into the music. Opportunities for guitar breaks, keyboard flourishes and majestic bass lines litter this longer track, giving all the musicians the chance to step into the spotlight.

My initial impression of The Other Side was that it was pleasant, but nothing outstanding, however, what a difference several plays can make to that first impression. I now look upon this release as simply amazing, and it gets both the “One to Buy” sticker as well as the “The Experience will last Forever” one. I wholeheartedly encourage people to get hold of this release and settle down to enjoy half an hour of superb music.

5/5 STARS

Key Tracks:  Little Girl, Line No 18, Lies

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-MuzikReviews.com Staff

October 26, 2013

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