Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Nektar
Label: Cleopatra Records
Release: 2013
Runtime: 66:53
Rating: 3/5
Cult British prog rockers Nektar, who spent most of their creative years in Germany (which is why some wrongly file them under the krautrock scene), are back with a new album, »Time Machine«. It’s their first studio album of original material since »Book Of Days” (2008), and the first with their new bass player, American Billy Sherwood (ex-Yes, Conspiracy, Circa). The seasoned Sherwood, who is also a superb guitarist and handled the excellent production on »Time Machine«, replaced German Randy Pichl and joined band chief and original member, guitarist/vocalist Roye Albrighton, original drummer Ron Howden and German keyboardist Klaus Henatsch. This new incarnation of Nektar first proved itself on »A Spoonful of Time« (2012), a rather interesting album of covers of other cult artists. But of course, what all the longtime fans really wanted to know was how the new lineup would hold up when it came to writing and producing new music.
The first thing you notice about »Time Machine« (the album was originally supposed to be called »Juggernaut«), even before you put the disc in the player, is the great sci-fi cover in classic Nektar style, with a space station, a bee and an alien. It’s a clear signal that the band is trying to get back to its roots, i.e. back to the ‘golden’ seventies, when they made their best records. But does the music really recall their finest days, when albums like »A Tab in the Ocean« (1972), »Remember the Future« (1973) and »Recycled« (1975) set so many high standards for exploring new frontiers of progressive rock? Sadly, the attempt to recapture that winning magic didn’t work out too well this time, because on most tracks the band comes across as boring and uninspired. Individual arrangements mostly have nothing new to say that we haven’t heard before. There’s way too much leaning on simple, well-chewed-over sonic solutions, although nobody expects old cats like these to be guarantors of innovation in their old age.
Still, there’s plenty of good stuff too that will keep the longtime fans on board, because if nothing else, »Time Machine« is a thoroughly recognizable Nektar record. The new Nektar sound remarkably relaxed and melodic at the same time. Roye’s singing on most tracks is especially good, starting with the opening energy catalyst »A Better Way«, where he sounds remarkably youthful, backed by ethereal vocal harmonies and his complex yet tuneful guitar passages. Mr. Albrighton also uses plenty of acoustic guitar, which gives some sections a pastoral touch, while symphonic curtains nicely provide a varied atmospheric depth.
»Set Me Free, Amigo« is a rather unusual, almost bizarre experiment: with its soft melos and delicate Hammond organ filigree, it’s basically a mid-tempo, easygoing Latin-pop rocker. A thoroughly unserious creation, well below the usual reputation of this legendary band, although the funky instrumental section in the second half isn’t bad at all. »Destiny«, another easygoing mid-tempo number, peaking in a melodic chorus, opens with a melancholic guitar solo of the kind only a guitarist of Albrighton’s caliber can conjure up. Nothing special, especially compared to what they were capable of in their best days, though the nostalgic atmosphere that dominates this track and a few others on »Time Machine« undoubtedly has its charm.
The almost 10-minute »If Only I Could« is another example of a track that, despite its length and complex rhythmic structure, never manages to take off when it comes to building an exciting atmosphere, which is exactly what Nektar were true masters of in the past. Even the vocal harmonies sound a bit bored and forced this time, while the clever improvisations on guitar, keyboards, bass and drums are really the only thing that grabs your attention on this otherwise very average piece. The title track is one of the more inspired moments on »Time Machine«, even though it has a pretty predictable, repetitive chorus. What the rather banal lyrics and the fairly jaded vocal performance fail to deliver is made up for all the better by the very good instrumental section, especially the tasty solo on Hammond organ.
»Tranquility« opens with a promising guitar improvisation and ethereal vocal harmonies. That’s followed by an interesting shift into an ethereal section with prominent synth textures. Unfortunately the rest of the composition doesn’t live up to its early promise. »Mocking the Moon« is a pastoral, slightly saccharine ballad with a cheerful chorus and a positive vibe, and they shouldn’t be too proud of it, since arrangement-wise it’s one of the simplest things in their entire career. »Talk To Me« is yet another power ballad, with a great vocal performance from Roye and a tasty guitar solo, which makes it an unusual experiment, and that’s not necessarily bad, though writing power ballads is a pretty easy move for a band of this standing, built on a base of ‘holy simplicity’.
The fusion instrumental »Juggernaut« is easily the most interesting thing on »Time Machine«: a first-rate showcase of this band’s thrilling instrumental talent, with a string of moving improvisations. A little jazz rock fusion never hurts, and here keyboardist Henatsch gets to let loose. The average Nektar fan would expect an epic on the level of their best work from the 10-minute-plus »Diamond Eyes«. Sadly, all Nektar had to say to close the album is a funk-driven, rather stretched-out piece that, despite a few promising motifs, never takes off as a whole in terms of atmosphere.
On »Time Machine«, their fourth studio album of original material since their ‘return from the dead’ in 2000, Nektar don’t reinvent the wheel, and in places they sound pretty tired, as if they’d run out of fresh songwriting ideas. Still, sonically it’s an album that’s very much made to the taste of their longtime fans. Evidently Sherwood’s arrival, even though he handled his instrumental and production duties perfectly decently, hasn’t brought a new burst of songwriting energy, so the next Nektar studio project will need a serious airing-out of ideas if these space rock legends want to stay a relevant studio band.
Line-up
Roye Albrighton – guitar, lead vocals
Klaus Henatsch – keyboards
Billy Sherwood – bass guitar
Ron Howden – drums, backing vocals
Production
Billy Sherwood
Track list
1. A Better Way (9:17)
2. Set Me Free, Amigo (5:01)
3. Destiny (5:17)
4. If Only I Could (9:55)
5. Time Machine (8:07)
6. Tranquility (5:06)
7. Mocking The Moon (5:24)
8. Talk To Me (3:55)
9. Juggernaut (4:37)
10. Diamond Eyes (10:14)
