2020 saw the release of The Other Side, the first studio album from Nektar since the death of founding member, guitarist, and vocalist Roye Albrighton, and it was a pretty strong one that saw the band forging ahead doing what they do best, which is play psychedelic, spacey, hard-edged progressive rock music. Four years later, the band (who are all now located here in the US) have released Mission to Mars, a short, four-song album featuring the current line-up of the band who have regrouped after the recent death of drummer Ron Howden. Nektar are currently:
Derek "Mo" Moore / bass, vocals
Jay Dittamo / drums
Maryann Castillo / backing vocals
Ryche Chlanda / guitars, vocals
Kendall Scott / keyboards
With only Moore left from the original & classic line-up, you can safely say this is a completely new band now, and as you begin to listen to the opening title track, that appears to be the case musically as well. Owing more to straight rock bands like The Faces and Bad Company, "Mission to Mars" starts off as a solid but certainly non-proggy direction for Nektar, that is until about the 5-minute mark when the atmospheric, spacey synths arrive, Chlanda's acrobatic wah-wah drenched guitar solo, Mo's leathery Rickenbacker bass, and the simmering organ from Scott drench the arrangement with lovely prog bliss. It's a tale of two parts, but repeat spins reveal a lengthy song that works. "Long Lost Sunday" is more typical '70s Nektar, melodic and atmospheric with some nice vocal harmonies, and that more moody element appears on "One Day Hi One Day Lo" as well, but here the hooks are even heightened, and Chlanda tosses in some nice lead guitars. Closer "I'll Let You In" ends the album on a mellow note, with lush synths and emotional vocals...nice enough song, but maybe not the best choice to close the album.
The band is preparing a follow-up in the near future, so it will be interesting to hear where they go next. Mission to Mars is certainly different, but you have to give Nektar credit for taking some risks and trying new things at this point in their career.
Track Listing
1. Mission to Mars (8:58)
2. Long Lost Sunday (7:12)
3. One Day Hi One Day Lo (10:11)
4. I'll Let You In (6:05)
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