The Other Side (Nektar album)
The Other Side is the fourteenth album by progressive rock band Nektar, released in 2020. It was the first studio album since 1977's Magic Is a Child to feature original bassist Derek "Mo" Moore. It also features the return of Mick Brockett on special effects, Randy Dembo on rhythm guitar, and Ryche Chlanda on lead guitar. Dembo had previously appeared on Evolution and Chlanda had briefly played with the band in 1978. It is also the last studio album by longtime drummer Ron Howden who died on September 29, 2023.
| The Other Side | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 24 January 2020 | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 66:06 | |||
| Label | Esoteric Antenna | |||
| Nektar chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Several tracks such as "Skywriter" (formerly "Skypilot") and "Devil's Door" are reworked from unreleased demos. "I'm on Fire" was written as poem by Moore for his soon-to-be wife in 1978.[2] The original "Devil's Door" can be found on the Live Anthology 1974 - 1976 boxset. Roye Albrighton's guitar playing is included as the introduction to the 2020 version.[3] "Drifting" was recorded in one take with vocal lines and keyboards added later. It features several time signature changes, moving from 9
8 and 5
4 to 4
4.[4]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Nektar, exceptions as noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm on Fire" | Derek "Mo" Moore | 8:32 |
| 2. | "Skywriter" | 7:52 | |
| 3. | "Love Is/The Other Side" | 17:57 | |
| 4. | "Drifting" | 9:11 | |
| 5. | "Devil's Door" | Roye Albrighton | 8:11 |
| 6. | "The Light Beyond" | 2:51 | |
| 7. | "Look Thru Me" | 5:02 | |
| 8. | "Y Can't I B More Like U (2020)" | 6:32 |
Personnel
- Ryche Chlanda – Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
- Kendall Scott – Keyboards, Piano, Organ, Mellotron, Backing Vocals
- Ron Howden – Drums, Backing Vocals
- Derek "Mo" Moore – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Randy Dembo – 12-string Guitar, Bass Guitar
- Mick Brockett - Special effects
- Additional personnel
- Roye Albrighton - Intro. Guitar on "Devil's Door"
References
- "Nektar - The Other Side (Album Review)". Discogs.com. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- "Prog Legends Nektar Return With Stunning New Studio Album "The Other Side"". Progreport.com. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- "Nektar – Live Anthology 1974 - 1976". Discogs.com. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- "Prog Giants Nektar Remember The Future from The Other Side". Soundandvision.com. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2023.