A Tab in the Ocean - Nektar

A Tab in the Ocean (Nektar, 1972)

1. A Tab in the Ocean - 16:52
2. Desolation Valley - 7:32
3. Waves - 0:40
4. Crying in the Dark - 6:28
5. King of Twilight - 4:22

Nektar's dramatic, harder-edged version of symphonic rock may be best represented by this, their second album. The title track starts with waves washing into a noble, elevating arpeggio theme played on organ, punctuated by Who-like power chords then galloping into a full-fledged neo-classical romp. The tone of the side-long opus transforms from sunny to dramatic, menacing to reflective, heavy to elegiac as the singer ponders human experience against a backdrop of the ever-changing variety of life in the ocean. Though not as technically accomplished as peers like Yes or Genesis, the players in Nektar definitely have chops, and they put them to good use in creating an epic-length piece with character and feeling.

The songs on the second side of the LP flow together without sonic breaks, but they are more distinct pieces and merit the separate track listings. "Desolation Valley", though trying to get into my good graces by prominently featuring distorted Rickenbacker bass, has a bit of a lounge feel to it with its swingy jazz rhythm. Yes pulled it off in "Perpetual Change," but I don't think Nektar succeed here. "Waves" is a nice mood piece that transitions into the guitar-based "Crying in the Dark".  With its driving rhythm and heavy beat, it owes as much to hard rock as symphonic. The closing "King of Twilight" continues the heaviness with a martial "chugga-chugga-chug" beat and minor key riffing. The mystical lyrics add an air of fantasy to the song and make for a gripping conclusion.

My only complaint (besides the lounge jazz) is the abysmal sound quality. Though British, the boys of Nektar lived in Germany and recorded for a small label which doesn't seem to have preserved their legacy well.  Unintended distortion, white noise, and general muddiness make it sound as if they were recorded in an empty concert hall instead of a studio. If you scrub beneath the layers, though, you'll find Nektar a very capable and creative band.

Arbitrary rating: 4.5 out of 5 chugga-chugga-chug