REMEMBER THE FUTURE

Nektar was a band that could be considered to have blended the British and German rock styles of its time, changing with every album and not really leaving us with a great idea of who they really were. Change is fine and can be exciting, but it seemed like they dabbled in different in-favour styles more than mastered or epitomized them. "Remember the Future" was the fantasy epic and one of the best of all their releases.

I preferred the vinyl version because it delicately carved up each side into separated tracks, which made it easier to enjoy. On CD one must contend with part 1 and 2. This would be fine if the seamless seguing was always a transition to something worthwhile, but here and there we have inferior sections that cannot be "skipped". In general I enjoy the vocal sections for their simplicity, fine acoustic and lead guitars, changes of tempo and style, especially the wistful and melodic "Wheel of Time", "Path of Light", "Recognition" and "Let it Grow". The title section is a bit soft poppy and boring, and some of the instrumentals are less competent, although the part that closes side 1 is interesting if a bit dated, and the opening for side 2 builds up to the best sequence of connected themes on the album.

Although "Remember the Past" might be a more apt title, and I can not call this a masterpiece, it is a classic and one I will always hold dear.