REMEMBER THE FUTURE

The first half of Side 1 of this album is some of the most brilliant rock music I've ever heard. Beautifully constructed chord progressions transition between a heavy-edged approach and soft, dreamy atmospheres. I could listen to it on repeat and be quite content for a long period.

Unfortunately, the second half of Side 1 begins to decline upon the introduction of the "Remember The Future" vocal section. Something about this just screams "cheese," but I fight through it without much trouble and enjoy the sections that finish the album's first movement. After all, it's easy to sit back over forty years later and pass harsh judgment on ideas that may have still been hanging on to some of the psych-tinged aura of the late 60s.

There is an approach to the arranging on this album that feels like ideas are being bled to death, but some of the ideas are so good that one doesn't mind. And the conclusion of Side 1 is an exhilarating ride with mind-numbing guitar. I must also point out that some of the organ work on Side 1 is sublime. Very much musical and understated to work within the context of what is clearly a musical brand which is best dominated by Albrighton's guitar. Specifically, the "Falling down from heaven" chords are beautifully backed by organ work which is breathtaking in its ability to fall back and make an idea better. Truly remarkable work from Allan Freeman.

But Side 2 of this album is a flat out mess. Misguided, funky lounge music is served up which has not aged well at all, because it has no business on this record. A common problem with trying to do too much can be a loss of musical identity. It sounds like Nektar, but it sounds like Nektar trying to play club music and fit it into the context of a heavy progressive rock album. It doesn't really work because it brings the album's sound into a confusing area where the band sound uncertain of their direction. Add to this what is easily the most anti-climactic ending to a prog "epic" I have ever encountered in "Let It Grow" and you have an album which is one of the most confusing of 1973.