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Approximately between 1969 and 1975, the notorious progressive rock saw its golden age, from the earth-shaking debut of King Crimson to the decline of groups like Genesis, Van Der Graaf Generator, and Yes towards breakups, changes in direction, or endless melancholic self-references.
During this five-year period, dozens and dozens of bands tried to climb up from the underground in search of a larger audience, with varying degrees of success. The Nektar, an English band transplanted into the German scene, produced a handful of worthy albums that, with cultured intuitions, aimed at English rock while absorbing some of the cosmic music germs of Tangerine Dream and company. Their best legacy is probably this "A Tab In The Ocean", from 1972, a valid blend of "sunny" progressive rock that touches more atmospheric shores.
Technically, the ensemble moves well, even without showing particular virtuosic mastery, weaving melodious rock fabrics on precise and interesting rhythmic bases. In particular, one of the strengths of this LP is the bass/drum foundation, with the former melodic and clean, the latter refined and of jazz school. Besides the title track, a long suite where the group declares admiration for Yes and their refined structures, the masterpiece of the album remains the splendid "Desolation Valley", powerful and decidedly inspired.
The influences of the Central European scene can be felt, even if not entirely prominent, thanks to elongated keyboards and guitars that paint cosmic and expansive landscapes but do not stifle the underlying rock.
Despite the excellent premises, not the entire album maintains a high level, with a couple of less incisive tracks and a general uncertainty in the vocal parts, which try to reach Jon Anderson's highs often resulting in weakness. This all weighs on the personality of the group, which remains heavily indebted not only to the already mentioned Yes but also to the early fairy-tale Genesis. Certainly, it remains an interesting work for genre enthusiasts, perhaps tired of the thousandth listen of Fragile.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 A Tab in the Ocean (16:52)
Climb aboard Imaginary waves
Of thoughts beneath the veils of bluey green
Armoured horses with sparkling sunset eyes
Give a passing glance
Funny creatures with funny plastic lives
Purple thrones are set in deep disguise
Neptunes world around us lies
Wake up!! Take a chance, climb aboard
Life is changing the oceans floor
The time is near, when nothings clear
Nothing left!!
Falling, I’m only falling
To the answer to every question
Is it real, or just deception?
Taste, touch and find
What it is, that’s in your mind
Truth can be yours
So let it come
Just like it did before
Sorrow, there’s no tomorrow
And the answer to every mans question
Is it real, or just deception
Taste, touch and find
What it is, that’s in your mind
Truth can be yours
So let it come
Just like it did before
Soon now
As night turns in to day
And minds step out to play
In the sun
Forever
This feeling will be yours
A feel you cannot ignore
It’s the one you’ve waited for
It’s the one you’ve seen before
03 Crying in the Dark (06:28)
I've been trying
trying so hard
I've been crying
crying in the dark
don't forsake me
the time of man is near
don't ever break me
and the world that brought me here
sick and lonely
waiting for you
sick and lonely
wondering what to do
can you hear me?
when I say to you
you give me your hand
I'll give mine to you
04 King of Twilight (04:22)
when the King of Twilight shows me
I will take ten steps to see
forty leaves I pay for freedom
for a chance to be free
for a chance to be free
when the King of Twilight calls you
take a step and you will see
we all need a quick solution
for a chance to be free
for a chance to be free
when the King of Twilight shows me
I will take ten steps to see
forty leaves I pay to freedom
for a chance to be free
for a chance to be...
free!
05 A Tab in the Ocean (16:03)
Climb aboard Imaginary waves
Of thoughts beneath the veils of bluey green
Armoured horses with sparkling sunset eyes
Give a passing glance
Funny creatures with funny plastic lives
Purple thrones are set in deep disguise
Neptunes world around us lies
Wake up!! Take a chance, climb aboard
Life is changing the oceans floor
The time is near, when nothings clear
Nothing left!!
Falling, I’m only falling
To the answer to every question
Is it real, or just deception?
Taste, touch and find
What it is, that’s in your mind
Truth can be yours
So let it come
Just like it did before
Sorrow, there’s no tomorrow
And the answer to every mans question
Is it real, or just deception
Taste, touch and find
What it is, that’s in your mind
Truth can be yours
So let it come
Just like it did before
Soon now
As night turns in to day
And minds step out to play
In the sun
Forever
This feeling will be yours
A feel you cannot ignore
It’s the one you’ve waited for
It’s the one you’ve seen before
07 Crying in the Dark (05:13)
I've been trying
trying so hard
I've been crying
crying in the dark
don't forsake me
the time of man is near
don't ever break me
and the world that brought me here
sick and lonely
waiting for you
sick and lonely
wondering what to do
can you hear me?
when I say to you
you give me your hand
I'll give mine to you
08 King of Twilight (04:05)
when the King of Twilight shows me
I will take ten steps to see
forty leaves I pay for freedom
for a chance to be free
for a chance to be free
when the King of Twilight calls you
take a step and you will see
we all need a quick solution
for a chance to be free
for a chance to be free
when the King of Twilight shows me
I will take ten steps to see
forty leaves I pay to freedom
for a chance to be free
for a chance to be...
free!
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Other reviews
By telespallabob
"This second studio work is probably the best achievement of Nektar's career."
"They have admirably managed to draw from both musical environments, leaving us with albums that even today remain listenable and extremely valid."
