Since Hawkwind's inception
in the early '70s, no one has ever come close to rivaling the band for
supremacy of space rock.
Whether exploring their
psychedelic phase, or heavy metal period, or garage sound, or making their
recent excursion into techno turf, the members of Hawkwind have always
been masters of the universe.
HAWKWIND: Space Ritual
(CD on EMI Records)
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Many consider this release
the birthplace of space rock.
This 1972 live performance
is a milestone of quintessential Hawkwind at their finest, sporting lavish
versions of science-fiction themed tunes like "Lord of Light", "Space Is
Deep", "Brainstorm", "Time We Left this World Today", "Masters of Universe",
the Michael Moorcock-inspired "The Black Corridor" and the band's eternal
favorite, the severely intense classic "Sonic Attack".
At this point, the band
includes Dave Brock, Bob Calvert, Nik Turner, Del Dettmar, DikMik, Lemmy
and Simon King.
Searing guitars duel on
a battleground of screeching synthesizers, punctuated by solid drumming
and wailing saxophone or crooning flute. Vocals describe the appeal of
deep space with a richness and clarity. The mesh of this seeming cacophony
is a lush auralscape that blends driving force and hypnotic layers. Each
dynamic piece is bridged together by dreamy electronic passages, a standard
trait today, but unheard of back in the early '70s.
This album is truly one
of the most impressive examples of space rock to be found, capable of holding
its own against any modern recording for sheer power and sparkling luster.
HAWKWIND: Quark,
Strangeness and Charm (CD on Griffin
Music)
This 1977 release brilliantly
crystallizes Hawkwind's powerful sound into the lineup of Dave Brock, Bob
Calvert, Simon King, Simon House and Adrian Shaw.
While "Spirit of the Age"
laments the time dilation that plagues space travelers, the album's title
track takes a smirking view of Albert Einstein's love life. And "Damnation
Alley" captures the essence of Roger Zelazny's novel far better than that
dreadful movie adaptation did.
The introduction of violin
to Hawkwind's space rock signature produces a tastily spacier edge. The
music is a thick mix of power guitar, cresting electronics, driving drums,
thunder bass and rich vocals. As always, the catchy nature of the tunes
runs high here.
HAWKWIND: PXR5 (CD
on Virgin Records)
This album from 1979 displays
a superb refinement of Hawkwind's sound, featuring the same line-up as
"Quark, Strangeness and Charm".
For many, "Uncle Sam's on
Mars" became an anthem during the following decade, with its sardonic wit
and captivating melody. With the rest of the album thickly immersed in
science fiction as a theme (with "Jack of Shadows", "Life Form", "Robot"),
the release peaks with the epic song "PXR5".
Synthesizers swirl like
condensing galaxies, merging with Brock's superb space guitar. Percussive
backbeat and bass-wrenching bass vie with violin screams. And Calvert's
vocals are at their urgent best.
HAWKWIND: Levitation
(CD on Essential
Records)
With this 1980 release,
the lineup mutates into Dave Brock, Hugh Lloyd-Langton, Harvey Bainbridge,
Tim Blake (from Gong) and Ginger Baker (from Cream).
Although the electronics
are still a dominant presence in the sound, the emphasis is shifting here
to a purer form of rock 'n' roll. Still tainted with a dedication to space,
though, with "Motor
Way City", "World
of Tiers", "Space
Chase" and "The
Fifth Second of Forever."
HAWKWIND: This Is
Hawkwind, Do Not Panic (CD on Griffin
Music)
By 1984, Brock, Lloyd-Langton,
Bainbridge and Baker are joined by Alan Davey, Danny Thompson, and K. Hayle
... and a surprise return of Nik Turner. This release features an all-out
live concert at Stonehenge (the site of many old Hawkwind gigs before its
absorption into pop culture), delivering powerful versions of "Psy
Power", "Levitation",
"Space
Chase", "Death
Trap", "Stonehenge
Decoded" and more.
HAWKWIND: Space Bandits
(CD on Essential
Records)
Jumping past the band's
heavy metal period, this 1990 release sees the band lineup become Dave
Brock, Harvey Bainbridge, Simon House, Alan Davey, Richard Chadwick and
Bridgett Wishart (the latter adding an unexpected female vocal touch to
Hawkwind's normally masculine sound).
This time, the space rock
gets a Native American influence, adding a softly tribal quality to the
band's powerful dynamics.
HAWKWIND: Electric
Teepee (CD on Griffin
Music)
1993 finds the Native American
edge all the thicker in Hawkwind as the band slim down to just Brock, Davey
and Chadwick. However, the pruning down of personnel results in a lusher
sound.
Guitars, electronics, drums
and bass meld into a cohesion even crisper than Hawkfans had previously
experienced. Vocals become layered and phase shifted. The songs begin to
consciously allot time for instrumental riffs that explode with sonic force
and demanding guitar strength.
HAWKWIND: It Is the
Business of the Future To Be Dangerous (CD on Essential
Records)
1993 also sees the release
of Hawkwind's quasi-techno album, again with the trio line-up.
The electronics are hardly
the only instrument to shine here, for the blend of rhythmics and searing
guitar add thrillingly to the ecstatic music. Although many of the songs
rock out, the general flavor of tranciness is the keynote throughout. The
pieces shine with captivating tempos and hypnotic melodies, making this
truly one of Hawkwind's finest releases.
The presence of a version
of the Rolling Stones' classic "Gimme Shelter" [RealAudio
sample] adds a particularly earthy moment to an otherwise astral excursion.
RealAudio samples
"It
Is the Business of the Future To Be Dangerous"
"Space
Is Their (Palestine)"
HAWKWIND: Alien 4
(CD on Emergency Broadcast
System Records)
With this 1995 release,
Hawkwind immerse themselves in the legend of Area 54 and alien
abductions, with vocalist Ron Tree joining the Brock/ Davey/ Chadwick
lineup.
The tone of the tuneage
has returned once more to space rock. The guitar riffs scorch the ears,
the electronics cavort like hyperactive space drives, the percussion rears
like a wall between worlds. The lyrical content ponder alien presence on
Earth from both human and extraterrestrial outlooks.
HAWKWIND: Love in
Space (double CD on Emergency
Broadcast System Records)
A year later, this quartet
Hawkwind take their "Alien 4" experience on the road, producing this double
CD document of the live tour. Weaving new pieces into the Area 54 pastiche,
the performance is top notch: electrifying and hypnotic live space rock
that soars, yet maintains a solid platform for dancing. Expect a version
of the classic "Silver Machine" to play a crucial role in the crescendo.
HAWKWIND: The 1999
Party (double CD on EMI
Records)
In celebration of past moments
and the band's longevity, this double CD was released in 1997, featuring
a classic live concert from 1974 in Chicago. Hard to believe, but this
release actually rivals "Space Ritual" with its spacey brilliance and overt
might. Later songs reinforce material from "Space Ritual", resulting in
a concert that bristles with cosmic flair and vigor.
What do you think? Send
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