Hawkwind - This Is Your Captain Speaking...Your Captain Is Dead
Hawkwind is a band that I never got into back in the day, but when I found out they were playing the North East Art Rock festival that I would be attending a few years ago, I decided to check out some of their stuff. . . . . and I liked what I heard. These guys are the prototype space rock / science fiction rock band and would influence pretty much every band of that genre that came after them. The lineup for Hawkwind seemed to always be in a state of flux with Dave Brock the only person to appear on every album. "In Search Of Space" starts out with the 15 minute "You Shouldn't Do That" which people either love or loathe. It is archetype stoner rock that drones on and on over a grove laid down by the drummer. I pretty much hated it the first time I heard it, but has grown on me over time to where I enjoy it now. Other highlights include "Master Of The Universe", and "We Took The Wrong Step Years ago". This is good solid early Hawkwind. .
in search of a mighty fine listen
This is probably Hawkwind's finest moment. . or maybe not. Heck, I don't know! The band has like, four very good albums in the early 70's that are all masterpieces of hard rock/space rock! You decide which one is the best :)
"Master of the Universe" has a VERY Black Sabbath-like guitar riff, that might remind you of "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath". It rocks, it's catchy, and it just flat out *rules*. This song SCREAMS classic.
"We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago" is another really good melodic song with a sad and catchy vocal melody. I love this song a lot. Quite underrated in fact. Sounds like the kind of song that radio stations should have fallen in love with. Maybe it's a good thing they didn't, seeing as how they overplay everything they get their grubby little paws on.
"Adjust Me" is pure weirdness packed inside 6 minutes. It's probably the coolest thing I've ever heard the band do though, or at least, ONE of the coolest things. Hawkwind had so many far-out and memorable moments in their underrated career!
The "You Shouldn't Do That" jam is quite freakin' brilliant. It's jazzy one moment, and suddenly EXPLODES with crazy guitar playing the next. It's quite spectacular.
Yes, it's an album you MUST own if you dig early 70's hard rock. .
Fine example of early space rock
This was 1971 after all so this was to be expected. This 1971 album is somewhat different from albums like Hall of the Mountain Grill (1974) and Warriors on the Edge of Time (1975) in that the mellotron is not used at all and synthesizers are not layered as thickly. Admittedly however, there is a good deal of electronic experimentation on what sounds a lot like a VCS3 by Del Dettmar and Dik Mik Davies, in addition to various tape effects.
In terms of musical styles, this is essentially space rock with a bit of a heavy edge to it. Former Amon Duul II bassist Dave Anderson and Terry Ollis (drums) lend the music a thumping, at times almost simplistic "garage-band-like" sound but are capable of somewhat sensitive playing as well. Both of these guys left the band around this time only to be replaced by Lemmy and Simon King respectively.
Spacey instrumentals that feature swirling electronic effects, altered flute/saxophone parts and the raw pounding of the rhythm section (the 15:41 "You Shouldn't Do That" is a good example) alternate with "straighter" vocal passages and sections that feature acoustic guitars. In general, I really like the combination of the spacey / acoustic and the heavier instrumental sections. Come to think of it, the instrumental passages reminded me somewhat of Syd-Barrett era Pink Floyd epics like Interstellar Overdrive (1967). The melodies are a bit gloomy sometimes (minor keys seem to be favored) and the overall feel is very psychedelic.
This remastered album by EMI is great and features good sound quality, loads of liner notes and photos and a few bonus tracks that feature Lemmy and Simon King.
All in all, this is a fine album of early space rock that features decent use of electronic experimentation. Recommended along with Hawkwind (1970), Hall of the Mountain Grill and Warriors on the Edge of Time.
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Another one of Hawkwind's classics
Master of the Universe is probably my favorite track. I heard this in about 9th Grade back in the 70's and I own the Vinyl copy. OK, "Shouldn't do that" does go on for a long time but it's a trip. This music will appeal to those that want to achieve a certain state of mind. This is spaced-out metal for those that like to explore the outer fringes of music. Not recommended for the middle-of-the-road crowd.
Best Hawkwind Album
I love this album pop it in maybe 1 time every week, all you really need to know is You Shouldn't Do That, it has to be my faviret song of all time.
You can see a complete list of all Hawkwind discography, or go back to the Hawkwind tabs
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