QUARK, STRANGENESS AND CHARM

You know what? This is a pretty good set of songs. Of course Hawkwind had already been around for a number of years as counter culture heroes the darlings of the free festival and free music movements. However their output at least in the studio (always a fine live band) had been if not exactly on the slide well more not particularly inspiring. However the inclusion of the mighty Bob Calvert and the move to Charisma has put something that they have lacked back in the band, namely direction. The direction is a familiar one to Hawkwind fans but Calvert brings it into focus and that is of course sci-fi. Hawkwind remained Hippies but they had found a way of surviving that didn't require that they become punk rockers. Another plus is that Nic Turner is not around to spoil things with his piss poor sax playing and general annoying presence. I love Nic but he belongs firmly in bands like inner city unit where his ego is a bonus not a minus. The best cut on this record is the classic spirt of the age despite being composed of only two chords it still manages to sound proggy and interesting. The rest of the record is composed of pretty decent tunes with not a sign of a turkey to be found hideing in them. Only In search of space and levitation are more essential. It is a great shame that Calvert lasted such a short time in Hawkwind and in general because despite being a loony and a plagiarist the man was a genius and a pleasure to watch live. This record is a must for serious collectors of Progressive rock and acid space rock as well as heavy rock and although it is not worthy of 5 stars it earns 4 with comfort.