PALACE SPRINGS

Hawkwind

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.74 | 66 ratings

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Modrigue
Prog Reviewer

Cool studio/live Hawkwind

3.5 stars

Recorded in 1989 before "Space Bandits", "Palace Springs" is a studio/live album composed of 2 exclusive studio songs and 6 live recordings. This pleasant release marks a novelty, the arrival of a female singer in HAWKWIND, Bridgett Wishart, as well as the return of violinist Simon House.

The two studio compositions are easily on the level of "Space Bandits". To be honest I personally would have like these included on the 1990 opus instead of some other titles.... "Back In The Box" is an efficient space rocking opener, whose mesmerizing violin creates a mystical ambiance in the vein of "Magnu". Longest track of the record, "Treadmill" is a nice powerful song, in pure tradition of 80's HAWKWIND.

The live recordings cover different periods of the band. "Void Of Golden Light" ("The Golden Void") has been added trippy sound effects, whereas "Lives Of Great Men" ("Assault & Battery") possesses cool dreamy variations. "Time We Left" ("This World Today") is my least favorite title from "Doremi Fasol Latido", while "Heads" is the only representative of Englishes' last album, "The Xenon Codex". However, what will be an Hawks concert without ambient interludes with spoken words? "Acid Test" is actually the atmospheric "Dream Worker" - from the uneven "Choose Your Masques" - mixed with the electronic loop of "Damnation Alley". Quite a curious choice... This transition track offers some cool moments but is rather too long until "Damnation Alley" finally starts.

"Palace Springs" is not the first HAWKWIND live album to acquire (those being "Space Ritual" and "Live Chronicles") but remains still enjoyable, as well as a curiosity for its 2 exclusive studio tracks with a female singer. One of the good live release from the Hawks, worth the listen.

Modrigue | 3/5 | 2017-3-13

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