IN SEARCH OF SPACE

Space Rock came into the forefront of rock with this incredible effort from the Space Gods Hawkwind. A lot of the material from this album was used on the liove Space Ritual epic. Del Mik, Brock and Anderson have an amazing sense of timing as they churn one track after another.

It begins with the overlong 15 minute miniepic 'You Shouldn't Do That' which is much better in edited form as found on some compilations. 'You Know You're Only Dreaming' is a terrific song that has a great hook and melody throughout.

'Master Of The Universe' is the first classic from Hawkwind and one of their best recordings found on every compilation. It's chug-a-chug rhythm pounds incessantly with relentless driving bass and drums and the familiar trademark metallic fuzz guitar. The lyrics are characteristically simple - forming a central theme of being the centre of the universe and space and time revolves around this figure. I adore this track. 'We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago' is a weaker track but still has drive and interesting rhythms. 'Adjust Me' is just plain weird and progressive in its structure abandoning familiar rock trademarks.

'Children Of The Sun' finishes the album off well with a nice guitar lick and Brock's vocals are exceptional.

The bonus tracks are excellent particularly the bonafide classic 'Silver Machine'. This track is how I was introduced to Hawkwind and I have loved it as a child up to the present day. It has never lost its trace like mesmiric power as it cruises effortlessly through its 4 minutes 40 seconds. The lyrics are terrific - 'Its an Electric line to your Zodiac sign.' Whats it all about? Nobody really cared as long as its futuristic space theme was evident and it rocked hard. Also worthy of mention is another classic 'Born To Go', that is a heavy handed rhythm crunching rocker. It is also featured on 'Space Ritual' in an elongated form complete with weird space effects and pounding drums.

This album is a great way to be introduced to this eclectic space rock band - an absolute triumph. It is bettered in the album to come though with 'Space Ritual'.