IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE FUTURE TO BE DANGEROUS

They start with the excellent synth heavy title track. An entrancing pulse created with laid-back drums and percussion steers it forward with a stately pace. An inspired start. Also Space Is Their is majestic. It's flooded with psychedelic Middle-Eastern synth washes and would be used as an instrumental extension of Assassins of Allah in Hawkwind's live set, for example on Love In Space.

At this point, most Hawkfans might have preferred a song with some vocals, but also This Is Not China stays in the same ambient realm, Part 2 is slightly more rocking. Also Let The Barking Dogs Lie remains upbeat with its heavy synth drone and lush psychedelic varnish. After the dull 80's, Hawkwind sure found them a good supplier of weeds and magic mushrooms again.

After a number of less remarkable soundscapes, The Camera That Could Lie finally adds some vocals. I've come to know this wonderful 'Hawkwind goes reggae' tune from the live Business Trip album. Due to the inexplicable use of a drum computer it's not as convincing here, but still fun. I had expected more from a title like Techno Tropic Zone, some real techno maybe? David Brock occasionally proved to be quite adept at integrating techno, but not here. The basic idea is a slightly industrial orchestral pulse, but doesn't develop into something really interesting.

It takes some time to get used to Gimme Shelter. At first it's rather disappointing, it has good vocals but the main beat is very generic, almost an afterthought. Also the guitars don't get much further then strumming along with the dull beat. But this is Hawkwind, all rationalisations can't prevent that they will get you on board of this trip. Their snake charming enchantment is too powerful to resist. Avante concludes with some more abstract sonics.

Basically, it's all about expectations. This is a very ambient Hawkwind that will mostly disappoint their rock enthusiastic fanbase. But that can not hide from the fact that it is a very strong effort in its own right. It lacks a real highlight to push it to 4 stars but it is very consistent overall. 3.5 stars.

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