ASTOUNDING SOUNDS, AMAZING MUSIC

Hawkwind from 1976- no Lemmy on bass, Paul Rudolph takes his place. Hawkwind with or without Lemm? Which is better? I will not get into the argument. Although, I do prefer the older Hawkwind. On this album, Hawkwind relies on shorter songs than normal, with only Steppenwolf clocking in at over 7 minutes (9:46). This is a mixed album for me, with some real fine tracks intermixed with some lesser and even dull tracks. The opener, REEFER MADNESS, is a great rocking song that puts me in the mind of Blue Oyster Cult combined with the sax of early Roxy Music. Top song of the album. STEPPENWOF is okay, but a little long and rambling. The next tune I enjoy is KERB CRAWLER, where the BOC similarity hits again. Rocking and driving. KATMANDU FLYER is amazingly like an old Caravan song. Why do I think of the LAND OF GRAY AND PINK when I hear this? The vocals? The cadence? I just don't know, but along with the final spacy instrumental ends this release with a fine touch. 3 great songs and a lot of mediocre middle songs give this a 3 star rating. Somewhere in the middle of the overall Hawkwind catalogue.