Hawkwind 1976-1981 - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Hawkwind fans will find this thread in the Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation lounge.

If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would - Neil Gaiman

Originally posted by infandous

"Dr." Prog, isn't. You are suggesting the worst period in Hawkwind history is better than the best? You continue to prove your ignorance of what is good, and what isn't. IMO, of course.

The period he describes is in no way the worst. Levitation is a solid album as is Astounding sounds, Amazing Music. Quark is pretty good too. Are they better than Warrior On the Edge Of Time and Hall Of The Mountain Grill or In Search Of Space?

No.

Coldness doth get away with the badness.

Originally posted by Snow Dog

Originally posted by infandous

"Dr." Prog, isn't. You are suggesting the worst period in Hawkwind history is better than the best? You continue to prove your ignorance of what is good, and what isn't. IMO, of course.

The period he describes is in no way the worst. Levitation is a solid album as is Astounding sounds, Amazing Music. Quark is pretty good too. Are they better than Warrior On the Edge Of Time and Hall Of The Mountain Grill or In Search Of Space?

No.

True enough. I was hasty in my response to "Dr." Prog's typical troll bait (which, admittedly, I responded to). Particularly, Levitation is a good album. Of course, my impression from reviews and the views of long time fans I've talked to is that, aside from that album, it's not a very good period for the band. No were near the quality of the earlier releases. Personally, I'm not a big Hawkwind fan to begin with and find most of their albums of similar quality, though the early ones (especially Warrior) stand out more to me.

Edited by infandous - May 11 2012 at 09:15

Well no its not the best era but some of the albums were rather strong such as Levitation, Astounding, and parts of Quark. Of course the earlier Hawkwind is indispensable and incomparable.

Pending approval. Ermm

Is "pillock" so bad? Especially when addressed to a pillock...

Coldness doth get away with the badness.

I haven't got any pre 76 albums yet but been listening to youtube alot. Robert Calvert makes a big difference and so does the departure of Lemmy

Warrior and Astounding are 1 year apart but Astounding is 5-10 years more advanced. Warrior sounds like a raw amateur band from 1969 or 1970. Lots of great music in 1970 but this wouldn't be considered very good even if it was 1970. Even worse it is 1975. It's 5-10 years backwards considering it was released in 1975. Astounding sounds on par with great prog of its time though. I don't understand how proggers can not see this? Prog is intelligent music. It comes from people with major classical and jazz influence and no bad rock influences. This usually gives us great melody and musicianship. I only accept rock of high calibre and this comes from the 68-82 period. But 70-75 hawkwind is pretty poor imo

Edited by dr prog - May 11 2012 at 18:14

Hawkwind and Gong are similar. They sound very amateur until mid 70s but quite cool afterwards. Gong-You and Gazuese are quality. Angels egg has it's moments too. Hawkwind improved by 200% in 1976

Edited by dr prog - May 11 2012 at 18:19

I always thought Lemmy's contribution to Hawkwind was pretty small, and because of his later fame perhaps overstated - he wrote a couple of songs and sang lead on 4 (Lemmy sang lead on Silver Machine but Calvert & Brock wrote it) - during the 70-75 era Captain Bob probably contributed more than Lemmy. I see a pretty natural progression from In Search of Space through to Quark, Strangness and Charm regardless of the changing band lineups. Gong on the otherhand is a completely different band with a different musical direction from You to Shamal.

If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would - Neil Gaiman

Love the Calvert era Hawkwind.

Astounding Sounds is my favourite.

Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!

^^ I love "City of Lagoons" on Astounding Sounds.

Edited by HolyMoly - May 14 2012 at 13:45

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