QUARK, STRANGENESS AND CHARM

The second record of the Robert Calvert years of Hawkwind and in many ways a return to form. The band combines glamorous punk (in the vein of David Bowie), progressive electronic (a bit like Tangerine Dream), shoddy eastern influences and old fashioned space rock / metal.

The opening track Spirit of the Age is a bit uneventful, but most other tracks are either catchy or interesting. The nine minute track Damnation Allay stands out as a classic. I myself also like the original sounding Days of the Underground. I know not everybody loves Calvert's extravert performances - and they can be hit and miss - but at least he is some-one! He's out there adding personality to the music, something Hawkwind hasn't had much of in its long career.

Some of the songs have reappeared in different versions over the decades. I prefer the symphonic version of the title track on The Business Trip, this one sound a bit too punky and under-produced for my taste. Do mind about the lyrics though, quite funny. I think the eastern sounding Hassahn I Sahba has returned as Assassins of Allah on later releases and the Instrumental The Iron Dream was integrated on the Alien 4 record on Are You Loosing Your Mind?

Conclusion. I would rate this among the better work of Hawkwind and perhaps the best record of the Robert Calvert years. Not quite up there with Warrior on the Edge of Time, Levitation, Electric Tepee and Alien 4, but still more then worthwhile. Three and a halve stars.

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