THE XENON CODEX

I honestly believe I started out in the wrong end of the Hawkwind legacy. I truly struggled with the classic 70's output, all the way through the first half (in particular) and all the way up to "Quark, strangeness and charm". The previously named album I kind of liked but I wasn't hooked. So, accordingly I put Hawkwind on hold and headed elsewhere. Until I found "Levitation", possibly one of the greatest albums ever made and I was hooked instantly. After that I have discovered Hawkwinds 80's output and finding it to suit my taste.

If "Levitation" was a stroke of genius, bordering on five stars, "The xenon codex" is a four star album. The songs are truly mesmerizing. Apart from "The war I survived" (a song I struggle with) the album is filled with atmospheric, harsh, delicate, moving, surreal, dreamy, spacey, groovy stuff. The opener is more of a 80's heavy metal, kind of song. Not bad, just not as great as the other tracks. "Wastelands of sleep", "Tides", "Sword of the east" and the rest of the songs (although those named being somewhat the highlights) are all amazing.

A part of me wonders if the ambiance of the album leads me to rate it as high as four stars. Is it really an album worthy such high praise as four stars? Well... Yes, i do think so. I do belive it is. It is such a great album, well crafted and well played I can't see anyreason not to rate it like I do. Great stuff!