hawkwind-spacehawksSo album number… actually is anyone really still keeping count? There have been so many albums, either official or not over the years that to have a complete discography of everything is going to be a real task. I certainly have a large selection of their stuff on vinyl and have recently been trying to patch up the best of the albums that are available on CD but it’s an expensive mission and a time consuming one considering the band released their first excellent self-titled album back in 1970. The re-mastered and essential Warrior On The Edge Of Time reissue came out earlier this year and I was not expecting a new album as well quite so quickly. However looking between the lines this is not actually a new studio album itself. Spacehawks (a classic sounding title to go with the great artwork) is what can only be described as a bit of a mish-mash.

There are a few new tracks but a lot of the album consists of new and different versions of some of their classic and not so classic stuff. Yes the album actually has alt versions of songs from their last couple of albums ‘Blood Of The Earth’ and ‘Onward’. Sure ‘Sentinel’ is a song that has certainly crept into the bands live set and is very much recognised now but with this and ‘Seasons’ on the album one can’t help wondering if there is a certain running out of ideas here?

Some of the new Warrior recordings are also included just in case you had not picked it up and there is no denying the potency of such fantastic numbers as ‘Assault And Battery’, which sees the band at their very best. I am not so sure about the newly recorded ‘Sonic Attack’ included here, it strikes that it is just trying too much. Although another song that is often a live favourite here it just puts too many bells and whistles or booms and swooshes on the original for me and draws it out into a musical keyboard techno rave fest. Thanks but I will ‘think only of myself’ and stick to the original. No need to panic they have done this many times before and will no doubt continue jiggling around with our favourite songs and there is no reason why we can’t simply stay in the zones we are comfortable with.  Whilst on the subject the new version of ‘Masters Of The Universe’ recorded with Huw Lloyd Langton is none too bad at all and even the purists should be happy with it.  Commander in chief Dave Brock does of course do his own solo stuff and yes he occasionally covers Hawkwind songs such as ‘We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago.’ In case you had not picked his ‘Looking For Love’ album this stripped down version is included here too

So what of the all-important new tracks? Well ‘We Two Are One, has that psychedelic fast paced space chasing edge to it that puts it up there with the classic era. ‘Sacrosanct’ however might not be what the seasoned space cadet is looking for as it takes us on a trippy, techno, mainly instrumental (apart from backing chants) jaunt that sounds like it could have escaped out the ‘Electric Teepee’ era. It’s one of those songs for once the main set has finished for us younger ones (in our 40s now ha ha) to get down to and rave away. I like it but it won’t be to everyone’s tastes. Having said that at least unlike the other new ones at 9 minutes long it has plenty of substance about it. Before we get to the other new one the inclusion of ‘It’s All Lies’ from the Hawkwind Light Orchestra Stellar Variations album is most welcome as it really rocks out with a great chorus line and bouncy chugging tumult in the first half before turning inwards and ambient in the mid-section and bursting back to life for finale. It reminds a lot of Needle Gun and as a track I had not heard before is a real highlight for me on the album. Not so unfortunately for the brief triplet that is ‘Touch,’ ‘The Chumps Are Jumping’ (great title) and ‘Lonely Moon.’ These are just little short soundscapes that never really get the time to get going before they finish and sound like un-finished out takes without realising any full potential, which is a shame.

So it really is a mixed bag as we wait for the next full studio release but I can’t help feeling slightly guilty not giving the band a glowing review after all perhaps one should remember not to take Hawkwind for granted as although it seems like it they won’t be around for ever. Indeed recent news is that due to stress caused by litigation from Nik Turner, Dave is ill and has postponed the US tour. Besides if you are a collector of their vinyl you certainly won’t want to leave a gap in your collection and miss this!

(7/10 Pete Woods)

http://www.hawkwindmuseum.co.uk