HW: Review - Astounding

[Paul Ward]

           Record Review: Hawkwind 'Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music'
           ----------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: I've done this a few times now, but I still have *NO* literary
            talent whatsoever! In fact it's getting harder as I go :-(
            My humble opinion is mine, and no-one elses! I do know what I
            like though, and that means HAWKWIND!

            Any reference to record labels & catalog numbers reflects what
            my copy is, and is not necessarily the only (or original)
            release.

Artist/s:       Hawkwind
Title:          Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music
Label/Cat#:     Charisma 9124 002
1st Release:    1976
Lineup:         Dave Brock, Bob Calvert, Simon House, Paul Rudolph,
                J Mandelkav (????), Alan Powell

The seventh release by Hawkwind leaves one stunned. My first reaction to this
album was one of incedulity ..... this wasn't Hawkwind! My first reaction was
not correct however, and this LP does shine in it's own way. Taken in
chronological order, you could be excused for thinking that Space Rock died with
Lemmy's departure (ejection) from the band. It's a good thing that this history
repaired this rift in space-time and it was reborn (not too much) later.

Don't be put off by my opening remarks however! This album, allthough totally
different than anything else that Hawkwind has done, is top quality and in
hindsight - probably a vital turn in Hawkwind's development. Hawkwind were not
supposed to be after the release of the previous album, their 'swan song'
"Warrior on the Edge of Time". But still they continued. With this release we
see a shift to a new record label, and the greatest involvement yet of poet
Calvert. Most of this album was written by him, and it shows in the quality of
lyrics (where they exist). Finally, the musical aspect of this album technically
surpasses anything that they had done before.

ASAM opens with the sounds of an approaching steam train as an introduction to
"Reefer Madness", a track warning of the dangers of the 'monster stalking the
streets' ..... marijuana (slight change in attitude there!) This was, quite a
few years ago, one of my favourite bits of Hawkwind, but is in no way comparable
to any of the classic Hawkwind tracks. The absolute gem of the LP, "Steppenwolf"
follows. This still is, and always will be, one of my top ten. Hawkwind are
obviously taking story telling seriously now, replacing their previous raw
energy with lyrical power. This track has a great rythym guitar melody, and
an effective combination of Turner's sax and House's vilion to portray an
image of a man-wolf stalking the streets of London or the Scottish moors.

"City of Lagoons" is a slow instrumental which allows Hawkwind's musical ability
to really stand out, whereas "The Aubergine that ate Rangoon" has a 'funkier'
feel to it. "Kerb Crawler" is so damn near commercial 70's pop/rock it's not
funny! Cruising the streets in a Pony car picking up chicks is hardly a typical
Hawkwind theme, but at least it's catchy. The sounds of the wind during "Kadu
Flyer" almost make you feel like you are somewhere in the Himalayan mountains.
The cheerful keyboards and drum work, joyful lyrics, and 'Indian' sounding sax
and bells all add to the effect. The album concludes with "Chronoglide Skyway",
a hopeful, dreamy instrumental.


This would have to be the most difficult Hawkwind release to review. It is a
good (great ?) album that should not be compared to any other Hawkwind release.
Fans of "Space Ritual" may hate it or love it - who knows! If you only intend to
ever buy one or two Hawkwind LP's, you would probably give this one a miss.
Every one else should give it a spin (or three). I know that I wouldn't part
with it, and if all else fails ...... it does include Steppenwolf!


Paul
--
Paul Ward        aka: Assassin Sonique'          .---.  __  .--------   Long
R & D Manager, P & C Micro's Pty Ltd            /     \( o`-,  -----   may
mail: sonique at aardvark.apana.org.au            ////    '~ (    ---   they
http://aardvark.apana.org.au/~sonique/my.html /////// :    ; ---   Fly!