U.K. space rock overlords Hawkwind have been quite prolific these last few years releasing some fine albums including Machine Stops (2016) and Into The Woods (2017), both fine albums and reviewed on this site. Unfortunately I missed their 2018 release Road To Utopia but have got back on track with their 2019 offering All Aboard The Skylark. On the new disc Hawkwind continue to carve up the space rock genre with their heaviest album in quite some time and also return to their patented sci-fi concepts.
The digipack includes two CDs; the album proper and an acoustic disc titled Acoustic Daze.
The classic Hawkwind sound can be heard on the first track “Flesh Fondue” with its propulsive beat and patented spaced out riffage. Brock’s monotone and sometimes sneering lead vocals are a perfect match for the band’s heavy riff based attack. The second track “Nets Of Space” is another excellent cosmic ride with disturbing effects and vocalizations. Some cool build ups and twisting guitar in this one. The mellower “Last Man On Earth” is more acoustic based, love the strumming guitar and Brock’s vocal melodies. “We Are Not Dead…Only Sleeping” has a dreamy quality with lots of trippy guitar and keyboards. The instrumental title track is all about guitar textures and nice sax work, courtesy of Michal Sosna. The chugging riffs in “65 Million Years Ago” is another homage to that classic Hawkwind sound.
The second disc features acoustic versions of some of the band’s classic songs which would eventually form the basis of their Road To Utopia album. Gorgeous acoustic guitar highlights the textural and slightly surreal “Hymn To The Sun” and urgent acoustic strumming propels the melodic “PSI Power”. All of these tunes bold well for acoustic treatments; the pub sing-along “Get Yourself Together” and the catchy “Down Through The Night” are a case in point. The bluesy “The Watcher” with its biting guitar and harmonica and the chopped up weirdness of “Micro Man” with its unusual keyboard sounds are more great tracks.
All Aboard The Skylark is a superb offering from a band who still has a lot to say. I don’t think Hawkwind fans could ask for anything more. Highly recommended.
A Cherry Red Records release.
Track Listing:
CD One
All Aboard The Skylark
1. Flesh Fondue
2. Nets Of Space
3. Last Man On Earth
4. We Are Not Dead…Only Sleeping
5. All Aboard The Skylark
6. 65 Million Years Ago
7. In The Beginning
8. The Road To…
9. The Fantasy Of Faldum
CD Two
Acoustic Daze
1. PSI Power
2. Hymn To The Sun
3. The Watcher
4. Generator Door
5. Micro Man
6. Intro The Night
7. Down Through The Night
8. Flying Doctor
9. Get Yourself Together
10. Ascent Of Man
11. We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago
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U.K. space rock overlords Hawkwind have been quite prolific these last few years releasing some fine albums including Machine Stops (2016) and Into The Woods (2017), both fine albums and reviewed on this site. Unfortunately I missed their 2018 release Road To Utopia but have got back on track with their 2019 offering All Aboard The Skylark. On the new disc Hawkwind continue to carve up the space rock genre with their heaviest album in quite some time and also return to their patented sci-fi concepts.
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