HAWKLORDS: 25 YEARS ON

I was a waiting for a new Hawkwind album and this one came along. The cover put me off but that was the only me.My friends all gave me a funny look until the speakers began to pump this little Gem right into their faces. I had to special order nearly all Hawkwind inthe USA so I got this sight unseen. They were never promoted well. "Flying Doctor" was so drug oriented it shocked me a bit but I got over it. The concept of getting the job done was still frsh in my own mind as I was only out of active military duty a short time. (hehehe) " Psi power" was a perfect take on the secret remote viewing and military ESP project in the cold war, as was "only the dead Dreams of a cold war kid"... I related to that song a lot and I still do. The "Age of the Micro" man sums up the feeble efforts of Humans to control the world and this part of the universe. It is a bit of a ballad but the synth work and effects go a long way to making the song trip you right out. I like what is said in this album and how it is said electronically.

This album is a must have for anyone who is a fan and really well done, it has a rock edge and sense of refinement as well as tight musicianship. This is a very political album and too short, that was my biggest letdown. I like the new CD formats where the artists can let their ideas flow for 78 minutes if they are so inclined. Hawkwind are masters of the long jam and this album proved they could work a short format also.

"Free fall" is so well done with intense segues into freeform elctronica and back to hard core rock, it reminded of why I loved Hawkwind so much. It is not just the way the ideas are expressed but how they are laid out. Powerful! This album is clearly one of the best efforts into pop music and while it was somewhat overshadowed by political efforts to ignore it, it stands tall as one of the best albums done by these men. Never forget the corporate influence in music , especially back when this was released. This music has a subversive edge and is proud of it.

The Only ones has a plaintive and melancholic vibe and I like it too, these guys always have a way of going from one extreme to another and back again. This album is remarkable and still has impact.