FREQ

This is "Freq" with two unrelated bonus tracks, so this review applies to both releases. This is a concept album, not a proggy but rather a serious political one. It deals with the UK miners' strikes of the mid-80s and Thatcher's attempts to stamp out working class political consciousness. It questions the value and dignity of the jobs provided to labourers in the modern industrial age. The record consists of a few synth-driven songs with mechanical beats emphasizing the cold, harsh reality of modern industrial life, with Calvert's sardonic, brilliant lyrics providing commentary. "Acid Rain" is particularly scary, and only "Work Song", the last track, provides a sense of hope and value in manual labour in a mechanized, specialized world. Interspersed among the songs are field recordings of picket line confrontations and political speeches by the likes of Neil Kinnock. The two bonus tracks are demos from "Hype" that have nothing to do with this album, and don't make any sense here; they don't really provide more value. The music is decent on this record, but its true value is as a commentary on the times by a brilliant, sympathetic observer. I don't think the average Hawkwind fan find it as scintillating as I do- you definitely benefit from knowing the background, and a left-wing outlook sure helps too. A very interesting album by an intelligent mind.