THE CAVE DOWN TO THE EARTH

A competent and enjoyable space rock album from Japan, The Cave Down to the Earth is a great showcase for guitarists Fumio Miyashita and Hirohito Fukushima, whose low-key riffing and trading of solos show a more subtle touch than is usual for space rock. Combining the pacidity and tranquility of the Floydian end of space rock with the fuzzed-out tones of Hawkwind, the band create a distinctive sound which is entertaining enough, though isn't quite enough to secure them a place in the space rock pantheon on the strength of this particular recording. A high three stars which could have got a fourth star if the compositions had just been a little bit tighter.