Jim Lascko from Strange Trips, the US source for information on Hawkwind, describes space rock as being "characterized (by)(but certainly not limited to) spacey keyboards, driving guitar, sci-fi lyrics, repetitive chants, sound effects, long drawn out hard driving, high energy jams, along with the message that there is something wrong....something more going on in the Universe than just what is being done on this planet and our need to wake up to that fact, all played out against the backdrop of a killer lightshow!" Much of this description really would fit well in a description of progressive rock, so the temptation was certainly present to put this review in the progressive section. However, for lack of a better category, I have included it in the non-progressive section of this issue. Be sure to check out the info on the Strange Daze festival that Hawkwind is headlining on the tour date page.

This album, from 1987 is certainly considered to be one of the more classic of Hawkwind`s albums, and is a strong example of what space rock is about. Picking a definitive Hawkwind album would be very difficult, however, as their sound has continued to evolve over the years. The lineup on this album is Dave Brock, Harvey Bainbridge, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Tim Blake and Ginger Baker.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 1 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years.