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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Star Nation

Star Nation EP

Review by Bruce Stringer

The first thing to get my attention to this EP was the card CD sleeve design: didn't I see this in Chariots of the Gods? Dressed up as an independent CD single with lyric card inserts, this is a very interesting disc and a pity that it will probably never get the release it deserves. Richard Chadwick and Jerry Richard's Star Nation project seems like a load of fun for all involved and delivers real listening pleasure for anybody interested in Hawkwind or space rock.

The EP can be acquired directly from Star Nation by contacting Richard Chadwick, Jerry Richards and Star Nation at PO Box 2979, Frome, Somerset, BA11 4XZ, UK. Do MSJ a favor and let them know that you read about the CD at Music Street Journal.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2003 Year Book Volume 1 at https://garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2003-and-2004/.
Track by Track Review
Pounding Drum
Big, spacey music and some spoken word hit the listener head-on as we are blasted by Richard's percussion and Jerry's big riffs. The tribal influence holds true in the lyrics mixed with visions of the ancients of Valhalla and their open portals of hammer and anvil. At times Pounding Drums is quite haunting and doomy.
Coupsticks
Business of the Future…-era Hawkwind with Richard on vocals, big spacey keyboards and pounding rhythms offset by big guitars keep this giant on its feet. Are you listening? Repetitive vocals call out a warning to all us to see if we're willing to wake from the New World Order and use music to free our minds from mental slavery. We are put down after this harsh trip on a carpet of smooth synthesizers.
The Shores of Our Imagination
What is it with these guys and spoken word? Shores is reminiscent of Sonic Attack with delay on the words over some watery synth effects. My least favourite Star Nation track, this is possibly more suited to Space Ritual fans.
JFDI
This is more of a loops/electronic piece that stops and starts until Jerry takes us to arpeggiated guitar territory. Suddenly we are thrown into some more Business of the Future-style waters with repetitive mantras to keep us from going under, then it's back to the stop-start beginning and Jerry's beautiful, clean guitar work as the music slowly floats away.
Starliner
There's a forest in here. It's a bleak trek, announces Richard, but not for us. Star Nation takes us on a beautiful, moody journey as we are asked can you hear us? Yes, we can and with songs like this it is sad to have these guys depart from our listening pleasure. This is a fantastic end to a very interesting mix of songs.
  
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