What a great British institution Hawkwind is. Over forty years since Dave Brock (sole remaining constant) get it all underway assuming legendary status along the way. I think we’ll put this entry down under classic rock rather than new wave of British heavy metal although Hawkwind did put out some of their strongest and most consistent stuff in the NWOBHM days around the late-1970s and early 1980s.
What’s triggered this post is the recent (and long-awaited) Atomhenge re-issue of Choose Your Masques which was in my opinion the penultimate truly classic Hawkwind album. Chronicle of the Black Sword being the last one.
A long time ago in 1982 or so when “Masques” originally came out it simply had to be purchased and that first spin on the turntable confirmed instant classic – hard, driving hypnotic rhythms as only Hawkwind can, synth interludes, the bizarre and the always welcome Michael Moorcock influences/input.
That old vinyl copy has long since been lost and with a CD copy impossible to find the reissue was a very pleasant surprise as was hearing the album again after at least 25 years. Does not sound dated at all. If there is one teensy snafu it’s the alternative version of Silver Machine – the word did not need that – though the remainder is an instant and enduring classic with Hugh Lloyd-Langton putting in some very fluid guitar breaks. Check out in particular the opener and Arrival in Utopia.
And this time we get a full CD of extras and bonus stuff. Mostly alternative versions of what’s on the main album though some interesting other cuts on there too. Can’t go wrong. Hardly been out of the CD player since it arrived a few days ago.
I was first “exposed” to Hawkwind with Quark, Strangeness and Charm (still possibly my favourite ‘Wind album) and went to see them on that tour. What an experience. Bob Calvert in stunning full theatrical form all over the stage with the stars and stripes during Uncle Sam’s on Mars an enduring memory. Indeed – a Hawkwind tour hitting Sheffield (where I lived then) was a pretty big deal with some scrounging around done to secure a lab coat to wear a-la Brock.
The next few albums (and tours) which followed Quark all fabulous. Saw them on each tour up to and including Choose Your Masques and even when they had a few “difficulties” and temporarily resurfaced as the Hawklords. All great stuff. Fortunately most of their output from that classic period has been reissued gradually by Atomhenge and it has been a true pleasure wrapping my ears around 25 Years On, Chronicle of the Black Sword, levitation, Sonic Attack again.
After Black Sword I think the more constant than ever line up changes were too frequent and the mothership was never stable. Never cared for what came out after Sword though have always retained a fondness for Hawkwind from my youth. They played down the road in Holmfirth 10 days or so ago and I did think about it but decided against as held tickets for UFO the following day (see separate review). Plus I doubt today’s version of Hawkwind could match that of thirty years ago and names like Calvert, Turner, King, House, Shaw putting on a blinding (sometimes literally with the light show) spectacle.
Anyway – enough rambling. If, like me, it’s all about replacing long lost vinyl and remembering the good old days or you want to experience classic material from a true classic/space rock great then Choose Your Masques is an excellent place to start.
But don’t take it just from me – here’s an excerpt from a review on Amazon.
4.0 out of 5 stars A great album, one blip and a some patchy bonuses, 29 Nov 2010
By Mr. Graham Hawker – See all my reviews
This review is from: Choose Your Masques (Audio CD)
This review concerns the remastered Atomhenge album with the bonus CD.I’ll start with the original album. After the disappointing Sonic Attack, Choose Your Masques was a significant return to form. It has one main blip and one pointless filler but besides that it borders on classic status. The title track grinds away with a metallic (not heavy metallic) edge. Based around a demo from the Weird 7 album it’s a great opener. The drum machine is prominent with Martin Griffin adding in fills to good effect. Not exactly what Griffin wanted to do and he left the band soon after but very effective. This is used throughout the album. Then a classic slice of Hawkwind synth music with Dreamworker. Rounding off a classic start we get Arrival in Utopia – Hawkwind heavy rock at it’s best.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS REVIEW AND PICK UP A COPY OF A TRUE CLASSIC
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