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Product Description
Review
Hawkwind's first studio album proper in five years marks a staggering 26 outings for the space rock stalwarts. They may not be as prolific as they once were, but they remain as influential as they are triumphantly unfashionable, and they've outlasted virtually all of their peers. After over 40 years in the business, however, no one could blame them for ending it here. They've not, but questions need to be asked regarding the group's quality control. Blood of the Earth simply isn't up to standards they've previously achieved.
The complete Hawkwind experience has always involved a communal ritual staged in a darkened room, band and audience as one, swaying wildly to the music's organic oscillations or crouching on the floor in an almost foetal position as waves of sound crash all around. Even in their 1970s heyday, classic albums such as Doremi Fasol Latido and Hall of the Mountain Grill were trumped by the in-concert masterpiece Space Ritual, clearly demonstrating where the group's strengths lay. In the decades since, their recorded work has been as erratic as it has been copious, and the stage has remained their natural domain. That's not about to change.
Blood of the Earth is dominated by electronica, which in itself isn't necessarily a problem. There are, however, virtually none of the simplistic, repetitive, driving rock riffs which propelled classics such as Born to Go, Brainstorm or Master of the Universe. Solos are as likely to be taken by keyboard as guitar, and when the band does kick up some dust it's thanks to You'd Better Believe It and Sweet Obsession, both re-recordings of songs eons old. It's a longstanding Hawkwind tradition to rework material in this way but they shouldn't be the energetic high points.
Occasional Hawkwind collaborator and all-round synth genius Tim Blake is the one weaving the electronic fabric which holds the album together, and his flourishes span from ethereal and entrancing to sinister and unsettling with masterful ease. It's just a question of balance. There's not a whole lotta rock. None of the three-chord warp drive needed to take this into orbit. Certainly the eerie atmospheres that the band once conjured like so many cosmic wizards are nowhere to be seen or heard. As the album sails off into the outer reaches of the galaxy on a glittering carpet of new age stardust, is the good ship Hawkwind finally sputtering to a halt?
--Greg MoffittFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm not going to elaborate too much as regards this recent release, other Hawkwind fans have already contributed very worthy reviews so I just want to tell it as it is, brief and to the point.
I bought both CD releases as I've always tried to be very supportive of the band in every little way I can, they deserve it. Apart from having to practically fight to open the box on the double disc issue, the packaging/art is top notch, full marks there.
I was slightly disappointed with the studio effort at first...but wait for it, it's a real grower and I think they have delivered with this and rediscovered their vigour, just give it a chance. Personal favourite has to be 'Comfy Chair', it's got Dave Brock written all over it and has that acoustic/hot electronic feel that dominates earlier classics like 'Space is Deep'/'Demented Man'/We took the wrong step years ago', builds beautifully. 'Wraith' is a real stomper, it has that traditional 'Magnu'/'Angels of Death' kick in the guts feel about it.
It's the 'Live' disc that really has balls and doesn't let up enough to allow the listener to take a breath, it's outstanding, I was in awe the first time I listened to this, it really blew me away. I'd like to say the drive here washes over you, but it's more like being flattened by a steamroller, they actually play with the hard enthusiasm of a band far far younger.
It's a bloody good buy, fab in every way, ten out of ten.
I bought both CD releases as I've always tried to be very supportive of the band in every little way I can, they deserve it. Apart from having to practically fight to open the box on the double disc issue, the packaging/art is top notch, full marks there.
I was slightly disappointed with the studio effort at first...but wait for it, it's a real grower and I think they have delivered with this and rediscovered their vigour, just give it a chance. Personal favourite has to be 'Comfy Chair', it's got Dave Brock written all over it and has that acoustic/hot electronic feel that dominates earlier classics like 'Space is Deep'/'Demented Man'/We took the wrong step years ago', builds beautifully. 'Wraith' is a real stomper, it has that traditional 'Magnu'/'Angels of Death' kick in the guts feel about it.
It's the 'Live' disc that really has balls and doesn't let up enough to allow the listener to take a breath, it's outstanding, I was in awe the first time I listened to this, it really blew me away. I'd like to say the drive here washes over you, but it's more like being flattened by a steamroller, they actually play with the hard enthusiasm of a band far far younger.
It's a bloody good buy, fab in every way, ten out of ten.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I don't wish to make any clever statements about this album - I simply wish to point out to any discerning hawkfans that haven't yet purchased this release that they should go and do so immediately.
I've been a big fan of Hawkwind since 1976 and whilst they have produced some masterpieces we all know there is an equal amount of dross! This falls into the former category. Buy it!
I've been a big fan of Hawkwind since 1976 and whilst they have produced some masterpieces we all know there is an equal amount of dross! This falls into the former category. Buy it!
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
First off, if you are a Hawk fan (and I assume you must be) then you buy this version with the live (un-attributed but recent) CD and (maybe) download Starshine from the single-CD from Amazon as an MP3, job done; or if you are very serious buy both albums (not recommended).
The studio album is a mix of a couple of old bits, some ambient stuff and some material by Mr Dibs. A lot of this has been heard in 2008/2009 gigs, incuding Porchester Hall (which gets a mention in the booklet). Of these three every time I hear Wraith I become more certain that it is very influenced by Paul Wheller in his Jam days. Similarly the Blake track I have heard.
The material as a whole is ok, covers a range and whilst this isn't up to say Black Sword what we have is the whole ensemble (as they are when they recorded) having a go and adding to the mix. A bit more direction and this might have been a memorable album apart from well played and worth a listen.
The live set ranges across the new and the old and benefits from the violinist and all the synth / keyboard.
Sound quality is nothing special, packaging is nice and the boys are still going (ok Dave) more than 40 years later!
You know you're going to buy it, so get on with it!
The studio album is a mix of a couple of old bits, some ambient stuff and some material by Mr Dibs. A lot of this has been heard in 2008/2009 gigs, incuding Porchester Hall (which gets a mention in the booklet). Of these three every time I hear Wraith I become more certain that it is very influenced by Paul Wheller in his Jam days. Similarly the Blake track I have heard.
The material as a whole is ok, covers a range and whilst this isn't up to say Black Sword what we have is the whole ensemble (as they are when they recorded) having a go and adding to the mix. A bit more direction and this might have been a memorable album apart from well played and worth a listen.
The live set ranges across the new and the old and benefits from the violinist and all the synth / keyboard.
Sound quality is nothing special, packaging is nice and the boys are still going (ok Dave) more than 40 years later!
You know you're going to buy it, so get on with it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
tired.... so very tired.
what has gone wrong. not just this album but in general. just look at the youtube videos from dec 2011 they show a band that looks frankly terrible. Read more
Published 5 months ago by charliemouse
Hmmmmm
overall a good offering . However would have been better if the track listing was correct.I was expecting Mangu but got Levitation....and Levitation is god knows what... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mark1
same old
Let first say that i've been a fan of the early Hawkwind for 30 plus years.This is total dross,the first Hawkwind album I've bought in many years and it will be my last,for God's... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. I. P. Grieve
Love this album
Best since Warriors on The Edge of Time. Inner Visions & Prometheus excellent stuff. All the new stuff is really good. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Kev
Let down by dreadful Vocals
I love Hawkwind, don't get me wrong. But even I cannot listen to this anymore after several attempts due to the dreadful vocals. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Valley Man
Return of the Masters of Space
Right.... I'd imagine that in the main this will be read by fans of Hawkwind in which case you'll either be fans of the 1970's line up or perhaps hard core followers who have... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mr. M. L. Hawes
NO NOT THE COMFY CHAIR !!!
A new Hawkwind album in 2010, who'd have thought it. And who exactly are Hawkwind these days? Well, we have the good Captain himself Dave Brock still in the driving seat (well, in... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Bert Swiss
tragic really....
it's a real shame but the hawks seem to have lost the drive. for me everything since alien 4 has been terrible. musically this is badly recorded and dull. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mjw Simmons
hawkwind - blood of earth
After last years concert I was looking forward to hearing this new album. The snippets I'd heard of the tracks didn't disappoint. A great album, with a varied feel to the tracks. Read more
Published 20 months ago by stevek
Hawkwind in the 21st century
"...is the good ship Hawkwind finally sputtering to a halt?" No is not. Who writes these reviews for Amazon? Read more
Published 21 months ago by Lost Johnny
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