Hawkwind – We Are Looking In On You
Hawkwind – We Are Looking In On You
Cherry Red Records
Release Date: 02/09/22
Running Time: 01:53:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
9/10
Does the world really need yet another Hawkwind live album? Well, as someone who ranks the space lords in their top ten favourite bands of all time, the answer is a big fat YES! This latest release from Cherry Red Records sees the current line-up delivering some of the best music from their recent UK tour.
Nearly two hours of classic Hawkwind songs intertwine with recent tracks from their 2021 album “Somnia.” And it’s fair to say that the set is perfectly balanced, from the driving guitars that power ‘Magnu’ (close to forty-eight years old) forward, through to the track that a certain Motörhead made famous. That track is of course ‘The Watcher,’ written by Lemmy back in 1972.
If you’ve ever seen Hawkwind live, then chances are you’ll have witnessed the fun that the band usually appear to have. No where is that more apparent than the penultimate song on disc two, where drummer Richard Chadwick ends up singing the Tom Jones classic ‘It’s Not Unusual,’ complete with swirling sci-fi sounds and audience singalong. It’s both bizarre and a lovely highlight for a band who are so loved by many.
I could pen chapter and verse about this release. It’s got some absolute cracking versions of ‘Spirit of the Age’, a rare outing for ‘Uncle Sam’s on Mars’ and an eight-minute version of the peace anthem ‘Right to Decide’. If you want more driving Space Rock, then the opening duo of ‘Levitation’ and ‘Brainstorm’ should sate the desire.
In an age of one song downloads, there’s something deliciously brilliant about this release. Put it on, kick back and listen with admiration to a band that over fifty years since its inception continues to play at a tempo, quality, and vibrancy that few can match.
‘Levitation’ Official Live Audio
TRACKLISTING:
Disc One
01. Magnu
02. Cave of Phantom Dreams
03. Unsomnia
04. Uncle Sam’s on Mars
05. Usb1
06. Spirit Of The Age
07. It’s Only A Dream
08. Peace
09. Right To Decide
Disc Two
01. Levitation
02. Brainstorm
03. Neurons
04. In the Beginning
05. Hurry On Sundown
06. Born To Go
07. Star Explorer
08. Space Is Deep
09. It’s Not Unusual
10. The Watcher
LINE-UP:
Dave Brock – Vocals, Guitar, Synths, Keyboards
Richard Chadwick – Drums, Vocals
Magnus Martin – Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Doug Mackinnon – Bass
Tim “Thighpaulsandra” Lewis – Keyboards, Synths
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Paul Hutchings and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
