Big Ears

Would anyone object to Hall of the Mountain Grill? I am not sure about the availability of the album and would have to do a bit of research. There are tracks (above) on YT, but I do not know if the entire album is available on YT.

Anteater

Hall Of The Mountain Grill is a fine album, but also be aware that Hawkwind have quite a few really good albums worthy of prognalysis, including some of their 80's/90's output, so choose carefully.

I agree about the order of us reviewers too. I'll go after you and Unknown Soldier.

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Big Ears

Is Dark Horse in too?

Dark Horse

Yeah sure

Powerstars

I'm in.

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Trollheart

Yeah, looks like you're next allright Big Ears! I'll probably need a PM: my Hawkwind collection is small and that's not in it.

@ Dark Horse: basically listen to the album then within I think we decided on two weeks post your thoughts using the questionnaire as US says. And welcome aboard!

@ Powerstars, same message.

We're growing!

Edit: after properly reading BE's post, I see you don't have the album. If necessary I can buy it for a dollar and PM it to anyone who needs it, but if anyone has it already, hey, a dollar is a dollar!

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Unknown Soldier

So is Hall of the Mountain Grill the album that will be reviewed?

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Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History

Trollheart

Looks like it. Everyone ok with that? Anyone need a copy?

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Big Ears

I've lost track of the deadline, but I'll post my comments on Mountain Grill soon.

Big Ears

Here we go . . .


1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

Five minutes in and you are still with The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke), which is one of the best tracks Hawkwind ever recorded. It has all of their trademark elements: a heavy rock riff, space-y electronic effects, multi-tracked vocals, Nik Turner's sax playing, distorted voices, sweeping mellotron, wah wah guitar, instrumental passages, driving percussion, anti-establishment lyrics and Lemmy's dynamic bass.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

It ranks alongside their best tracks, like Silver Machine and Orgone Accumulator.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

There are three short haunting instrumentals, but they are not throwaway tracks. Paradox is almost as good as Psychedelic Warlords. Lemmy sings on his Lost Johnny, a curious track which seems intentionally under-developed as a portent of the future. Nik Turner has the psychedelic D-Rider.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?

Dave Brock takes most of the lead vocals in his usual folky-style and pronounced English accent, which I like. There is nothing worse than English singers harping on about getting on down in New York city. You don't get any of that with Hawkwind. Nick Turner's accent is even more pronounced on D-Rider, albeit eccentric sounding. Lemmy is too good a singer to only get one track, Lost Johnny. He later reworked it for the first Motorhead album and The Deviants may have recorded a version too.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?

Although the vocals are far from terrible, the instrumentation is Hawkwind's strength with its heavy riffs and space-y keyboards. I read somewhere that the classically-trained Simon House introduced lush chaos to their sound, which is a pretty good summary of his influence on the band. He also added electric violin.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

It improves with every listen.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

The lyrics are simple but effective, which is a sign of good songs. The melodies are memorable with strong hooks, especially the opener.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Yes, the instrumentals are short but strong and atmospheric. Simon House added a new dimension with his classical violin playing. It is reminiscent of King Crimson, but by no means a copy.

9. What did you think of the production?

Their best so far and it peaked on the next album, Warrior on the Edge of Time. Mountain Grill has a healthy compromise between their natural live improvisation and added studio layers. Earlier albums were a bit raw, while successive material was almost too refined.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?

Pretty well. I've got all the first half-dozen classic albums as well as Bob Calvert's Captain Lockheed. I've also got the subsequent few albums, which are less good, but have their moments. It is an unpopular view among fans, but Sonic Attack is pretty good in my opinion.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?

The epitomy of space-rock, but up there with progressive rock like Dark Side of the Moon and Close to the Edge.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

I like it more every time I give it a listen.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?

Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke), closely followed by Paradox.

14. And the one you liked least?

You'd Better Believe It is probably my least favourite track on the album, with its shuffling drums, chugging bass, persistant violin and chanted vocals. Nevertheless, it was a big influence on the so-called new-wave bands, which came in its wake, like Magazine and New Order.

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?

This album came towards the end of their classic period and was Lemmy's penultimate album as well as their best work. I would go so far as to say it is the greatest space-rock album ever made. During the recording of the next album, Warrior, the cracks started to show and Lemmy was sacked. This seems a stroke of pure stupidity as he was not only one of their best musicians, but his strident bass-playing was the spine and the driving force of the group. Without him they were lost and Motorhead did not come close IMO. The album needs no leeway.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?

Yes, this has made me want to hear Warrior On the Edge of Time again. The entire album is available on YouTube.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?

Yes, it is alomst autobiographical in its references to their disputes with the authorities. Drug references are also present, although Lemmy's differ from Dave Brock's. The space-y vibe is always there along with the heavy rock. Simon House's playing adds new and compelling elements.

18. Did the album end well?

My copy has some single edits as bonuses which [provide a useful summary or conclusion to the album as a whole.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

No.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

It is cohesive, despite three short instrumentals and a variety of styles: hard rock, psychedelia and cosmic rock. Overall, it is the space-y feel, the skilful musicianship and the songs which hold everything together. Two key musicians, Bob Calvert and Dik Mik, are missing, yet everything works.

Overall Album Rating: 9 out of 10. Not just the best space-rock album, but one of the best progressive rock albums too.

I have drafted a review, which I will post in my journal.