Artist: Hawkwind
Album: Levitation
Released: 1980
Label: Atomhenge/IODA (2009 re-release)
Genre: Space Rock
Purchase date: 1 November 2010
Format: AAC files
Source: iTunes
Hawkwind is a British hard rock band that formed in the late 60s. They pioneered the "space rock" genre, and were the first band that metal-god Lemmy Killmister (of Mötorhead fame) every played with. (Note: Lemmy got the name for his new band from the last song he'd written and recorded with Hawkwind). Led by Dave Brock, Hawkwind is probably one of the closest British analogues to The Grateful Dead when it comes to die-hard fans who follow them around. (There isn't much similarity otherwise.)
One of my college buddies turned me on to Hawkwind back in the late '90s. (Hi, Curtis!) At the time, this band's records didn't have a US label, so I dubbed copies of his tapes and CDs onto cassette.
Levitation has a hard rock sound, bordering on heavy metal. The band downplays the intricate guitar solos typical of metal and instead uses sound effects, electronics, and spoken word interlude to evoke science fiction imagery that's typical of space rock. It's not a terribly intellectual take on science fiction, but I think it's a whole lot of fun.
Rating: B+
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