Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music ( + 4 bonus tracks)

Probably one of the most controversial Hawkwind albums with band members in open warfare and very untypical initially I hated this album. However, age has changed my opinion and for once I agree with Nik Turner (something that almost never happens!) , this is a damned fine album.

It starts with 'Reefer Madness' which is closest to typical 70's Hawkwind except that Bob Calvert's vocals mean the lyrics are clear. 'Steppenwolf' features a wonderful Calvert lyric and is truly menacing in a progressive Roxy Music mode. 'City of Lagoons' is a rather overlong unremarkable instrumental. 'The Aubergine that ate Rangoon' is a crazy but fun piece of spaced out funk. 'Kerb Crawler' is the attempt to be commercial, produced by Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd and is like Status Quo meets Hawkwind with a sleazy lyric. 'Kadu Flyer' sounds good the remix makes his vocal much clearer. 'Chronoglide Skyway ' brings the album to a magnificent close, a beautiful Simon House composed instrumental.

One for open minded Hawkwind fans only though and for those who haven't a blinkered hatred of Hawkwind! I truly love this album and at long last have a CD reissue.

The bonus tracks are the only let down, they say unreleased in some cases but they sound like previously released versions to me! I wish they had some of the demos some of which I hear are on bootlegs, whether they are any good I do not know.

It's really a 4 3/4 stars album but I've decided on a 5 applauding the innovation.