Album Review: Hawkwind - We Are Looking In On You
Reviewed by Carl Black
Attention, Attention, space men and space woman. This is your intergalactic space steward speaking, please pay attention to this message on behalf of your Star Captain, Dave Brock.
You are now flying with Interplanetary Space Cruises, AKA Hawkwind. You are in safe hands, Hawkwind have been elevating customers to higher plains and returning them to earth safely for over half a century. Star Captain Brock wants you to know that very shortly you will leave the exosphere and begin to experience weightlessness, perhaps for the first time. Your sound track during this transition will be the new live album by Hawkwind called We Are Looking in On You. Previous live triumphs include blackouts at the Roundhouse, Stonehenge, Glastonbury before the BBC, Yurts and Students from Kensington got their hands on it, Technicolor twelve hours at Brixton and just last year, the Royal Albert Hall.
From the opening noise and trippy guitar work of 'Magnu', to the Countdown of 'Uncle Sam’s on Mars', the sing along chorus of 'Spirit of the Age', you’ll be blissed out and inspired as you fly with us. You will find it hard not to sing along to protest classic 'Right To Decide' and you’ll really think your off your thrupney bits when you hear the cover of 'It’s Not Unusual' before finishing with an old Lemmy number (he who watches over all of us) 'The Watcher'.
The next couple of hours will be a smooth and comfortable ride with all the imperfections of a live rock 'n' roll show. On disembarking on the other side you will suffer withdrawal symptoms and wish to repeat the experience. Please do not be alarmed. This is perfectly normal. You have a number of options open to you. Firstly, replace the stylus to the beginning of this live album and enjoy at your leisure. Secondly, for an even bigger buzz, wait a matter of weeks as Hawkwind are never far from some live dates. They’ll play anywhere, New York, Paris, even Guildford. Failing these two options take a trip into their extensive back catalogue to again feel sensory deprivation.
On behalf of Star Captain Brock and Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin, Doug MacKinnon and Tim "Thighpaulsandra" Lewis, thank you for choosing this as your “Album of the Year”. This is your intergalactic space steward bidding you safe passage.
Over and out!
Yes, but is it any good?