What does it sound like?:

Well, what do you think? John Peel’s observation about The Fall – “”they are always different; they are always the same”, also works for Hawkwind, as Hawkwind’s gestalt is now set, and their themes so established, that whatever is new has a resonance with whatever has been before; a half-century musical career is like that.

Of course, this is not QUITE Hawkwind – note the Hawkwind Light Orchestra. “Carnivorous” began as a solo Dave Brock project last Winter, but Richard Chadwick (drummer), and Magnus Martin (guitarist) also added bits, presumably over the ‘Net. Dave also contributes other sounds, as he can play keyboards too; Hawkwind have been a three-piece before now. All present and correct are bikerdelic riffs, synthy washes, and shamelessly unreconstructed jams you’ll love or find go on a bit, depending on preference. There is perhaps a lighter touch to the music and a bit more space in the density of music than before, and this allows for a looseness to drift in and out of, so it does not feel as “heavy” as they can be sometimes. Though “Expedition to Planet Earth” and “Repel Attract” emphasise we are on familiar » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

This is one of those products which absolutely does what it says on the tin, and if you like this sort of thing, you’ll love it. Two classic Steve Hackett-related albums (“Spectral Mornings”, and one of the discs he did with the old group), all played beautifully, some creative spins on familiar (sometimes over-familiar) tracks, all tastefully delivered (by the standards of progressive rock), and a few surprises and must-do’s. A DVD of a concert indicates it was also a delightful show for men of a certain age and their long-suffering partners, professionally performed, played, and presented.

I was struck that there was no sense of longeurs as “new” or solo material so often invites in what would have been the first set. That said, “Spectral Mornings” was released 41 years ago, so has had time to bed in. Lots of interesting musical textures and chiaroscuro moments, e.g., “Tigermoth”, and the invariably thundering “Clocks – The Angel of Mons”. Tasteful instrumentation and the occasional world element showed how Hackett was himself moving on, and vocals are competent but not central. Rob Townsend (saxes/flutes) does a great job adding new elements to the music, » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

You know with Steve Howe the guitar tone will be exquisite, as will be be the playing. Awkward arty post-punk buggers like Keith Levene get it as much as involuntarily-celibate centre-parted Afghan-wearing (do they still exist?) teen progressive rock fans, and many men of a certain age (and their long-suffering wives). “Love Is” is Steve Howe’s latest solo album, and the initial tracks of “Fulcrum” and “See me Through” are recognisably Yes-ish (particularly as the latest vocals ringer, Jon Davison ( a more convincing Jon Anderson than their hard-working but ill-fated rebound vocalist, Benoit David) adds his lines and harmonies). Steve sings too; and he’s better than he was. Instrumentals and songs alternate, so you know you are never far from those lovely soaring and ringing lines.

It was nice to hear THOSE “harmonies”; again, and the ghost of Chris Squire is working his magic. Elsewhere, it can be a bit Mike Oldfield for me, but that will delight others. Lyrics, are not as sappy as if Jon Anderson was around, nor the music as wet as Jon’s became, but SH must keep an eye on getting too sweet a tooth in case it » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Eight months after the release of “Hot Rats”, Frank Zappa was on tour in Europe with a new version of The Mothers (not “of Invention”). With him were Aynsley Dunbar, George Duke, and Flo and Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, a.k.a. “The Turtles”). The music slightly less outre, the skits sometimes MC’ed by Flo and Eddie. Some of this is recorded on the eternal “Live at Filmore East” album, which acts as something of a bellwether for different types of Frank Zappa fans; it all depends on how you feel about musical parodies and reportage about the groupie scene; for some it is puerile, for others an amusingly salacious satire on the idiocies of fame. Regarding this, call me adolescent and I will say you are SO unfair and slam my bedroom door. The music comprises that time when he was working on “Chunga’s Revenge”, “200 Motels”, and is very music indicative of a transition from his 60s style to that of the 70s.

“The Mothers 1970” brings together 4 CDs worth of officially unreleased studio and live recordings. Some of this has been on the bootleg “Wino Man” (also known as “Schischgebab”) » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Tweeted by Prince (and what could be a greater statement of worth?), this is the 7th album by the artful pop maestros, showing Sunderland remains a centre of remarkable creativity. All those clever oblique pop artists you like; Talking Heads, XTC, Bowie, Ben Folds, Kate Bush, Beach Boys, proper (pre 1977) 10cc, Prince, Todd Rundgren when he wants to play to his strengths … some say they can hear Steely Dan (I don’t hear it, myself) and Pink Floyd (again, “maybe”, or maybe NOT). Beautifully played, composed, and recorded, this is ostensibly a song cycle about life after WW1, but to my ears doesn’t sound like it, maybe as the music is so contemporary. I hear a pile of corking, interesting songs with oblique musical bridges and directions. An gallant song about gender differences here, the 1919 Treaty of Versailles there, air traffic control … this is not “Whitesnake”. I’ve probably listened to it half a dozen times and am still trying to work out how such accessible music slips through given the twists and turns.

What does it all *mean*?

“Record collection rock” has been a working strategy for a number of bands; » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

“Hot Rats” is probably the most well-known and accessible album in Frank Zappa’s oeuvre. Mostly instrumental, he keeps the snorks and annoying gimmicks/ satirical cool outsidedom to the minimum, and instead highlights his interesting way with music, melody, and bring out the most creative chops in his fellow musicians. “Hot Rats” (dedicated to Dweezil, who was performing this in full (not the 6 hour box set) in the UK this week) was recorded in 1969 (2 days after man landed on the moon, fact fans). In that year Zappa also released “Uncle Meat”, produced “Trout Mask Replica”, the GTOs, and Jeff Simmons, toured the USA and Europe, jammed with “Pink Floyd”, edited a Lord Buckley album, and more. What was that Lou Reed said about “my week beats your year”? In 1969, FZ had ideas and music flowing out of him, and it didn’t stop.

The Hot Rats Sessions were over 6 weeks (doubtless with lots of other stuff being done) and used the then-fancy 16-track recording desk, and various new musicians, here including Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Don “SugarCane” Harris, and Shuggie Otis, along with various trusted Mothers, such as Ian Underwood. The » Continue Reading.