Customer Reviews

Weird Tapes 7

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The final edition of 'The Weird Tapes' series released on the Voiceprint label.Ten Dave Brock solo compositions.Beginning with the Outer Limits intro leading into "Streets Of Fear".Tunes that caught me off guard were "First Landing On Medusa","Touchdown",the mutated tripping "Winter Of Discontent" and the very cool psychedelic "Circles".I was also sort of impressed with "Speed Of Light" and "Bombed Out".Brilliant production,to say the very least.After hearing this CD,you'll FULLY understand as to why/how that Dave Brock and Hawkwind as well as the band's past members are still going strong after 35 years now.That is,if you don't already.

This is a rerelease of an original cassette-only release from the early 80's. Hawkwind fans will know what's here, but the track listing is wrong. Amazon's listing is the same as what's on the CD, which makes me wonder why a release that is Dave Brock's own project would have the wrong info!? Some of the other erroneous info has been corrected on the other Weird CD reissues, but not here. First off, there are three unlisted tracks, all intros to listed tracks. Also, there are two versions of "Looking...", and they are separate tracks! To simplify things, the CD starts with "Choose your Masques", runs in the listed order to "Bombed Out", continues with "Welcome To The Dream Machine(unlisted)/Streets Of Fear" and ends with "Winter Of Discontent"! If you sliced the listed track order in half, and put the second half first, then the listing would be almost accurate. Remember that "Looking In The Future" is here twice, as tracks 2 and 3 and try not to pull your hair out of your skull!!! All that aside, a very worthwhile archival Hawkwind release!

********************Personnel
Dave Brock: Everything

********************Sound Quality
The sound is excellent, very good recording, mixing, and mastering.

********************The Music
Although it says Hawkwind on the album, this is a Dave Brock solo work. It is just him using sequencers, synths, drum machines, and the occasional guitar to lay down some demos, many of which ended up on Hawkwind albums. If you're curious as to how Hawk songs develop, this is a good one to get.

The sound is much different than a Hawkwind album, but it is still great material. I would even say that some of the tracks work better here than on the actual Hawkwind albums.

The most surprising track is Brock reciting Shakespeare, that alone is worth the price of admission.

********************Summary
Should you get this one? That depends. If you are looking for psych or stoner rock, then no. But if you want to hear a talented musician in the process of crafting songs, then yes pick this one up.