In Search Of Space - HAWKWIND***

You Shouldn't Do That/You Know You're Only Dreaming/Master Of The Universe/We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago/Adjust Me/Children Of The Sun

In Search Of Space was the follow up release from the British space-rock band Hawkwind. It proved to be their commercial breakthrough, aided in part by the success of the non-album UK No.3 hit single Silver Machine. (UK:18)

“Hawkwind kick into high gear with their second album, In Search Of Space. With the fifteen minute opener, You Shouldn't Do That, they prove to be one of the few fullbore psychedelic acts capable of being considered proto-punk, with their sturdy grooves and steady pace. All the elements that make this group's early recordings great are here: the chunky guitars, the trippy synthesizer-generated sound effects, treated flutes, and alto saxophones.”

“This here is the real stuff, tribal space rock fuelled by LSD, all set to trip you out. You'll love every moment of it. Each of the songs (and the long ones especially) get you into a groove with trancing, chanting vocals with repetitive patterns and sounds.”

“In Search Of Space sees Hawkwind go from a bunch of hippie folkies to the space rock band we know and love. This contains all the elements that would make the band beloved to their fans but hated by critics. You Shouldn't Do That is nearly a quarter hour of repetitive lyrics, power chords, throbbing bass and random electronics.”

“Consists largely of uninspiring and repetitive jamming, it fails to conjure up images and feelings of space, is mostly devoid of melody, and contains totally non engaging vocals. Much better space rock than this exists.”

“Don't really know what the hype is about. Not an especially good band or album. Sounds like they're all stoned on something. Perhaps an indifferent album to add to your collection of 70s space trance. If not, skip this band and album.”

“In Search Of Space embodies much classic Hawkwind; heavy guitar riffs, wooshing electronic effects, squawking saxophone solos and science-fiction influenced lyrics.”

“The band attains its spacey atmospheres not through quiet keyboard noodling but through loud, hypnotic, pulsing bass and drum patterns which form a framework from which guitar, keyboard, sax and flute solos emerge and fade back into, with the singing on offer here being more like a tripped-out chants.”