Is Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2 a good place to start with Hawkwind?

Yes, Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2 is recommended as a starting point for new Hawkwind listeners. A sprawling cosmic journey blending progressive rock with psychedelic elements, enveloped in Hawkwind's signature spacey soundscapes. Released in 1999, this compilation album encapsulates a period of resurgence for Hawkwind, following their earlier decline in mainstream recognition during the 1980s and 1990s. It serves as a bridge between their classic era and the revitalization efforts that began in the late 1990s, showcasing both new material and reimagined classics.

Who is Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2 for?

Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2 works well if you're into cosmic journey through soundscapes, dynamic exploration with peaks and wave-like pacing for immersion.

How many songs are on Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2?

Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2 has 17 tracks, running approximately 85 minutes.

Choose Your Masques: Collectors Series Volume 2

Hawkwind · 1999

85 min · 17 tracks · progressive rock

A sprawling cosmic journey blending progressive rock with psychedelic elements, enveloped in Hawkwind's signature spacey soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Choose Your Masques Start here — The title track exemplifies the album's thematic exploration of identity and perception, encapsulating the band's ability to merge lyrical depth with expansive sound.
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Brainstorm — This iconic track features an intense instrumental section that showcases Hawkwind's improvisational prowess and heavy use of synthesizers, a hallmark of their sound.
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Magnu — Renowned for its hypnotic rhythms and layered guitar work, this track is a perfect example of the band's unique blend of heavy rock and psychedelic influences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Hawkwind's signature sound with varied compositions but lacks strong cohesion due to its length.

What we noticed

The album features extended instrumental sections, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for expansive sound exploration.
There are multiple shifts in tempo and dynamics within individual tracks, creating a sense of movement and unpredictability.
The use of synthesizers and effects creates a layered, atmospheric quality that is characteristic of space rock.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements and thematic narratives, enhancing the conceptual nature of the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

cosmic journey through soundscapes
dynamic exploration with peaks
wave-like pacing for immersion
long-form tracks for deep focus
evocative themes of utopia

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A compilation that showcases a resurgence period, appealing to dedicated fans.
Themes: cosmic exploration· identity and perception· psychedelic soundscapes
Career context: Released in 1999, this compilation album encapsulates a period of resurgence for Hawkwind, following their earlier decline in mainstream recognition during the 1980s and 1990s. It serves as a bridge between their classic era and the revitalization efforts that began in the late 1990s, showcasing both new material and reimagined classics.
Stylistic neighbors: Pink Floyd· Can· Monster Magnet