Hawkwind
Hawkwind · 1970
57 min · 11 tracks · progressive rock
A cosmic journey through psychedelic soundscapes, blending progressive rock with ethereal vocals and experimental instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hurry On Sundown Start here — This opening track encapsulates the band's blend of melodic psychedelia and cosmic themes, setting the tone for the entire album. Its compelling guitar riffs and introspective lyrics invite listeners into Hawkwind's unique world.
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Be Yourself — With its extended instrumental sections and philosophical lyrics, this track showcases Hawkwind's experimental spirit and commitment to pushing musical boundaries. It reflects the band's ethos of individuality and freedom.
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Cymbaline — The haunting melodies and intricate arrangements in 'Cymbaline' highlight the band's progressive rock influences while embodying their lyrical exploration of existential themes. It's a pivotal moment that demonstrates their artistic depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Hawkwind's debut showcases early space rock elements with strong instrumentals but lacks some cohesion in its sequencing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving rhythm and layered guitars, establishing a consistent mid-tempo pace across the first half.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that explore varying dynamics and textures, particularly in 'Paranoia, Part 1' and 'Paranoia, Part 2'.
- The use of ethereal vocals is prominent, often blending with the instrumentation rather than standing out as lead elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 peaks and valleys
- immersive headphone experience
- poetic musings for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Debut album that established Hawkwind as pioneers of space rock.
- Career context
- In 1970, Hawkwind released their self-titled debut album, establishing themselves as pioneers of space rock. This album followed a period of intense live performances and experimentation in London's underground scene, marking the start of their influential career in the progressive rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pink Floyd· Can· Monster Magnet
Tracklist
- 1 Hurry On Sundown Start here 5:01
- 2 The Reason Is? 3:30
- 3 Be Yourself 8:06
- 4 Paranoia, Part 1 1:09
- 5 Paranoia, Part 2 4:09
- 6 Seeing It as You Really Are 10:48
- 7 Mirror of Illusion 7:08
- 8 Bring It On Home 3:17
- 9 Hurry On Sundown Start here 5:05
- 10 Kiss of the Velvet Whip 5:27
- 11 Cymbaline 4:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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