Review by Rob Broom for MPM
The space warriors continue to build on their legacy with a monumental new studio album.
Having released two excellent studio albums and one live album in the past three years it almost defies belief that Hawkwind – who have clocked up well over 50 years of work in the studio and on the road – can so easily drop a potential new classic album ‘There Is No Space For Us’ into their catalogue, but here it is!
Despite founder member – guitarist Dave Brock – being over 80 years young, the band seem to be currently on a never ending cycle of ‘new album, tour, new album, tour, repeat, repeat’ that matches the production of bands from the 1960s and 70s.
Building on the work of the previous two albums, ‘There Is No Space For Us’ seems to complete a trilogy, although it is just possible that it is a new beginning as the band are certainly not resting on their laurels and going through the motions. Far from it, this album is full of energy and urgency and so without further delay, let us take off and get on with the review!
Proceedings open with ‘There Is Still Danger There’, which is less a warning and more a statement of fact on the state of the planet and where we are today. It is an excellent scene setter for the entire album, mixing menace and pathos together into something incredibly splendid!
Second cut ‘Space Continues (Lifeform) pulses into being. The band stretch their muscles musically with a lengthy instrumental break. This track contains a whole raft of electronica from wizard keyboardist Tim ‘Thighpaulsandra’ Lewis. Tim has really imbedded himself into the the band and his contribution on the entire album cannot be understated, the sounds he creates lift the album up and beyond into the galaxies far, far away! Mesmerising indeed.
‘Co-Pilot’ opens with an acoustic vibe that morphs and swirls. It reminds me briefly of Zarozinia, but then starts to punch back a little more as the piece builds. It is 8.22 minutes of musical weaving and engrossing to listen to.
So far, so very good, but the joyful thing about ‘There Is No Space for Us’ is that the band are just getting started as the intensity starts to pick up with ‘Changes (Burning Suns and Frozen Waste)’. There is more electronic playfulness accompanying some guitar picking before the drums of Richard Chadwick, bass of Doug McKinnon and the guitar riff kicks in and we take off into that complete Hawkwind sonic sound spread over 9.14 minutes with a message of hope from the ‘travellers of time and space’. Dave Brock and Magnus Martin both show they can still pull off a guitar solo alongside those riffs (I’m assuming both have some guitar responsibility on this number – there is plenty of it!). This is going to sound amazing live!
You can catch your breath at the start of title track ‘There Is No Space For Us’. With a North American Western movie feel (the record company press release suggests ‘Space Western), the sounds amble and brood until the vocals reinforce the message given in the opening ‘There Is Still Danger There’.
Then, with barely a pause, we slide into ‘The Outer Region Of The Universe’. Clocking in at 7.56 minutes our vocalist navigator tells us ‘time waits for no one’ as the piece meanders in and out of the stars building its own atmosphere with more pulsating electronic sounds.
Seventh track ‘Neutron Stars (Pulsating Light)’ has a riff, a beat and – most definitely – a pulse. It doesn’t really sound like ‘Master of the Universe’ meets ‘Silver Machine’ (or ‘Brainstorm’ for that matter), but it contains that glimmer of madness and energy. If the band decide to extend this one out in the live environment then watch out, it really could get sonic!
Album closer ‘A Long Long Way From Home’ is primarily a beautiful instrumental that gives us an opportunity for restrained, near melancholy reflection on what we have learnt and what we should do with that knowledge.
‘There Is No Space For Us’ is a masterful album that adds to the Hawkwind legacy and should be considered an essential purchase for all Hawkwind fans everywhere (the vinyl version contains a couple of bonus live rehearsals ‘Practical Ability’ and ‘Second Chance’). The musicianship is first class and the whole album sounds ‘complete’. It certainly rewards repeated listening through both headphones and speakers as you continue to hear new sounds each time.
Hawkwind are touring through the UK in support of the album so make sure you catch them live. They certainly weren’t showing any signs of slowing up when I saw them last year in 2024 and having now heard and reviewed ‘There Is No Space For Us’ I’m itching to see them again to hear what they do with this magnificent new material in the live arena.
Hawkwind have travelled a long way since 1969 and the journey forward still continues. Hitch a ride on the starship now so you don’t get left behind.
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