As always with anything remotely resembling a "new" Hawkwind album, as opposed to a live or archive rehash of the past, Blood of the Earth falls between two very sharply defined poles -- either it's the band's best album since the mid- to late '90s, or it's one more step away from the purity of their original mission statement, an argument that could be backed up by the distinctly lackluster retread of "You Better Believe It" that turns up near the end. Unfortunately, that's about as far as that argument goes, as Blood of ...
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As always with anything remotely resembling a "new" Hawkwind album, as opposed to a live or archive rehash of the past, Blood of the Earth falls between two very sharply defined poles -- either it's the band's best album since the mid- to late '90s, or it's one more step away from the purity of their original mission statement, an argument that could be backed up by the distinctly lackluster retread of "You Better Believe It" that turns up near the end. Unfortunately, that's about as far as that argument goes, as Blood of the Earth continues the past few albums' penchant for pushing ahead, opening with the distinctly atmospheric "Seahawks," pounding on through the near-punkish "Wraith," and (back to the past again), completely rewiring "Sweet Obsession" from its solo Dave Brock prototype. The tribal "Inner Visions" and the near-ambient "Green Machine" offer the most distinct axis around which the album revolves, but every corner secretes a new surprise, until you arrive at "Comfy Chair," which actually fits you just like one. Which probably isn't something you'd expect to find on a Hawkwind album, but strangely, it works really well. ~ Dave Thompson, Rovi
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