Search - Hawkwind :: Quark Strangeness and Charm CD & Book Set

The Cream of the Crop

Mons | Norrpan | 10/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Novices to Hawkwind have the Herculean task of deciding which of the 113 or so releases (of which around 80 are compilations and live albums) clocked up by the band they should start with. Well look no further. QS&C is widely recognised as Hawkwind's masterpiece. The "All Killer, No Filler" tag certainly applies here - all the tracks are outstanding The music, Rob Calvert's lyrics, the sound - all top drawer. In fact, I would venture to suggest that Hawkwind was not quite the same without Mr. Calvert as he added a degree of intelligence and wit to the band that, without him, could at times sound a bit moronic. Compare the brilliant sci-fi clone song Spirit of the Age ("If you had ever seen us, you'd rejoice in your uniqueness and consider every weakness, something special of your own") with, say Silver Machine from the earlier Calvert-less line-up ("I've got a silver machine, and I'm feeling mean"). I know a lot of Hawkwind fans like the mindlessness of the early stuff but I would strongly advise anybody starting out with Hawkwind to check out this album. Don't take my word for it, listen to the Amazon.com samples."

Hawkwind for the rest of us:

Mons | 08/03/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hawkwind hits the mark with Quark, Strangeness and Charm (not the EP or the boxed set). Hawkwind, known for their spacey music and hypnotic ryhthms, normally alienate listeners not tuned into this style. Quark crossed these barriers and is an excellent album with supurb (and at times haunting) melodies and rich textures. For pure Hawkwind fans, they gave us "Hall of the Mountain Grill" and Warrior on the Edge of Time." For all of us they gave us Quark, a tasty treat for the ears. Why is it that an album this good is so hard to get?"

Hawkwind - 'Quark: Strangeness And Charm' (Griffin)

Mike Reed | USA | 08/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I remember that when this CD reissue first came out that it took a LONG time to actually get released.Heard from a rep at Griffin that Dave Brock took some time to decide on the artwork,which ended up being a total different front cover.Like other Hawkfans,I awaited the arrival of this disc.Also remember the rep asking me as to WHY so many fans were interested in 'Quark:...'.I told her it was my guess that the disc had the original versions of some really great Hawk tunes that still get played during the band's live set while they're out on tour,like "Spirit Of The Age","Damnation Alley",the title track and "Hassan I Sahba".Keep in mind it's usually good to hear a song's ORIGINAL version sooner or later.'Quark:...' was the second lp that Calvert had pretty much taken over the lead vocals.Still more like 'space pop',but in my opinion a tad better than 'Astounding Sounds...'. Worth seeking out."