Alan Davey - Eclectic Devils

Hawkwind bassist gets varied on new solo project

Alan Davey’s space-rock credentials are sound. A former bassist with Hawkwind and purveyor of consistently solid, if slightly Hawk-derivative cosmic rock, Davey has always come up with the goods.

This new album is no exception. Building slowly from the ambient beginnings of Angel Dawn, this is, for the most part, a collection of driving, swirly rock that Hawkfans will no doubt embrace. The eclecticism of the title is there on tracks such as Strung Out, which blends Eastern-style phasing with some deft fretwork, and in the experimental soundscapes of Alien Veto. On others though, such as Too High, the straight rock riffing is too dated to commend. Davey’s trademark heavy basslines are, however, in evidence everywhere, and that’s enough to carry the weaker material.

On his last solo album, Human On The Outside, Davey acknowledged his pedigree and pushed a more contemporary sound. This carries that groove on nicely, but fans may well want a bit more experimentation and a little less nostalgia. Considering Hawkwind, however, perhaps they won’t.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Earthquake | EQRCD 0002

Reviewed by Jan Zarebski
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