HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN GRILL (1974)

Not bad BLANGA, but doomed to disappoint after the beast that preceded it. DikMik's gone, replaced by violinist/keyboardist Simon House, who appeared to understand silly little things like how to read music and how to properly tune and play his instruments.

The opening track "Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke)" is god-head BLANGA with fabulously DEEeeeeppppp bottom-dropping synth-lines and a happy singalong that starts "Sick of politicians, harassment, and laws..."

This is the first of Hawkwind's numerous "semi-live" albums where live and studio tracks are mixed almost seamlessly, and Lemmy contributes yet another gem in the crown with his grim and disenheartening and oh so awesome "Lost Johnny."

Solid, but with a bit of wind beginning to creep in around the edges with tracks like the (ominously titled) "Winds of Change."

BLANGA SCORE: 7.