Post by MartinT on Jul 12, 2018 5:44:20 GMT
Whenever Space Ritual has been discussed on the forum, I am amused but not surprised to see that it polarises opinions. There are a couple of issues with Space Ritual: firstly it comprises one long seemingly continuous jam as recorded at a couple of their gigs in 1973. The songs flow into each other in a homogeneous blend of simple rhythms and psychedelic effects. You almost had to be there, but it's much more than that as I still love listening to it to this day. There are SF elements with good vignettes such as 'Sonic Attack' and I always liked SF. Finally, the recording is pretty terrible and you have to listen through that to get to the music.
Analysing it is difficult, but these are a few of the mental links I form and perhaps others could add theirs or explain why they don't like it.
1. Drone
It may not be obvious to some but I sense that a lot of their music is based on a drone (according to Wikipedia: a drone is a harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most or all of a piece). Yes, they do change chords or even the key of the piece on occasion, but some of the mesmerising effect is due to the drone-like nature of the continuous chords that hold many of their songs together.
One of the best known songs with a drone is The Beatles' superb Tomorrow Never Knows.
2. Electronic Melodies
Much of the chord work is based on simple electronic melodies such as pioneered by Kraftwerk. Their most famous song Autobahn is full of simple but beautiful and very effective melodies, adding to the drone effect noted above.
3. Psychedelic Wizzbangs
It's notable that Space Ritual was recorded in the same year as Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon. While the feel of both band's music is different, they share much of the same early influences and added psychedelic effects, presumably designed to be fully appreciated under the influence of LSD and other psychedelic drugs of the time. However, I find that late night listening in a darkened room while relaxed has a similar effect. Listen to Astronomy Domine and you could imagine the members of Hawkwind quite appreciating the sound.
The above are just three ingredients, there are more. Over to you.
Analysing it is difficult, but these are a few of the mental links I form and perhaps others could add theirs or explain why they don't like it.
1. Drone
It may not be obvious to some but I sense that a lot of their music is based on a drone (according to Wikipedia: a drone is a harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most or all of a piece). Yes, they do change chords or even the key of the piece on occasion, but some of the mesmerising effect is due to the drone-like nature of the continuous chords that hold many of their songs together.
One of the best known songs with a drone is The Beatles' superb Tomorrow Never Knows.
2. Electronic Melodies
Much of the chord work is based on simple electronic melodies such as pioneered by Kraftwerk. Their most famous song Autobahn is full of simple but beautiful and very effective melodies, adding to the drone effect noted above.
3. Psychedelic Wizzbangs
It's notable that Space Ritual was recorded in the same year as Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon. While the feel of both band's music is different, they share much of the same early influences and added psychedelic effects, presumably designed to be fully appreciated under the influence of LSD and other psychedelic drugs of the time. However, I find that late night listening in a darkened room while relaxed has a similar effect. Listen to Astronomy Domine and you could imagine the members of Hawkwind quite appreciating the sound.
The above are just three ingredients, there are more. Over to you.
