All Aboard the Skylark is the thirty-second studio album by British space rock band Hawkwind, released in 2019. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the band returned to their space rock sound. The album received generally positive reactions from critics and fans alike, being praised as a hedonistic, hypnotic journey into the inky void.
The band, formed in 1969, has demonstrated a remarkable staying power and adaptability throughout its rich history, transcending different eras and styles, while still retaining its unique identity. Over the years, Hawkwind has included various band members. However, for All Aboard the Skylark, the band line-up included long-time member Dave Brock on vocals, keyboards and guitar, Niall Hone on bass, Richard Chadwick on drums, and Magnus Martin on guitar.
The album contains a richly diverse set of tracks, with the band showcasing their resounding mastery of various tempos and styles, including techno, ambient, and psychedelic rock. Standout songs such as "Flesh Fondue," and "Last Man on Earth," blend driving rhythms with ethereal lyrics, artfully encapsulating the band's unique, timeless sound.
A notable track from the album, "65 Million Years Ago," recounts the tale of the dinosaurs' extinction. The album, as a whole, demonstrates a concerted effort to thematically link each song, painting a picture of celestial journeying and exploration. The album artwork too, complements the interstellar theme, featuring cosmic scenery and a vintage spacecraft harking back to science fiction of yesteryears.
