Oh now this is a right odd-ball. There's another chap at work who's a big Hawkwind(et al) fan and this album is a complete no-no for him. I on the other hand really quite like it, don't ask why because for the casual listener it's going to be dropped on the "never listen to it again pile".
However, Lucky Lief is again a concept album by Robert Calvert, and documents the arrival of the Vikings to the new world of America. The style of music is way out on the edge of anything I've heard before: there's a couple of Hawkwind-esque classics, some poetry driven stuff, blue grass/US country banjo, and even a parody in the style of the Beach Boys!? Probably one of the reasons I really like it, is that it is so very different, and as such is one of those things I reach for when I am in that mood, you know the "I've got nothing to listen to, don't know what to listen to moods".
Lucky wasn't as well received by the press when Calvert released it, as it was his second(?) solo album. The first "Captain Lockhied" was an absolute monster, and the two are poles appart in terms of musical styling. The standout tracks are: "Ship of Fools", "Magical Potion" and "Ragna Rock".
Would I recommend this to other people? Well that's a difficult one, on the whole no I wouldn't because it is so difficult to listen to and "enjoy" without saying "this is crap". But if you can approach it from the other side, and are a Hawkwind fan then, yes it's worth a listen.
