Do you need an album to love? (Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane)

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane
Date:	07/06/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some excellent songs

Disadvantages: Male vocalists a bit poppy compared to Grace Slick's

Initially Jefferson's Airplane album Surrealistic Pillow sounds very traditional 60s sounding, in particular with a hint of merseybeat. The big hit is undoubtedly "Somebody to Love" featuring powerful yet enjoyable female vocals. It is in fact the warbling vocals of piano player Grace Slick which I find to be the most awesome thing about this album, deep yet very feminine sounding at the same time giving the band a distinct "hippy with conviction" sound.

Unfortunately Grace isn't the regular singer and neither male vocalists quite get up to her level, although both of them have an approachable Paul McCartney like voice which perhaps makes the band more accessible than otherwise wallowing as strictly hippy fare. However, I can't help getting excited on "White Rabbit", another excellent track with Grace's vocals that depicts the effects of drug use in Alice in Wonderland!

The vocals do get a bit too chaotic at times, especially when they are layered with one over the other. The piano playing has a psychedelic sound to it that isn't too far off The Doors sound during a similar period, I find it preferable to the brash garage guitar playing that pierces the otherwise gentle and warm sound of the band. Despite the brash sound, there are some wonderful chord changes to look out for. Lyrically despite some odd song titles and abstract lyrics, it's actually very catchy - least not on 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds. Definitely an album worth having.

1 She Has Funny Cars
2 Somebody to Love
3 My Best Friend
4 Today 5 Comin? Back to Me
6 3/5 a Mile in 10 Seconds
7 D. C. B. A.?25
8 How Do You Feel
9 Embryonic Journey
10 White Rabbit
11 Plastic Fantastic Lover
12 In The Morning (Bonus Track)
13 J.P.P. Mc Step B. Blues (Bonus Track)
14 Go To Her (Bonus Track)
15 Somebody to Love (mono single version) (Bonus Track)
16 White Rabbit (mono single version) (Bonus Track)
17 Come Back Baby (Bonus Track)

Summary: Cracking album