Jefferson Airplane: Psychedelic or Progressive Rock?

A debate has been raging for years over which genre Jefferson Airplane belongs in. Is it Psychedelic Rock or Progressive Rock? There are arguments to be made for both, but we think the answer is a little bit of both.

Introduction

On the surface, it may not seem like there is much similarity between psychedelic rock and progressive rock. After all, one is known for mind-bending experimentation while the other is known for its intellectualism and complex song structures. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these two genres have more in common than one might think. Both genres emerged in the 1960s, a time of great social and political change, and both were influenced by the counterculture movement of the time. In addition, both genres challenged convention and pushed musical boundaries.

Of course, there are also differences between these two genres. Psychedelic rock is more focused on atmosphere andtone, while progressive rock is more concerned with musical composition and innovation. However, at their core, both genres are about expanding the possibilities of what music can be.

The Sound of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. The music is intended to reproduce the experience of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD. Many psychedelic groups differed in style, and the label is often applied spuriously.

Psychedelic rock grew out of the early 1960s American counterculture and folk rock scenes. It reached its height in popularity in the mid- to late 1960s, with bands such as Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Sly & The Family Stone experimenting with psychedelic sounds, frequently using feedback, distorted guitars, sitars, and other electronic effects.

The Look of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic music is associated with the look of the times, hippies with long hair, ethnic clothing, and peace symbols. This was also the look of much of the rock music being produced. The difference with psychedelic music is that it is often based on electric guitars and other instruments played with distortion and feedback to create a “trippy” sound. The look of psychedelic rock was often trippy as well, with colorful, mind-bending artwork on album covers and psychedelic light shows at concerts.

Progressive rock, on the other hand, has a more serious sound and look. The music is often complex, with multiple time changes and layers of sound. The artwork on progressive rock albums reflects this complexity, with detailed images that are often dark or surreal. Concerts are also more subdued affairs, without the mind-bending visual elements of psychedelic rock shows.

The Lyrics of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic lyrics often explore otherworldly themes and states of mind, such as those induced by drugs, and the feelings of love, anxiety, and alienation. As the 1960s progressed, drug use became more common in mainstream society, and references to drugs such as LSD, marijuana, and peyote became more commonplace in music. Along with drug use, psychedelic lyrics often made references to free love, astrology, and mysticism.

The Influence of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, sometimes called acid rock, reached its height of popularity in the mid to late 1960s, and had a profound impact on both popular music and culture. The genre is often categorized under the broader heading of “rock”, but it also incorporates elements of jazz, blues, and especially Indian classical music. Psychedelic rock often incorporates distorted guitars, feedback, and extended solos; in addition, the songs are often lengthy and based around complex arrangements.

The first psychedelic band to achieve mainstream success was The Beatles, whose “A Day in the Life” (1967) featured extensive use of feedback, tape loops, and studio effects. The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” (1966) is also an early example of psychedelic rock; other well-known psychedelic songs from the 1960s include Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” (1967), The Doors’ “Break on Through (To the Other Side)” (1967), Grateful Dead’s “Dark Star” (1968), Cream’s “Crossroads” (1968), and Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” (1968).

Psychedelic rock had a significant influence on later genres such as progressive rock; however, it was also short-lived, as by the early 1970s most bands had moved away from its signature sound. Nevertheless, many of the elements pioneered by psychedelic rock continue to be used in popular music today.

The Legacy of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelic rock or acid rock, is a style of rock music that originated in the mid-1960s. Musicians attempted to replicate the LSD experience by playing lengthy, improvised jams and by incorporating feedback, unusual time signatures, and extended instrumentation into their songs. The Beatles, the Doors, and the Grateful Dead were all influential psychedelic rock bands.

In the 1970s, a new wave of psychedelic bands emerged, including Jefferson Airplane, who blended elements of folk, blues, pop, and jazz into their music. While some historians consider Jefferson Airplane to be a progressive rock band, others categorize them as psychedelic. There is no clear consensus on where to draw the line between psychedelic and progressive rock.