Jefferson Airplane’s Psychedelic Rock Album: A Masterpiece

Jefferson Airplane’s Psychedelic Rock Album: A Masterpiece is a must-have for any fan of psychedelic rock. This album is a classic and is considered to be one of the best of its genre.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock, often referred to simply as psychedelia, is a style of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. Characterized by distorted guitars, sounds generated by electronic effects, feedback, and extended jamming, it was proponents believed that the use of these techniques would lead to a higher state of consciousness. Psychedelic rock often used voice-altering techniques such as yelled, shouted or backup vocals, and incorporated elements of other genres including folk music and electronica.

Jefferson Airplane’s album “Surrealistic Pillow” is a prime example of psychedelic rock. Released in 1967, the album was a commercial success, reaching #3 on the US Billboard charts and spawning the hit single “Somebody to Love”. The album’s combination of catchy pop hooks with psychedelia made it one of the most successful and influential albums of its time.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic rock, with many newer bands drawing inspiration from the sounds of the 1960s. Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” remains an essential listen for anyone interested in this timeless style of music.

The making of the album

It was the summer of love in 1967, and the Jefferson Airplane was feeling the vibes. The band had just released their album “Surrealistic Pillow”, and it had quickly become a hit. The album contained the song “Somebody to Love”, which would become a anthem for the summer. The band was on top of the world, and they decided to keep the momentum going by recording a new album.

The band’s history

Jefferson Airplane was one of the most successful and influential rock groups of the counterculture era. The band was founded in San Francisco in 1965, and they became well-known for their psychedelic sound and their political activism. They were an important part of the ’60s San Francisco music scene, and they helped to popularize the city’s hippie culture.

The band’s original lineup included singer-songwriter Marty Balin, guitarist Paul Kantner, bassist Jack Casady, drummer Spencer Dryden, and singer Grace Slick. They released their debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, in 1966. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it launched them into the mainstream.

The band continued to experience success throughout the late ’60s and early ’70s with albums like Surrealistic Pillow (1967), Volunteers (1969), Bark (1971), Long John Silver (1972), and Crown of Creation (1968). They also became known for their political activism, particularly during the Vietnam War. In 1968, they played at the landmark anti-war concert known as “The Human Be-In.”

By the mid-’70s, interpersonal tensions within the band were reaching a boiling point. Grace Slick had become addicted to drugs, and she nearly died from an overdose in 1976. This event led to her decision to leave the band. Shortly thereafter, Kantner also left the group, leaving Balin as the only original member remaining in Jefferson Airplane. The band continued on without them, but they were never able to achieve the same level of success that they had experienced in their heyday. Jefferson Airplane dissolved in 1972 after 14 years together.

The recording process

In early 1966, Jefferson Airplane began work on their second album, titled after their hit single “Somebody to Love”. The band wanted to capture the energy of their live shows on the record, so they decided to recorded the album live in the studio with very few overdubs. The result was a raw and powerful album that captured the band at the peak of their powers.

The album was recorded over a period of two weeks in May 1966, with most of the material being written and rehearsed during that time. The band used a variety of different techniques to get the sound they were looking for, including using feedback and reverb to create a psychedelic sound. They also employed some innovative studio techniques, such as recording the drums and bass separately and then playing them back together through multiple amplifiers to create a “wall of sound”.

Despite the relatively short amount of time it took to record, “Somebody to Love” is considered one of the most important psychedelic rock albums of all time. It is an essential document of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and its influence can still be heard in today’s music.

The album’s artwork

The album’s artwork was created by Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley, who were working together as the psychedelic art team known as Mouse and Kelley. The pair had been hired by the band’s manager, Bill Graham, to create a poster for a Fillmore Auditorium show in early 1966. When the band saw the poster, they were so impressed that they asked the duo to create the cover art for their next album.

The cover art is a painting of an alligator sunbathing on a beach, with a bottle of poison next to it. The alligator is a reference to “Alligator,” a track on the album. The bottle of poison is a metaphor for the dangerous and addictive nature of drugs.

The artwork was so controversial that it was actually banned in some countries. Despite the controversy, it is now considered to be one of the most iconic and influential pieces of psychedelic art.

The album’s songs

Psychedelic rock is a music genre that emerged in the mid-’60s and is characterized by distorted guitars, feedback, and extreme volume levels. The album “Jefferson Airplane’s Psychedelic Rock Album” is a masterpiece of the genre. It was released in October of 1967 and was recorded in just two days. The album features eight tracks, all of which are classics of the genre.

“Somebody to Love”

One of the band’s most popular songs, “Somebody to Love” was written by Darby Slick. The song is in the key of A major. The verses follow a I-ii-iii-IV chord progression, while the chorus is in the key of D major. The opening lyrics, “When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies”, are accompanied by a solo from Kantner on acoustic guitar.

“White Rabbit”

One of the most popular songs on the album, “White Rabbit” was written by Grace Slick and is a very overt reference to Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The song became a sort of anthem for the counterculture movement of the late 1960s, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

“Embryonic Journey”

Jefferson Airplane’s second album, Surrealistic Pillow, is a psychedelic rock masterpiece. One of the album’s standout tracks is “Embryonic Journey,” a finger-picked solo acoustic guitar piece by Jorma Kaukonen.

The song was written and recorded in a single day, and it perfectly captures the mood of Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 classic. The song is both beautiful and eerie, with Kaukonen’s ethereal guitar work supported by Jack Casady’s steady bassline.

“Embryonic Journey” is one of Jefferson Airplane’s most beloved songs, and it remains an essential part of their live repertoire.

The album’s legacy

Jefferson Airplane’s “Psychotic Reaction” is considered by many to be one of the greatest psychedelic rock albums of all time. Released in 1967, the album helped to define the genre and establish Jefferson Airplane as one of the most important bands of the era.

Featuring hits like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit”, “Psychotic Reaction” is a masterpiece of psychedelic rock. The album’s complex arrangements, combined with its catchy hooks and unique songwriting, make it a timeless classic.

Although it was not a commercial success at the time of its release, “Psychotic Reaction” has since gone on to be hailed as one of the greatest rock albums ever made. It is an essential part of any serious music collection and should not be missed by any fan of psychedelic rock.

Conclusion

Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic rock album is truly a masterpiece. The lyrics, instrumentation, and overall sound creates a uniting and powerful experience that is hard to find in any other album. This is an album that demands to be listened to from start to finish, and it is an experience that you will never forget.