‘Freedom At Point Zero’ was a landmark album for Jefferson Starship, and moved them out of the semi folky territory and up alongside rockers such as REO Speedwagon Styx and Foreigner.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Jefferson Starship
ALBUM: Freedom At Point Zero
LABEL: Grunt
SERIAL: BZL1-3452
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Mickey Thomas – vocals * Craig Chaquico – guitars * Paul Kantner – guitars * Pete Sears – keyboards, bass * David Freiberg – keyboards, bass * Aynsley Dunbar – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Jane * 02 Lightning Rose (Carry The Fire) * 03 Things To Come * 04 Awakening * 05 Girl With The Hungry Eyes * 06 Just The Same * 07 Rock Music * 08 Fading Lady Light * 09 Freedom At Point Zero
WEBLINKS: FB Page
Background
I am presuming at this time, that anyone reading this review will already be well familiar with the history of Jefferson Airplane, Jeffeson Starship, as well as Starship. At this particular point of their career, Jefferson Starship decided to opt for a few changes. This band had so many personnel changes that a few more weren’t going to matter.
Nevertheless in came singer Mickey Thomas (remember him from Elvin Bishop‘s hit ‘Fooled Around And Fell In Love’?), as well as recently exiled drummer from Journey Aynsley Dunbar. Mr Dunbar was most unhappy about the popular chart ridden direction his former band were heading in, so opted for Jefferson Starship, for you guessed it, more of the same, WTF?
Yes ‘Freedom At Point Zero’ was a landmark album for the band, and moved them out of that semi folky ballad territory occupied by Heart and Fleetwood Mac, and up alongside rockers such as REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Foreigner.
Thomas’ fantastic vocals gave them the vehicle to do so, and with the added power of Dunbar, and some added electric crunch courtesy of Craig Chaquico, the Starship were ready to soar. The added production talent of Ron Nevison (fresh from UFO) was the icing on the cake.
The Songs
There are many standout songs on this platter starting with the seminal AOR classic hit ‘Jane’ which is a landmark song in itself within the AOR genre. We’ve got the similarly fantastic ‘Just The Same’, while ‘Girl With The Hungry Eyes’ rocks big time.
A couple of my favourite tracks are the quieter ones such as ‘Fading Lady Light’ and ‘Lightning Rose’. Others which invoke memories from the past include ‘Freedom At Point Zero’ and the upbeat ‘Rock Music’. Let’s not forget the epic ‘Awakening’ which is 8 minutes of absolute magnificence.
In Summary
For all their years together, this band have produced some wonderful albums, particularly in the melodic rock/AOR category. Albums such as ‘Nuclear Furniture’, ‘Knee Deep In The Hoopla’, ‘No Protection’ and ‘Love Among The Cannibals’ are must have albums in your collection. But start with this one.
Jefferson Starship on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
