Retaining all of the line-up from the previous excellent LP ‘Freedom At Point Zero’, Jefferson Starship ‘re-introduced’ Grace Slick, returning as co lead vocalist. What was that all about?
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Jefferson Starship
ALBUM: Modern Times
LABEL: Grunt
SERIAL: BZL-13848
YEAR: 1981
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Mickey Thomas, Grace Slick – lead vocals, Craig Chaquico – guitars * Paul Kantner – guitars, vocals * Pete Sears – keyboards, bass * David Freiberg – keyboards, bass * Aynsley Dunbar – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Find Your Way Back * 02 Stranger * 03 Wild Eyes * 04 Save Your Love * 05 Modern Times * 06 Mary * 07 Free * 08 Alien * 09 Stairway To Cleveland
WEBLINKS: FB Page
Background
Retaining all of the line-up from the previous excellent LP ‘Freedom At Point Zero’, Jefferson Starship ‘re-introduced’ Grace Slick, returning as co lead vocalist. What was that all about?
Anyway, ‘Modern Times’ is a vastly underrated album in the chapters of the Jefferson Starship back-catalogue. Admittedly it’s more about Foreigner, Journey and Kansas than anything else, and highlighted within that framework, should be worthy of a reconsideration by many.
I didn’t really follow though on JS’s output after ‘Freedom..’, not catching up with the band until 1984’s ‘Nuclear Furniture’. That was a bit silly of me, as the two albums ‘Modern Times’, ‘Winds Of Change’ and Grace Slick’s two solo albums are well worth hearing.
The Songs
‘Modern Times’ certainly has some magical moments onboard. Much of it is comparable to the previous album ‘Freedom At Point Zero’, so that can only mean good things right? It sure does.
The pairing of Thomas and Slick is a good one. In fact, it’s the first time they teamed up, of course they would dominate radio in 1985 with their ‘We Built This City’ efforts.
‘Find Your Way Back’ cements JS’s ranking in the AOR scene, long gone are reminders of their psychedelic origins, with tinkling synths and big vocal harmonies all over. ‘Stranger’ takes on a darker hue, and we hear Grace taking the lead vocal. It has a modern touch (well for 1981 at least).
‘Wild Eyes’ is a memorable event, with virtual pockets of melody exploding throughout. However, for me, the albums best moment is the 6 minute epic ‘Save Your Love’, the last segment of the song is astounding, with Chaquico’s guitarwork totally on fire. He climaxes this song in much the same way he did on ‘Awakening’ from ‘Freedom..’.
By contrast, the title song ‘Modern Times’ is a brief two and half minute excursion, though full of energy and excitement. Taking a back-seat breather, ‘Mary’ slows things up, but the song is still an interesting shuffle with Thomas’ falsetto at the forefront.
‘Free’ is perhaps the beefiest track here, Chaquico turns it up to 11, his solos go ballastic at the 2.30 minute mark, and by the 3.20 point he’s on his way.
It’s all pomp and power on ‘Alien’. A big pulsing synth parp sets the scene, sort of like an Emerson Lake And Palmer burst of prog intensity.The way this song unravels makes it the most interesting addition to the album, bar none.
We just made it past the most interesting song only to make it to the most energetic and wackiest. ‘Stairway To Cleveland’ has the indelible hand of Paul Kantner all over it. By now, most Jefferson Starship fans will know what I mean.
In Summary
There are some great tracks here. I really enjoyed most of it, and I’m sure most fans of Jefferson Starship will too. For some it may be difficult to get past the shadow cast upon it by ‘Freedom At Point Zero’, but once seen in its own light, there are some gems to be found.
Jefferson Starship on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
