I’ve already known Jefferson Airplane through their popping great singles such like, “White Rabbit,” “Somebody to Love,” and “Jane,” and of course transitioning then to Jefferson Starship followed by Starship. But, what became more interesting was how this record, “After Bathing at Baxters,” never crossed my mind, in fact, I’ve never even heard about it before! And I blame my buddy Luke for this, because he talked to me about it while we were visiting a record shop, and it instantly grabbed my attention. Too bad that they didn’t have the record, because I was gonna pick it up, but I decided to use the easy way out, and stream the record on Apple Music with good headphones. And let me tell you, that it’s a cluster combination of so many elements going on. For the 1960’s era, that was the beginning of everything flourishing within the music industry, you didn’t know what was next, but you’ve got this impression that most likely, it’s going to be good. Musical elements such as rock, pop, and psychedelia will get you your one way ticket to the world of Jefferson Airplane, I’m just saying!

And after that first listen let me tell you that, I didn’t know what to expect from it. It was great, but confusing at the same time. You’ve got your grounding psychedelia, rock and pop elements. Cool. But then, it becomes obscured, where each track is completely different from one another, and segues differently to each other, Kinda purposely intending to add so many elements in there, because the band didn’t just want to focus on the lyrics, but as well as the music too. You’ve also got some quiet songs that are mysterious, just listen to Grace Slick singing, “Rejoyce,” where it feels odd, but if you close your eyes are just listen, you’re getting the impression that she’s singing in this big empty cathedral, and the music, the way the soprano saxophone is being played as if its beautiful Middle Eastern music. And what becomes even more interesting is how this song reminds me of some photos of concert goers 1967 the Monterey Pop Festival. Embracing peace, and the power of rejoicing over some great music, keeping it simple.

But if we’re gonna be digging deeper into this record, it kicks off with“The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil.” you’ve got your feedback from the electric guitar. But what becomes interesting is how it gives you some sort of suspense on what’s going to happen next. And then, engages within a sort of swinging rock/ psychedelic melody. “Wild Tyme,” expresses a sort of up and coming hippie movement, where the change is now. Where it’s the time to express ourselves, being there for one another, giving, and appreciating love. And let me just add that, it fits perfectly with what we’re currently experiencing as a society. Where we should be able to “break the barriers,” and love one another by embracing peace amongst each other. “The Last Wall of the Castle” screams 1960’s psychedelic rock. This song begins with this sort of engaging melody, but then suddenly gets lost at 1:10. And then out of nowhere, this unexpected electric guitar solo filled with so much distortion and fuzz for a short period of time, replicating that we were entering this sort of psychedelic trance. Finally the melody reappears for the rest of the song, along with a less distorted guitar solo. There’s this sense of mystery within the song, where us listeners are travelling within the melody thinking that there might be really nothing special, but we are then proven WRONG, because us listeners know how a song can start out. Great, but no one knows how it’s gonna end, but it’s gonna end great.