Search - Grace Slick :: Manhole

Amazing Enough, I'd Say!

Gregor von Kallahann | 07/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...Grace Slick was a quirky artist (I say "was" on the assumption that her retirement is indeed permanent), and I don't know that she really comprehended that this release was not at all commercially viable. RCA had been pushing her to do a solo album for years, and Grace was actually a little reluctant to do so. Unlike most of her contemporary female singers (Janis, Linda Ronstadt, maybe Nico) she was not particularly eager to make the transition from band member to solo star. She didn't mind participating in splinter projects with other Airplane members, but she had little or no interest in flying solo at this junction of her career.So in a way, she didn't. The album she turned in reportedly infuriated some of the bigs at RCA--only six tracks, one of them a truly solo magnum opus entitled "Theme From the Movie 'Manhole'"--more like a complete soundtrack actually. Two of the other tracks, "It's Only Music" and "Epic #38" did not even feature Grace on lead vocal. In fact, as Boston was quick to point out, Grace does not even appear at all on the former track!But that was typical of Grace in a way. After that 17 minute Meisterstueck and two other Grace tracks, well, "that's enough of me. Give 'em something else." This was the same Grace who would yield to the Airplane instrumentalists on tracks like "Bear Melt" and "Hey, Frederick" and come back only for the slightest return at the end of the song--or not at all, as the case may be. It was a star move, simultaneously arrogant and humble ("OK, boys, I've done my bit, now you take over.")Of course, that's still a risky strategy and runs the risk of alienating some fans who may have actually been looking forward to an all-Grace album. But reading the comments below, I'd have to say that it does not appear to have been a problem for the real devotees. Those are the folks who did indeed get swept up in the lush Romanticism (and, no, I don't mean lovey-doveyness) of the title track, who appreciate the sly sexy frankness of the barrelhouse "Better Lying Down" and the patented, snakey vocal of "Come Again? Toucan."There seems to be a common perception out there that this record was universally panned when it came out. Actually, I recall reading a number of reviews on it that were very positive. Interestingly enough, these were penned by women critics. Could it be that they understood more readily what Grace was up to. Women's ways of knowing and all that. One thing that many in the rock-crit establishment seemed to miss was the cinematic feel of this imaginary soundtrack. The Spanish feel is evocative of classic Bunuel and Dali. By the way, the Spanish lyrics are hardly indecipherable, although she could have doubtless used a bit of help with the translations. But where I disagree most with Boston, and what I think is key here, is that after years of vocal problems, we found Grace singing with renewed enthusiasm and commitment on this album. And that alone is worth the price of admission."

3.5 Stars... Some brilliance... Some Ho Hum

Scott T Mc Nally | ORLANDO, Fl USA | 08/23/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Grace Slick will go down in Rock history as one of the most influential vocalists. You can her her influence in many female vocalists from the 70's on. Concrete Blond's Johnette Napolatano in particular. Sadly, her solo work didn't quite cut it compared to her work with Jefferson Airplane and her co-work with Paul Kantner. What makes this album really worth the purchase is the 15 minute plus title track, which features some incredible vocal gymnastics. Better Lying Down is great pornographic Blues. Eat your heart out Alannis, Liz Phair and Madonna. To be fair to Alannis, she pretty much dropped the potty mouth after her first release. Come Again Toucan is nice, but what really weakens this effort are two songs. It's Only Music, which she not only didn't write, but doesn't even sing on. David Frieberg handles that one. Then there's Epic 38, where she's only singing harmony. Good song, but why put it on a Grace solo effort?... She really wanted to work more in the context of a contributing band member as opposed to solo work. In closing, buy this for no other reason than the title track and Better Lying Down. That voice will send shivers up the back of your neck"

Grace in full voice

Mark J Dulcey | Dorchester, MA USA | 06/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music here is sometimes draggy and repetitive. The arrangements are overwrought in high prog-rock style. The lyrics don't quite make sense. And none of that matters one bit.



This is Grace Slick at the peak of her vocal achievement. She has reached the vocal power that her Jefferson Airplane work only hinted at, and she is not the sad shell of her former self that is heard on the later Starship albums. Her singing ranks up with the great female forces of nature. That's enough to make this album a must-have."