Search - Jefferson Starship :: Modern Times (Reis)

The Forgotten Album - Modern Times, Jefferson Starship

Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 02/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MODERN TIMES



This isn't just my opinion, it's a fact. Modern Times is the most underrated Jefferson Starship album of all time and it's no longer in print. If you want it, you have to spend $35 on a remastered Japanese version of this American classic. Funny thing it's probably worth it!



Not counting Paul Kantner, who was usually more of a backup singer, Jefferson Airplane / Starship etc. has had three lead singers in their history, the inimitable Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane original Marty Balin and the very capable Mickey Thomas and, if I'm not mistaken, this is the first album that both Slick and Thomas appeared on and they are great together. And let's not forget guitarist extraordinaire Craig Chaquico. He may be the best there is and on this album you get to see what he is really capable of. The guitar solo on "Save Your Love" is nothing if not sensational.



On Modern Times the ever changing J.S. lineup consisted of:



Craig Chaquico Synthesizer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)

Aynsley Dunbar Percussion, Drums, Marimba

David Freiberg Organ, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Paul Kantner Guitar, Guitar (Rythm), Vocals, Oberheim 8

Pete Sears Synthesizer, Bass, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals

Grace Slick Vocals (bckgr)

Mickey Thomas Vocals



1981's Modern Times gave the band the chance to re"introduce" Grace Slick and she makes the best of it, lending her magnificent voice on songs like "Stranger" and "Alien". Opening track, "Find Your Way Back", which was a #26 hit in 1981, seems an appropriate name for the opening track, since wayward members did indeed find their way back. Slick, who has one of the most powerful voices in all of musicdom, and Thomas harmonize wonderfully together and it's as if Grace had never left. In fact Slick's and Thomas's voices are close enough that you have to listen close to tell who's singing. In the end you can tell because Grace's vox has more presence.



Check out this great lineup of songs, these all are(or should be) classics: Find your way Back" is one of the best Jefferson..... songs ever, with a medium tempo start/stop format, this song has Thomas in the lead, with melodic background vocals by Slick. Next, Slick really outdoes herself in the slick arrangement of "Stranger" a rather dark number that was also released as a single, that has interesting bluesy guitars and strong percussion. Mickey Thomas takes the mic for the following rousing number - "Wild Eyes", which is actually reminiscent of earlier Airplane. Ok, stay with me now, the next song "Save your Love" is my second favorite J.S/J.A..song of all-time, just behind the incomparable "Someone to Love". Mickey keeps the mic and Slick again performs her magic on the backups. This is a very catchy mid tempo number and listen to Craig Chaquico play the axe, while Thomas and Slick hum in the background, it is amazing.



Title song, "Modern Times", is another Kantner influenced, rollicking song with whole dang band joining in on this fun number. I suppose if there's a dog on Modern Times it would be "Mary" a mediocre take off of their hit song from the last album "Jane". Guitarist, Chaquico delivers another standout performance on the next track "Free", a semi-fast song with screaming guitars backing Thomas's vocals. "Alien" is another interesting song with heavy drum beat and similarities to "Stranger". Hilarity reigns when the album closes out with "Stairway to Cleveland" another stellar J.S. song, where the entire band and probably the recording studio join in, dissing literally everyone, critics, record labels, DJs and so forth, a fitting climax to a very underrated but excellent album.



CONCLUSION



Some old time fans and purists felt that this new more mainstream Jefferson Starship style was a sellout to commercialism but hey, they've always been commercial. They may have been on the fringe of commercialism but even with Jefferson Airplane, their singles sold, their albums sold and their tours sold out. Yes they did AOR but that was a sideline. Most of their songs through the years were the three to four minute variety, so what's the big deal?



Actually there is nothing wrong with top forty music, at least there didn't used to be, as long as it was imaginative thoughtful music. Sure I've always liked AOR, Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock but I've got my share of albums by big top forty artists like Styx, Def Leppard, Fleetwood Mac etc and for my money Modern Times has forty-three plus minutes of some of the best, most accessible music in the Jefferson ....... catalog.



If you haven't figured out yet that I'm recommending this masterpiece let me make it official. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!!

"

The only Jefferson Starship CD I have ever wanted

tito@ilap.com | Toronto, Canada | 06/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You all know the routine...you comb the country for record stores and go to the Jefferson Starship section only to be disappointed by seeing the same CDs that you already have, or never wanted....no Modern Times...again. After years of searching you pretty much give up. Then one day you surf the net and take a chance on Amazon.com...and here it is! Besides being a Jefferson Starship classic, this album is a Craig Chaquico classic! This album made Craig one of my favourite rock guitarists. I still wonder why Stairway to Cleveland wasn't a chart topper. Years ago I checked with some JS guru on the net and he told me that the album wasn't being released on CD because Paul Kantner who since left the band owned title to many of the songs on it...don't know if this is true but I am so glad it's out now! Hey I can finally put my turntable away!Tito"

Jefferson Starships Hardest Rockin Cd!

Mike S | Front Royal,Virginia United States | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jefferson Starship really rocks on this cd which came out in the spring of 1981. This cd has become very hard to find since it went out print in the USA. Grace Slick rejoined the band on this album to share the lead vocals with Mickey Thomas. Lead guitarist Craig Chaquico really stands out on this cd with his masterful guitar solos and riffs. The song "Save Your Love" has one the best guitar solos I have ever heard him play. The songs "Find Your Way Back" and "Stranger" were the hit singles off this cd. This cd is the hradest rocking cd I have heard from Jefferson Starship."