One of the definitive albums to have come out in 1967, Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane is about social disillusionment, drugs, friends and life. Most memorable songs from the album are the hit singles Somebody To Love and White Rabbit, later introduced to a new generation of music listeners on the soundtracks of The Cable Guy and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.
It was a time when the hippie movement was picking up. Music and the movement were intimately intertwined. Songs with hidden references to drugs, like White Rabbit, is truly representative of the era. The lyrics has references to Alice from the story Alice In Wonderland, pills and mushrooms. The rabbit from the classic novel could be the inspiration for the title of the track which starts off soft and mellow, building up steadily to a powerful finish with Grace Slick's enigmatic vocals. Somebody To Love is about faith and trust. It starts with, "When the truth is a lie all the joy within you dies." This is an upbeat rock song with a memorable chorus most recently delivered by Jim Carrey, "Don't you want somebody to love…wouldn't you like somebody to love."
A fair share of the songs are mellow and folk oriented. The music maintains a constant surrealistic feel with Grace's singing style, the use of the flute and the way the guitar is played. Song titles like She Has Funny Cars, or 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds and the last track Plastic Fantastic Lover are intriguing. One of the highlights of the album is Embryonic Journey, a beautifully dreamy two minute instrumental guitar piece.
Surrealistic Pillow, Jefferson Airplane's second album, brought them into the limelight and Grace Slick emerged as the first female rock star. At the time no other female singer with Grace's popularity and style had surfaced on the rock scene. The music is folk-rock based, and is excellently produced. This is a great listen because it captures time and images from that era. A history lesson on the sounds and styles that helped shape much of today's music for those into rock, Surrealistic Pillow is a must for those interested in the flower power movement and rock music in general.
PRESENT TENSE
Another Phase
Maria Mena
Maria Mena made a breakthrough in the music scene with her debut album, Another Phase earlier this year. She has already shared the stage with artists such as Shakira and Sophie E-Baxter. A few months ago Another Phase was certified Gold. At 16, Maria has written and composed all the songs on her pop-rock album.
The first single, Free opens the album and defines the rest of the remaining 11 songs: strong vocals, catchy melodies and wonderfully blended flavors of rock. The verses have a laid back feel to them, where as the chorus delivers more punch while maintaining the mood of the song. There are some ballads too like My Lullaby (track 3) which makes constant references to her mother and features a slight vocal huskiness not noticeable on Free. Many songs on the album have a personal feel to them with Maria making references to people and events from her life. She has scribbled personal notes in the CD liner notes like "4:dad…I know" next to the title Blame It On Me (track 2). Crowded Train (track 8) starts with a piano accompanying Maria, before exploding into a chorus. This song is one of the rockers of the album. The last song Better Than Nothing, is a brilliant close to the album. The mellow in music complements the lyrics of a broken heart. The hidden track after Better Than Nothing came as a surprise bonus.
The lyrics are well written and sounds honest. Maria's delivery is something you can't complain about. There is continuity in the album, and unlike her contemporaries, Maria acts, writes and sings her age. Arvid Solvang, the producer, must be given credit for a job well done. Programmed music is fused with the traditional setup of guitars, bass and drums, adding more warmth and depth to the music. Rock is a prominent element on the album. A lot of the songs resemble materials from Sheryl Crow, The Corrs and Alanis. Another Phase by Maria Mena is a good album to listen to for those into pop and rock.
Lyrics from Surrealistic Pillow and Another Phase are included in this month's song book.
