Customer Reviews

Modern Times (Reis)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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!!!

After years of searching, I can't believe I'm going to have this classic Jefferson Starship album on CD. What in the world has taken so long? Anyone who thinks that JS didn't rock hasn't heard this album. Here they prove they can rock with the best of them. Grace Slick had just returned after a one album absence to lend her sultry vocals once again, including an awesome duet with Mickey Thomas on "Stranger". In addition, Craig Chaquico's guitar work on the driving "Save Your Love" is probably his best. If you've ever enjoyed JS music and don't own this classic album, don't miss out on this rare find. Now, if I can just find their 1984 album "Nuclear Furniture" on CD, I'll be happy! If anyone out there has information on that, please email me!

Critics love to assail 1980s-era Jefferson Starship for their weak rock, insipid ballads and overall sellout crass commercialism, but in their defense if it was such a sellout why didn't they have a LOT more hits? And in their defense 1979's "Freedom at Point Zero" marked a drastic turning point for them. Farewell to Marty Balin, Grace Slick and the jazzy/blues inspired tracks clocking in at over five minutes. Hello hard rock and Mickey Thomas. Mickey's voice gave them a new vehicle better suited for rock and up-tempo numbers that put Jefferson Starship back on the charts. 1981's "Modern Times" gave the band the chance to "introduce" Grace Slick to the lineup to a positive and very devastating effect. "Find Your Way Back" is an appropriate track for all concerned as it truly is Jefferson Starship, all back, all together and hitting it hard. Grace and Mickey harmonize great together and it's as if Grace had never left. The two keep the tempo going on "Stranger" and really burn the place down on that track. Grace gets an awesome turn on "Wildeyes" and the whole band joins in for a rollicking "Modern Times". It's as if being freed of Marty Balin liberated the group to do what they want. Speaking of doing what they want, the finale "Stairway to Cleveland" is probably the funniest thing any band did in the 80s giving the finger to literally everyone, critics, record labels, DJs and so on. This CD is worth the money just to hear Mickey shout "F*%k you! We do what we want!"

For some insane reason this is a Japanese only CD that has been wonderfully re-mastered, yet even though it sold well in the USA was never released here on CD. Strange that as it probably was the best Jefferson Starship recording of the 1980s along with "Winds of Change" which followed up this one. Now before you think I'm some rocker dude let me correct you...I also LOVE "Earth" era Jefferson Starship and the 70's ballads that turned people's stomachs. I freely admit Peter Wolf ruined the group circa "Knee Deep In the Hoopla" when Paul Kantner bailed (and rightfully so!). Grace Slick has rightfully sworn off any further reunions and tours and rightfully so. Rest on your wonderfully voiced laurels darling...you've earned it!

As with everything in life..things change, especially in the music business. Jefferson Starship is a prime example. After 1978's Earth, Grace Slick, Marty Balin and John Barbata left the group for different reasons. Paul Kantner along with Craig Chaquico, David Freiberg and Pete Sears recruted drummer Aynsley Dunbar and singer Mickey Thomas for 1979's high flying return Freedom At Point Zero.

Even after Kantner suffered a stroke in 1980, from which he would fully recover from...he and Jefferson Starship re-emerged with 1981's Modern Times. A powerful and dynamic collection of songs that also features the return of Grace Slick. This newly remastered edition sounds terrific and the performances have an intense live feel to them. The songs: Find Your Way Back & Stranger were the two single releases. Wildeyes, Save Your Love, Modern Times, Mary, Free, Alien (an unusual and ominous track) and the classic and witty Stairway To Cleveland, an electric and high flying exclamation point that brings the album to a close.

For some unknown reason(s) Modern Times, 1982's Winds Of Change, and 1984's Nuclear Furniture are only availible as Japanese imports in their newly remastered editions. If a fan of Jefferson Starship, Modern Times is a must have.

This album rocks! Simple as that. It rocks - like few others do. It is, without a doubt, THE best Starship effort. Yeah, I know - 'What about RED OCTOPUS, what about DRAGONFLY, what about...'? What about 'em? They had their moments, but this one has a freshness, vitality, and consistency that wasn't always there before. The opening guitar line of 'Find Your Way Back' is a classic; and instantly recognizable. The song itself kicks - as does 'Free' and the humourous anthem 'Stairway to Cleveland'. The other songs are all top drawer efforts, too.

Kantner said (I'm repeating this from memory; not verbatim. Go easy on me.) that he wanted Starship to be a band where different musicians could come in and work together under one umbrella. That vision is realized to it's fullest on this fantastic album.

One other thing: Why this CD is only available as an IMPORT is beyond me. Someone up the chain needs to take their head out the wrong end of their anatomy and rectify this. (Pun unintended.)

I realize this cd is pretty old but I heard it at a friends party and had to find out about it. I knew who Grace Slick was because she did this great song on the Crow 2 soundtrack and she is one of the wildest people I had ever read about. But this cd is hot with a few supreme jams. "Save Your Love" and "Stranger" are pure rock and roll.

If you were a high school punk like me back from 79-83 then you will no doubt have fond memories of this fine CD. Many years after my turntable was no longer in use I decided to buy this on CD only to find that it was not available, thanks to Amazon I was able to find an import version, it is a great version, 20 bit digitally remastered, it sounds crisp and clear. When I put it in the CD player and the first few notes hit my ears it literally sent chills up and down my spine, if you are looking for this CD there is no need for me to tell you about the songs, you already know. Even the killer cover art and liner notes are here (with matching Japanese notes as well)! Over the years my view of life in America has changed to become more conservative and cynical, this CD reminded me of those blissful days of youthful optimsim. It will take you back, if only for 45 minutes. It took Amazon over 3 months to get it to me but they did not give up in getting this hard to find gem to me, Thanks Amazon, it was well worth the wait!

Freedom at Point Zero was a great album and entered a new age (the 80's) but Modern Times included Grace Slick a must for Jefferson Starship. Why is this the last Jefferson Starship album to be released on CD? I don't know? Does anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack B. Wilcox

I don't know why Modern Times was never released on CD in the US. This was one of my favorite vinyl albums and now I can finally hear some of the best Jefferson Starship songs again. Stranger, Save Your Love, Modern Times, and of course, Stairway to Cleveland are all songs that wore the needle off of my old turntable, and of course I haven't been able to listen to them since that day. Until now. Don't wait. Pay the import premium and buy this CD.