Volunteers 1969 Album

Jefferson Airplane

This is an easy record to dislike, and could serve as a divider between casual interloper and hardcore fan, but truth be told, it was the Airplane's most interesting release since Surrealistic Pillow. It follows that formula, but in a much more cynical and deprecating manner. The music is more involved as well, with some of the material bordering on early progressive rock. You'll find stuff like the bizarre nuclear aftermath story "Wooden Ships", Slick's pro-environmental rebuke "Eskimo Blue Day", and "Good Shepherd", a traditional song which Kaukonen decided to rearrange around HIS dexterous guitar, to chilling effect. There are misses here (the lengthy "Hey Fredrick" is a sore spot) but overall, the Airplane recaptures their combative spirit. Too bad it was the last record from the original lineup.