Surrealistic Pillow

“Surrealistic Pillow” by Jefferson Airplane (1967) This album put the ‘love’ into the ‘Summer of Love’. Now, psychedelic accoutrements (blacklight posters, strobes, spiral illusions, chroma key video, ingested chemicals) are not needed in order to delve deeply into this music, although I’m told (heh, heh) they help. “When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies, don’t you want somebody to love?” In the 2009 Cohen brothers sadly under-appreciated film A Serious Man, the aged Rabbi Marshak quotes these words of wisdom to the young (and stoned) Danny Gopnik at the conclusion of his bar mitzvah. It’s as if the ancient rabbi suggests that in the midst of Danny’s pubescent crises he should ask himself whether giving love is the great healing balm that erases any perceived deficit of the good, the true, or the beautiful. Stop cringing, Danny, and get out there and make LOVE. The end of boyhood, boys, comes with the transition from receiving to giving—shifting gears from the passive to the active. Put your testosterone to work. That’s how God made you. And it takes a woman named Grace to enlighten us. Apart from the rock classics (“White Rabbit”, “Somebody to Love”, and “Embryonic Journey”), the remainder of this album excels as well. There’s great stylistic variation and development in the order of the tracks. Plus, this is a very well constructed album, begging to be heard start to finish (as originally released—join me please in hating rearranged reissues and ‘bonus’ tracks!). With consistently excellent vocal ensemble blend and percussion that goes beyond simply keeping the beat, this music glides on sonic thermals. Grace Slick’s powerful contralto both dominates and blends. When she solos, she switches on a vibrato that’s like a nervous system on speed and acid simultaneously (one imagines). Her tightly controlled grace notes (no pun) are simply unsurpassed. From the angry (“White Rabbit”) to the earnest appeal (“Somebody to Love”), she’s on top of each composition with soul and style. Marty Balin’s seductive and resonant tenor on “Today” and “Coming Back to Me” has inexplicably escaped the notice of many ears (including mine, folks. Why are we so addicted to ‘hits’?). Jorma Kaukonen’s superb solo acoustic “Embryonic Journey” is a must study for all aspiring folk rock guitarists. And stealth support on guitar by Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) on several tracks adds to the musical airscape. This album is another classic. The only flaw is that the bolero-structured “White Rabbit” should have been five minutes longer. But that’s perhaps a greedy quibble. 5/5

Best songs were when Grace Slick was lead vocals. If she was the main vocalist on all the tracks it would’ve gotten a higher score

If it’s written by a Slick, it does the trick. If it’s written by another, no need to bother.

There is a reason why this is one of the most influential and essential Flower Power albums; it just sounds AMAZING. How do they got that gloomy, murky, echoey but clear and mesmerizing sound in '67 is something I still can't explain.

I don't think that I actually know that the two big hits on this album were by Jefferson Airplane. Basically when it comes to certain strains of classic rock, there is a big batch of songs whose artists I don't know and a big batch of artist names I know whose songs I can't identify. I didn't listen to this album as closely as some others, but I did listen to it 3-4 times, and I liked it. The rest of the songs fit right in with the hits. My personal enjoyment: 4/5 Did it belong on this list: 5/5

Never really been fan of “White Rabbit”. I mean it’s ok, but it’s no “Somebody to Love”, which easily makes it into in the top 5 songs of the 60’s. The rest of the record pales in comparison to those two hits, but it’s enjoyable overall. This band is clearly at their best when they’re playing in rock mode rather than folky acoustic shit.

This album is a masterpiece for so many reasons. White Rabbit is what I called an "unpredictable hit", sounds like nothing on the radio, but still... It belongs to the radio. Somebody to Love is powerful and catchy, She Has Funny Cars is an insane opener with punchy drums and guitars. The album even leads the listener to the refined and unexpected classical guitar piece "Embryonic Journey". How Do You Feel and My Best Friend are also solid songs. A landmark album of psychedelic rock and the year 1967.

Houston… I mean, San Francisco, we’ve got a problem. ‘You can do whatever you please, the world’s waiting to be seized,’ co-vocalists Marty Balin and Grace Slick sing on the opening number, ‘She Has Funny Cars.’ Then, ‘Your mind’s guaranteed. It’s all you’ll ever need.’ Hmm. Sounded real groovy in the youthful idealism of the 1960s, especially 1967’s summer of love, and most especially in San Francisco. Turned out, though, the mind was not so guaranteed, and it wasn’t all we ever needed. Grace Slick reprised that idea, and then some, in 'Surrealistic Pillow’s' second to last song, ‘White Rabbit,’ when she further advised to ‘feed your head’ with magic mushrooms, at least. The problem being: the mind is ravenous, and fully capable of eating its host’s body and spirit. Ms. Slick found that out herself, eventually, when she developed an adult addiction to both hard drugs and alcohol. But you can’t necessarily expect youth, then or now, to be fully receptive to adult wisdom. They sometimes just have to figure it out for themselves, trial and error, just like their parent’s did (or didn’t). On ‘We Can Be Together,’ the opening number of Airplane’s final LP, 'Volunteers,' they further affirm (sneeringly tongue in cheek, sorta) to be ‘obscene, lawless, hideous, dangerous, dirty, violent, and young… And we are very proud of ourselves.’ (And then they proceed to shove the untrustworthy motherfuckers over 30 up against the wall before then tearing it down. Their words, not mine.) But I digress… Ok, that’s the problem, and I don’t have to tell you where all that kind of mindfulness led. If the 1970s are any indication of the consequences of doing whatever one pleases, with a money back mind guarantee, then I want my money and mind back. No wait, that’s partly what got me into this jam in the first place. Am I even making any sense? What did that sneaky dormouse feed me? Uh oh, my mind just starting leaking out of my ears. Hold on, I need to drink some orange juice and go for a walk in the forest. I’ll be back later Ok, where were we again? Oh, yes. The problem. Identified. But our clever Jefferson Airplaners offer a solution on the second song (which incidentally, the Beatles were working on that same year with ‘All You Need Is Love,’ but seeing as how they were in England and the Airplane were on the west coast of the United States, it’s anyone’s guess who arrived at it first): ‘When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies, don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you want somebody to love. You’d better find somebody to love!’ Love, not mind, is the real guarantee. And fortunately, 'Surrealistic Pillow' ends up offering love in spades. Trial and error. Hey, give ‘em a chance to figure it out. They’re young. The two big hits of this LP, ‘Somebody To Love,’ and ‘White Rabbit,’ have not endured the test of time for no reason. Grace Slick’s uniquely powerful, Wonder Woman-esque vibrato combined with the psychedelic sound of the band, particularly Jorma Kaukonen’s trebly (in a good way), note bending clean of the fret, fuzz tone, wah wah, acid rockin’ (stylistically similar to the dual guitarists of another Frisco band, Big Brother and the Holding Company) lead guitar playing, truly create a mood, man. ‘White Rabbit’ isn’t just a song. It’s an experience. I still get chills when I hear it, accentuated by that infamous made-for-television (plastic fantastic lover), after school, anti-drug movie that scared the shit right out of me as a kid, 'Go Ask Alice,' where the formerly sober teen freaks out on LSD to the tune of ‘White Rabbit.’ You baby boomers out there remember? Gen X-ers and Millennials, no worries, a viewing is hardly necessary. Just listen yourself to drummer Spencer Dryden’s marching cadence that, along with the chord structure, builds to a tremendous climax as Slick sings, full on vibrato, ‘Remember what the dormouse said: Feed your head!’ You’ll see what I’m talking about. Wait a minute, did I just taste that one of those quarter notes, smell that measure? Hold on, the sheet music is asking me a question… No, I don’t have any Cheetos. How would you eat ‘em anyway? You’re paper. Hmm. Might need to go for another walk. Be back in a moment. Whew. Next review, half a dose. I’m guessing what would surprise those with a causal knowledge of Airplane most about this LP is the depth of sound on the remaining non-hits. The very Simon and Garfunkely ‘Today’ and ‘Comin’ Back to Me,’ the former a musical recreation of the wandering, searching youth in the late 60s and the latter more of a wistful vibe. Or the signature jangle guitar sound of the Byrds on ‘D.C.B.A.-25,’ or a near Allman Brothers acoustic instrumental on ‘Embyronic Journey.’ Even when little snotty nose Paul Kantner sings tenderly, ‘O, how my heart beats…’ when he sees a beautiful girl on ‘How Do You Feel,’ I can’t help but smile. I didn’t mention Marty Balin much, but his vocals throughout simply soar. And the rascally Jack Casady walks his bass on the acid rockers like a dog straining on its leash. Finally, just in case you forget its 1967, some cat (I thought) kept popping in and out with a flute on the softer, acoustic songs; but, lo and behold when I checked the credits, it was Ms. Slick on an even more classic 60’s woodwind: the mighty recorder. I proudly played one of those suckers myself in 1967. (Grace plays better.) Perhaps that explains why the YouTube channel I was playing 'Surrealistic Pillow' on listed the musical genre, in addition to folk and rock, as children’s music!? Look, I’m starting to come on down now, so I’m gonna go stretch out for a bit. I’ll be on more solid ground for the next review. Let’s just hope it ain’t Grateful Dead’s 'Anthem of the Sun' or 'Aoxomoxoa.' My mind is already sated.

didn’t know i needed jefferson airplane in my life but wow. this kind of blew me away

Tremendous variety on this one. Great instrumental folk, excellent blues, as well as the widely known psychedelia

I'm really into this! The late 60s/early 70s have such a unique sound. White Rabbit is the only one I've heard before, but it's always made me paused to admire it. So good.

Humble hippie music. Huggable.

What a fuckin snoozefest

Now I’m not much of a fan of 60’s rock, I am indeed a Beatles disliker, so I wasn’t going into this album too optimistic but staying open minded, and I’m glad I did. Although this record fully embodies the 60’s rock sound I can’t get over how well each song is put together, each one is as consistent as the last and makes for a strong album. This album does have some stand out tracks such as ‘Somebody to Love’, ‘White Rabbit’ and ‘Go To Her’ but honestly each song here is incredibly strong I find it hard to pick one that doesn’t click with me. Another thing I really like about this album is the handful of slow songs mixed in with the classic rock songs, these include ‘Today’ and ‘J. P. P. Mc Step B. Blues’, and not forgetting the lovely instrumental track ‘Embryonic Journey’ that sits nicely in the middle of the record. In all honesty I really liked this album and I’m saying it like this as I’m surprised to how much I liked it considering my experiences with other 60’s rock albums. Gonna give it a few more listens but for now there’s nothing negative for me to say.

Muy agradable. Recibo lo que espero del rock psicodélico + un toque de folk, a ratos incluso hasta dark folk, la voz de la vocalista muy cool. Buenos solos de guitarra, buenas vibras. Canción favorita: somebody to love que tiene esa energía que hasta ahora no percibo mucho el renacimiento del género en las bandidas hipster de neo psicodélico. Mood del disco: Bailando desnudo con alegría en un campo de flores y después deprimido y sintiendome muy malote manejando en una carretera forestal en un estado gringo del midwest.

Good music. Bad album cover.

Somebody to Love is great, of course. The rest is not very distinctive, pleasant psych-folk, Grace Slick should have more of the vocals

Soft 5. This album was enjoyable to listen to! Good instrumentals and fun vocal work. Many songs fell on the "Good but generic" side. 'White Rabbit' carries it heavy for me and takes the fave slot.

Toffe hippiemuziek met samenzang en psychedelische randjes. Ook dit blijft meer dan 50 jaar na dato leuk. Niet teveel kijken naar de puisterige melkmuilen op de lelijke roze hoes, maar je laten meevoeren door de walmen van wierook en geestverruimende middelen.

Enjoyable. Wish I hadn't listened to the album with bonus tracks though as it's far too long.

Your friends, they treat you like a guest...That actually sounds pretty good to me! Shows how much our society has changed that back in the day being treated like a guest was a bad thing. Now I wish any of my friends would treat me that well! I like side two more than side one. Never been a huge fan of this band but Jorma is a helluva finger picking guitar player (see: Embryonic Journey) and I dig Grace Slick for being a freak for like 80+ years now. I can't think of her or even this band without think of a random line from the Camper Van Beethoven song "Turquoise Jewelry" : "Take off that jump suit - you look like Grace Slick!"

fist album

I like psychedelic rock as a whole and I really like Grace Slick’s voice. Some exceptional tracks and a few meh ones.

-A pretty good album 👍🏽 -It had a very '60s vibe to it, kind of similar to the Beatles -My fav song is: My Best Friend? -My least fav song is: Embryonic Journey <-- Weird name, was just some guitar. Wasn't terrible but just boring.

Great tunes and lovely acoustic guitar tones

My first album on this journey! Only song I knew before listening was Somebody to Love - one of my favorite songs from the 60s. Aged great, imo. Enjoyable album all the way through. Grace's voice is incredible; I would give this album a 5 if she was in more songs. Standout tracks: She Has Funny Cars, Somebody to Love, Comin' Back to Me, White Rabbit, Go to Her 4/5

Hearing this after the dreadful Quicksilver Messenger Service album restored my faith in Psychadelic Rock. I have always liked Slick's voice much of the album is good and surprisingly focused for the genre.

Einige sehr starke Songs gemischt mit ein paar durchschnittlichen Songs.

Step 1: create a sugar-based drink company that will make your teeth feel like they're furry after one sip. Step 2: use this album exclusively in your marketing. step 3: Profit.

I had a passing knowledge of Jefferson Airplane and was familiar with the more popular songs from this album (Somebody To Love, White Rabbit and to a lesser extent, Today). So that was a strong start and the classic tracks that I have enjoyed over the years still hold up. There is also a gentleness to this album that I did not expect, specifically great harmonies and the less-than-psychedelic (more in the folk music category) tracks took me a little by surprise. Also some very bluesy tracks, with some psychedelic twang slipped in. I can see how this might be one of those "pillars of music" albums. I am more of a fan of the songs that are filled with simple, reverbing, fuzzy guitar riffs. Overall, I find the album a little uneven, but where the best tracks really standout to make it a worthwhile listen.

she has funny cars- 5 or 6 somebody to love- 6 or 7 my best friend- 6 today- 5 comin back to me- 4 3/5 of a mile in 30 seconds- 4 dcba-25- how do you feel- embryonic journey- white rabbit- 7 or 8 i didnt finish it but thats cause i didnt want to

I mean... it was fine. What I expected. They are psychadelic. They are fun. No surprises.

Unfortunately, it didn’t pass the test of time.

Not my thing at all. Hippies.

Banger

Album full of great song writing, beautiful harmonies and an unmistakable 60 psychedelic feel. The beginning of the album starts off with sparse arrangements of acoustic or clean electric guitar and voice with little percussion, through to a wonderful instrument track, maturing to full psychedelic and dark blues. This album has unmistakable classics such as white rabbit and somebody to love.

Peak 60s. It has White Rabbit so you already know it's a good album but all the songs have good vibes.

Liked that rock, psychedelic? Wanted to give 4 stars but changed my mind. The album is fantastic - 5/5

Jefferson Airplane were the defining group of the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene that started in the mid 1960's. After a relatively unremarkable start to their career, Jefferson Airplane found massive success with the release of the singles White Rabbit and Somebody To Love, penned by newest addition to the group Grace Slick. From this point on, Jefferson Airplane remained a household name among psychedelic rock groups of the time, and the album containing these two massive singles, Surrealistic Pillow, was released in 1967. I absolutely love this album. When I went to Egypt with my wife and a couple of friends, we rented a car, and my buddy had a great idea for each of us to choose 3 albums we hadn't heard before, and these 12 albums would be all that we listened to. Surrealistic Pillow was one of my choices (along with Gunesh's self-titled and The Sun Ra Arkestra Meets Salah Ragab in Egypt), so every time I hear anything from this album, I'm transported back to the desert, visiting monasteries and being the only white people that village children had seen in their entire lives. What a great time. While this nostalgia does influence my view, I do still think this album is great on its own. She Has Funny Cars has these high energy verses before cutting to the strange chorus, where the male and female vocals interact nicely. It also has great guitar. Somebody To Love has such an amazing chorus that my wife and I were singing all weekend. My Best Friend keeps switching between a swung feel and a straight feel, which gives it a really cool feel. When the first switch from swung to straight happens, I just can't help but do the stank face. My wife said this one really sounded like a Beatles song, which I agree with. 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds (a title that was apparently a thoughtless combination of two headlines that Marty Balin saw in a newspaper) is a great way to start the second side, with the constant snare rhythm giving it a really high energy. How Do You Feel really brings me back to the Sahara; doesn't it just kind of sound like a desert song in a Mario game or something? This is one of my favorite of the soft songs on the album. I don't need to tell you how great White Rabbit is, but I will say that I didn't realize it was one of the first openly pro-drug songs that had gotten released. The marching band sound throughout mixed with the Latin American influence give it such a unique sound. It is a classic for a reason. Embryonic Journey is a beautiful piece of American Primitivism. It is amazing to think about these guys throwing on a John Fahey album (maybe after a couple J's) and being like "I could do that". Comin' Back To Me is the only song that I don't really like. It's not a very interesting acoustic ballad in my opinion, but the worst song on an album full of gold is not necessarily a bad thing. Surrealistic Pillow is really an underrated psych rock gem. Jefferson Airplane put together a tight, but stylistically distinct, album that manages to avoid some pitfalls that other psych rockers fell into at the time. Their emphasis on folk adds a nice flair as well. 4.5/5, rounded up to a 5.

Best Song: White Rabbit This is a really good album that captures the time. But it is still kinda funny when their lead singer gets punched out at Altamont. What? Too soon?!?!

One of my faves. Jefferson airplane fucks. 10/10

Very high quality for its short runtime. No song on here is a miss

Holds up better than I expected.

WOOOOAAAh

пятерочка.

Blues and hard drugs was a winning formula in the ‘60s.

Fantastic album. From a time when there was a lot of collaboration between bands and bands playing together. Grace Slick is the best rock n roll voice ever!

lj

Wall to wall unskippable - one of the most complete and compelling albums.

I knew (and liked) the hits on this album - Somebody to Love, White Rabbit. But the album is great in its entirety. There are no bad songs and it's varied, from more psychedelic to more bluesy. Good musicianship too with the jangly guitars, good riffs, and good close harmonies. Most songs have a great hook with a somewhat menacing undertone. I love it.

This album absolutely exemplifies the sound of its era. Difficult to imagine how any other could be more evocative of the late 60s. Airplane was a perfect band. I’ll never tire of listening.

Surrealistic Pillow is the second studio album from Jefferson Airplane, and the first after Grace Slick and drummer Spencer Dryden joined the band. The album is regarded as the band's best work, and one of the defining albums of 60s psychedelic rock. The album includes "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit," two of the bands biggest hits, both of which are among the most recognizable, iconic songs from 60s rock and counterculture. In addition to the hits, the album of impressive range, including tracks like "Embryonic Journey," an acoustic instrumental piece.

One of my favourites

Love it

Somebody to Love and White Rabbit alone are enough to make this a classic and they somewhat overshadow the excellency of the rest of the album.

Everything that 60’s psychedelic rock should be. It’s bluesy, but with just right amount of “out there”. I wasn’t expecting to like it this much, but it’s awesome. I get it, and I see what all the fuss is about.

Fantastic California rock! Great album!

I mean, it’s Jefferson Airplane. It has “Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit.” If you’re looking for good 60s psychedelic rock, this is it. The hits are the highlights, but all the songs are good. This is just a good 60s rock album that deserves its acclaim.

Surrealistic Pillow, do Jefferson Airplane, é um excelente disco de rock psicodélico, uma verdadeira pérola do final dos anos 60. Lançado em 1967, o álbum captura o espírito da contracultura e do rock da costa oeste dos Estados Unidos, com uma sonoridade que equilibra psicodelia, acessibilidade e sofisticação. As faixas de destaque são “Somebody to Love”, “Today” e “White Rabbit”, esta última um ícone cultural com sua atmosfera hipnótica e letra marcante. A vocalista Grace Slick brilha com uma performance impressionante, trazendo força e carisma a cada música.O disco é extremamente bem composto, com arranjos que parecem esculpidos com precisão. Cada faixa reflete um cuidado artesanal, como se fossem peças de uma obra maior, quase uma sinfonia psicodélica. Apesar de ser um álbum enxuto, com pouco mais de 30 minutos, ele é coeso e de muito bom gosto, sem sobrar ou faltar nada. Não é à toa que se tornou trilha sonora do “Verão do Amor” de 1967, com hits que ressoaram na cultura da época.Segundo o Discogs, Surrealistic Pillow foi lançado originalmente em LP, com uma capa icônica e bem elaborada, mas sem encarte de letras. Nos anos seguintes, ganhou diversas reedições pelo mundo, incluindo Japão, Venezuela, Colômbia, Taiwan e França – onde a capa trazia um desenho de um avião, em referência ao nome da banda. A primeira versão em CD saiu no Japão em 1983, pela RCA, e, mais recentemente, o álbum foi relançado em vinil de 180 gramas, edições gatefold com encartes, letras e artes renovadas.Surrealistic Pillow é um disco acessível, com uma sonoridade que soa fresca até hoje. É uma audição envolvente, que combina a vanguarda psicodélica com melodias cativantes. Uma excelente obra que merece nota 9.

Great sound, this group sounds distinct in an era with some juggernauts and it really stands on its own. Psychadelic, but bluesy. Grace Slick has such an amazing voice, I wish she took lead vocal on more songs, but it really makes the ones she owns stand out. White Rabbit is the obvious choice for best song here, along with Somebody to Love, Best Friend, and I also liked In The Morning and J.P.P. Mc Step B. Blues.

Simultaneously the quintessential 60s album and ahead of its time. Sounds like the best elements of diverse contemporaries like the zombies, Fairport convention, flying burrito brothers, all rolled into one brilliant record. All killer no filler

A 60s banger! JA really brought it on this album.

great album, much love <3 fav song: Today

Amazing album 10/10 would listen again

Still sounds modern. Gothic and beautiful.

11/10. Incredible album.

very quirky and weird but like fun and enjoyable.

All time classic

Pet fav songs: Comin' Back to Me; Embryonic Journey; Plastic Fantastic Lover I've had a copy of this album for 20y and haven't listened to it fully in forever. The classic singles 'Somebody to Love' and 'White Rabbit' are always great. Many elements of the album make one want to scream "dirty hippies!" Grandpa Simpson-style, but still it's one of the best the 60s flower children ever mustered. And the last 3 songs of the album are a great, beautiful, weird finish.

Ahh! Grace Slick... What a voice. This album contains music that's ahead of its time.

A classic of the 60's Haight Asbury psychedelic movement, Surrealist Pillow has come of Jefferson Airplane's most memorable songs. Somebody to Love and Plastic Fantasic Lover are amazing - well, power pop really - but it's White Rabbit that defines psychedelia as we know it today. It's Alic in Wonderland inspired lyrics and slow building pace make for the perfect soundtrack to a drug trip. The band is great, of course, but it's Grace Slicks' vocals that really drive the best songs. With Somebody To Love, she set the stage for later female rock vocalists such as Ann Wilson of Heart, Joan Jett, and later on teh riot grrl movement. Without Grace Slick you don't have Blondie or Heart or Throwing Muses or Soccer Mommy or St. Vincent. The album suffers a little from mediocre production but what should you expect from a first album in a then unknown genre. Volunteers is better made but Surrealist Pillow has better songs and a betetr version of Grace.

Grace Slick has one of the more unique voices in popular music, but what sets Jefferson Airplane apart is the heaviness of their psychedelia. While The Byrds at times grow thin, this is all about booming soul and textures of freedom: ‘I’m so full of love / I could burst apart / And start to cry.’ Even ‘Comin’ Back to Me,’ the track on which you could most easily call bullshit, evades that evaluation since its poetry, which is authentic, never diminishes the music, which foreshadows acoustic Zeppelin. They may sing of ‘purple pleasure-fields in the sun,’ but you never get the feeling that they’re treading on mushy or imprecise grounds, only that they’re exactly as they should be expressive.

pk

Loved every bit of this. An improved Nico at the start, Dylan-esque in parts and reminded me of sugarman in others. Interesting throughout

Incredible album! One of my favorites so far. So dynamic and a lovely listening experience.

THEEEEEEEEEE psychedelic rock album, not one bad track

I bought this as a teenager and was a little disappointed by it, feeling that the only standout tracks were Somebody to Love and White Rabbit. Now, I enjoyed the entirety more but maybe that was nostalgia. Hints of the Beatles' Ticket to Ride (How Do You Feel) and Day Tripper (She Has Funny Cars). Definitely 5 stars given the impact of the two big hits and the rest isn't so bad if a little bit of the times.

At nearly one full hour, this band, Jefferson Airplane, which would eventually become “Jefferson Starship in the late 1970s packs a powerful punch, with their second released album “Surrealistic Pillow”. Classified as a “psychedelic rock” band, it really has more blues and folk rock influences than pure drug hallucination inspired tunes. Of course, one of the bands biggest hits, “White Rabbit” does have an unvarnished narrative of hallucinogenic drug references that gave Jefferson Airplane that “psychedelic” moniker. As this is my second “published review,” I have to say that I’m not in the habit of actually listening to an entire side of an album, let alone “both sides” of an album. But this process is a very healthy one for me, as I listen to “all tracks” of an album, including the “deep cuts” of an album that rarely get any airplay on radio stations. I felt that these “deep cuts” including “Today,” “Comin’ Back to Me,” and “Embrionic Journey” among other Jefferson Airplane songs deserve fresh hearings. This is the third album I reviewed, although Lou Reed’s “Transformer” never made it to the “publishing stage.” Nevertheless, Jefferson Airplane’s album “Surrealistic Pillow” is an album that I play again and again, as there are many songs on this album that sound pleasing to this writer’s ear. I give it five out of five stars.

❤️❤️❤️

Like two skips but I had to pee

banger after banger after banger

Pretty cool album. A few absolute stunners in there, including maybe the most powerful 2:33 in 60s rock history in White Rabbit. You want to hear more from these guys (and gal) but unfortunately this is really their only good album.

this is such a good album and i’m so glad i heard it before i die! so lush and varied and good

Och ta płyta jest genialna. Ten klimat, lekka psychodela, mocne perkusje i silny wokal. Alice in Wonderland to utwór kompletny . Można słuchać w kółko- ten zespół jest jak starsza, bardziej zbuntowana siostra Fleetwood Mac. 9/10

No doubt this is a great album but not my cup of tea, very 60s and surf influenced

I feel like Alice in Wonderland in a Salvador Dalí painting.

Sounds like the soundtrack to the 1960s.

Some BOPS on this one! Classic

Absolutely rips, great stuff

Felt like more poppy grateful dead with harmonica. Maybe this will convince miles the grateful dead weren't gods green gift to this earth

The definitive West Coast psychedelic album. Perfectly encapsulates how I imagine San Francisco to be in 1967. Some big tunes on this Somebody to Love and White Rabbit. Other than STL and White Rabbit, favorite tracks include Embyonic Journey and Today. A far out 5 points from me!

Quintessential psychedelic rock.

Really cool album. Psychedelic heaven which sounds like it was recorded in a church. Love white rabbit, embryonic, and she has funny cars. Great album

Feed your head

A classic

This album is a classic for 60’s psychedelic music, though it’s not as fully psychedelic as later albums in the genre. It leans more on folk rock with a melodic and structured sound, featuring subtle touches of surreal lyrics and reverb-heavy guitars. The production is cleaner and less experimental, reflecting its place as one of the first major albums of the psychedelic movement and paving the way for more experimental sounds that came later.

Cornerstone of 60s psychedelic rock, theres a great balance between raw energy and some softer acoustic sections. Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are great songs helped by Grace Slicks vocals. It still holds up today as a great album.

I don't think it's one of the best albums of all time but it has too many bangers to not be 5/5

own

The production sounds lo-fi but that can't mask the genius and unique vision of this band. Way ahead of their time and worth 5***** for just the Rabbit.