Axis: Bold As Love

Let Jimi expand your mind. Man, I think of what he could have done had he not choked to death on his own vomit. ¨Spanish Castle Magic¨ is just another level of facemelting.

Better than Electric Ladyland maybe, Jimi is probably the best rock guitarist ever and all of these are bangers, don't come back to them that much though

album feels a bit clunky despite the short run time of 39 mins, which is not good for any album. I do enjoy Hendrix's work though but probably my least fav album from him. I prefer his harder rock songs to the softer R&B ones. Still glad I checked it out would rate around 3 to 3.5 stars

I was excited for this one but ultimately a bit disappointed. +1 for influcence but not as listenable as I would have liked.

I loved this! No notes.

The Guitar GOAT

Any hendrix is an automatic 5

Very cool but didn't do much for me.

Enjoyed

Weirdly total opposite of the other album we’ve listened to. No classics, too weird, too short

holy guitar.

Een 3,5 maar ik kan het ook niet over mijn hart verkrijgen om er een 3 van te maken, dus opgewaardeerd naar een 4. Een paar heerlijke nummers, maar ook wel enkele die ik minder goed vind. Het album is niet één geheel, maar een ratjetoe

Fav song is Little Wing

Usual Heavy Riffs and rock beat you'll expect but just seems to lack a little quality

Tons of respect for Jimi and company, but I’ve always been left a little “meh” after listening to them. Obviously influential and brilliant blues rock guitarist, but it does not resonate with me.

Such a tough album to rate for me; it's a great psychedelic blues rock album with a handful of just great songs, great musicianship from all members and some good songwriting but then there are a handful of forgettable songs as well. The production is a little muddled, not sure if that is just the pressing I own or not though. I want it to be a 5 because it is Jimi and this is not just a straight guitar based blues rock album but I can't get there so a strong 4 it is.

yesssss

psychedelic banger

Good stuff

listening to this as I write a grant and it's transporting me to a summer darty. There's a folding table with hot dog supplies, joints, and lube. Underneath it is a cooler with cheap beer and a single bottle of rose

A somewhere between a 3 and 4, I don’t like it as much as the other Jimi album we just listened to. I don’t have anything mean to say tho, it just didn’t move me as much

An album that will always be heard a bit differently each time. A guitar that sings its own chorus, and a carefully crafted lyrical profile that doesn't lean on being verbose but still conjures evocative, interesting imagery.

Jimi rocks. Chiller than the last album but still great through and through

Didn't know any of the songs but I had fun

Jimi= good: Bold Ass Take

I know this album already, it’s one of my favourites.

I think this album always surprises because unlike the (astounding) debut album, this actually has some songs you haven’t heard. Even its well-known songs (“Little Wing” “Spanish Castle Magic”) are not as ubiquitous as, say, “Purple Haze.” Yet the entire album is SO good and really showcases the entire band…the entire Experience. It also feels more polished, more varied, at times more gentle, and at times more…groovy? Deep cuts I love include “Wait for Tomorrow” and “She’s So Fine”—the latter changes up the lead vocalist, contains some relentless Keith Moon-esque drum work, and of course Hendrix’s stunning musicianship. Every song offers something and reminds you why Jimi Hendrix is HENDRIX, the inspiration for every other guitarist to follow (whether air or electric).

I am ashamed to admit that I don't listen to enough Jimi Hendrix albums. The singles here are great (Wait Until Tomorrow and Little Wing), but listening to the entire album elevates Jimi and the entire band to another level. There are quirky, jazzy tracks, outright rockers, and near epic ballads. And the production makes these songs sound like they are being performed in your living room, up close, loud, and personal. Be Bold. Listen to and love this album. It will do you good.

Listened to it while running. A little too experimental, especially the first track.

It's Hendrix so you know it's good, but there were bits of it that got a bit too weird

disappointed that it is not good as his third album

4.5/5 Favorite Songs: Spanish Castle Magic Wait Until Tomorrow Little Wing You Got Me Floatin' Castles Made If Sand One Rainy Wish Little Miss Lover Bold As Love

Het schiet soms wat alle kanten op

4/5

not the best Hendrix , but even a poor Hendrix is way better than a lot of stuff

4/10… psychedelic rock / *1967

Love that the first track is a psychedelic radio talk show. I listened to the Black Keys growing up, and I feel like I just listened to what they listened to growing up. Like Ain't no telling Like Castles made of sand It was a great album. The guitar was the star and it was amazing. Im not sure if I would listen to again? Musicality- 1.0 Vocals - 0.8 Vibes - 0.7 Listen to again - 0.5 Execution - 0.7 Total 3.7

Wowza The panning

I can recognize the obvious mastery here, but this just wasn’t really for me. The intro was honestly my favorite part, but I also thought Little Wing was a great song. Wish more of the album sounded like that.

groovy, fun, free spirited , passionate I like it , it's such an exciting experience!!!!

Album bof mais Jimi Hendrix c’est bien

Masterful gutar work, unfortunately just not my favorite album

How The fuck Do you go from Spanish Castle Magic to Wait Until Tomorrow to Ain't No Telling to Little Wing like that, change all music forever, and do so with zero pretension If this isn't a 5 nothing is, and all of Jimi's will be

This album is good. Less poppy than AYE and the non-hits are not as good as the known songs. Think I would have rated this higher in the past.

Yeah good stuff here, though I still think I prefer his first album. Groovy, excellent guitar work of course, and I really love how loud the drums sound on this. Fave tracks: “if 6 was 9”, “Spanish castle magic”, “little wing”, “castles made of sand”, and “wait until tomorrow”

found john meyer ver. 🔥

nice album no songs stood out

9/10 In slightly under a year and a half, the Jimi Hendrix Experience released all three of their studio albums, before Jimi’s untimely death in 1970. The quality of work that they released in such a short period of time is frankly, astounding. Jimi not only redefined what it was to play the guitar, but he did it with a staggering selection of songs that showcase not only his instrumental prowess, but also his pretty remarkable songwriting ability. This second record of that trilogy feels very much like a perfect middle ground when listened in context of those other releases. The slightly more structured songwriting focus of Are You Experienced is pulled a little further out of shape, while the instrumental freedom of the recording process is given more room to shine, while not being stretched into quite the freeform psychedelic experience of Electric Ladyland. Instrumentally, each of the group is given a little more space to indulge in their virtuosity. Jimi is obviously the star here, but both Noel Redding and, in particular Mitch Mitchell get the opportunity to shine again and again across pretty much the full track list. Mitchell’s drumming is frequently phenomenal, with a superb balance between jazz and rock drum styles, engendering the rhythm of the album with groove and drive in equal measure. Indeed there were moments when I had to wind back and listen to some of the fills and flourishes a second time, just to take them in. But I do obviously have to speak about the main man. Jimi’s quite obviously a guitar legend, who shaped the future of the instrument through his virtuosity and approach to the instrument, but what stands out most about his playing to me is how easy and organic it all sounds. Sometimes when you hear top guitarists play, you can almost hear them butting up against the edge of their talent, but with Jimi, it almost feels like he’s got another gear he could move into if he wanted to, but he doesn’t bother because he’d prefer to play with soul than with a focus on technicality. It’s just so smooth and cool to listen to and almost feels like it’s just flowing out of his fingers on a whim, things are so easily delivered. And we also have to mention his vocals here, because Jimi himself fought to have his vocal parts reduced in volume, so little did he believe in his own vocal talents. But in reality, his conversational, semi-sung vocal delivery is a perfect foil for the more instrumentally focused group. He performs with soul and charisma, but also leaves space for the music to shine, and a “better” vocalist would likely have tried to dominate in a way that would likely have been detrimental to the music as a whole. So we know the band are one of the best to ever do it, but what about the songs? To my ear, while I think the instrumental performances and freedom of expression on this album are a step up from Are You Experienced, the songs themselves are slightly less consistent and strong on this second outing. There are some stunners of course, but there are times when the freedom of instrumental performance slightly detracts from the song as a whole. Only to a minor degree, of course, but enough that this record feels just a touch weaker as a whole than that debut, despite the fact that instrumentally, it probably display superior performances. Things don’t get as loose as they do on the third record, but tracks like If Six Was Nine and She’s So Fine don’t quite connect as well as the choicest cuts on the album. But despite that, this is still an incredible listen that’s well worth anyone’s time. EXP - I mean, it’s a bit weird, but I kind of get what they were going for here. It does feel a quite dated concept, but the sound design work is at least gritty and interesting. Up From The Skies - Mitch Mitchell dropping in some excellent jazz drumming work to kick the album proper off. It’s a smooth blend of jazz and rock with a funky edge and a laid-back, freedom to the playing that still manages to stay coherent and consistent, despite indulging in those moments of freedom. The tone for the guitar solo at the end is absolutely banging too. Spanish Castle Magic - More of a straight rock tone now and this feels so energetic and driven. There are some stonking riffs, pinned down expertly by the bass of Noel Redding. Jimi lets loose with his solo, but it never descends into the completely off-the-wall wankery that he became more prone to later in his career. It’s not got the greatest central hook, but in terms of raw power, it punches in pretty damn strongly. Wait Until Tomorrow - This album is pretty broad, but has a great flow to it. This is smooth and funky and, unsurprisingly, the guitar is free-flowing and deft in all of the best ways. Noel and Mitch play an essential part of pinning down that groove though, and there’s so much feel between the three as they hunker down in the pocket. This has a more pop hook centre to it, but it’s actually given a slight back-seat by the production choices, allowing the funk and groove to occupy centre stage, but giving things enough hook to connect on multiple fronts. Excellent work. Ain't No Telling - And now we’re getting pace and groove in equal measure. The little drops into triplet groove are banging and, in fact the rhythmic range across the whole track absolutely pops. There are echoes of 60’s rock in the composition, but the band drags it kicking and screaming out of the 60s and throws it a hundred years into the future. My 8 year old son danced his way into the room while this was on with a massive grin on his face, so it still works. Little Wing - Hendrix has this way of making everything he plays sound like it’s just flowing out of his guitar and all he’s doing is channelling it out of the ether. It just feels so fluid and organic. His approach is very jazz coded in some ways, but with a self-taught, rock inspired core rather than one founded in theory. This is so smooth, but also has bite and rhythm to it. It’s just bloody excellent. If Six Was Nine - The pause and restraint in the groove here is funky and heavy in equal measure. It’s really not that far from Sabbath in some respects. And then we get more psychedelic rock through other sections. This one does have a tendency to get a little bit looser and further from its core in places, but positioned as the final track on the first side, I think it works pretty well despite that. Not my favourite, but pretty fun from a sonic point of view. You've Got Me Floating - This one touches back to that 60s rock sound and feels a bit more of a straightforward composition. It’s a pretty good example though, and there are some fun bits of production that add interest. It’s still got great groove and punch to it, and it feels like it’s easing us in to the second side, especially as it starts to ramp up the weirdness towards the end. Castles Made Of Sand - A classic, and another fine example of that fluid ‘dragged out of the ether’ guitar playing. This has got a more understated feel to it, but Mitch Mitchell still gives it power in the groove. The reversed guitar work is so well executed that it slips seamlessly into the mix, while adding a psychedelic flair and tone. The melodic work of this is actually pretty subtle, but it’s very, very good. She's So Fine - Noel Redding gets his track now. It’s pretty decent, but it definitely doesn’t feel as special or groundbreaking as Jimi’s stuff and the far more generic British rock vocal doesn’t help elevate it either. Mitch’s drumming is excellent though, and Jimi gets his moments to shine here and there too, particularly when he solos towards the end, dragging things into more psychedelic territory. Not a bad album track. One Rainy Wish - Back to the more ethereal, dreamy trip vibe of Castles Made Of Sand now, but with a heavier, rock coded section to spin around. Jimi’s guitar tone is again dripping with cool, but in different ways through the different sections, which is interesting. The melodic focus is a bit looser, but in a satisfying way, and the guitar and vocal weave around each other beautifully during the more ethereal sections. Lovely. Little Miss Lover - And now we lean back into that funk groove with loads of punch and grit. There’s a focused centre to things here, but the band are all just playing around it and having great fun strutting their stuff. It feels both free and focused in the best possible way, and the rhythm of it all is so moreish. Bold As Love - A cool, laid back groove to kick us off now. There’s more punch and drive through the choruses, but it’s the free-flowing guitar work of the verses that give this its highest level of quality and feel. There are some quality bits of melodic work in the vocals, but they’re again given a bit of a back seat to the instrumental work. As one would expect, Jimi’s solo work is soaring and excellent, and there’s a lovely edge of grit to it here too. There’s a slightly jarring cut after the drum solo, but other than that, this is great and descends into a spacey, psychedelic treat by the close.

Classic blues-rock with elements of psychedelia — I really love Jimi Hendrix, a true innovator and artist

Not his best album but still decent.

Pretty cool, amazing guitar-work, but you probably already knew that. Nice to listen to, but not the strongest of the three Hendrix albums on here.

"I just wanna die when it's time for me to die. So let me live my life the way I want to" My issue with the 5 stars system is that there will be records you'll find who just can't be described by that simple metric. The Jimi Hendrix Experience entire discography falls under that case, and while most fans will argue over AYE or Electric Ladyland being the best, I'll rest my case on the middle ground being perfectly enjoyable and one of the most underappreciated Rock masterpieces. These funky grooves and acid effects accompanied by Hendrix's nonchalant wit are unmatched. Jimi often played with the idea of being a supernatural alien, but what his poetry (disguised by his unpeccable music) shows is that his emotions are more human than anyone would think. Just listen to the title track: "My red is so confident that he flashes trophies of war and ribbons of euphoria Orange is young, full of daring, but very unsteady for the first go round My yellow in this case is not so mellow. In fact, I'm trying to say it's frightened like me And all these emotions of mine keep holding me from giving my life to a rainbow like you" For all the earthling aliens who felt misplaced in this cold world ran by white-collared conservatives pointing fingers at them, Jimi vocalized those feelings. Few acts have made music comparable to them, and I think no guitarist ever managed to top Hendrix. That was a once in a lifetime experience, indeed... Highlights: Spanish Castle Magic, Castles Made of Sand, If 6 was 9, Bold as Love

Every time a Hendrix album comes up in this project, it puts me in such a good mood. And this is possibly his most upbeat record of the three. “Wait Until Tomorrow”, “Ain't No Telling” and “Little Miss Lover” are the perfect examples of that energetic, positive groove that's present throughout the album. But there's a lot more than standard rock fare going on here. The record starts off in the weirdest way possible. We step into the middle of a quirky interview about UFOs. Warbling pitch-shifted voices debate the existence of extra-terrestrials, before Jimi's guitar melts our ears with some crazy sci-fi noises, panning from left to right until it's revolving around us in a circle. Trippy. What a way to open. “Up From the Skies” is an understated (and criminally underrated), dark, dusty wah-soaked blues tune. “You Got Me Floatin’” and “Castles Made of Sand” are two very different songs that share one common element: reversed guitar effects. The former is a lively rock tune made more interesting by the decision to play Jimi's solo backwards. The latter is slower and lighter, full of gorgeous, complex guitar riffs. The reversed guitar acts as a swirling texture here, before another backwards solo. My favourite part is when the riff is slowed down at the end, before an intense outro. “One Rainy Wish” begins like it's going to be the trippy jazzy track of the album. It's soft and spacey, but in true Hendrix style, it switches up from a minor to a major and the chorus gets a bit more bite. And what a chorus that is. I'd forgotten how great this song is. Seriously, what a tune! But there are three absolute classics on this album that deserve special mention. “Little Wing” starts off with one of the most iconic guitar intros of all time. Every single guitarist in the world has tried (and failed) to replicate this intro perfectly. Jimi was a phenomenal rhythm guitarist - his fills are from another world. And this song is a perfect example of his ingenuity when it came to rhythm guitar. That whammy bar lead-in to his solo is absolutely inspired. One of the all-time great solos (one of two on this album). And it doesn't stay around a second longer than it has to, fading out mid-solo. A gruff minimalist riff signals in the amazing “If 6 Was 9”. The intro riff switches to match Jimi's vocals, but an octave lower. And just as momentum is building, the chorus bursts into an explosion of jazz. That moment when his guitar hits that E7 note in the second verse… my gawd! Hendrix’s song-writing and lyricism is full of confidence here: “If all the hippies cut off all their hair, I don't care.” There’s a moment of silence before Jimi's spoken word interlude. Then as he declares “I'm gonna wave my freak flag high”, he does so by dunking us head-first in a full-on jazz odyssey. It's amazing. We're not done yet. In the final verse, we have delay and echo-soaked guitar effects lingering in the background, and Mitch's drums can't contain themselves, consuming Jimi's vocals completely. And just when you think the song has gone in every direction, that crazy recorder comes in. And we haven't even gotten to the best song on the album yet. “Anger”, chug-chug. Hendrix’s guitar mimics the lyric, sounding like a gun being cocked. Jimi's lyricism is at its absolute best here in the title track. Colours represent emotions, personified. Like some sort of anthropomorphic synesthesia. The verse melody is great, but the take-off to the sparkling guitar textures of the chorus is just epic. Then Jimi crawls up the fretboard in anticipation of launching into one of the greatest solos of all time. The song sums up the album perfectly: melodic, intensely enjoyable and still out-there. A false ending is broken-up by a phaser-affected drum fill, before an even better guitar solo kicks off, in an amazing coda. Phaser effects swoosh all around our heads as Hendrix plays us out in the best way imaginable.

I appreciate Jimi. He’s got some all time great songs. But don’t feel like entire albums hit that high mark. I understand artists want to spread their little wings and try something different - but i definitely prefer loud fuzzy acid in the headband Jimi that just rips riffs and solos over some of the more melodic stuff on this album.

Track By Track EXP - A radio intro! Very of the time and quite idiosyncratic. Up From The Skies - I can hear his blues influence right from the get go. Heard this was how he learned to play, listening to old blues numbers. Very open summery blanched out sound Spanish Castle Magic - rock! I like the vibe. His voice does seem quite low and a bit lost in the mix which seems a shame. He has a great singing voice Wait Until Tomorrow - better mixing here. Like the jamming intro riff a lot. Ain’t No Telling - a lot of these songs feel like jam sessions. Very loose. Showcases his guitar work very well but the band is tight as well. Little Wing - I love this song. Such a brilliant riff, beautifully executed. Suffused with love and melancholy. Almost cuts out too soon but it’s this near perfect moment of semi psychedelic rock. If 6 was 9 - I feel as if White Stripes were inspired by this one. Bit more dirty bluesy. A nice talk-sing section that sounds sharply political and of the time as well. Sounds like some delay pedal action too? End section recalls experimental Velvet Underground. Really like this one despite its length. You Got Me Floatin’ - quite nice solid tune. Sounds like it’s been inspired by other proper rockers. Castles Made Of Sand - all about the narrative. Sad, melancholic. A very nice riff as well. She’s So Fine - a little Led or The Who influence? Or perhaps this preceded them, not sure! This does actually feel like a Who song that’s been psychedelified. One Rainy Wish - bit of an Indian influence at the start. Very nice. Good guitar work on this one. Sweet, bit more laid back. A nice change of pace. Little Miss Lover - did not like this one as much. Just not as much my style Bold As Love - I can see why John Mayer wanted to cover this. This is an exceptional song. So much fun guitar wise. A true classic in my opinion. Favourite Songs: Little Wing, If 6 was 9, Bold As Love Overall Review - I hadn’t heard a whole Jimi album before. As always impressed by his guitar work and singing voice. A few songs i didn’t care for as much as I don’t listen to this genre too much. Very decent overall though. It’s got 3 but if I could give 3.5 I would!

Aside from a couple mega hits, I thought this album was very good, not great. Didn't quite hold the 4 mojo for me the whole way out. But close.

Its a great listen !! What an amazing artist, especially for his time . Added half of the songs in the album to my playlist so it’s good . RIP to the guitar legend Jimi Hendrix .

Another diarrhea cocktail from Mr. Hendrix!

Favorite Track: Bold as Love

86/100 Man I thought this fucking album was going to send me through the ceiling or something instead it was just some pretty good rock with great guitar playing. You look at that cover and expect some crazy level shit but idk it's not that out there I mean I guess You Got Me Floatin' has the like Revolver reversed sounds & Exp is a weird ass experimental track for the time but yeah it wasn't AS good as people have been hyping it up. Does that mean it wasn't peak though? Absolutely not. I fucked with most of this album heavy. Spanish Castle Magic, Wait Until Tomorrow, Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand, all great songs. Apparently this album was rushed a bit to try and fulfill a record contract which is really something you don't want to hear for a band that only has 3 albums. When I say the guitar on this album is great I mean it though. It's also got that weird reversed tape guitar on Castles Made of Sand alongside a lot of stereo manipulation which is always great to see especially in the 60s. Compare that to the Beatles who pretty much just threw their stereo masters together in a day and said they were good yeah it's sick to see. I can see why Jimi and Frank Zappa would be friends both were counter cultural & insane level guitar players. Massive W for the cover although now that I've noticed the big blue empty space I'm kinda questioning it now. I'm an op when they do that with certain album covers I know they had to do the arms but idk I just hate seeing big empty space. I'm also a Ween fan btw and I can see where they get some of their influence from, particularly Deaner in his guitar playing but also this album can be pretty weird so there's that too. Really sick drumming too I haven't heard that mentioned but it fits every song.

Sick

Three transcendent tracks is a remarkable achievement and the honest reason this lands at four rather than five. "Little Wing" is two minutes of the most concentrated beauty Hendrix ever committed to tape — the guitar voicings filling every frequency simultaneously while leaving room for everything to breathe, a complete emotional world in the time it takes most songs to finish their first verse. "Castles Made of Sand" is the storytelling peak, three vignettes of lives undone by fate delivered with a gentleness that the blues-rock context around it never quite prepares you for. The title track closes the record as a sweeping, orchestrated love song that shows Hendrix operating in a register pure guitar pyrotechnics never required. Everything around those three is solid without reaching the same height, which is the honest limitation and the reason five stays out of reach. A record that sustains transcendence throughout earns a different rating than one where the peaks are carrying the weight — both can be excellent, and this one is, but the distinction matters. Mitch Mitchell's jazz-influenced drumming gives Hendrix the freedom to treat the guitar as a full orchestral instrument throughout, and the variety across the record's moods and textures shows an artist expanding in real time. Released eight months after the debut, which remains one of the more remarkable creative accelerations in rock history. A four that three genuinely great songs earn completely.

2/5 A few good songs on this but nothing blew me away.

He actually had a good voice

Hendrix could do wrong in music when this album came out. His personal life was another story, one which deserves a good ass kicking. But we’re talking music today! His first album was incendiary. This was starts the shift toward the psychedelic/acid rock. Please note: this critique is against his other work, so it’s still musically amazing, just different. Some of his best songs are on here, such as Little Wing (man, that’s a great song); Wait Until Tomorrow, which really shows the power of Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell; and inspired the John Mayer Trio. My surprise track was the Noel Redding sung So Fine, which I don’t know if I have ever heard before! My favorite continues to be Castles Made of Sand, which is so poignant in its message and masterful in its musicality. It’s not my favorite Jimi which is Electric Ladyland, but it will come home on vinyl when I find it.

Random thoughts: * Always appreciate listening to some more Jimi. * I'm not sure I've ever listened to this album as the opening track of "Exp" took me by surprise but it clearly showcases Jimi's obsession with aliens. * I've pretty much heard all the proper songs since I own the Jimi box set. * This has some of Jimi's best work: Little Wing, Spanish Castle Magic, Castles Made of Sand, Little Miss Lover, Bold As Love. * I didn't care for some of the filler tracks as much but it is still Hendrix man! * I prefer "Are You Experienced" over "Axis" but it is amazing that both albums were released in 1967! What a time to be alive. * Castles Made of Sand is one of my favorite Jimi Hendrix tracks, so I loved hearing that one in context of this album. * Worthy inclusion, not quite all-time classic album but all-time great artist.

Shamefully I've only heard the hit(s). ------------------------ Damn. Now this is psych rock. Spanish Castle Magic is fantastic, how have I never heard it? It's pretty heavy, and sounds like the softer throwback acts of the doom metal scene. The other tracks are funky, soulful guitar driven jams with Jimmy's cool vocals that are smooth and soothing. Occasionally meandering but that comes with the genre. Mitch Mitchell on the drums is massive - he really goes all out at times here [One Rainy Wish]. There's some interesting production on this one for the time -that stereo panning on Exp is perfect. It really makes it feel like a UFO is circling you. Bold indeed. 3*

Nothing totally stands out for me like the albums that come before and after it in Hendrix's discog, but still consistently good psych rock. Just wish the stereo experimentation was turned down a bit with the intro skit. 8/10.

Great album, although more trippy and out there than I was expecting. Iconic album so 5 stars, but not something I'd listen to often.

Pretty solid

I am also taken with how contemporary Jimi Hendrix feels not matter how much time passes. This is no exception.

i didn't know the story about how jimi hated the album art... "im not that kind of indian"... fucked up

2nd time listening and holy is it amazing. Love the psychedelic vibe and reverse guitars!

Slightly overated but still really good. The worse of his 3 album buy It dosnt mean much their all good.

Albums like this are hard for me. I mean, Hendrix is Hendrix. Pretty good, but nothing I get very excited about listening to. Still FEELS better than a 3.

I feel like Jimi hit harder when I was younger. Maybe it's the 40 intervening years of guitar music listening that makes this seem less awesome than it used to. I dunno. Whatever the case, I can't give this more than a 3.

Castles Made of Sand is one of the best songs he ever wrote. Little Wing is obviously very cool as is Wait Until Tomorrow. The trip is pleasant overall, but somewhat aimless.

Might go to 5 if I listen enough. A touch experimental for my taste.

3/5 - I like Jimi highlight reels. I’m just not that into full Jimi albums. Still, you should probably listen to some Jimi if you never have.

More than songs, a conversation between a guitar, a band, an the singer

It was hendrix

It was fineee

There is no shame in being the third best Hendrix studio album. Recorded before its predecessor was released in the US, it feels like an album that hasn't been given enough time in gestation. Although there is nothing bad here, the album as a whole lacks the precision of the debut's (presumably road-tested) cavalcade of hits, but neither do the compositions have the hefty ambition of Electric Ladyland. Hendrix's trajectory was so steep and so brief that it is understandable that the middle album should catch him in something of a blur. So many of the songs disappear into a fade out that have to accept each one as a comet streaking past. It's tantalising to imagine what the guitar figure at the end of Castles Made of Sand could have become if it didn't simply tail off. A new section. A new composition. Who knows. Only Little Wing and If Six Was Nine sound like their respective ideas in final form. Romantically, one could imagine that Hendrix knew his time was limited, so he wanted to burn through every idea he had. More realistically, he had no idea, at 25, that he was mortal and that time and inspiration might ever become limited resources. Anything can be tossed off, because there will always be more. Even in the goofy intro, he explores and disposes the idea of presenting himself as an alien, which Bowie will take a whole album over five years later. 3.5 This would be a lovely album and a monument to Hendrix’s special talent, even if it didn’t have the advantage of ‚She‘s So Fine‘ reminding us to appreciate Hendrix‘s voice as well as his guitar playing. 3.5/5

Nok egentlig en 3,5. Rigtig fed syrerock, men desværre ikke helt min genre. Det er meget bred ymer og knæhøj karse

Loved the guitar

Brilliant. Not quite on the level of Electric Ladyland, but still some of the best guitar and songwriting I've ever heard. Little wing is one of the most gorgeous songs ever written, spanish castle magic + if 6 was 9 + castles made of sand + bold as love are all insane. Only weak point might be the weird intro (which I kind of like) and up from the skies isn't a great first real song

(4/5) I don't think this is Hendrix's best work. At first the beginning of the album kinda freaked me out and I thought I'd have another "Surf's Up" (a confused non-Beach Boys album.. by the Beach Boys. It's weird.), but a few tracks in his guitar lit up. Jimi truly was the best of the best on that instrument, but it sounds like he was still finding his footing here as a performer. It's mostly just stock standard 60s rock/psychedelia **with Jimi Hendrix on guitar**. That's all that makes this even remotely work. Anyone else and it would have tanked. I'll reserve my '5' for him for "Electric Ladyland" and "Are You Experienced" which for my money are way better. There are a few good tracks but the rest is .. ok. I'll wait.

Maybe it's just me, but this was at least a 4 when it came up this morning, though I was unfamiliar with it and had stuck to Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland previously. But this one is... not great, especially as a followup to Are You Experienced. And is the production absolute ass or is that just Spotify?? No brightness at all, super muffled and echoey. I've had that complaint about lots of stuff from that era, but this one's strikingly bad. There's certainly some good stuff here, but there's way more noise and experimental shit than I expected, which detracted from the face melting guitar. Still comes in at a 3/5 for me, which is very disappointing.

177. Axis: Bold As Love - Jimi Hendrix (1967) 8.18.26 Variety: 4 Adequacy: 5 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 5 Emotionality: 3 = 4.4 rounded down to a 4 "And so castles made of sand/ Slips into the sea eventually" On would think I was born at the wrong time to fully appreciate Hendrix's impact on rock history, and maybe that's true, but I was also just the right age to get the full force of the wave of 60s nostalgia in the 90s when his songs were all over the damned place, in movies - "Foxy Lady" and "Fire" ( a cover, granted) in Wayne's World for example, and a bot later tv commercials galore... I was also able to benefit from the readily available hits compilations that floated around, most notably Smash Hits, which I listed to well before I listened to any of the original albums. Of the three major releases on the list, I think Electric Ladyland has been my go to favorite, but it has always bothered me, just like it did with the Beatles and other groups that came bounding out of the singles era, that some of their best songs never made it on the albums. The U.S. releases, when it was bothered with, would often cobble together a Frankensteined version that would include some of these at the very least for Are You Experienced. When it comes to it, I think I'll go off menu and review that version. But this one at least seems like they kept the same release order and tracks, so no need this time. I've never been a Hendrix fanatic, despite always being impressed by him, and his albums have never been in heavy rotation. So much ink has been spilled about how influential he is, and he long ago entered into the sort of mythical hagiography territory among critics. could not help but come at his stuff with a bit of cynicism at gushing claims that he could do no wrong. Really? His hits, and best singles are forever burned into my brain though, which makes it just slightly more difficult to appreciate the albums themselves as autonomous entities. I have not listened to this one probably since I sold off the Hendrix records I had, but I remember digging it quite a lot. THE TRACKS Side one "EXP" - Skits and interludes are usually not worth the time to comment on, but I'll at least say here it's worth a few lines if only to mention how many little middle class kids must have had their minds blown by the weirdness. "Up from the Skies" - This shuffling, shambolic, jazzy little number feels largely improvised to my ears. Like Hendrix had some lyrics he wanted to test out. Most definitely not my bag, baby. But still, there's a quality even to Hendrix's throw away tracks. This sounds rough as well, like it was recorded live. I'm not sure, but as far as I know Hendrix was pretty hardcore when it came to his mixing, so it's a little surprising how sloppy it sounds. "Spanish Castle Magic" - A certified minor classic nowadays, back then I could not have picked this one out of a lineup. At least by name. This would have been so much better of an opener. In addition to Hendrix weaving his special magic, you get Mitch Mitchell's jazzy, organic drumming, and Noel Redding ( of Fat Mattress fame - see below) providing some very chunky bass. This is the statement you want when that needle drops. Awesome. "Wait Until Tomorrow" - This was a decent, if a bit boring little bit of slice of life storytelling that happens to have a TREMENDOUS bass sound, some awful backing vocals, and some otherwise all around great playing from all involved. One of Hendrix's weakness for me is the sort of half finished sounding ideas in so many of his deep cuts. "Ain't No Telling" - This was better. Bluesier, and with more energy helps though. This is the sort of track that makes the Psych to Metal evolution make a lot of sense. Still nobody's favorite though. "Little Wing" - Another minor classic that has only grown in estimation over subsequent years. Hendrix doesn't do pretty very often, but he tends to mail it. The effects on his vocals along with the glockenspiel, and the way it fades out all give this one a cool dreamy vibe that I could have sat in for another few minutes. Great, but could have been longer. "If Six Was Nine" (US edition spelling "If 6 Was 9") The funkiest and heaviest track closes out side two on a brilliant note. This is very much the ideal of the Hendrix sound to me. Hendrix's breathy, soulful vocals which dip into some spoken word beat that exists only his head, Mitchell's sizzling, crunchy drum sound, the bass that reverbs in your molars with that slapping sound. It's no "Voodoo Chile" but it plays in that same realm. The noise freakout near the end is well earned here, where on a lesser song, by a lesser artist it would feel self-indulgent and annoying. Side two "You've Got Me Floating" (US edition spelling "You Got Me Floatin'") - We open side two with maybe the only song off the whole album I clearly recall being well familiar with before listening to the whole thing. This is psych rock is it's purest form, on par with any of the best Cream songs ( who it reminds me of a bit). The drums on this are one of THE iconic rock drum patterns in my mind. Amazing next level stuff going on here. "Castles Made of Sand" - The man proving once again he can write beautiful and mellow with the best of them. Everything about this song is truly great, from the backwards guitar lines to the top tier melodies, to the chonky bass work, to Hendrix's talk singing where it he artfully stumbles forward over his own words. This might be the one Hendrix song I would save from a burning building. That or "Voodoo Chile". \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/ "She's So Fine" - Noel Redding does perfectly fine job on lead vocals, which gives Hendrix leeway to go crazy here and be part of the band rather than the main attraction, and we get some looser and poppier sounding stuff that reminds me a bit of the Who. "One Rainy Wish" - Quiet and moody, this leans harder on the atmosphere in opening, and Hendrix gets to take it easy a bit until the almost slow motion sounding solo comes in, with him seeming to stretch time out in between notes. A very underrated track. "Little Miss Lover"- Oooh how many songs have sampled the opening drum pattern of this? ( I checked it and it's north of 30 atm) The distorted vocals here make Hendrix sound like some sort of funky cyborg alien come to Earth to melt our faces off with his solo. Aggressive and crackling with energy. This was some hot shit. "Bold as Love" - Holy cow, they stuck the landing guys. The arpeggios Hendrix runs through on here and his "YEAH YEAH" are as good as anything on any of his other songs. This is god-tier stuff and crazy that it's not as well known as some of his mega-hits. Maybe imagining thigs here, but I can really see the influence of this in "Tuesday's Gone" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. One of his best ( despite what Smash Hits would have you believe). HIGHLIGHTS - "Spanish Castle Magic" - "Little Wing" - "If Six Was Nine" - "You've Got Me Floating" - "Castles Made of Sand" - "She's So Fine" - "One Rainy Wish" - "Little Miss Lover" - "Bold as Love" MIDLIGHTS - "Up from the Skies" - "Wait Until Tomorrow" - "Ain't No Telling" LOWLIGHTS - Nah FINAL THOUGHTS One of the things i love most about Hendrix is how goddamn easy and casual he makes all of this immense work seem. People like to talk about him being a once in a generation talent, and no doubt he was, but I guaran-fucking-tee you the man spent an inordinate amount of time running scales til his fingers bled. The work paid off so well that the product comes across as so natural and unforced that is becomes magical. A lot of rock guitarists from the era are overrated, but not Hendrix. He's rated just as he should be. The album itself is SO strong based on the best stuff here that it renders most complaints about middling tracks both irrelevant and a bit silly. If you really tried though, you might say something like "You can't really knock Hendrix for his playing, and his voice is iconic, if a bit lacking in range, so a lot of the times it feels like he leans on the immense talent to carry him through substandard material. Like would you listen to a song like "Up from the Skies" from anyone else?" I'm willing to bet that Electric Ladyland is still my favorite album by the man, but don't count Are You Experienced out just yet, especially if I play dirty and decide to review the U.S. release which includes some hit singles left off the UK version. As it stands, this album is a very solid 4, which comes as no surprise. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - My feelings would not be hurt if those midlights were left off FURTHER LISTENING - Disraeli Gears by Cream - Fat Mattress by Fat Mattress - Forever Changes by Love - Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane - The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus by Spirit - Truth by Jeff Beck - Mr. Fantasy by Traffic

I could listen to Jimi Hendrix tear an electric guitar to shreds for a long while. The guitar might or might not survive but it’d be good listening. He was a virtuoso with one in his hand and listening to him play on a trqck makes me want to believe every myth, legend, and tall tale ever told about him. Hendrix was a collection of hits when I was growing up so this is a rare album listen. Not my first time, but not often done. I had the ‘92 collection, The Ultimate Experience, when I was in high school and wore that CD out. Not many tracks from Axis on it though, just three. “Little Wing,” “Castles Made of Sand,” and “Waiting Until Tomorrow.” So the legacy of this album is apparently lower than the bands others. Which is to say not bad, but not the best. 4/5

my favorite Jimi Hendrix. it's facemelty and reveals layers at its own pace without regard for the impatient listener. the title track is a great closer. deserves to be one of the 1001? it's probably the least notable of the canonical three, and therefore the easiest candidate for cutting, but i wouldn't be able to bring myself to cut it in favor of Electric Ladyland at the end of the day

fuck yeah 9/10 best song - castles made of sand

lots of jams on this one

Trippy. Sexy. Jimmy.

I said it before, I grew up not really liking Hendrix's music. As I got older, I began to appreciate it more, but this album in particular, I just don't like that much. Unquestionably talented, and influential... I just don't like this one very much.

idk TT

like it's fine

Pretty patchy. Outside the obvious bangers it's a lot of filler, or half-finished sounding stuff. Great cover though

Really enjoyed it. Bit silly but loads of Hendrix personality in it and nice to remember how good Mitch Mitchell is. 4

Not as fire as Are You experienced but Jimi is a legend

This album was very good. Hendrix was a genius on the guitar and his voice was almost every bit as excellent. The songs are fun to listen to, but they generally lack a bit from being truly great. As a result, the album isn't amazing, even if it is a very worthy inclusion on this list. 4 stars.

The highs are so high: Little Wing, Spanish Castle Magic, Bold As Love. The rest of the album is a little meh, but overall still well worthy of its place here

Guitare exceptionnelle, je ne peux que respecter l'année de sortie. Grand homme qui a lancé une génération et mort trop jeune. Mais c'est pas mon 100% mon style, trop brut, trop bruyant, trop expérimental

Not a perfect 10 due to some bad backing vocals and the one Noel Redding sung tune. Still a great album, though

8/10

Jimi was a bit underrated as a song writer as well

Stoner age music

ohh yeah im aaa im bold as loveeeee

Jimmy dropped his nuts of this one, he really cooked.

Obviously a fantastic album, i have nothing negative to say about it, just great overall, easily one of the best albums ever guitar-wise.

He’s such a good artist. Dint know any of the songs but enjoyed the album b

es el Hendrix más elegante, colorido y atmosférico. Para escucharlo con audífonos y dejar que haga su trabajo de brujería, es magnífico. 😄

It was ok, the standout tracks were little wing and all along the watch tower but not sure if that was because I had heard them before. I did think it was more fun than I expected!

Buen álbum, ninguna canción me captó tanto la atención cómo para que el puntaje suba. Pero es muy coherente y lindo para escuchar

Great guitar! Good storytelling and very distinct Never listened to him before but understand why people love him. 3/5 stars

Little Wing might be my favorite song of his. The rest of the album is fine, but that song is so good.

Another great record of Jimmi. It all went by in a long psychedelic funky rush. Altough psychedelic, it was all very listenable. I especially liked Spanish Castle Magic.

Another great Jimi Hendrix album. This one is more funk than rock compared to his other albums, but still very fitting of the incredible work this man can do on a guitar. Definitely an album I will be checking out again later

Imagine you play in a 60s psych rock band thinking you're the best guitar player and then Jimi comes along

Little Wing is one of my favs. This is a great album but doesn’t showcase Hendrix best. Just goes to show how otherworldly he is.

pretty good. never listened to much jimi but its good. i mean he was popular for a reason.

Танцующая походка в сторону заката. Это совершенно иначе представляется чем первый прослушанный альбом electric ladyland. Не знаю исторический подтекст но этот альбом гораздо эмоцианольней, интересней, индивидуальный чем последующий. Здесь мне нравится все и эмоциональный надрыв в исполнении и потрясающее легкое музыкальное сопровождение. Оценка 8/10

Anything the Hendrix put out meets the definition of amazing.

Hendrix has never been my cup of tea, still the man was unquestionably talented in ways that have rarely been equaled. This album sits particularly well with me though.

Not my cup of tea. His playing is technically excellent, and I can appreciate his great contribution to music, but I don't really enjoy listening to it.

Very fun listening experience, weird vibes for sure, but weird in a good way! I love the soulful, funky guitar, and Jimi has a great voice to listen to.

Mėgstamiausias Hendrixo albumas

I love Little Wing and If 6 was 9, but this has always been a step below Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland for me. Judging from my last.fm, I've listened to both of those 3x as much as this album.

Ive listened to some Hendrix, this one was just ok i think

Maybe the weakest of the three studio albums Hendrix released during his lifetime, maybe a slightly lower rate of memorable hits than the other two, but still a masterpiece. The songwriting is endlessly creative and surprising, and the album is brimming with untouchable performances from all three musicians. I'd listen to this anytime.

rough start nice end, prob 3.75

One of my favourite Hendrix albums

I’m not a giant psychedelic rock fan, but this hits a lot of great spots. Little Wing and said 6 was 9 is a good back-to-back combo.

Definitely on The Man list and I’m glad to have finally given this one a full listen through - amazing!

so fun, raw. feels fresh

cool easy chill vibe, great instrumentails, nothing really special

Really good. Lots of variety and the sound really hooked me

Previously unknown. OK.

Great groove, interesting songs

Maybe I'm becoming less of a curmudgeon, maybe I'm just high enough, but I'm kinda digging Jimi Hendrix. For most of my life, I have been unimpressed with Jimi Hendrix, often dismissing him as hippy dippy bullshit. Part of this was me being young and closed minded with too many hardline opinions about music. Even as an adult, I still struggle to shed a lot of my old biases; I rated Electric Ladyland a 2-star. However, the Jimi Hendrix that appears on Axis... is much more my speed. The highs are just as high, but the album as a whole feels more concise, the songwriting is better and more consistent, just a better record. They even let other people sing on this one, which I didn't mind. Highlights: "Castles Made of Sand"

overall: 6/10 my favorites: spanish castle magic ain't no telling little wing if 6 was 9 you got me floating castle made of sand bold as love

A little bit calmer Hendrix album, but still pretty psychedelic. Maybe not his strongest overall, but still a good listen. A weak 4.

This is one of the best guitar albums I've heard. I like the mix of more classic guitar rock sounds and some more experimental sounds

Awesome

Cool authentic sound. I like Jimi Hendrix he was a genius

We've seen better from Jimi

I’m realizing all the Hendrix is a 5 for me. I believe I usually thought this was one of his weakest, but on this list, it’s still a 5. Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand are high points, but EVERYTHING is good. 5 Boolean: True

Some real good stuff, just not consistent enough to pull a full 5 stars

When I was in high school and really starting to get the canon of rock, I never really liked Hendrix too much besides All Along the Watchtower. Even then, I knew he probably still comfortably sits among the top 3 guitarists of all time, but now I understand that a bit more because I’ve slowly come to get his game. I mean, Little Wing on first listen is pretty enchanting, no one else could’ve come up with that kind of guitar riff then, and it really feels like any glockenspiel-accented track takes the idea from this song. I just love how few brakes there are on this thing, Jimi’s always playing at 120% all while singing too, and what a killer ending with Bold as Love. I think a lot of love has to be given to Mitch Mitchell as well, one of the most inspirational drummers of the 60’s and someone who would be brought up much more had he not happened to be overshadowed by one of the top guitar heroes.

Not the best Hendrix album, it certainly starts off pretty poor. But some great stuff on here nonetheless.

Easy to just fall into the experience Fav Track(s): Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand, One Rainy Wish, Bold as Love Least Fav Track: If 6 Was 9

as vezes me pego pensando se ele realmente é o goat, mas é só ouvir qualquer coisa dele que essa dúvida some na hora. 🐐

More greatness from Hendrix, but not as strong as Are You Experienced or Electric Ladyland. It's a bit of a limp start with the annoying Exp and quite uninteresting Up From The Skies, but it picks up and provides more classic Hendrix Highlights: If 6 Was 9, Spanish Castle Magic, One Rainy Wish

Wait until tomorrow is a great song! Bold as love too!!

Hendrix flexes his ability to pair groovy licks with psychedelic lyrics. Another classic.

Great album

Very different from what I remember

Cool 60s sounds. The drums (specifically the cymbals) might be mixed a little louder than I would prefer but everything else is mixed very well. There are some fairly forgettable tracks in here back to back with some really cool stuff. Guitar solos played in reverse must've been fun to cook up in the studio. Favorite(s): Wait until tomorrow If 6 was 9 Least: She's so fine 3.5/5

Not my type of music but if it was on in the background I wouldn't dislike it. Some bits I really don't love and could be taken out or redone to make them better pieces. 5/10

Fav: One Rainy Wish L: You Got Me Floatin’ 4 I’ve been giving a lot of stuff a 4, but I guess the list has some good music on it, who would have guessed

I'm a fake Jimi fan for never having listened to this before. What a ride. A Jimi Hendrix Experience, you could say. I'm conflicted on if this is a 5/5 or not, since I don't care for Wait Until Tomorrow. I think it could grow to a 5/5 with time but I'll leave it just below that for now. This is definitely the kinda album to use my Graywhale balance on. W: If 6 was 9, One Rainy Wish L: Wait until tomorrow 4.5/5

Some great singles on this one. Low 4

Weak by their standards

I have an aversion to bluesy, funky rock music, even small traces have me coming out in hives. As a result I much prefer the second half of this record, which settles into some very assertive psych-rock. Little Wing, which certainly caught the ear of middle era Pink Floyd, is particularly good. The second half is so much more my thing in fact that I have to go back to the beginning to remind myself just how much I dislike the start of the record in comparison.

Going high 4, i really love all the guitar work and vibes but the songwriting isn’t always a match, title track is my favourite Hendrix tune though

I thought it was okay. Little Wing is the song everyone knows and it is good. I also really liked Bold as Love. The album was very bluesy and I love that Jimi got a lot of inspiration for his guitar from blues (i mean the whole genre of rock owes a lot to blues). I understand why Jimi is the GOAT guitar player, but unfortunately this album did not resonate much with in me. It was an interesting listen musically, lyrically ehhh and over all I would say this was kinda mid :(

the good here is very good, some genuine classics, but it's about half filler. i might have been more impressed if it weren't so prestigious but the curse of high expectations had me feeling a bit underwhelmed. definitely deserves its place on the list for cultural importance but i probably won't listen to the full thing again highlights: spanish castle magic, little wing, if 6 was 9, castles made of sand, one rainy wish, bold as love. no surprises here would be an easy 3.5 if we could do half stars

One of his weaker albums in my view

Borders on non musical too much, I just really don't get it.

Such a sick album. I wasn't familiar with Spanish Castle Magic before, but it was really great. Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, Castles Made of Sand are all absolute hits. One of my favorite artists of the era.

4.04 out of 5 stars on my raw ranking for Axis: Bold as Love. It's getting a 5 star treatment on here because it's an essential album and if I had to pick 1 Jimi Hendrix album for someone who's never heard him before, this would beit. This is easily my favorite Hendrix album, and I'm not saying the others are bad, Electric Ladyland is an experience in itself, but this album is TIGHT. No marathon songs, the longest being If 6 Was 9 and that song deserves the drawn out play because it's 3 little songs wrapped up into one. Just a masterpiece. The album ends with one of the best guitar solos you'll ever hear, and proves to you why Hendrix was the best guitar player of all time. Hands down. The layering of the guitar makes it sound like a 4th member of the Experience. It's hard to miss on this album and if people are rating this below 2 stars, they seriously need to consider why they're doing this project. This is an easy "A". 5 stars.

Never listened to a Hendrix album before. First half of the album was FIRE

Classic stuff!

Compared to Are You Experienced? from the same year, this one felt like a lot of filler.

Muy bueno, pero el inicio no me gusto. Aun así el ritmo me encanto, se nota que esta hecho por una persona negra y eso me encanta porque siempre me ha gustado la energía con la que hacen sus cosas, es muy única.

I mean it's Hendrix, so that should automatically add a star or two. Little Wing is pretty amazing but the rest of this album didn't really grab me the way others from this list have done. Rating right in the middle with three stars.

I know Hendrix has always been more instruments over lyrics but to me this wasn’t even trying. You could not hear what they were saying half the time and the other times it just kept repeating over and over. Castles made of sand was the only song I liked off of it.

amazing cause it's Jimi Hendrix, but doesn't compare to his other albums in my opinion

Gear: Grado Hemp Artwork: 🎭🌈🇮🇳 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🎸💊🔮 Rating: ♾️♾️♾️♾️(♾️)/5

I have gone through and listened to all of Jimi Hendrix’s albums and remember not seeming to like this one much. Idk what changed, but I think this might be my favorite album of his now. It’s just such a vibe with so many unique tracks. Don’t listen to exp at night

I like it. Nice guitar work

It was incredible interesting, and a little bit different than what I usually listen to. I liked the consistency however. Groovy, baby!

Exp: IDK wth is it, is it a song? I mean isnt it just car sound? /meh Up from the skies: okay? I lowkey like this Spanish castle magic: I like the guitar, of course he is a legend Wait until tomorrow: chill, tranquil, I like this, bass guitar is rly good Ain’t no telling: not bad, actually good, i like that vibe Little wing: guitar is cute, mignon, vocal has soul, it’s not bad If 6 was 9: okay?, little heavy vibe, not bad but meh wth is he saying during the song? You got me floatin’: I lowkey like this, jazzy, I like the ‘you got me floatin’ that part Castle made of sand: like that vibe, chill, feels like windy, okay, I like this She’s so fine: I like drum sound, but meh One rainy wish: tranquil, chill, I lowkey like this, but little bit loose Little miss lover: okay, but not my type, vibes is.. not bad, i dont like ‘ohh yeah’ that part Bold as love: good, I like this vibe, there’s lots of points in this song, I like this Overall album: not bad, mood and vibe were good, 근데 못느꼈음 솔직히 그니까 전체적으로 좋았는데 ‘와지렸다‘이러는건 딱히? 앨범흐름은좋더라

Good album but arguably worse than the one before and the one after it.

A little meandering for my tastes.

Jimi is a master of rock and roll. This is psychedelic rock at its peak. This is some of the best rock of all time. Hendrix was a once-in-a-generation talent, and I am happy every day that I get to listen to his genius.

This guy Hendrix is too good I don’t even have to think about this score. Pure talent with the guitar and production every song hooks you

First track is super annoying, gets better throughout but my deep hatred for guitar solos doesn't make it better. Maybe some acid would help though. Probably something that should be listened more than once so I really "get" it. Little wing is quite nice.

My third Hendrix album. This is not even remotely at the same level as Electric Ladyland. it was ok, with a few standout songs, but still not something that gets me excited. I am just not a Hendrix fan. Bold as Love was my standout song. 3 stars

Jimi Hendrix is a weird experience for me. Sometimes I'll turn him on and not feel the vibe. Other times I will fall into his music, completely entranced and engaged with every note. I think this is a nice album and I will never discount his technical ability. I think I should understand Hendrix's position as the blueprint of modern rock and roll. Sometimes, it's hard to understand the hype of an album released so long ago, and after the world has had time to catch up and move onward. So, that all being said, I think ABAL establishes its sound well enough and centers itself around the great Jimi Hendrix. Like I explained at the beginning of my review, my opinion on JH could change at any given listen. Today, I will give him a higher rating.

It's Jimi. Of course it is amazing. The extra little clip they had on apple music was really cool to see all the intricate details in the recording process and the mastering. Clearly the entire team had a lot of fun making new methods that are still being used today

So much guitar skill on display! Jimi and his bandmates are all so good.

Objectively a good album. Quite enjoy Jimi Hendrix

This was an amazing listen! Jimi Hendrix is just so cool.

Imagine listening to Hendrix as he was putting out new music. He must have seemed like a creature from some other planet, an endless improviser looking for new sounds from an electric guitar. While his output is legendary, and often brilliant, it seems like there were steps waiting to be taken and music left unexplored due to his untimely death. But we were fortunate to have what he left behind. There are some great moments on this album (Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand, If 6 Was 9, Spanish Castle Magic, Bold as Love), but also some filler.

This really hit the spot in many ways. The mixing, the compositions, the playing, the singing and lyrics. This, for once, made me feel something in that inexplicable way only music can even though this is my first listen. Tempted to give it 5, but don't know why I'm not. I'll definitely have to revisit and see if I have to bump it. YOU GET A 5

innovative and cool in a lot of ways, but I'm generally not a huge fan. low 3.

Listened to it while working and I was just grooving all the time.Really groovy bass lines. Makes you to pick up a guitar and play.

Well good job Jimi, you broke my streak of not liking any album from the 60's! This was honestly such a fun listen with super cool and clean production that made even the more laid back moments memorable. Solid vocals too. 4/5

So 60s psychedelic cool 😎 But a bit too much. You could get away with it back then.

One of my favorites from Jimi

I like this

No

not bad but not my cup of tea

Little Wing - it's just fucking beautiful. If 6 was 9 has a portion in it that sounds like the breakdown of Rage Against The Machine's Snakecharmer. One Rainy Wish got some dreamy sounding guitar shit. It's Jimi Hendrix, of course this is good, and of course the guitar is brilliant and beautiful

By the third listen I was fully into it. Not every song is my favorite but I do think they're all gems in their own way. This was my first experience with Jimi and I get it. He really was talented. It's a shame. The story for the cover is hilarious and to be honest, that's kind of on him. The Sandcastles song has great lyrics, but it's a bit too hippie and out of touch. Bold As Love is lush and gorgeous. What a way to end your album. I'm excited to check out his other stuff.

1. intro 2. 8/10 3. 8/10 4. 8,5/10 5. 6/10 6. 10/10 7. 8/10 8. jakby on to śpiewał a nie chór to byłoby lepiej 7/10 9. 8/10 10. 4/10 11. 7,5/10 12. 3/10 13. 7,5/10 Album 7,13/10

A mixed bag. Certainly some outstanding moments. I want more of Jimi’s little blues riffs (Little Wing). 3.5

I don't get it sorry

Loving the shifting soundscape from left to right. This was probably done to death after Jimi but it sounds original here

Wasn't exactly what I expected. Some was great Jimi Hendrix, but there were a few skips otherwise. Enjoyable album regardless.

It's unlike anything I have personally ever heard to me the album was quite empty lyrically It leaves a lot to be desired in that regards. This entire album was carried by the guitar the entire Psychedelic feel of the album is in the guitar. Maybe I'm just too young to understand what this album felt like back when it was first released. The entire runtime just felt like hippies trying to recreate what shrooms feel like in song and yeah they do a good job at it ....but the album is over all boring and doesn't invoke any emotions from me.

It's Jimi Feck'n Hendrix

Nice stuff

Algo nuevo para mi, el ritmo de la primer canción es un poco usual, pero para ser algo fuera de mi zona de confort me gusto

The solos were great and Jimi Hendrix has an amazing and sensual voice that just gets you hooked. I loved a few songs very much. But personally for me i gravitate more towards music that is rhythmically easier to follow. Maybe that’s just me idk :P.

657/1001 2026.07.14 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

The guy was an awesome musician, but I just can’t get into his stuff

Just don’t get Jimi Hendrix at all. Was boring

Bellissimo!

Just wonderful.

Contains the brevity of song that held back some of his other work, but the highs aren’t quite as high. Little Wing stands alone and the album closer is brilliant.

Wow!! I didnt expect it to be this good. I mean, that was a dumb thing to say, but I thought I wont like it this much. lol. I dont listen to a lot of Hendrix. My knowledge is limited to the National Anthem, Purple Haze, and that other song written by Dylan. So, I always thought that I need to appreciate (only) the guitar part. And what do I know about that, you know. I am on my second listening now, and I have some favorites. His vocal is underrated! At least in this small world I live in. Up From the Skies is definitely my favorite one so far

Yeah

Great stuff but did not really got me on Hendrix-scale

#435 / 1089 Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ I've probably listened to Electric Ladyland and Are You Experienced more than Bold As Love, but find it a very good album none the less. Maybe a bit more uneven, while I like roughness around the edge, some bits feel a bit unfinished. While saying that, it is astouding what kind of progressive and experimental things this albums has, in the year 1967 no less. The album has couple of my favourite Jimi tracks, while I like few others better the quality is so high that even Jimi's worst is better than most generic rock bands. There's no doubt I'll be returning to this again. Strong 3 that dips into 4/5

I massively respect Hendrix and his work for the pivotal role it played in transforming rock 'n' roll in the 1960s, but this album wasn't all that memorable to me as a modern listener. I wasn't especially impressed by the melodic content, and while the guitar noodling was pleasant enough, it didn't grab me in the way I imagine it would have for someone hearing it for the first time in 1967. Overall, it was pleasant enough to listen to and undoubtedly hugely influential, but it's not something I'd stick on all that often. Electric Ladyland was better.

1967. Second studio album. Its album cover generated controversy for displaying Hindu religious iconography. It was designed without Hendrix's approval, and he publicly expressed his dissatisfaction. The album's release date was almost delayed when Hendrix lost the master tape of side one of the LP, leaving it in the back seat of a London taxi.

Definitely will listen again. Would be 5/5 but for a few unnecessary oddities.

Bom álbum! Jimi Hendrix é realmente um excelente músico.

Solid album, Hendrix delivers as always

Not an album I'd listen to again but I finished it before I knew it so not bad. 2,2/5

The songs are cool, but this is not my style really. 3.5, if i could give it, but a 4 cause a 3 seems mean (i was also writing when it was on, so i reserve the right to change my opinion on a closer listen)

Didn’t like it at its jazziest, liked it at its more chill.

Yesssss...

It was groovy, as we’ve established i love a good guitar riff, this should be everything i like but at a certain point you kind have to balance the mastery and the music yk, and at times that was lacking

sonidos diversos , psicodélicos ricos

The greatest guitar player ever. And one of his best albums.

Buen Album, primer álbum que escucho de Hendrix

I just recently spun up this classic on vinyl, but I had no qualms about giving it another spin this morning. Just an amazing album from start to finish. I had to laugh at some of the lower scores, then going to their profile and seeing one of their favorite artists almost always being Bob Dylan. No taste for some people.

I enjoyed it. All but one song.

Hendrix is legend. This album has some highlights but it's also not his best work. Even so, his mediocre work is still better than most artists finest.

Transcendent.

3.5

P fire

This is generally considered the weakest of the 3 Jimi Hendrix Experience albums, and while I would agree with that consensus, it's still Jimi Hendrix, and he's still one of the most compelling vocalists and guitarists of all time. Here, him and his band lean hard into the "psychedelic" part of psychedelic rock, utilizing more unconventional song structures and rhythms to create a spacey, shifting atmosphere. The band loses a little bit of the bite that their other two albums have, but the alien energy of this album more than makes up for it. Jimi, as usual, is excellent, especially his off-the-wall guitar solos. As a frontman he's incredibly flamboyant, his half-singing half-speaking cutting through the hazy instrumentation and adding even more personality to the already unique sound. Absolutely a must-listen if you love psychedelic rock of this era.

sensual guitarra

ok. Love all of the guitar parts

No sense reviewing the individual songs too much, as they say, it's pretty much "a vibe". Musically quite cool, blues roots still evident, and given the length of the songs we're not entirely into psychedelia/jam territory, but there's a good amount of experimentation.

It's ok.. Also, I prefer the Chili Peppers version of Castles, but it has interested me enough to want to go down through more of his discography 3/5 Top tracks: Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand

Bold, groovy, with insanely good guitar work, this album is such a fun listen and a display of Hendrix’s craft at its best. The songwriting is unique and soooo interesting throughout the album, and backed by the unmistakably Hendrix tone, it really does impress. I'm also listening to this stone cold sober and loving it - I can only imagine how it feels to listen to it the way stoners in the 60s would have done. 10/10.

Not my style of music, I was pretty bored with it.

His guitar playing, legacy, and impact on the instrument are undeniable. I just don't find his music to generally be that enjoyable or intriguing.

Awesome album! Starts weird

One of the best

Rating: 5.0/5 Short Review: More concise than Electric Ladyland, but in some ways even more complete. This is Hendrix growing as a songwriter without losing an ounce of imagination. Every song feels purposeful, and the album flows beautifully from start to finish. Favorite Track: “Little Wing.” Only about two and a half minutes long, yet it feels infinite. One of the most beautiful guitar performances ever recorded.

I really enjoyed listening to this album!! Haven't listened to a ton of Hendrix so that was fun!

Crazy that I think the vocals actually take away from the iconic guitar work? Nope, not crazy. I wish it had just been the instrumentals.

Loved this album! Jimi Hendrix show cases his virtuoso mastery of the guitar! The album has a bit of filler but overall is just a great experience.

This was a rainbow of beautiful guitar noises. Tempo felt a little slow, but then maybe not. I'll bet this is a real nice listen on a crisp sound system.

Brilliant album. Spanish Castle Magic is easily my favorite Hendrix song (and one of my all-time favorites).

Yesterday, I had to listen to Pink Floyd's "Piper At The Gates of Dawn" which was a chore. I like Pink Floyd overall, but their first album drags in comparison to anything else they made later on. That album came out in 1967 and so did this one. Both considered "psychedelic." Only one of them did it right....Floyd was like "Here's a gnome and a bunch of random shit." Hendrix was like, "Here I am redefining what a guitar can do, how you can record in a studio and here's tightly constructed songs with color and tone." Little Wing is proof of the genius...it's like he opened up heaven for two minutes and showed you what's going on and then closed it before you could understand what the fuck was going on. It's the middle of the greatest three album run in history. And I don't mean the best three albums in a row, though you might be able to make a case for it but there's strong competition from the Beatles, Zeppelin and others. But his first album, "Are You Experienced?" was released in May of 1967 if you were in the UK. Not until August if you were in the States. And then he releases Axis Bold As Love in December of the same year. In October of '68, he releases Electric Ladyland. And then, he's done. He doesn't release anything in 1969 and he's dead in September of '70. So to me, it's the greatest three album run in history...not because the albums are great, but he completely detonated rock n roll and reimagined what someone could do with a guitar in the span of about 16 months. And before someone says Beatles...that's four geniuses and George Martin evolving over years. It's an arc and it's a hell of an arc. But by the time Rubber Soul came around, they'd already been together for years. Hendrix arrived fully formed. Guitar, songwriting, studio sound/creation, blues, psychedelia and live performance all at once. He redefined everything instantly. And he still improved across his recording career. I remember getting this album on CD when I was in high school in the late 90s, taking it on a family vacation and falling asleep with it on at the beach house we were staying at. Waking up and hearing the coda on the last track, right when Mitch Mitchell hits that little drum fill/solo and then Hendrix comes in with the guitar solo that sounds like an airplane taking off. And how it moved around in the headphones, left to right, front to back, just swirling around...unbelievable. It's hard to pick between this and Electric Ladyland as far as my favorite Hendrix album goes....this is so tight and packed into 39 minutes. Electric Ladyland gives it all to you and leaves nothing on the table. But sometimes in life, the best things leave you wanting more.

Iconic album with both "Little Wing" and "Castles Made of Sand". Incredible, also brings back memories of driving home from 1st grade with my dad blasting this down the rural country road in Southeast US summer heat. 9/10

I once heard that Jimi Hendrix had a complex about his own vocals.Anyone can immediately tell, even without listening to this album, how his masterly guitar playing dealt a massive shock to the guitarists of his era.Listening to tracks like "Little Wing" or "Bold as Love," you can truly appreciate his skill in controlling a song’s color gradation through songwriting and chord progressions. This evokes the image of a classical or jazz player, composer, or arranger, rather than a rock musician.The rhythm section during this period held a different charm from the later Band of Gypsys, driving Jimi forward with a rugged, improvisational playing style.The way the rhythm section responds to his guitar strumming is by no means polished, but it possesses an irresistible charm that makes it quite endearing.Even on the blues tracks, the guitar sounds spacey, and the wide variety of styles ensures you never get bored.Rather than a god-like "super guitarist," I felt a strong sense of his humanity.His guitar playing is not some superhuman, technical feat either; even with the heavy use of electric effects, it remains a raw, emotional performance driven by frequent string bending.To return to my opening point, his vocals are also deeply human and raw.While he seemed to worry about them himself, I find them incredibly charming.

A great experimental album with a couple of bangers, but it is fairly disjointed. I do love the alien at the beginning of the album now.

Super groovy

70

Great guitar player, but on record this is not fully displayed. Too short songs with awful fade-outs. Only the longest track, If 6 was 9, you hear the real strength of Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi was a gift to all....

Love me some elite 60s psych rock, and there’s no better than Hendrix. As an entire record, it’s inconsistent, but the musicianship is unbeatable and the album cover bumps it up from a high 4 to a 5 for me.

Classic psych rock that feels so effortless despite being some of the catchiest and most interesting music to come out of its decade. Jimi Hendrix is a wizard, of course, but repeated listens will show just how tight the entire band is on this one. Electric Ladyland is his personal masterpiece, this one is the full Experience.

Es ist ein Album voller Ideen, aber nicht jedes davon zündet. Hendrix’ Gitarrenspiel ist natürlich überragend, doch die Platte wirkt oft wie ein Übergangswerk: weniger roh als Are You Experienced, aber auch nicht so visionär wie Electric Ladyland. Viele Songs schweben im psychedelischen Wohlklang, ohne echten Druck oder Fokus.

I am someone who has been in not one but two bands that don't have the dedication to learn full songs. At the best of times we will all look at each other, laugh and then stop playing. Sometimes, however, we will just stop playing, one by one, until there is a single, lonely, unadorned instrument left. With this as background, hearing Little Wing always brings a smile to my lips.

Listening to Jimi today, it's hard to believe that he was producing this sound in 1967. His follow-up to his debut album, Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love continues his journey into the unknown. The only reason some people consider Stevie Ray Vaughan a better guitarist is because the video quality of Jimi back then was not that good. But listening to his albums should win over even the most hardcore SRV fan. I Love Stevie but long live Jimi.

Man I just got REALLY into Hendrix this year- I’d long appreciated him- so I would probably give five stars to a steaming pile of shit, but this one earns it.

Excellent. Great guitar and drumming. Really busy despite how mellow it is, and all-over-the-place but in a good way. You can see why his guitar-playing blew people's minds when it came out. Also he's way hornier than expecting going in. Some weird lyrics where's he's trying too hard but mostly solid.

Stylistically a bit all over the map. Songs range from the sublime “Little Wing” to the fairly stupid “EXP”. Playing of course great because it’s Jimi. Overall slight sophomore slump.

Me gusta por su manera de presentar la psicodelia constantemente. Te deja lo suficientemente incomodo para no despegar la oreja. Recomiendo para empezar a abrir el abanico musical

Fajne myslalam, że będzie jakis sztywny i nie po angielsku co napewno utrudniłoby mi słuchanie. Daje mi vibe potańcówek w 70s i 80s i jakbym była na takiej to napewno bym to puściła i super sie do tego bawila. Tak na codzień to raczej nie mój styl no chyba, że do wygłupiania i tańczenia. Nie pasuje mi tu troche monotonność albumu bo po czasie słuchania wszystko zaczyna brzmić dla mnie tak samo. Ale może być tak przez to że żadko słuchałam w przeszłości tego typu albumów. Zazwyczaj piosenki które słuchałam były wyraźnie od siebie oddzielone a, te mimo wyraźnej pauzy sie ze sobą mieszają. Też warto zwrócić uwagę na intro które jest nieziemnskie i zaczyna sie jakimś dialogiem między dwoma podmiotami. Absolutnie kocham, gdy albumy sie czymś takim rozpoczynają. Jak na rozpoczęcie jest to dość zachwycający album ale jak już wcześniej pisałam nie w moim typie. Zgodzę sie jednak że jest to album który powinien zostać przesłuchany przez każdego choć 1 w życiu.

There's good stuff here but it feels like something is holding Jimi Hendrix back on this album. Several of the songs feel like they fade out while there's still more to explore/play. It makes me feel like there's a producer trying to reel in what shouldn't have been contained. The hit, "Little Wing," is definitely one of the worst victims. I think the "If 6 Was 9" is one of the better tracks here because it feels fully explored. I did like Castles Made of Sand. It's shorter, but without feeling overly truncated. Even that sounds like it's supposed to explode into guitar histrionics and then just doesn't. I might need a few more listens to appreciate this record for what it is instead of focusing on what's lacking, but I feel like I'd never get beyond that first impression to fully connect with this. It feels like half an album... but the half that's missing is taken from each song.

Imagine you know nothing and you look at this album cover... What a great album, I dont know if I heard it properly before.

This hits different Wait Until Tomorrow Little Wing Bold as Love (Can you tell I'm a fan of John Mayer?) Overall really entertaining by the GOAT of guitar 3.9

I loved this album. Jimi Hendrix’s guitar playing is extraordinary, but what impressed me just as much was his singing, which perfectly complements his music. My favorite tracks were Little Wing, Wait Until Tomorrow, If 6 Was 9, Little Miss Lover, and Bold as Love. I especially loved the delicate clean guitar tone on Little Wing and the incredible solo on Bold as Love.

Some solid riffs and easy listening. About what i expected from another Hendrix album.

I think this may be a rare case where the sophomore album isn’t as good as the freshmen album (being “Are you Experienced”). Potentially worth less than the sum of its parts, there were some great tracks, but overall it didn’t feel like this album showcased Jimi’s guitar skills as well as it could have

Some great songs on this one, but Experience is the real penultimate Jimi album

Great album. There's a heavy mix of that 70s experimental impressionism before it really gets into the groove of things. The lyrics and guitar are pure poetry. Essential listening for any rock-lover. Favorite track had to be "Bold Love." An epic finale for a great album.

This is an excellent album! I had heard a couple of the songs, but never the whole album. This one doesn't really have any of his more famous hits, like Hey Joe, or All Along the Watchtower, but it equally good in a mellower, more introspective sort of way, if that makes sense. Excellent album, and I'm glad it's on the list.

Hendrix is always a solid choice

Such a fantastic album. People give this album a hard time. I give those people a hard time.

not for me. i don’t hate it but if i wasn’t committed to listening to the whole album i would turn it off.

I am not a fan of Jimi Hendrix

I’m not a huge fan and this album seemed extra weird to me. DNF

One of the cooler experiences I've had is that I hadn't heard this album until a little later in life. Hell, I hadn't heard any of the songs from it, or at least none were so ingrained into me like all the singles off of "Are You Experienced". So basically, it was like listening to a completely new Hendrix album and not knowing what to expect. So yeah, this may be my favorite Hendrix album. It's not as experimental as their debut, but all the songs (except maybe "Exp", which serves more as an intro track anyway) are just killer.

A decent version of what is not really my thing. Love Little Wing though. Perfect song.

Class

It's Jimi Hendrix man.

It’s okay

Tbh I didn’t get very far in this, for lack of interest. After listening to the first half, it just didn’t grab me.

Are You Experienced has more hits but this album could be the dictionary definition of psychedelic rock.