Axis: Bold As Love

Great album, I think it might actually be better than electric ladyland due its conciseness. Also little wing is a contender for greatest song ever.

My favorite album of his. Little wing is such a special and magical song. Very influential album as well. Love and soul and guitar wizardy. Masterpiece

Legendary

Tiene cosas, pero no para mí. Creo que si fuera solo instrumental podría haber sido bastante interesante.

Legendary. Untouchable. Songwriting, guitar, production, time capsule of the culture, touching everything from chill groove to metal to experimental art freakout. no skips

an instant classic, so revolutionary

Never once listened to a Hendrix studio release all the way through. I’d only had “collections.” No matter the format, always impressive and interesting. Still feels like one of those artists you outgrow after college, like Morrison, Marley, or Joplin.

Alas, not for me.

So much cool shit going on here. I love the light and crazy moments on it. Plus, I think his voice never sounded better than it did on this record. It's perplexing to me how flashy he was with his instrument without it ever sounding overindulgent. I also think this album shows off how great an arranger and songwriter he was. Enough of my geeking now.

there isn’t muy music style

Not my cup of tea. It was like someone scratching a blackboard with a fork.

Lacks the hits that Jimi is known for but Jimi still melts your face off nonetheless. Bow down 4

Very groovey

I'm 69 and heard this album when I was about 13. I had 3 older brothers and 2 older sisters. There was always music in our house. The first time I heard this record I didnt know what to think. But all these years later it definitely belongs on this list!

cool album; would i listen again ... probably not

Not as many big hits but a cracking selection of tracks on Axis with JH experimenting a bit more with the production. This album is a real grower too.

Pitääkö Hendrixiä diggailla koska hän on legenda? Vaikka musa ei lähde ja aika on puraissut todella pahasti? Ehkä en osaa suhtautua tähän koska en ole kitaristi. Ehkä tämä on kitarapornoa. Mulle ei tipu ollenkaan. Rasittava ja tylsä kokonaisuus. 1/5

Best hendrix album probably

What if Hendrix wrote a bunch of Psych-ish pop radio tunes? Catchy and to the point without all of the Guitar God antics. 3.5⭐️

Groovy, experimental, very nice to listen to. However I have sound sensitivities and it was very high pitched or grating sometimes.

Yeah that's Jimi alright. It's a good album.

Stabilt

🌟 Jimi is my #1 so I loved this selection. I hadn't really explored this as a cohesive album before.

Love this album plain and simple

medio psicodélico. Bastante cool. El final de la última canción cine.

divertido, psycodelico, bom solo de guitarra

Peripherals in Exp go crazy Up From the Skies - Groovy baby Spanish Castle Magic - Guitar, the winds just righttt

Album to get ready to go out on a Friday night to, as well as album to spend a nice Saturday morning to. FUN

Great album, great guitarwork by the legend, sometimes I miss a bit of simple softer melodies on some songs. Overall fantastic. 1. Little Wing 2. Castles Made of Sand 3. Bold as Love

Favorite track(s): Spanish Castle Magic, Ain't No Telling, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, You Got Me Floatin', Castles Made of Sand, Bold as Love Probably the least talked about of the Experience albums but it's Jimi all the same. Heard before Previous rating: 9/10

A little messier than Electric Ladyland and not as ambitious. Still, there’s some decent songs here, but Hendrix has never really been my jam so I could never love this.

It's Jimi Hendrix. Pretty groovy.

''Axis: Bold as Love' is probably a fair candidate for the best guitar record ever made, as some of the riffs Jimi Hendrix put together for this record are simply otherworldly. Incorporating funk and psychedelic stylings into his hard-edged rock sound, Hendrix stepped it up a level from the already brilliant 'Are You Experienced' with tighter melodies, less jam sections and some truly unreal guitar riffs, from clean and bright ('Up From the Skies', 'Wait Till Tomorrow', 'Little Wing') to hazy and heavy ('Spanish Castle Magic', 'If 6 Was 9'). Everything Hendrix manages to exert from his guitar here is majestic, as if he's completely at one with his instrument and cannot be pulled away from it. Hendrix is also ably supported here by Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell on bass and drums respectively, who provide that all-important rhythm for Hendrix to wail over. As the anti-Vietnam hippie movement began to sweep the United States, 'Axis: Bold of Love' was one of the pivotal albums to spurn the peace and love on. Hendrix's sensational career was all too brief (a victim of the 27 Club), but he transformed the role of the electric guitar in rock seemingly overnight, and he left an undeliable impact on popular rock as a result. 'Axis: Bold as Love' is arguably Hendrix's best record. It's the tightest, grandest and most focused collection of music he ever put out. One of the most important records of the 1960s, maybe all time. Best songs: Up From the Skies, Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, You Got Me Floatin', Castles Made of Sand, One Rainy Wish

Not my type of music, but it was a good experience.

álbum peculiar con cambios de ritmos y distintos sonidos de guitarra, no me mató y supongo que lo escucharía solo de fondo haciendo algo. Leí la historia de jimi que no conocía eso estuvo bueno.

Muy buenas guitarras, ahora entiendo la grandeza de Jimi Hendrix

Solid fun listen

the title track is one of my favorite hendrix tunes. "spanish castle magic", "ain't no telling", "little wing", "if 6 was 9", "castles made of sand", all great. maybe don't let noel write a song.

Me encantó el disco, es una experiencia con todas las letras, me sentí en una viaje de larga distancia. Siempre me fascinó la esencia de Hendrix, y este disco la tiene, los solos son fabulosos y la producción es única.

Really liked parts of this album and not so much others. Really cool and influential sound though. I can see why it inspired so many people to get freaky w their music lol

Listened to half of it, kind of fun, very experimental and new in the old times i feel.

Well not the best album but very cool rock

nice guitars. Fav song: Castles made of sand

Too mellow for my taste. It tended to meld into the background even when I was actively listening. I only realized it was done when Greta van Fleet kicked in with a much more insistent guitar line

slick and slinky

Damn this shit is groovy.

So gooood

not really

Definitely not for me

It's hard to pick a favourite Hendrix album but this one is definitely up there. Spanish Castle Magic, Wait Until Tomorrow, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, Castles Made of Sand, One Rainy Wish and Bold as Love are all fantastic and this gets an easy 5.

Nice, maar hippie-rommelig

funky balls

Lots of experimentation with stereo panning and other effects in the studio. From a recording perspective, this album SOUND amazing, even without considering the music itself. The drums and bass are hot for some tracks, but it works, much like LZ II. Fortunately, the music itself is fantastic so you can hear every instrument's contribution to each composition. The songs on this album have more complexity than the songs on 'Are You Experienced?' without having any feeling of just going on unnecessarily long.

Svolítið speisuð en rann ágætlega í gegn

Hmm, bjóst við fleiri stjörnum frá mér.

Really good album. All 3 of his albums are very good. I think Electric Ladyland is my favorite though.

Somehow I liked this a lot more than Electric Ladyland. Incredibly skillful playing (obviously) mixed with deep grooves and fantastic songwriting. This is a psychedelic, bluesy, rock masterpiece. 1967, too. My God.

Me agrada. No es mi estilo pero la intro es bastante waao y distinta.

This is really nice music. It’s this psychedelic kind of music that if you were high I bet it would be even more awesome. The guitar is amazing. I will definitely listen to this again, and stuff of his other stuff.

Very cool, soulful, and talented musician. Though my personal enjoyment is somewhat down the middle

Brilliant

Vil give 2.5 - synes egentlig det er ret godt, og han er jo for sej!! men igen er det rent genremæssigt lidt for støjende til min smag, så jeg ville ikke sætte det på igen

Peak Hendrix. Really good listen all the way through

Really enjoyed this all the way through since I didn’t know most of it but it was all enjoyable.

I prefer Are You Experienced but this does have some classic songs on it.

this album is so beautiful and very psychedelic.

An item in a musical museum that is highly precious and unrepeatable, that much I admit, but it really does nothing for me, the improv and inconsistent melodies are specifically something that I find as a big problem here... 🤷🏻‍♀️

The kind of album I imagine the kid from Dazed and Confused listening to at the end of the movie.

There are a couple of songs on here I liked, but the lesser known Hendrix stuff never really resonates with me.

I've always been more inspired and impressed by the people that came after Hendrix who were inspired by him. But, this is still a solid album.

Love Jimi's guitar playing. Just like this

The classic rock continues with an early Jimi Hendrix album. This one is more experimental than his others; lots of noise rock and reverb, and he even lets someone else handle the vocals on a song! Little Wing is the only hit on here, if you could call it that, but every song is solid outside of the intro track. Is this album as good as Are You Experienced? Not at all, but it's still good, and you know the guitar is going to be world-class because c'mon, it's fucking Hendrix. 4/5

Pretty sweet. Lots of good weird stuff you know Jimmy was inventing psychedelia

Sensing a common theme. Love the artist .... but. Maybe I'm not a deep diver? High 3 because it's Jimi.

Discazo, aunque tampoco para un 5, pero casi

Jimi tiene un sonido muy suyo que me gusta, pero el disco me ha dejado indiferente

I didn’t take as many notes while I was listening to this album, but I don’t know if I would’ve had much to say about each individual track anyway. I liked this album, though I don’t think it really has Jimi Hendrix’s best work on it. Both Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland are also on this list, and I feel like they’re both more emblematic of Hendrix’s music than this was. However, I still liked quite a few tracks from this album. Spanish Castle Music, Little Wing, You Got Me Floating and Bold As Love were probably my favourites, and I did like She’s So Fine even though it was wildly different to the rest. Favourite song: Bold As Love

It's a sin to rate Jimi under a 5.

Very awesome guy

I like blues and I like rock but when they are combined for some reason it just isn't resonating as hard as I'd like it to!

4/5 damn this shit is crazy

After having visited the castle made of sand that Hendrix was supposedly referring to, it's fitting that I listened to this album. It is groovy, funky with some great melodies and lyrics. Hendrix has got it all. Favourites: Spanish Castle Magic Wait Until Tomorrow If 6 Was 9 Castles Made of Sand

I have never been able to get into Jimi Hendrix. This album didn't change that. I am happy it exists, but it's not for me.

That time Hendrix pretended he was The Beatles.

I always thought that Jimi Hendrix might be too hippie or the sound would be too distorted, but I think it’s a really well balanced and implemented distortion. It’s enough to give you that spacey feeling but not so much you can’t even connect to it. All the instrumental elements come together well with some quality soulful vocals. Not really a bad song on here (I’m not counting Exp), maybe some do sound a bit samey but think still good enough on their own, particular songs that did stand out to me were ‘Spanish castle magic’, ‘Little Wing’ and ‘Bold as love’. Overall, I just found the album to be a pretty enjoyable listen and made me want to check out more of Hendrix’s stuff. I feel as though Hendrix’s influence is something of notability and having an album of his on the list is very deserving.

5 - AVERAGE

the drums are the best fucking part

Maybe it's because I've only listened with one ear, but I feel like Hendrix's song writing really lacks substance and Coles off today as a cliche of it's own hippie themes. The talent of the musicians isn't really put forward by the production and the balance, despite the attempts at Beatles-esque expérimentation. The hits and highlights of the album still do underline Hendrix's talent which remains undeniable, but better serviced when covering other's music.

Niet mijn smaak

Ik zou het niet uitzetten

Man, it's pretty amazing how full of a sound Jimi was getting back during a time when a lot of psychedelic music was thin and tinny as hell. I normally rail against psychedelic rock, but here it works because of the great production and the general energy he has going here. Also helps the song writing is top notch and Mitch Mitchell's amazing drumming. Entire album of great songs. Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, Castles Made of Sand, Bold as Love, etc. etc. etc. Classic.

The good stuff Best Song: Wings Rating: 8.5/10 Stars: 4

Some absolutely great song here, and a fun and varied album start to finish. Maybe a little over rated to me, but solid none the less.

Jimi, indeed. Wave your freak flag high!

Wow. I skipped this one last week because I've always chalked up Hendrix to Boomer nostalgia...like, how great is this guy, really? So, today, Sunday, I caught up on the albums I skipped because it's a spring cleaning day. Got MJ and Yeezus, both 3s, ugh, need something great... move on to Hendrix...holy freaking shit! Mind blown. 5/5 Favorite songs "Little Wing" and "If 6 was 9", but really the whole album is added to my catalog now. What a freaking delight! I love this project!

It's interesting, I feel like this album is usually the overlooked middle child of Jimi's catalogue and Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland get more of the attention. Which is a shame, because this album is really darn good. The more I listen to it, I think it could be almost as good as AYE and even better than Electric Ladyland. Solid all the way through. Fantastic album!

3/11/26. Love Hendrix to death. Although this is my least favorite of the Hendrix Experience, still a great listen from front to back. Never get tired of his guitar playing; Castles Made of Sand is an all time favorite.

Joyfull, cool, Never actually listened to this record, but knew a some tunes from covers. For example Little Wing, Sting and Bold as Love, John Mayer.

Good vibes throughout.

Gawd Dayum

Deeply impressive, but not that fun to listen to for me, except for maybe Spanish Castle Magic.

Thoroughly impressed by the whole album. I always was told Jimi Hendrix was important but now I hear it. He feels like he just goes out and channels all the gods of music into his performance. Hats off.

This is my third favorite Hendrix record, where some of the deep cuts hit harder for me than the big songs. Hendrix is always a good listen, but this is not on the same level as Electric Ladyland or Are You Experienced. 3.5, rounded down just because I like the fore mentioned two better.

2.75 - It was okay. Maybe I'll like the other two Jimi albums on this list better.

Idk

Good…not the best.

muy buen album, genial

This was alright, I like a few of Jimi Hendrix’s song but wouldn’t necessarily listen to an album

Very good once it gets going. Unpolished.

Sexy as fuck.

Nothing really wrong with this. I guess my expectations were higher on everything and I listened too critically with the inherent bias of listening to a guitar legend.

Good album that was joy to listen to. Best song was Spanish Castle Magic.

Hendrix was unavoidable for me as a subscriber of multiple guitar magazines in the early 90s - which I must say those magazines were huge in developing my guitar playing. I had a dubbed cassette of Are You Experienced from the public library which I listened to a ton, and which also sort of doubles as a Jimi Greatest Hits album. Never listened to this, but it's great even if it doesn't have the hits of the first album.

Not sure if it's just my imagination, but I feel like people don't really talk about Jimi Hendrix very much these days. I used to listen to him a fair amount in my teen years, but I probably haven't done so for a few decades. He still sounds great...amazing voice, amazing sound. I don't expect a sudden renewed interest in listening to Jimi, but I enjoyed this.

This is pretty great. I've never had anything against Jimi Hendrix—I got the greatest hits from BMG a million years ago, for what that's worth—but I really appreciated the deeper cuts and other songs I haven't heard a million times.

Finally, we get Jimi and looks like, not surprisingly, all 3 studio albums are on this list - as they should be! All 3 could really go for 5 stars, but for me Axis was always a touch weaker than other 2. However, I can see I could not decide and rated all three at 4.5/5.0 on RYM. Possibly, I will rate this as 4 and then other 2 as 5, or if I give this one 4 I might reduce one of the other two. This is a touch one for some reason. P.S. I keep spinning this on repeat today and really this is such an enjoyable and great record through and through I added couple more songs into my Jimi playlist and started really liking a couple of more, so I will after all, give this one 5 stars I think.

Yup

Somehow haven't heard this Hendrix album and it's the first one I've heard that I really loved. Like I enjoy Purple Haze if I'm in the mood, don't get me wrong. But this album is very slept on.

sympa mais bon, c'est un poil trop bizarre certain morceaux pas méga accroché

Certaine musique pue du ku le reste très bien

A part le premier son excellent

It's a servicable Hendrix album. The 1st album had the pop hooks and the 3rd album had the experimental godliness. This album has little of either. A lot of middling, stumbling, thrown together at the last minute bits of filler. If you ditched the filler, this would make an amazing transitional EP between Are you experienced and Electric Ladyland.

3/6 Was alright but not as good as Are You Experienced.

I love this album so much. Jimbo is the mf man. So innovative and forward thinking, crazy it came out almost 60 years ago it hold up so well. Love the mix between beautiful guitar work and the points where it almost devolves into pure noise but still works. This album makes me feel all the emotions, it’s fun, makes me happy, sad, pumped up, relaxed it demands my full attention when I put it on.

d e ju Hendrix föfan

Otroligt gitarrspelande, men som album inget jag skulle sätta mig och lyssna på.

Går ju inte att underskatta hur mycket han påverkat all musik som innehåller en elgitarr, men för egen del så är det för konstigt psykadeliskt med en vibe jag inte alls begriper för njutbar lyssning. Om jag inte försöker vara diplomatisk så känns det mer som en techdemo än något som är kul att lyssna på. :fire:

Lite delad kring detta, men coolt är det ju.

Nej okej Rasmus det här är nog lite för experimentellt. Little Wing e bra.

Favorite Song: Little Wing

Clearly great if you like that sort of thing, but sadly I don't.

Gah. Obviously a good album. Is it for me? Not really.

one of my favs 4ever

Stop romanticizing people who squander otherworldly talent on drugs!

чувственная качественная музыка с приятным инструменталом, немного не мое, но сомнений нет, что это хорошо.

Hendrix always had such a ‘cool’ sound but this one is slightly lacking in memorable songs.

Kitara taituruutta parhaimmillaan. Laulaminen ei ole Henriks parhaita puolia mutta jänniä sanoituksia kylläkin

Great

Is it bad if I rate this album a 3? Just average? Moments I really enjoyed, but felt disjointed at times… I’m a horrible person.

This was excellent! Groovy and psychedelic. The hard panning was a little obnoxious in headphones, but I’m not docking any stars for that. 8/10 Most Excellent

I've never been a massive Hendrix fan. This didn't do it for me. It feels like a product of its time TBH. Bit disappointed.

Didn't appeal to my taste

Goooood grooves! Interesting sounds, I liked the album a whole lot. I like the weird interview thing at the beginning. I’d totally listen to this again I really liked it

I really liked this album. There’s a reason Jimi Hendrix is a classic

I mean it’s Jimi

Electric Ladyland is the better album, but this is still great

Fav: Little Wing Too much Talking, not as exciting as i thought it would be

Great guitar skills and music

Jimi is why I picked up the guitar. His records are all great.

This is not only a rocking album and an incredibly innovative one, but it is also very beautiful from subtle ways of the way Hendrix plays to the production and composition of the songs and album. It is a more cohesive experience than I knew, which makes me feel I've maybe never heard it all the way through before (though I had thought I did). Great, essential album.

When radio stations play classic rock, why cant they play actually interesting stuff like this

Bold as Love, Bold as Ever I've always been a big fan of Hendrix, and this wasn't my first time listening to this album, with some of my favourites on this one in particular. The production sounds great, especially considering when it came out. The drums are clean, the band sounds tight, and nothing feels messy. It’s psychedelic, but it never turns into a jam that loses you halfway through. It’s colourful without being chaotic. It’s just a really solid psychedelic rock album. One I’ve gone back to before, and one I’ll keep going back to. That probably says more than anything else. 4.35/5

Axis: Bold As Love (1967) is the second studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Last week I reviewed their third album, Electric Ladyland. I’m rating both four out of five stars, but I enjoyed Axis: Bold As Love more as I thought it was more consistent with less extended noodling, but also without the standout five star tracks like ‘All Along the Watchtower’. Apparently they began recording Axis in May 1967, the same month as they released their debut album. They followed up with Electric Ladyland the next year. Jimi was still only 25 at that point and had he not sadly passed away a couple of short years later, these albums would have been considered his early career offerings instead of his legacy. When I think of myself at that age, struggling to cope with the basics of life, it seems meaningless for me to put a star rating on these albums at all, but there you go, that’s what I’ve signed up to. I’d happily listen to this album again and again, and maybe over time the four star will become the five it probably deserves. Side A: 1. EXP - -/5 2. Up From the Skies - 3/5 3. Spanish Castle Magic - 4/5; 4. Wait Until Tomorrow - 3/5 5. Ain’t No Telling - 4/5; 6. Little Wing - 4/5 7. If Six Was Nine - 3/5 Side B: 1. You’ve Got Me Floating - 4/5 2. Castles Made of Sand - 5/5 3. She’s So Fine- 3/5; 4. One Rainy Wish - 4/5; 5. Little Miss Lover - 3/5 6. Bold As Love - 4/5

Tasty nuggets of psychedelia baked to sonic perfection. The shredding is vintage Hendrix, of course, but I was especially knocked out by the drums which are very Keith Moon-like and fit the songs perfectly. The first song, "EXP," was fairly annoying with its in and out, left and right thing but, after that, I loved it. These guys were tight and may have been the best band of the psychedelic era.

Super loose and breezy psych fun. While Hendrix absolutely shreds like always, the star of the show for me has to be Mitch Mitchell on drums on this one. Almost Ringo-like fills, but plays like Ringo with zero inhibitions and inevitably way more talent. A fun dip into some chaotic 60s rock

Interesting!!!

Happy to hear but not my vibe

Not the easiest listen, only one or two songs I'd come back to.

Some superb guitar (as expected) and obviously a really experimental work but mostly not my thing. Far too often it descends into discordant noise. I much preferred Electric Lady Land.

Had to listen to it a second time. Was better for some reason. Jimi was a shredder.

A lungo il mio album preferito tra tutti, ha ancora parte del suo gran fascino <3

4 - One of the greatest of all time and I do adore Jimi and love him as a person (from what I know) almost more than his music. Fav songs: Up From The Skies // Little Wing // Castles Made of Sand // One Rainy Wish

Crazy instrumentals Gute Laune Jeder song somehow anders?

Another album I just felt cool listening too. Will probably put it in rotation as background music but I liked it.

Faves: . Wait Until Tomorrow (love) . Little Wing (love) . If 6 Was 9 . You Got Me Floatin' (love) . Castles Made of Sand (love) . She's So Fine (using different vocals changed everything) . One Rainy Wish . Bold As Love 8/10

Not bad, but not as iconic as "Are You Experienced". Still... Hendricks.

I'll search for detailed information about this classic Jimi Hendrix album to provide you with a comprehensive review. Let me search for more specific information about the production and engineering aspects of this album, as well as its cultural impact. Based on my research, I can now provide you with a comprehensive in-depth review of **Axis: Bold As Love** (1967), the Jimi Hendrix Experience's sophomore album. --- # **Axis: Bold As Love** — In-Depth Review ## Overview Released in December 1967 (UK) and January 1968 (US), *Axis: Bold As Love* arrived just seven months after the groundbreaking debut *Are You Experienced?*. Recorded primarily at London's Olympic Studios with producer Chas Chandler and engineer Eddie Kramer, the album represents a crucial evolutionary step in Jimi Hendrix's artistic development. While often overshadowed by its predecessor and the sprawling double-album *Electric Ladyland* that followed, *Axis* reveals a more sophisticated, melodic, and experimental side of Hendrix that many critics now consider his most cohesive statement. --- ## **Musical Evolution & Style** ### From Raw Power to Refined Artistry Where *Are You Experienced?* announced Hendrix's arrival with explosive, face-melting rockers, *Axis* demonstrates remarkable growth in just half a year. Hendrix himself described the album as "prettier...more gentle" than his debut . The songwriting matured significantly, moving beyond the power-trio blitz into more nuanced territory: - **Jazz Influences**: "Up From The Skies" features a sophisticated wah-wah driven jazz vamp with sci-fi lyrical themes, showing Hendrix's fascination with science fiction (he was reading authors like Robert Heinlein and George Stewart during this period) - **Psychedelic Soul**: "Little Wing" and "Castles Made of Sand" represent Hendrix at his most emotionally vulnerable, incorporating what would become known as "psychedelic soul" - **Funk Foundations**: "Wait Until Tomorrow" and "Little Miss Lover" hint at the funkier direction Hendrix would explore more fully on *Electric Ladyland* - **Controlled Chaos**: The title track "Bold As Love" achieves what Noel Redding described as "three different rhythms at the same time" — an almost Sun Ra-like experimental approach within a rock framework The album showcases Hendrix's genre-fluidity: R&B, blues, jazz, psychedelia, and hard rock coexist seamlessly, often within single tracks. --- ## **Lyrics & Themes** ### The "Axis" Concept Hendrix envisioned the "Axis" as "a freeway from earth to space to infinity, a living form of energy, music and love" — a communication system to give people "direct feeling and deeper understanding" . This utopian sci-fi concept permeates the album's dreamlike, often surreal lyrics. ### Key Thematic Elements: **Color Psychology in "Bold As Love"** The closing track uses colors as emotional metaphors in ways that predated and arguably influenced later psychedelic rock: - *Purple*: Anger ("towering shiny metallic purple armour") - *Green*: Jealousy and envy ("fiery green gown sneers at the grass ground") - *Blue*: Life-giving waters taken for granted - *Yellow*: "Not so mellow" (a playful nod to Donovan) - *Red/Orange*: Confidence and strength - *Turquoise*: Peaceful spirituality The song culminates with Hendrix admitting these conflicting emotions prevent him from fully committing: *"And all these emotions of mine keep holding me from/Giving my life to a rainbow like you"* **Existential Reflection in "Castles Made of Sand"** This masterpiece explores impermanence and the futility of human ambition — "Castles made of sand melt into the sea, eventually." Yet rather than despair, Hendrix finds liberation in accepting transience, suggesting we shouldn't stress over unfulfilled dreams since time obliterates everything eventually **Individualism & Counterculture in "If 6 Was 9"** The album's defiant anthem where Hendrix waves his "freak flag high, high" includes the iconic declaration: *"I'm the one that's gonna die when it's time for me to die/So let me live my life the way I want to"* — a statement of autonomy that became a counterculture rallying cry. The track also famously inspired Robert Plant's opening line in Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" **Narrative Storytelling in "Wait Until Tomorrow"** A darkly humorous tale of a father confronting his daughter's suitor with a shotgun, demonstrating Hendrix's underappreciated pop sensibility and storytelling ability --- ## **Production & Engineering** ### Technical Innovation Engineer Eddie Kramer considered *Axis* a significant technical advancement from the debut. Working with four-track half-inch tape at Olympic Studios, Kramer implemented several innovations: **Stereo Expansion**: Unlike *Are You Experienced* which used mono drums and guitars, *Axis* featured **stereo drums** spread across two tracks, creating a wider, more dimensional soundstage . Kramer used paired microphones (likely Neumann U67s or Telefunken ELA M 251s) to capture Mitch Mitchell's drumming from the drummer's perspective . **The "Color" Language**: Hendrix and Kramer developed a unique communication system where colors represented sonic textures: - *Green* = Reverb - *Red* = Distortion - *Purple* = "Really stupid distortion" **Psychedelic Textures**: The production embraces phasing, backwards guitar solos ("Castles Made of Sand"), echo effects, and aggressive stereo panning that was radical for 1967. While The Beatles were still somewhat "two-channel-phobic," Hendrix and Kramer "delighted in sweeping the channels around to maximize the disorienting textures" **The Lost Masters Incident**: In a famous mishap, Hendrix lost the master tape of side one in a London taxi. Chandler, Kramer, and Hendrix remixed the entire side overnight, but couldn't match the original mix of "If 6 Was 9." Noel Redding had a crumpled backup copy that Kramer had to iron flat, inch by inch, to save the track --- ## **Influence & Legacy** ### Impact on Rock Development *Axis: Bold As Love* played a crucial role in expanding what rock music could encompass: **Guitar Revolution**: While Hendrix's guitar heroics were established, *Axis* demonstrated that virtuosity could serve emotional subtlety, not just pyrotechnics. "Little Wing" became one of the most covered Hendrix songs, with versions by Derek & The Dominos, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sting **Psychedelic Rock Maturation**: The album helped move psychedelic rock from novelty to art form, proving that studio experimentation could enhance rather than obscure songwriting **Genre Fusion**: By blending jazz, blues, funk, and Eastern influences (the Indian music touches in "Little Wing"), Hendrix pioneered the genre-fluid approach that would influence later artists from Prince to Lenny Kravitz to Gary Clark Jr. **The "Middle Child" Reassessment**: Long considered the "sophomore album" between two masterpieces, critics have increasingly recognized *Axis* as potentially Hendrix's most focused and consistent work. As one reviewer noted, "*Axis* edges out *Are You Experienced* and *Electric Ladyland* by a plectrum" after decades of listening --- ## **Strengths (Pros)** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Songwriting Maturity** | Hendrix's most melodically sophisticated and emotionally varied collection; "Little Wing" and "Castles Made of Sand" are among his finest compositions | | **Production Innovation** | Eddie Kramer's stereo drum recording and psychedelic textures created new standards for rock production | | **Musical Range** | Successfully integrates jazz ("Up From The Skies"), funk ("Little Miss Lover"), hard rock ("Spanish Castle Magic"), and tender balladry ("One Rainy Wish") | | **Cohesion** | At 13 tracks and under 40 minutes, it's more focused than the sprawling *Electric Ladyland* | | **Experimental Courage** | "EXP" and the title track's rhythmic complexity show Hendrix refusing to repeat himself | | **Emotional Depth** | Explores vulnerability, existential reflection, and romantic complexity beyond the "guitar god" persona | | **Vocal Development** | Hendrix's singing became more nuanced and expressive, particularly on "Bold As Love" | --- ## **Weaknesses (Cons)** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Filler Material** | Several tracks don't reach the heights of the masterpieces: "Ain't No Telling" is forgettable blues-rock, "You Got Me Floatin'" can grate with repetition, and "Little Miss Lover" is often considered the album's weakest cut | | **Inconsistent Quality** | The gap between the best tracks ("Little Wing," "Castles Made of Sand," "Bold As Love") and the filler is significant; Hendrix may have been rushed by the 1967 release schedule | | **"EXP" as Opener** | The experimental noise piece, while interesting, makes for a jarring, somewhat off-putting album introduction | | **Noel Redding's Contribution** | "She's So Fine," while decent, interrupts the flow of Hendrix's more sophisticated compositions | | **Rushed Completion** | The lost masters incident forced a rushed remix that Hendrix himself felt could have been better with more time | | **Muddy Mixing (Original Release)** | Some original pressings, particularly US versions, suffered from mastering issues that reduced the spatial effects Kramer intended | --- ## **Verdict** *Axis: Bold As Love* stands as a pivotal document of 1967's psychedelic zenith and Hendrix's rapid artistic evolution. While it contains some filler that prevents it from being a perfect album, its highs are among the highest in rock history. The album captures the Experience at the height of their creative synergy — before the interpersonal tensions that would eventually fracture the band. More than just a bridge between the debut and *Electric Ladyland*, *Axis* represents Hendrix's most balanced statement: experimental yet accessible, fierce yet tender, cosmic yet grounded in human emotion. The 2025 box set *Bold As Love* (featuring remastered stereo and mono mixes, plus 40 alternate takes) confirms the album's enduring richness and the remarkable productivity of this brief, magical period . **Essential Tracks**: "Little Wing," "Castles Made of Sand," "Bold As Love," "If 6 Was 9," "Wait Until Tomorrow," "Spanish Castle Magic," "One Rainy Wish" **Rating**: 9/10 — A masterpiece with minor flaws, essential for any serious rock music collection.

okeii guau

Great love hendrix

Good Album. Great Solos. But did not really hook me. Favorite Song: One Rainy Wish

A classic. Very nice.

Not his best album but still really good. 8/10

OK but not my thing

favs: little wing if 6 was 9 one rainy wish rating 1/5

Она трется об моего джимми

Swirling music oscillating from ear to ear was pretty dizzying, but I enjoyed the harmonies, the guitar riffs, and even some of the vocals. Hendrix is a classic. I enjoyed the mixture of blues, rock, and some more experimental sound. Wouldn't reach for it but didn't struggle through it.

Listened to in half in the am. Mimi was a freak. Amazing that he was able to become a pop artist with such a shocking new sound. Amazing he was able to find musicians to keep up. Worst voice and phrasing.

Way trippier than I expected somehow, but still coherent. Had a few skippable tracks, but the album was absolutely made as a whole piece, instead of smashing in a few tracks around the radio singles

Interesante No había escuchado mucho Jimi Hendrix hasta ahora y mucho respeto a todo el talento que tiene Estuvo entretenido, buenos solos, este álbum como tal ninguna canción me sobresalió, pero como un todo me parece que incluye elementos muy interesantes desde un principio con su intro y luego ya diferentes inclusiones en medio del álbum

It's not Jimi's best, but it marked a shift to the even more psychedelic that is seen in Electric Ladyland.

know this one from youtupe :))) a very easy and fun listen with lots of fun little treats for knowing ears.

Cool. Could have done with a couple more bangers.

It's a little difficult to give this album a fair shake. Are You Experienced, its predecessor, is one of the greatest albums of all time. Axis is by no means bad, but... really, how can you possibly follow that debut? Even if you make something really good, the distinction will seem huge. And this album is actually really good. All of the songs showcase Jimi's talent in different ways, plus there's one written by another of the band's members (and I do love a collaborative effort). Little Wing is somehow beautiful and tragic sounding, yet I wish it were longer each time I hear it. I wasn't as familiar with many of the other tracks, except Bold As Love. What a way to end it, going on an interesting (introspective?) journey of emotions. Really, Jimi, you are the rainbow. I also like that they changed things up a bit from Experienced. It had an alien-contact intro, it had funky moments, it had some deep themes all in it. It still had the bluesy rock sound and guitar-driven feel from the band, but it took them to different places and used them in different ways. While I didn't love them all, each track had a lot to like. Unfortunately, Axis really just isn't as good as AYE to me. As much as I enjoyed this one, it still felt like a step down. I think I need to listen to it again and separate the two better in order to be more objective. As it stands now, I appreciate it for being a really good album even if it's not up to the level of greatness as their debut. Overall: 4.1/5

Wow. Not a bad song on the album. Virtuoso guitars, driving bass. But did get the sense that need to be stoned to appreciate fully.

Didn't care too much for this. Voice kinda sucks. Guitar is pretty cool but not very memorable to me

It was a lot of just noise. And the riffs repeated making me confused thinking I was repeating songs.

Not his best album, but perhaps Jimi’s most thought provoking song is on this one. From an interview: I got the idea like when we were at Monterrey and I was just looking at everything around. So I figured that I would take everything I’d see and put it maybe in the form of a girl or something like that you know. The other hit was Castles Made of Sand. All songs are listenable (except Exp, that one doesn’t hold up at all). Still liking the psychedelia. (3.3*s) Fly on, Little Wing!

More Jimi isn't a bad thing and Axis is pretty good. Not as strong as the debut album but still got some edge and unique guitar work. Only one known track with "Castles Made of Sand." I think I will like Jimi more as a I age. For now I can appreciate the talent but his work hasn't grabbed me yet. I put this one a bit higher than Electric Lady Land at 2.64 stars.

I often forget how much I appreciate Jimi Hendrix's work. I always refer to Axis: Bold As Love with fondness but over the years I've overlooked how solid of an album it is. Castles Made Of Sand has long been a personal Hendrix favorite, and I've always loved Little Wing and Sand Castle Magic. I expected these would have been singles as they are a couple of the tracks that I've heard outside of the album but was surprised this wasn't the case. The rest of the album features some really pleasant deeper cuts that hold up far better than I remembered. I feel like the other albums get more attention but I think Axis: Bold As Love might be when Jimi was at his peak as it featured a more balanced attack where he was still exploring different areas but not getting too far down experimental hole. The songwriting is tight, clean and effective pretty much from start to finish. I love some of the long-form Jimi Hendrix jams that are missing on this album, but I know they aren't for everyone, and Axis really just brings 40 minutes of solid tracks in a nice package. I've said it before but Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding are slept on as backing musicians. Jimi has always been lauded for his guitar work and gets all the attention but the other 2 are no slouches being carried. Despite some of the shorter track lengths Jimi's signature guitar work is sprinkled throughout the songs. The tone on his guitar is really clean on this one and cuts so nicely when he decides to ramp it up at times. To echo prior reviews, something about Jimi's vocals are so endearing. They have a softness to the melody that almost act as another instrument intertwined with the band. Jimi's vocals really elevate the music which is most clearly evident on She's So Fine featuring Redding on vocals. It's not a bad song on its own merit, but pales compared to the rest of the album due to its lack of Jimi on the mic. He's a gypsy poet and his signature/style has always resonated with me. Even as a known Hendrix fan, I was genuinely surprised how much I enjoyed this listen to Axis: Bold As Love. 3.58 stars

Enjoyed it. Sounded similar to the other one we've had though

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as “Are you Experienced.” I did come away from the listening appreciating Jimi’s guitar work. I really enjoyed Bold as Love and Little Wing but it wasn’t a “listen the whole way through for me.”

Just gorgeous

From a guitar tech perspective this album probably blew minds and changed the game for the rest of rock history, but guitar performance, tech, and recording aside, to me this seems a tedious example of songwriting and vocal performance. Jimi Hendrix can clearly play the hell out of the guitar, but his singing is atrocious, and album seemed like a psychedelic slog even though it was only 39 minutes long. I admit that I am not among the core audience that this album was created for. I am not, and have never been, a guitar player. The highlight: "Wait Until Tomorrow". Nothing else stood out to me. It is difficult for me to rate this album. I don't enjoy it, but I understand its place in the development of pop, rock, and alternative history, and I am a fan of Mitch Mitchell, and it is the origin of Paul Allen's EXPerience Music Project in Seattle, which is pretty cool, so a 3 it is.

I’m sure this was revolutionary when it came out.

7/10

Jimi Hendrix is one of the best, most soulful and innovative guitar players that ever lived. This record has two of his very best songs, If 6 was 9 and Bold As Love, as well as the fantastic Little Wing, Spanish Castle Magic, and Castles Made of Sand. And the rest of the tracks are magnificent in their own right. Not a bad track here. Jimi sings and wails on his guitar as if it was a direct reflection of his soul and Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding nail the rhythm section duties. Only a perfect set of R&B/rock tunes is all.

There's just so much raw talent in these songs. Not only in the guitar playing (which, of course, is amazing), but in the other instruments, the production, the lyrics, the melodies... Everything just complements one another so well. I love the effect of the reversed guitar solos on songs like "Castles Made Of Sand" and the crazy panning and bass lines on "If 6 Was 9" too. Anyways, what a great record! I have to listen to more Hendrix now. Favorites: Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, You Got Me Floatin', One Rainy Wish, Bold As Love

Uneven, probably because they were pumping out jams literally 6 months after their last release, but man, Jimi's playing is inimitable and still sounds so fresh. Probably their weakest release, but still a nice, groovy listen.

No doubt a sick sounding album, but no song really stood out to me or made me want to listen to them more

Not as good as I thought I would be

it's good but not really impressive

This has been one of the hardest albums for me to give a rating the highes in this album in more way than one are the story of this album. The first track is a travesty to music and the second is only a little better, but man Spanish castle magic, wait until tomorrow, little wing, you got me floating, castles made of sand and one rainy wish are ineradicable. You can see what this transition is and that it helps change music, but I still come away feeling its just slightly short of 5 stars.

3/10

Wow! I knew Jimi Hendrix could play a mean guitar, but his music is transcendental. Easy listening + Rock + psychedelic vibes, all on top of being the master of guitar. Blew me away! 5/5

I hadn't listened to this one before - it's exactly what I thought it would be (in a good way). Loads of creative playing and some trippy studio trickery too. Good fun. None of JH's most recognisable tracks and nothing to surpass them but sounds great nonetheless.

This is the 2nd Hendrix album in a matter of weeks and it is very similar to the first one

sounds way ahead of its time. Clearly influential record. I hear some Jack Johnson in 'Castles made of sand'

I played it two or three times and the music just ran over my head. It’s definitely not bad but I also find it difficult to appreciate the album.

Jimi Hendrix is obviously a GOAT. this album is chocked full of great songs too, if 6 was 9, little wing, castles made of sand, bold as love, spanish castle magic. stellar album all around.

Huge fan of this album. Hendrix is one of the greatest guitar players of all time and adds such a soulful sound to each track. I also probably appreciate this album a little more than most because of how much of an influence it has had on John Mayer, if you haven't heard his covers of Bold as Love and Wait Until Tomorrow, definitely check them out.

Damn! Jimi Hendrix Rocks! Never really listened to him before, but I get the hype now.

4/5 Expoente de uma era e altamente influente.

Flowing. I had the idea in my head that the first jimi record was the accessible one and both others were kind of out there. There are a couple of short experimental bits here, but for the most part this feels smooth and beautiful. The noisy bits feel well placed and interesting. The very direct blues stuff from the first record is gone, but it's all very blues infused in a tasteful way. Just feels like him finding his songwriting voice

3.92 Castles Made Of Sand & Spanish Castle Magic

I mean, it's Jimi. Love.

Not bad, first song was a bit odd.

Sheeeeesh, Jimi went off with this one.

Produced with a lot of depth to the sound. Definitely enjoyable but somehow didn't knock my socks off like I expected from such a vaunted album.

diddlididdlididdlidiiiii

Still sounds like it's from the future

Jimi my shaylah why tf would they recommend your worst album for the first day (I may be traumatised from trying to learn Little Wing)

bloated and boring

An interesting choice for a Hendrix album. I'm betting there is probably a second one on the list. This was all new to me. I grooved with it. Not entirely my thing so won't likely see another rotation, but I appreciate what's being laid down here.

While not quite as innovative as some of Hendrix's other material, Axis is a stellar example of boundary-breaking guitar. It's easy to hear the seeds that were planted for so many guitarists and songwriters in the decades to come. Favorite tracks: "Little Wing", "If 6 Was 9", "Castles Made of Sand"

My favourite Hendrix album. So ahead of its time and so clearly influential for so many bands that followed. The tone he gets particularly for the first few tracks is a template for so many others. I imagine this is a bit like the music equivalent of ‘Down and out in Paris and London’ - everyone rightly remembers 1984 or Animal Farm, but there’s something special and different about it which helps it stand up taller

The wiki says this album was released seven months after experienced and it sounds like it, a bit rushed and missing any obvious hits. Not bad, has the unique Jimi sound but I was waiting for the standouts and they never came. 2.5.

It is decent, but not a patch on Are You Experienced, or Electric Ladyland. Little Wing was probably my favourite track - the intro sounds like a completely different song and I really like the use of bells.

Amazing. Not as good as are you experienced, but better then electric lady land for me. Probably because it's more similar to are you experienced? Anyway, nearly 60 years after release, it still sounds fantastic. Castles made of sand has always been one of my favorites of his 5

Intriguing second effort from Hendrix. Features him moving more into the psychedelic realm with some of his efforts and embracing a little more funk, but not quite ready to give up the all-out rock that first gave him success. The album has to grow on you, but it's worth the effort.

The intro was a bit pretentious, but after that it’s just lovely psychedelic wavey guitars, fantastic drumming and laid back melodies. Lovely to listen to after a few beers, I imagine. Please, give me another good one tomorrow as a birthday treat… 8.5/10

Se não é o meu album favorito do jimi então anda lá perto. Little Wing, It 6 was 9, Castles Made Of Sand (minha música favorita dele) são alguns dos destaques de um álbum que é uma vibe incrível. Sabe sempre bem ouvir Jimi Hendrix.

volevo mi piacesse. ma il genere psichedelico con sti suoni distorti mi irrita. o forse a irritarmi erano i problemi di fisica che stavo facendo con sto album in sottofondo

Psychedelic. Cool

I've never been the biggest fan of Hendrix' work, but this album is stunning, I really enjoyed it. 'Castles Made Of Glass' and 'Little Wing' are stunning!

You know, it's good shit man

Meh

Really nice with multiple great songs

EXP - A very brash opening track, immediately captures the listeners attention with very strange voices and heavy distortion and panning. Up From The Skies - Heavy wah-wah emphasized on a funky, grooving beat, early frontrunner for best song? Spanish Castle Magic - A harsh switch from the funk of the previous track, this track blasts you with the hard rock blues one would expect from one of the most iconic guitarists of all time. Wait Until Tomorrow - This track brings the album back to the funk side of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with an infectious guitar riff and a beat absolutely carried along by Mitch Mitchell's drumming ability. Ain't No Telling - Just before you can settle back into the more relaxed grooves, this quick track hits with pure electricity. Very fun lyrics going along with a snappy instrumental. Little Wing - From the use of the glockenspiel, to Hendrix's singing, this rock ballad manages to both fly by and keep listeners hooked onto every last note. If 6 Was 9 - The final track of Side One, longest track of the album and one of the most iconic tracks from the Jimi Hendrix experience. This powerful, politically charged track is a perfect product of its time with its references to the "hippies" and "white-collared conservatives" of the 60s. In the wake of Hendrix's unfortunate passing in 1970, the line "I'm the one that's gonna have to die when it's time for me to die, So let me live my life the way I want to" is both ominous and freeing, a perfect final line before the brilliant instrumental ending to cap off the first side of the album. You Got Me Floatin' - This track is unfortunately sandwiched between the powerful If 6 Was 9 and the fantastic Castles Made of Sand. As a result, it's possibly one of the more forgotten and skippable tracks of the album. Castles Made of Sand - One of the best songs of the album from a lyrical standpoint, Hendrix takes the audience on a journey through a remarkable and at times dark story with an underlying message about nothing lasting forever, life being just one big castle made of sand that eventually gets washed away. She's So Fine - Possible frontrunner for best guitar solo of the album. Carries an otherwise so-so song in its lyrical writing. One Rainy Wish - Absolute beauty in the form of music. A song that starts slow, soulful and dreamlike before hitting with the exact hard rock contrast that this album has provided alongside it's soft grooves. The song ends up having a surprisingly experimental breakdown during its ending, which benefits the overall dreamlike wonderment presented from the beginning. Little Miss Lover - Another by the numbers Jimi Hendrix Experience track, but one that manages to fit in better than You Got Me Floatin' could. Overall enjoyable, but not one to write much on. Bold as Love - The final track and part title track, it emphasizes all the strengths previously heard in the entire album. Rocking riffs and powerful drums contrasted with slow, methodical spaces to let each note hang and breathe, before a hard switch into a beautiful psychedelic solo sees the album out in a way that mirrors the opening track. Overall thoughts - This album is without a doubt a must listen to and a quick one as well. Listeners will get lost in the masterful grooves and lyrical whimsy of one of the greatest musicians taken from us way too soon. Of course, this album would not be complete without the contributions of Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell who helped fill in instrumentally where Hendrix may not have been able to lyrically, helping complete the album to be the psychedelic wonder it has no doubt been recognized as. Fly high, James.

It was cool, great guitar riffs. But underwhelming as i unexpected because I’m not the biggest fan 60s

Un classique

Not my favorite but it’s Jimmy, so 3 stars.

these boys were *cooking*. an incredibly energetic studio album. there's so much going on and it's done so well that it doesn't even matter that the lyrics are pretty nothing. a couple of these tracks i'd love to hear more development on, but there's nothing wrong with what's on the record.

My heart sank when this came up. Imagined an album of 20 minute guitar solos. But actually much lighter and more fun than I expected

B+

Such a timeless sound, really great listen :)

so much fun!!! i loved it a lot. something like a 4.5. groovy

Poco más se puede decir de Hendrix después de escuchar sus dos álbumes más reputados. Este me ha gustado mucho más que “Are You Experienced?”. La capacidad de experimentación con la guitarra se muestra más consciente y eso que solo habían pasado siete meses desde la publicación de aquel. “Spanish Castle Magic”, “Wait Till Tomorrow”, Little Wing” o “She’s So Fine” (con lejanas referencias al “Tomorrow Never Knows” de The Beatles, son flipantes, verdaderas joyas del rock de los 60 e influencia de miles de artistas posteriores. Discazo.

really liked this

Little too psychedelic for me, but still some good rock here n there. It has quality.

7.5/10 - A really strong psych rock record. He is one of the earliest in the genre and there is a good reason he is still the poster child for it.

It's not my favorite Jimi Hendrix album, but it's still one of the strongest in the genre. 8/10

Es okay

Sloppy, sweet, varied, unique.

Good album but nothing on his other albums. Cool psychedelic rock album with some soul/bluesy elements. Some good guitar bits but he for sure has better. No immediate standouts, but fave songs: -little wing - castles in the sand - she’s so fine

Little Wing, the most gorgeous

Bra, men bråkete, må være i eget humør for det!

A little over two weeks ago I got (had) to listen to Are You Experienced. I was very underwhelmed, mostly because I'd heard every song about a million times on classic rock radio back in the 80's. I was never much of a fan, and I gave that album a three star rating mostly for the obvious talent. I was once again not excited to see this come up today. Looking at the tracklist what struck me was that there's only one song I knew. I figured this could either be a good thing or a bad thing. Initially I'd say it was good. I liked the introduction with Exp and Up From The Skies. I was thinking that just hearing his songs too much might've been the issue, and maybe I might actually enjoy this album. But then came a bunch of songs that sounded exactly like the ones on his debut, with a bit more studio fuckery to make it psychedelic rather than just bluesy. I like the song Little Wing, mainly due to Pearl Jam playing it and having seen them perform it last year. I still like their version better. There were moments as the album progressed that I liked, but then the songs would just go back to the same general sound. I actually felt more disappointed by this listen, as it initially seemed I might enjoy it more than I actually did.

The world is a better place because albums like this exist....

The Monica album of Jimi Hendrix's 1967--'Are You Experienced' is the Rachel, apologies to Courtney Cox--'Axis: Bold as Love,' starts odd but picks up towards the middle. This doesn't have the singles/big hits but it's Hendrix, so it's still good to listen to. Top tracks: "Castles Made of Sand," "Little Wing," "Spanish Castle Magic," "You've Got Me Floating"

--EXP...60s sci-fi intro. we were so optimistic. we were all going to space, man! What happened? --Up from the Skies...funky but a little boring --Spanish Castle Magic...magical --Wait Until Tomorrow...funky and exciting! --Ain't No Telling...eat your heart out, Ginger Baker! Mitch Mitchell is here --Little Wing...don't know he can create something sound so fat but ethereal at the same time. great work --If Six Was Nine...more of a poem on top of a jam than a song. gets annoying by the end --You've Got Me Floating...another solid groove with a fat low end --Castles Made of Sand...preach, Jimi/Ozymandias --She's So Fine...Noel Redding's time to shine. I don't hate it but it doesn't fit. this is very "flower child" optimism while preceding tracks have a little more darkness to them --One Rainy Wish...the arpeggiated guitar pattern sounds like rain. well done --Little Miss Lover...this hits real hard. Almost feels like an 80s/90s east coast rap beat. I imagine this has been sampled --Bold as Love...decent closer. perhaps a little cheesy

It's so good. The only bad song is the one the bass player sings. GTFOH with that.

Jimi’s second album might not be his best compared to Are You Experienced?, but it’s the tightest of them, jamming 13 songs in under 40 minutes. It feels like he might have pushed himself to that deadline; songs just abruptly fade out with no warning. Or maybe he just had the motor revving, and it was go, go to the next track. Axis flows from psychedelia to rock to blues, often in the same song. He was at peak power now. Favorites: Exp, Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 was 9

Surprising - seemed much more modern sounding

Psychedelic rock, pop rock, funk rock.

Certainly a skilled musician, but nit my cup of tea. The Album is not bad by any means, but alright at most.

What else can you really say about Jimi Hendrix? He was simply the best to ever touch a guitar, and 𝘈𝘹𝘪𝘴: 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 is another reminder of how effortlessly he could bend sound into something expressive, fluid, and otherworldly. The songs here are warmer and more melodic than you might expect, but the playing remains unreal — full of color, imagination, and emotional precision. Even when the album drifts into its quieter or stranger corners, Hendrix’s presence holds everything together. It may not redefine him, but it absolutely reinforces why he stands alone.

Such a fan of Jimi. As soon as I refreshed with this album coming up this morning, I walked into the front room and immediately put on this vinyl from my collection. It's an old, well used copy with all the scratches and ticks. And it sounds straight out of the psychedelic late 60s. Perfect vibe to start off the day.

EXP 3 Up from the Skies 3.1 Spanish Castle Magic 3.8 Wait Until Tomorrow 4.5 Ain't No Telling 3.6 Little Wing 4.7 If 6 Was 9 4 You've Got Me Floatin' 3.7 Castles Made of Sand 4.2 She's So Fine 4 One Rainy Wish 4 Little Miss Lover 3.8 Bold as Love 4.1 Score: 3.884615385

STEREOWOWOWOW! Behoorlijk stevig voor 1967-standaarden, de gitaar-virtuositeit kan ik waarderen, maar wordt snel wel een beetje zenuwachtig/noodelig. Ga ik nog weleens terugluisteren, meest memorabel was "Spanish Castle Magic"

Not consistent enough for Hendrix:(

Solid Jimi

Bold as Love is one of my favourite songs ever

weird. funk. poetry. Probably a million subtle music thingies i am not able to appreciate. Very hippie.

it was okay

Good but dated, it's hard not to enjoy buuuuut I could be listening to something else

Well man he can play

vive jimi hendrix

Unfortunately, I've never been huge on this one. It's easily the mildest of the classic Hendrix trilogy, and a super downgrade from 'Are You Experienced' in my opinion. It's not worse per se, the fire, passion, and oomph in Hendrix's playing and singing are still here, but it's certainly less noisy, energetic, and blood-pumping when compared to its older brother. Instead, it opts for these open, meditative, and oftentimes directionless jammy bits that draw from the worlds of psychedelia more than anything. It works quite well on a few songs. 'Little Wing' will always be one of Hendrix's best songs, and 'One Rainy Wish' remains one of his most soulful songs and is far more dynamic than many of the other songs here. And I love that tremolo picking on the closing 'Bold As Love', it's again one of his slower RnB type tracks that actually goes over pretty well. But I just don't think there's enough interesting happening on a good chunk of these songs; there's no strong sense of structure. I know it's probably a preference thing, I'll always prefer Hendrix's noiser songs to his less in-your-face songs. But I do also just think his other two main albums are better on the songwriting front in a lot of ways; there's very little memorable here, no matter how many times I end up revisiting it.

This might be my favorite of his. There definitely is more of a definitive melody present than his others. What an incredible person despite such a tough life. This album is amazing the whole way through, the pacing as well is quite nice. The runtime speeds by which is always a good way to tell I enjoy it. Rating: 4.8

Eh

pas tout écouté mais bon

Very influential album, to guitar players especially. A few filler songs however in my opinion, but the highs are very high. Not my favourite Hendrix album but definitely not the worst. Will listen again

Wooooow

There will never be another guitarist like him...as this fits for almost any guitarist, nothing special, but he was...

Ничего особенного, 1000 раз подобное слышал, + не мой вкус. За компом фоном послушать норм. Удивился интро, не знал что такое было в 67 году.

Prima muziek, maar niet helemaal voor mij, veel gitaar

Ugh needed this !!!!!! Exp takes me back.....remember dad playing this haha wow....I did not make many comments :( that's my b.....anyways a classic !!!!! LOVE this one overall, an amazing album but we already knew this !!

let ur freak flag fly!!!!! this had more jimi songs that i’m familiar with alien spaceship intro is awesome wait until tomorrow is my fave from him i think

Perfection

Still sounds fresh and exciting

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Se você abrir um dicionário anglófono na palavra "jam" a capa desse álbum aparece. Basicamente dá pra escutar toda uma geração de músicos nascendo por conta dele. Os efeitos estéreo em algumas faixas são absurdos, no sentido "o que esse botão no mixer faz?".

Nice, very talented

Fun vibes, good stuff in general.

Terrible. Hated basically all the songs

Boring as all hell and just a little mediocre and basic and mid af

Some of it was cool, the other parts were crap, I thought better of you mr Hendrix

This was alr, lots of guitar obviously, that's what Hendrix was known for. He was a favourite of my grandad but it didn't do loads for me, still decent. I was in and out the room on this one so I listened less consistently. 61/100

Solid. I love Little Wing. Hendrix is of course truly exceptional with that guitar. Nothing really rivals that solo in the same way. I did enjoy the album as a whole. Nothing as iconic but very solid all the way through, and the guitar is consistently a standout instrument.

aardig