Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing At Baxter's (LP) - 180g Audiophile Vinyl

"After Bathing at Baxter's" is the third studio album by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane, released on November 27, 1967, by RCA Victor. This album marked a significant departure from their previous work, showcasing a more experimental and psychedelic sound that reflected the rapidly changing music scene of the late 1960s.

The album was produced by Al Schmitt and recorded at RCA Victor's Music Center of the World in Hollywood, California. Unlike their earlier album "Surrealistic Pillow," which featured a more polished and commercially accessible sound, "After Bathing at Baxter's" embraced a rawer, more avant-garde approach. This shift was partly influenced by the band's desire to capture the energy and spontaneity of their live performances.

"After Bathing at Baxter's" is divided into five suites, each containing multiple songs that flow seamlessly into one another. This structure was unconventional for the time and demonstrated the band's ambition to create a cohesive, album-oriented experience rather than a collection of individual tracks. The suites are titled "Streetmasse," "The War Is Over," "Hymn to an Older Generation," "How Suite It Is," and "Shizoforest Love Suite."

The opening suite, "Streetmasse," includes the tracks "The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil," "A Small Package of Value Will Come to You, Shortly," and "Young Girl Sunday Blues." "The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil" is a standout track, featuring powerful vocals from Marty Balin and Grace Slick, intricate guitar work by Jorma Kaukonen, and a driving rhythm section provided by Jack Casady and Spencer Dryden. The song's lyrics, written by Paul Kantner, reflect the band's countercultural ethos and their desire to push the boundaries of rock music.

"A Small Package of Value Will Come to You, Shortly" is a brief, experimental piece that showcases the band's willingness to incorporate unconventional sounds and studio effects. "Young Girl Sunday Blues," co-written by Balin and Kantner, is a more straightforward rock song with a catchy melody and strong vocal harmonies.

The second suite, "The War Is Over," features the tracks "Martha" and "Wild Tyme (H)." "Martha," written by Kantner, is a dreamy, folk-influenced song with lush vocal harmonies and a prominent bassline. "Wild Tyme (H)" is a more upbeat, rock-oriented track with a driving rhythm and energetic vocals from Slick and Balin.

"Hymn to an Older Generation," the third suite, includes the songs "The Last Wall of the Castle" and "Rejoyce." "The Last Wall of the Castle," written by Kaukonen, is a guitar-driven track with a bluesy feel and impressive instrumental interplay. "Rejoyce," written and sung by Slick, is one of the album's most ambitious tracks, featuring complex lyrics inspired by James Joyce's "Ulysses" and a jazz-influenced arrangement.

The fourth suite, "How Suite It Is," contains the tracks "Watch Her Ride" and "Spare Chaynge." "Watch Her Ride," written by Kantner, is a melodic, mid-tempo song with a catchy chorus and strong vocal harmonies. "Spare Chaynge" is an instrumental jam that showcases the band's improvisational skills, with standout performances by Kaukonen, Casady, and Dryden.

The final suite, "Shizoforest Love Suite," includes the tracks "Two Heads" and "Won't You Try / Saturday Afternoon." "Two Heads," written and sung by Slick, is a quirky, psychedelic song with surreal lyrics and an unconventional arrangement. "Won't You Try / Saturday Afternoon," written by Kantner, is a two-part song that captures the spirit of the 1960s counterculture, with its optimistic lyrics and uplifting melody.

"After Bathing at Baxter's" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its experimental approach and others finding it less accessible than the band's earlier work. However, the album has since been recognized as a significant and influential work in the history of psychedelic rock. It remains a testament to Jefferson Airplane's creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of their music.