Bark - JEFFERSON AIRPLANE***

When The Earth Moves Again/Feel So Good/Crazy Miranda/Pretty As You Feel/Wild Turkey/Law Man/Rock & Roll Island/Third Week In The Chelsea/Never Argue With A German/Thunk/War Movie

After shedding some notable band members Jefferson Airplane began to lose momentum by the time Bark was released. As a gimmick it was originally issued in a brown paper bag. (US:11 UK:42)

“Bark was recorded during a tumultuous time, some band members leaving and others entering, and the group was none too certain of their direction without Marty Balin around. It's not a disaster, but it doesn't have a lot of memorable tunes or any kind of cohesive sound. Basically, the album sounds like individual ideas are kept separate from everyone else, without a lot of collaboration happening.”

“There are some marvellous moments on this album including the dark, menacing feeling you get from Pretty As You Feel and especially from the guitar, the excellent social commentary of Crazy Miranda to name just two. Clearly there are differences in musical interests in the band, displayed by the three main protagonists, but the album as a whole does owe it's antecedents to the earlier incarnation.”

“There's definitely an empty sort of feeling on this one, and quite a few bad moments, along with some average, good, and even quite a few great. Overall I feel an uninspired atmosphere here which resulted in the first Jefferson Airplane album that was merely good instead of great.”

“What makes Bark special is the move of Slick and the astonishingly under-valued Jorma Kaukonen to the foreground, and the new casual, almost frayed approach to performing and recording. Also new is a shift away from the already qualified counter-culture sentiments of Volunteers towards a more resigned, knowing world view.”

“Jefferson Airplane's Bark was their first album after the departure of Marty Balin and Spencer Dryden. In many ways this is considered the beginning of the end for the group, but you can still find a number of enjoyable cuts. For example, the impressive Wild Turkey and Grace Slick's Crazy Miranda.”

“Here's a recording of a great band falling apart. There are some good, even very good moments on Bark. But be warned, it isn't for everyone, or even every fan of Jefferson Airplane.”