SURREALISTIC PILLOW

The great news is of course that Grace Slick has joined for this album. I am really hypnotized by her voice. Some of their live antems are here : "Somebody to Love" and the wonderful psychedelic "White Rabbit" which both were hit singles during the summer of love.

The opener starts a bit like "Set The Controls..." from Floyd, at least the drumming. But this one was written before, so the influence here is reversed. Good backing vocals from Grace. "My Best Friend" is not mine. Folky and naïve tune.

The accoustic and mellow "Today" is played on a monotous tone and one falls almost asleep when listening to it. Same applies to "Comin' Back to Me" which is a very slow song song. Sounds almost like a Donovan one. Quite boring frankly.

"3,5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds" has some psyche flavour and is precursor of better things to come. It's one of the best track.

The rest of the album is rather disapointing : "DCBA 25" and "How Do You Feel" are probably the worse songs on this album. It is far much closer to folk songs than to psyche rock. I also regret that Grace has not more the leading in the vocals : her role is more backing (with the exception of "White Rabbit" of course). "Embryon Journey" is an accoustic guitar solo, quite ... embryonary (1'55"). It could have been played by one of the Steves (Howe or Hackett).

The highlight is of course "White Rabbit" writen by Grace. One of the best (if not the best) song they will ever write. Grace's voice is gorgeous. Lyrics are representative of an era : '"And you've just had some kind of mushroom, And your mind is moving low". The repetitive and crecsendo tempo is incredible. I wish this track have lasted much, much longer though. The bluesy "Plastic Fantastic Lover" closes the album and is quite dispensible.

All in all, too few great moments (5'34" to be precise). Two stars.