Absolutely Out of This World

This is the best and most underrated of all Jefferson Starship albums. Their first four (which are the only ones to include the classic Slick-Balin-Kantner trio)should be more revered than they are today, since these collections accomplished a neat sleight of hand by crossing from pop to a more idiosynchratic musical approach. "Earth" contains many fine moments. The hits "Count On Me" and "Runaway" are pleasant, lilting diversions, but the real goods are held in the songs by Grace Slick. Her cooing and growling on "Love Too Good" open the album with a funkiness not usually attributed to the Starship. "Take Your Time" is about as reflective and personal as Grace gets, and its theme of living life too fast is delivered with a wistful sigh. "Skateboard" is an outre roller that blasts its way out of the speakers, and Grace truly wails. Of course, the album's centerpiece is "Show Yourself", an almost British-rock howler that builds in intensity and musicianship from start to finish. Grace Slick sounds rejuvinated throughout "Earth", coming up with her most cohesive collection of songs in years. The closer, "All Night Long", is another Kantner-Starship anthem in the usual sci-fi tradition that sounds both exuberant and aggressive. The arrangements and approach of the Starship throughout "Earth" bring out the best in every performance. It's worth a visit.

Awesome album!

In 1997,nineteen years since its original release,this album along with 1976's SPITFIRE,was re-issued on compact disc in digitally remastered form. 1975's RED OCTOPUS was digitally remastered as well(this was a second CD re-issue for RO). This album would be the last for Marty Balin who gave Jefferson Starship abundant success with his personally-penned megahit MIRACLES from RO. Balin,Grace Slick and Paul Kantner were part of the original line-up,first known as Jefferson Airplane. On this album,Balin's friend Jesse Barish wrote and co-wrote a few songs. Balin and Barish would collaborate together subsequently especially on Balin's 1981 solo debut,BALIN. One of Barish's compositions from this album is the hit COUNT ON ME which would become a part of the 2000 compilation LOVE SONGS. Recording of this album began shortly before Elvis Presley's death. I know,according to the 1979 compilation GOLD,RUNAWAY,another hit from this album was recorded on August 11,1977. Presley died five days later. LOVE TOO GOOD,along with COM,also appeared on GOLD. Hey,Presley and JS both recorded on the RCA label. But JS's label Grunt,is a division of RCA and was initiated in 1971. All the other songs are good. For one reason or another,Balin had to quit JS and had his friend Mickey Thomas succeed him. Thomas stayed with the band even through its second re-naming,simply called Starship. The same applied to Slick. However,Jefferson Airplane was re-formed for a little while in 1989,with Slick,Balin and Kantner,3 of the original members in the third name change. The other original members were in the re-formed line-up as well.

spotty

The 1978 effort "Earth" on the GRUNT lable finds the starship in a very polished, studio friendly environment, writing very middle-aged-friendly soft-rock. Earth, while not the worst JS album in my opinion it suffers from some of the worst lyrics I've ever had to read. These lyrics are coming from the band members themselves, even though outside writers were used for much of the release(which is the ONLY saving grace for this effort). The music, however, is very well written and performed by the band Chaquico and Sears most notably. But the lyrics..... the lyrics! Slick's lyrics for "take your time" are so insipid and phoney they sound as if they were taken from a television commercial and bog down a good Pete Sears score. "Skateboard" is a cliche attempt at making a record for the late 70's fad of skateboarding ...."Good God, that man's a wizard" is just one line of a string of horrible lyrics. Slick's "Show Yourself" is yet again another attempt by Slick to write 'meaningful' lyrics about a personal issue (this one being the tarnished United States)and falling absolutly flat on her face. Jessie Barish's two songs "Count on Me" and "Crazy Feelin'" are easily the best work here. The H.Q. Dewy's "Runaway" is also a cut above the rest of the in-house writing from the band members. Overall, a poor effort from a capable band, but a sign of things to come.