Consumer Guide Album

Paul Kantner/Jefferson Starship: Blows Against the Empire [RCA Victor, 1970]
Not counting friendly neighbors, there are only two changes from the usual Airplane lineup on this "solo" venture: Jerry Garcia replaces Jorma Kaukonen for reasons of interstellar propulsion, and Paul Kantner replaces Marty Balin for reasons of ego. As much Marty's ego as Paul's, probably--I wouldn't want my name on this thing either. Kantner's singing is as murky as his melodies (there's a connection there somewhere) and for all the record's sci-fi pretensions (does Philip K. Dick actually like this stuff?) it never even gets off the ground. C+