Jefferson Starship-Dragon Fly (1974)

In the mid-70s, Jefferson Airplane adapted to the changing times and changed their name to Jefferson Starship. This represented a significant shift in every sense, and with this "modification" from "airplane" to "starship", it was as if they wanted to emphasize the group's evolution and continuous changes. Moving away from the psychedelic hippie sound of their late-sixties albums under the Airplane name, they now opened themselves up to the demands of a new audience, modernizing their music with a more accessible, powerful, and, to a certain extent, sanitized rock sound. "Dragon Fly", released in 1974, would be the starting point. By this time, much of the original lineup that recorded the legendary "Takes Off" (1966), "Surrealistic Pillow" (1967), and "Volunteers" (1969) was still present: Grace Slick, Marty Balin, and Paul Kantner. Along with new additions like Craig Chaquico, Papa John Creach, and David Freiberg, they brought a fresh stylistic approach, incorporating more accessible AOR sounds that were nonetheless high-quality. Chaquico's versatile guitar work and Papa John Creach's violin sounds lend the album depth and eclecticism. "Ride The Tiger" showcases the melodic and incredibly addictive side of their compositions, "That's for Sure" is a throwback to their experimental years with an updated sound, "Caroline" is the album's hit, written by Balin, which gives the album the necessary commercial consistency, however, it is the rhythmic "Devils Den" or the epic and wonderful "Hyperdrive" that are the best of "Dragon Fly", which marked the resurgence of one of the most important bands of the sixties who brilliantly resurrected themselves in the seventies, signing superb works like this one or the following "Red Octopus" (1975) or "Spitfire" (1976).