AMG Review of VH1 Behind the Music: The Jefferson Airplane Collection

Al Campbell
All Music Guide

This compilation chronicles the history of Jefferson Airplane/Starship as seen on the #VH1 Behind the Music series. This is the first CD to encapsulate the band as it morphed between its three phases with the only consistency being the vocals of Grace Slick. These 18 tracks start with 1967's summer of love anthems "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit," then move into the decadent '70s haze of "Miracles" and "With Your Love," and conclude with the '80s glossy pop/ballads "We Built This City," "Sara," and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." Fans of one particular incarnation of the band may find parts of this nauseating or outdated, depending on where they stand. For better or worse, the band constantly evolved throughout three decades, unlike other mega superstar groups that gained prominence at the same time.