"Electric Ladyland" Album Review

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Electric Ladyland (Reprise Records) 

A harmonious galaxy finally rests in Jimi Hendrix’s hand. After two albums of reaching for stars of sinfonia and transcendental tides, Electric Ladyland pushes further, pulling reality to dreams, loneliness to love, war to peace, ‘til a sonic wave of eerie comfort engulfs the ear. This is the true Jimi Hendrix Experience. 

More polished than ever, the American-led UK-trio proves its refinement with crystal-clear vocals buzzing alongside deep notes ripping off Noel Redding’s bass (“Gypsy Eyes”). Drummer Mitch Mitchell brings his set to the forefront of every song with fiery rudiments (“Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)”), accompanying Hendrix and his Stratocaster, the Experience’s honorary fourth member (“Little Miss Strange”). 

Hendrix laces the tracklists with intoxicating trips. “Voodoo Chile”, a too-short, 14-minute song embodies jail-like blues strenuously surrounded by soulful lyrics. The painful passion of Hendrix’s southpaw solo twists with the organ, claiming rock, blues and soul are nothing but perfect together. 

The siren-like guitar gently calls you out to the sea that will evidently meet listeners later in “1983…(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)”. 

Ex-paratrooper Hendrix envisions an oceanic escape from the war-infested world. Military-like snare alongside screeching guitar, resembling airplanes, rings throughout the tune. But, as the sirens turn to a sweet, ditsy melody with tingles of bass, guitar and a hint of flute, a piece of Hendrix’s peaceful persona reaches the restlessness of the tormenting terror found on Earth. 

The unrecognizable cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” acknowledges the differences in society, the rifts between humans, and harmoniously living in the year of 1968. Hendrix’s funk and hard-rock blues are to not overshadow his and Dylan’s knowledge-seeking, amicable ideals. All the side effects of the broken world face Hendrix’s sweet melodic medicine in this 1 hour, 15-minute, addiction of an album.