Modern Times
Jefferson Starship · 1981
38 min · 9 tracks · pop rock
An eclectic blend of rock and pop that navigates themes of love, alienation, and modern life with soaring melodies and rich harmonies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Find Your Way Back — This opening track features a catchy chorus and strong instrumentation that sets the tone for the album's exploration of personal journeys and self-discovery.
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Stranger — With its introspective lyrics and haunting melody, this song encapsulates feelings of isolation, resonating with listeners navigating their own modern dilemmas.
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Free — The anthemic quality of this track highlights themes of liberation and independence, making it a standout moment that showcases the band's pop sensibilities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends polished pop-rock with thematic lyrics but lacks standout compositions or cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace with layered harmonies, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that contrasts sharply.
- Several songs incorporate synthesizers alongside traditional rock instrumentation, creating a polished sound that reflects the era's pop-rock trends.
- The lyrics often explore themes of love and alienation, with a narrative style that shifts perspectives between verses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective late-night reflections
- catchy melodies for casual listening
- balanced mix of energy levels
- short, engaging listening sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on April 2, 1981, Modern Times is Jefferson Starship's fifth studio album and their first after the departure of founding member Marty Balin. The band was striving to redefine their sound in a changing musical landscape, following the commercial success of their previous album, Freedom at Point Zero.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kansas· Boston· Electric Light Orchestra
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Find Your Way Back 4:13
- 2 Stranger 4:41
- 3 Wildeyes 4:02
- 4 Save Your Love 5:58
- 5 Modern Times 2:37
- 6 Mary 3:36
- 7 Free 4:35
- 8 Alien 4:41
- 9 Stairway to Cleveland 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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