Is Valleys of Neptune a good place to start with Jimi Hendrix?

Yes, Valleys of Neptune is recommended as a starting point for new Jimi Hendrix listeners. A shimmering collage of psychedelic blues and rock, capturing the raw energy of Hendrix's guitar virtuosity and emotive vocals. Released posthumously in 2010, Valleys of Neptune is a collection of previously unreleased recordings from Jimi Hendrix's late career, particularly from the late 1960s. This album arrives decades after his tragic death in 1970, during a period when interest in Hendrix's legacy was being reignited through various reissues and tributes.

Who is Valleys of Neptune for?

Valleys of Neptune works well if you're into dynamic progression with emotional peaks, wave-like pacing for deep immersion and reflective moments for introspective listening.

How many songs are on Valleys of Neptune?

Valleys of Neptune has 14 tracks, running approximately 74 minutes.

Valleys of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix · 2010

74 min · 14 tracks · hard rock

A shimmering collage of psychedelic blues and rock, capturing the raw energy of Hendrix's guitar virtuosity and emotive vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stone Free Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Valleys of Neptune — The title track embodies the essence of Hendrix's sound, blending intricate guitar work with poetic lyrics that reflect themes of longing and transcendence.
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Hear My Train a Comin’ — This track showcases Hendrix's emotive vocal delivery paired with soulful guitar solos, illustrating his unique ability to convey deep emotion through music.
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Crying Blue Rain — A deeply moving piece that combines poignant lyrics with an atmospheric arrangement, highlighting Hendrix's mastery in blending personal reflection with musical innovation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Hendrix's signature sound through unreleased material, balancing energy and introspection.

What we noticed

Several tracks, such as 'Hear My Train a Comin’' and 'Red House', highlight extended guitar solos that emphasize Hendrix's virtuosity and emotional expression.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

dynamic progression with emotional peaks
wave-like pacing for deep immersion
reflective moments for introspective listening
captivating storytelling through instrumentals
for late-night exploration

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification tracks
prefer concise, standalone singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Posthumous release showcasing Hendrix's late career recordings and enduring influence.
Themes: 1960s psychedelic landscapes· blues-infused improvisation· electric guitar mastery
Career context: Released posthumously in 2010, Valleys of Neptune is a collection of previously unreleased recordings from Jimi Hendrix's late career, particularly from the late 1960s. This album arrives decades after his tragic death in 1970, during a period when interest in Hendrix's legacy was being reignited through various reissues and tributes.
Stylistic neighbors: Jeff Beck· Eric Clapton· Stevie Ray Vaughan