I've recently rediscovered Bark and Long John Silver. On my initial exposure to them back 20-some years ago I thought that they were minor, rather disappointing efforts, at least compared with what preceded them. As Paul Kantner put it, "...a denouement - albeit a rather elegant one." I'm pleasantly surprised that I now like the both of them just fine. It's almost like two "undiscovered" Jefferson Airplane releases for me. Maybe back those 20-some years ago I was going through my Beavis and Butthead phase (1). But I loved Baron Von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun, so go figure.
Those two later releases were lots different in character from anything in the period of Takes Off through Volunteers. Each of those period masterpieces had their own sterling, unique character. There's nothing about any of them that could be classified as "typical" Jefferson Airplane (think the REM catalog could pass the same test?)
Perhaps it was just the era that produced Bark and Long John Silver - post-sixties, post-Viet Nam, the Demise of Optimism, the Dawn of Disco, the Demise of Marijuana, the Dawn of Corrosive White Powders. Perhaps Bark and Long John Silver reflect some of the darkness of that era. They're a collection of individual efforts, rather than a cohesive group effort. The idealism of "We Can be Together" had been transformed into the realism of "Holding Together."
One definite block on Bark for me was the consecutive "German Song" and "Thunk". I kinda dig the "German Song" now, especially with the headphones on. The synthesized chorus boys are the type of retro-futuristic stuff I really like. Back in the 70's of course, it was non-retro-futurism, which ruled out any possible intrinsic value from that angle.
But I still can't come up with a positive reaction of any kind in regards to "Thunk"! Funny thing, though. I've been listening to Bark pretty frequently lately, and I can't remember ever really hearing "Thunk". But I definitely can remember "German Song" and "War Movie", the two songs bracketing "Thunk". So what's going on? I know the song is on the tape, it's just not registering.
I've got a theory (2) about what's going on, it's like this - The actual cut has such a somnolent effect that listening to it actually suspends consciousness while the song is playing. Think of the possibilities! Make a tape loop of the song and use as a substitute for anesthetic during surgery. No side effects (3), so you'll actually be able to enjoy your painkillers after the surgery. And for all you toll takers out there - make an eight hour loop, put on your headphones, and your incredibly boring work day will be over in a (subjective) second (4).
It'll be revolutionary! You'll never need to count sheep again! There will be resistance of course. The pharmaceutical industry will fight it tooth and nail. But it won't be the first time Joey Covington has faced adversity!
(1) Well, shit, it was the seventies - maybe it was
my Cheech and Chong phase.
(2) Of course I do, it's my hypertrophied left brain again.
(3) This is an untested assumption. Has anyone actually
tried listening to a continuous tape loop of "Thunk?"
I wouldn't suggest animal trials, because PETA and the ASPCA
would go apeshit over such cruel treatment of lab rats.
Maybe we could try cockroaches.
(4) Better make that tape loop a bit shorter, so you'll
remember to take bathroom breaks.