Software (album)

Software is the fourth and final solo studio album by American singer Grace Slick, released in 1984 by RCA Records. The album was recorded after Slick rejoined Jefferson Starship after temporarily leaving the band in the late 1970s. After working on this album with her, Slick's collaborator Peter Wolf would go on to contribute to Jefferson Starship's 1984 album Nuclear Furniture. A music video was made for the single "All the Machines".

Software
Studio album by
Grace Slick
Released1984
Recorded1983
StudioThe Plant, Sausalito
Genre
Length37:04
LabelRCA
ProducerRon Nevison
Grace Slick chronology
Welcome to the Wrecking Ball!
(1981)		 Software
(1984)		 The Best of Grace Slick
(1999)
Singles from Software
  1. "All the Machines"
    Released: January 9, 1984
  2. "Through the Window"
    Released: June 11, 1984

Software has been described as Slick's attempt to assimilate with the synth-pop sound of the period.[2] Guitar use is largely replaced by synthesizers and electric drums. Slick's trademark wailing vocals and improvising is replaced by more short, precise bursts.[3]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Robert ChristgauC−[5]

The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that Slick "jumps on the synthesizer bandwagon, putting every ping, pip and pow electro-pop has to offer into another batch of inimitably banal songs."[6] The Wall Street Journal determined that Slick "really sings, with intelligence and control... The only problem is that the lyrics she's written for herself aren't up to Mr. Wolf's well-crafted music."[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Grace Slick and Peter Wolf, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Call It Right Call It Wrong"3:47
2."Me and Me"3:52
3."All the Machines"4:47
4."Fox Face"4:54
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Through the Window" (Peter Beckett)3:32
2."It Just Won't Stop"4:05
3."Habits"3:50
4."Rearrange My Face"3:25
5."Bikini Atoll" (Slick)4:52

Personnel

Musicians
  • Grace Slick – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Peter Wolf – keyboards, Linn programming, synth bass
  • Peter Maunu – guitars on all tracks except "Rearrange My Face"
  • Brian MacLeod – Simmons drums
  • Bret Bloomfield – Fender bass on "Me and Me"
  • Michael Spiro – percussion on "Me and Me", "Fox Face", "Rearrange My Face" and "Bikini Atoll"
  • Dale Strumpel – sound effects on "All the Machines" and "Bikini Atoll"
  • Sean Hopper, Paul Kantner – background vocals on "All the Machines" and "It Just Won't Stop"
  • John Colla, Mickey Thomas – background vocals on "Call It Right Call It Wrong", "Me and Me", "All the Machines", "Through the Window", "It Just Won't Stop" and "Rearrange My Face"
  • Ron Nevison – background vocals on "Me and Me"
  • Ina Wolf – background vocals

Production
  • Ron Nevison – producer, engineer, arrangements
  • Rick Sanchez – assistant engineer
  • Dee Dee Miller – production assistant
  • Peter Wolf – arrangements
  • Michael Pangrazio – album cover illustrator
  • Paykos Phior – album cover design
  • Andrea Hein – album cover coordination, back cover concept
  • Grace Slick – front cover concept

References
  1. "11 Classic Rockers Who Went New Wave For One Album". VH1.
  2. Puterbaugh, Parke (March 15, 1984). "The Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra/Software". Rolling Stone. No. 417. p. 52.
  3. Tamarkin, Jeff (2003). Got a Revolution!: The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane. New York: Atria Books. p. 322. ISBN 978-0-6710-3403-0.
  4. Viglione, Joe (2011). "Software – Grace Slick". AllMusic. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  5. Christgau, Robert (2011). "Robert Christgau: CG: Grace Slick". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  6. Rea, Steven X. (February 19, 1984). "Grace Slick Software". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. I9.
  7. Lambert, Pam (March 20, 1984). "On Music: Gems in the Rock Pile". Leisure & Arts. The Wall Street Journal. p. 1.
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