Jefferson Starship was in something of a quandary. The band's music had moved into a slicker and more FM radio-friendly direction, resulting in hits like "Jane" from the divisive Freedom at Point Zero album. Critics, however, were fast to take the band to task for selling out their sound for record sales. The criticism was not lost on Paul Kantner and the band, which now featured the return of singer Grace Slick after a three-year absence. It only inspired him to go further down the path of what's come to be known as AOR; album-oriented rock.
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“I like to walk on the edge. We’re taking chances, but that’s what makes it interesting," he'd tell People in 1981. “Whenever we try to plan anything, we screw up.”
Modern Times picked up where Freedom at Point Zero left off, opening with lead single, "Find Your Way Back." Written by guitarist Craig Chaquico and featuring Mickey Thomas on vocals, the song blasted into the top 30, peaking at #29 on the Hot 100 chart.
The album's second track, "Stranger," signaled the return of Grace Slick, who shares lead vocals with Thomas on the tune. Slick, however, owns the music video in her own inimitable style. A hit on FM radio, it hit #48 on the Hot 100.
The record ended on the infamous "Stairway to Cleveland," which was a reaction to a particularly harsh review of Freedom at Point Zero.
Released on April 2, Modern Times made a strong chart run, climbing as high as #26 on the Billboard 200 for the week of June 6, 1981. The #1 album in America that week: REO Speedwagon's High Infidelity.
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