Among these was the use of the Synclavier, which guitarist Craig Chaquico later described as "cutting edge," adding that despite the changes, the group did not feel like they were "selling out," but rather felt like "they were trying to land a man on the moon.

"[8] However, short-term member David Freiberg recalled in a 1997 interview that one of the reasons for his departure was that in the studio "nobody in the band was playing anything" as it was all about "producing" and "hot stuff keyboard players.

[7] Originally written by Bernie Taupin (lyricist known for his work with Elton John) and Martin Page, the track was further developed by Wolf and co-producers Dennis Lambert and Jeremy Smith.

"Rock Myself to Sleep" was written by Katrina and the Waves members Kimberley Rew and Vince de la Cruz and featured additional vocals by Quiet Riot's Kevin DuBrow.

(released on The Best of Grace Slick) and the Peter Wolf–Jeremy Smith composition "Casualty" (included as a bonus track on the remastered 1999 CD edition of the album).

Reflecting on the creation of Knee Deep in the Hoopla, vocalist Mickey Thomas would later say that:"[with the album] we definitely made a conscious effort to sort of redefine ourselves and say: 'Let’s go in and try to do a completely different approach to music.

[24][26] Joseph McCombs of AllMusic retrospectively described Knee Deep in the Hoopla as the Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship project's "most overtly commercial effort to date.

[29] On 7 September 1985, Cashbox stated that "We Built This City" was a "must-add," describing it as an "ear-catching" and "bouncy" song that was "dance rock with sharp hooks" for Contemporary hits radio.

[30] On September 21, the magazine said that Knee Deep in the Hoopla was "rich in commercial potential and musical satisfaction," observing that it placed emphasis on "melodic, pop songwriting" and the "vocal interplay" of Slick and Thomas.

"[32] In November 1985, Stephen Holden of The New York Times said that the album, as a ''compendium of strutting pop-rock cliches," represented everything Jefferson Airplane stood against: "conformity, conservatism and a slavish adherence to formula.

"[34] Some days later, Associated Press writer Larry Kilman described "We Built this City" as a "short and snappy" song that, with a catchy chorus, was made for radio play.

[35] In December, Tom Ford of The Blade referred to Knee Deep in the Hoopla as the "quagmire of the commercial music market", describing the songs on it as "flashy and toothless," and concluding that there was no vision from the people who "should have some.

"[36] In April 1986, Cashbox said that "Mickey Thomas' sensational lead vocal" kept "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" "aloft with exhilerating [sic] sonic flight," adding that the track, backed by "searing rock guitars and a churning rhythm," sliced "like a double bladed sword.