j-tull Dot Com, by Patrick
Lydon
Aaaah, and doesn't Jethro Tull's music just grow on you?
If any group was capable of accomplishing this phenomena of getting you
totally hooked on a song only after a few listens, it would be Tull. When
I first tear through the shrink-wrap and pop in a new Tull CD, to be
perfectly honest, I am not fully convinced that Ian Anderson has given it
his best shot. But this is where the aaah comes in… Given a couple more
listens, I and most anyone else who would care to do so will immediately
become transfixed upon Ian's slippery and evasive lyrics, and his ability
to interweave strange instruments into a full on rock orchestration of
enormous proportions. The new Tull album, titled, oddly enough
"J-Tull Dot Com" in honor of the bands new web presence, should
live up to any Tull fan's expectations. I am also quite sure, that if were
given a chance, it would blow away the minds of non-Tull fans… you know,
those people who think Jethro Tull is a person in the band, right? Yeah,
you!
The paintings on the front and back cover are by none
other than Ian Anderson, and they speak well of his artistry when
concerned with a paint brush and palette, but that pales in comparison
with what you will find inside that shiny new jewel case. Spiral, a fast
paced hard rocking number, is the kind of song that keeps people going,
wanting more, "A song about the waking up process, spiraling out of
the dream stage and into morning." as Ian puts it, and one of my
favorites. Another solid, rocking song is "Hunt By Numbers."
This one was written in honor of Mr. Anderson's groundhog hunting felines,
"No, not little domestic kitties, but rather, tigers as I understand
it".
For the lighter side, as there always should be,
"Bends Like A Willow," and "The Dog-Ear Years" seem to
stand out as great songs. The aforementioned piece has a feel that brings
you back to the earlier Tull years, with a reminiscence of "Stormwatch".
"The Dog-Ear Years" is a sort of all encompassing song that
blends many different sounds from different times, together in a very
solid song. Finally, I really appreciated "A Gift Of Roses", no
the band did not buy me roses, that's the last song on the CD, and
probably the only song that stuck with me the first time I listened to it.
I also was thankful to hear efforts from other band
members, Martin Barre, and Andrew Giddings on the CD, who wrote "Hot
Mango Flush," and "Nothing @ All," respectively. Although
unmistakably not Ian Anderson creations, they added a nice variety to the
album. Another surprise was Ian Anderson's hidden bonus track from his
soon to come solo album, "Secret Language of Birds", which I am
now awaiting with anticipation after hearing the teaser. Overall, this was
an outstanding effort from Ian, Martin, Doane, Andy and Jonathan, and I am
looking forward to the concert, as well as the next album.
Reviewed by Patrick Lydon
September, 1999
Please feel free to e-mail me at patrick@tullworld.com
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