Nice observation about the short songs being musically detailed. You make a lot of good points. I would disagree about quality of songs over the past 40 years. Lots of great ones
What amazes me is the level of passion from fans still - within 24 hours my review was my most viewed video on my channel. Unreal support after so long.
Yeah this review did way better than I expected. Also, saying that I didn't like anything after A seems to have provoked a lot of comments, which probably boosted the video's numbers. Ignorant blanket statements FTW I guess!
I can't believe you would dismiss the entire catalogue after the 70s. There are legitimately good albums. Roots to Branches ranks up there with the 70s stuff.
After a couple of plays I'm generally in agreement with your review. The compositions are sophisticated and the premise (Norse folklore/mythos) is interesting. Some of the melodies and instrumental work is outstanding. However, I find Mr Anderson's voice a little samey and underwhelming for the last few years and it does detract a little from the performance. I started noticing a little weakness in his vocals around Roots to Branches but in the run from Homo Erraticus to the current release Ian's voice is often a voiceover. Yes, it would be better if the vocals still had the clout of 70's Tull but even legends must grow old. After all, I rather liked Shirley Collins' Lodestar despite her own loss of voice. Great album despite my quibble.
My favourite I.A. album is SLoB. Not surprising to me - my favourite Tull/I.A. tunes have all been the acoustic ones. Another one of my favourite albums is Rupi's Dance.
@@masterchiefburgess Rupi's isn't bad- SLOB just has one great song after another and it finishes strong. Haven't heard much of the new one yet- listening back to some of HE, that's not a bad album either
@@guacamolekid3899 I love most of the songs on SLoB: SLoB, Flower Girl, Postcard Day, A Better Moon, Sanctuary, Jasmine Corridor (I.A.'s best love song IMHO), Habanero Reel, Boris Dancing, Stormont Shuffle, & In the Grip of Stronger Stuff, but I also very much like the remaining titles.
Yeah I don't like the title either but it's great music......Im a huge fan Tull fan so I'm in already.....I did like TZG as well.....My preference these days (Im 64) is acoustic based such as The Secret Language Of Birds.....I really enjoy Ian's mandolin playing and wish he would make one more Tull album with half acoustic stuff Ala Aqualung.....
I posted that previous comment too early... Then I heard you say IA's voice was never known for strength or power. Strongly disagree with you there, my friend. At his peak, he was one of the strongest, most vigorous stage performers in Rock, if not the best. His mixes always favored his vocals - because he wanted the ideas of his lyrics heard and understood - and it was one of my favorite characteristics of JT.
Valid and intelligent review. I would soundly disagree that the output of Ian Anderson since the seventies had otherwise been some sort of wasteland as it seems to have been to your perception. Note that I would not say your perception was incorrect. My own would hold that his output since Roots to Branches in 95 to now has been the most consistent in quality, if not the highest highs, of his career. Sort of like he has learned precisely what he is best off, trimming off old excesses that may have appeared on Passion Play or War Child. Yes more than a little aware there is also excellent material on those outings, saw every Tull or Ian tour at least once between 72 and 2011, and a couple since. In specific I would mark Secret Language of Birds, the Christmas album, Orchestral Tull by Ian and TAAB 2 at the top end of his output. Not a perception more than 5 per cent of Tullies would have I realize. Could not have less interest in speed metal or any metal but aware that some or many have traversed in this subject. I like how I saw Ian reference said music as "fantasy merchants." Maybe they do have something of authentic value in there again I would not know as a 66 year old man. Whereas with Ian I feel like he is talking about the real thing, as was the case with his Homo Erraticus or even long ago with Jack in the Green. Yes a fantasy but one of actual history, not something entirely grabbed out of the air.
Good perceptions here, but cluttered with kind of odd comments like nothing good since the 80's. First, it's not really true if you took the time to listen ,but mostly it is not relevent to this album. Same with comments about Ian's voice. To me Ian's voice is a problem only in live performance, because he has to play the flute and sing at the same time, and it is just a big strain for an older guy to keep going for 90 minutes like he does. I mean - imagine that for most senior citizens. It is the music that is so great, and the vocals if it because all of Ian's instrument arrangements are perfectionistic, and his voice is another instrument. But a good comment about Tull's music - especially later stuff being in a sort of timeless unclassifiable space, and some others too.
I concur with your synopsis of this latest offering and it feels like a more cohesive record (as far as I.A allows i suspect). The energy levels have moved up a notch with I.A's flute being more descriptive. It certainly is a step up from the previous album which was, for my ears, came across as rather prosaic. Your comment re post 70's output may be an oversight? Certainly i would point in the direction of Roots To Branches and Crest Of A Knave that are very decent contributions to the band's discography.
The Zealot Gene was the first Tull album (really an IA solo album with the JT label placed on it) that truly disappointed me. I thought it was tepid and lazy. RokFlote is a massive improvement.
That was a very interesting critique with some very salient points, in particular Tull not producing anything noteworthy since the forgettable “A”. Two points are worthy of discussion though. I don’t get why you would think that Tull (Anderson) who have sold 60,000,000 albums would be incapable of making a wonderful piece of art. Secondly you seriously misunderstand the direct comparison Anderson is making between the Crazy Norse deities and modern dictators. The brilliant Hammer On Hammer specifically attacks Vlad the Bad (Putin) who he played in front of in 1992 in St Petersburg at the festival of white lights, in no uncertain terms. I mean comparing his actions to that of the Ragnarok is pretty strong stuff. Lyrically and Musically this is a fantastic CD released at a time when music is on its knees.
@@hooch304 I agree with Samuele as I haven't forgotten 'A' either. Crossfire? Black Sunday? Working John, Working Joe? Oh, OK it's not a great album, but it's not lousy either. Just an opinion, and like a**holes, everyone's got one.
I love jethro Tull but never warmed up to A. However, it does contain two songs that I love unconditionally: Black Sunday and The Pine Marten’s Jig. The rest is indeed forgettable.
"Way better than it has the right to be" ??? what kind of moronic, illogical statement is that? It's a damn good album to any experienced listener and long-time fan. This guy's opinion is not even worth responding to...
Been a huge Tull fan since 1974. Approx 20% of his songs are fantastic (Among my all-time favorite songs)the rest do not gel with me. Secret Language of Birds is great. Rupi s Dance bit riff repetitive but some bangers and incredible flute work on several. Heavy Horses are some classics. Aqualung great. Just started listening to this, will see
Your review is very insightful and intelligently constructed. A lot of great music came after the 70's, so I disagree on that score, but it was ironic that in the UK, the 50th anniversary Tull tour gig that I seen only played music from the first 20 years!
Oooh, I'd disagree with you about Tull from the 80's on ... massively. Roots To Branches is one of my faves, but others too, but where most Tull albums, for me are like 100% there are a few clunkers. But they don't destract from the good songs that are there. I agree with you on the lyrics, how they stay in the background and wait for you to go searching for them and deciphering them - all except for Hammer on Hammer where he talks about Vlad the Bad. That comment on musical detail taking a lot of time to sink in has always been true for me when it comes to Tull. I often find that the songs I first dislike become my favorites. At first I only liked the 3 preview songs, but now there is only one song I would not rate 4 or 5 out of 5. That detail sinks is, and there is so much in each of these songs.
great to hear of your evolution on your appreciation of this album. It reminds be of the 70's when my brother and I lived together and loved Tull. BUT, EVEN IN THE 70'S!!!, I woulld bring the new album home and we would put the album on the turntable and sit attentively to the new offering. After the first listen, we were never sure. After 2 or 3 listens, it would click. This is an amazing phenomina sp.
@@jermaschinot It's almost magic, and I often do not trust it ... but this album is great. At this point there are only one or two songs I would rate a 4, the rest 5s. I'm thinking ZG and RF are right up there with the rest of my favorite JT/IA albums. What movie studios started doing with movies, but chopping them up and flashing backwards, forwards and sideways is what Ian seems to do with songs, he has some themes and then variations and jams them together so that at first they do not make sense, but they gel over time into something greater than the whole.
I do find the praise for Roots to Branches fascinating, as for me, that album is what I regard as the forgotten album. I actually had to ask Mr Google some time back as to when it was released. The title track is good, but beyond that, and again, for me, it's an easily forgotten record. I know there's a track about a Harry's Bar, but I couldn't cite any titles beyond that. I only have it in digital format. I'd probably not be considered a fan by many, having disembarked the Tull/Anderson train at Dot Com Station and have never seen any worthwhile reason to get back on since. Always musically top notch, but I'm afraid that is not enough to get me over the vocal quality - or lack thereof - but everything between This Was and Dot Com - even Under Wraps - still gets a spin. I'm just glad I saw them in 77 and 84, because the two 90s shows and the 2014 outing were not much to write home about. I don't know about the rest of the world, but Tull have been bringing the same set list to Australia for decades, and the 2014 show was end game for me. It's good to see what's being put out getting such a good reception though.
Valley Out Of The Noise This Free Will Roots To Branches Rare And Precious Chain Wounded Old and Treacherous. If you don't like the themes or lyrics, the music is amazing to listen to. Some more than others.
@@justgivemethetruth I really don't know what it is about that album, but it really didn't appeal. Catfish Rising did appeal, and that was because of its heavy acoustic leaning.
@@Broxin7 Sounds like you prefer the acoustic songs. While I like Catfish Rising, it is not one of my favorite Tull albums. I think I prefer songs with a lot going on, and that is RokFlote in spades - but it always takes me a while to digest and get a handle on the music.
@justgivemethetruth I think, for me, Catfish represented a long time between drinks for dedicated acoustic pieces, rather than pieces that might feature a bit of acoustic guitar or mando in the mix. Perhaps there's many musical attributes that people find appealing/unappealing. Hey, call me worthy of a pair of concrete shoes and a deep river, but the A album is one that appeals to me in a big way. Perhaps these little nuances of appeal and preference among the Tullian species stands as good grounds for the more hot-headed fans to avoid contact with each other beyond a casual nod and a grunted G'day mate.
@@Broxin7 I like "A" and "Under Wraps". I pretty much like all Tull. If I had to point to albums that I don't love quite as much, I'd say "Warchild", "Too Old Too Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die", "Rock Island"; but there are great songs on all of those albums. I can be and have been very critical of Ian and Tull, but it is nevertheless my favorite music. I would rather discuss the music than argue. Other people have different opinions they got to honestly the same as everyone else.
Ian is all too conscious of his vocal limitations...but he is a creative juggernaut. Never one to rest on past triumphs he sallies forth to produce works of very dense lyrical quality (as always)...prose that forces you think and expand one's knowledge outside the commonplace. As a lifelong admirer of his I have been no less critical of the fact everything since TAAB 2 sounds all too familiar. Generally most all melodies seem to default to a 'ditty like' kind of jaunt that gets redundant and less interesting with every listen. All his recent recent compositions are way too carefully devised to accommodate a voice that must exist in lower registers with vocal assists in spots by another gent who simply fills in the blanks. Reliance on spoken word (no matter how profound) gets old fast and repeated listens are difficult to enjoy despite an admiration for the effort involved. The performances sound phoned in and arrangements are merely a variation on a theme. Lastly...Ian's reliance on resurrecting the TULL moniker as a selling point is much too obvious...even though these capable players have stuck with him for years and deserve a spotlight. Jethro Tull is an ever evolving sound and it is Ian's baby...he can do and say what he likes...but the ultimate judgement of these works will be determined by LP and CD sales which seem for the moment only to be fair to middling. I wish them all the best.
I'm betting Ian was really inspired by the show Vikings before writing this album haha. Good stuff, but my favorite album is still Songs From the Wood. Thick as a Brick coming in 2nd. And the runners up are Broadsword and the Beast, and Aqualung.
I really like 84's Under wraps, a really effective, consistent and detailed production-wise pop album, while found songs from the wood a chore to get through. The album they released in 95 had some good songs on it too.
@@twilightpole8634 Sure, music's a matter of taste. Glad you like Under Wraps. Guess you like electronica? I like the track Under Wraps but the album's a stinker to me - and I love most JT albums, with Songs from the Wood one of my top 3. Imagine how dull the world would be if everyone liked the same music...Cheers mate.
@@rightchordleadership I can see that point of view with the drums, but it's not really a problem for me. I think its sounds dated in a good way, and when i listened to a drummer playing the UW songs on youtube it didn't really sounded that different for me
Been a big Tull fan since '71 and I own most Tull CDs. That is all I listen to in my Vechicle. I saw Ian's newest line up about 6 years ago at the Greek in L.A. I have to say I was embarrassed for Ian because he sounded like he was always out of air. It was painful to hear. Ian reached his pinnacle during the 80's I believe. I tried to listen to this album and I have a hard time with it because it reminds me of the Greek. I LOVE Tull , but damn, Ian is as bad as McCartney is now. PLEASE retire guys! As sad as it is, I have given up on any more of his albums. I miss the OLD Tull. I apologize for being honest.
I have no issue with Ian Anderson releasing new music, it's obviously up to him but calling it Jethro Tull is just wrong. Nothing he's released after Stormwatch is really Tull. A was originally going to be his first solo album but the label told him to release it as Jethro Tull so it would sell more and so it continues with a few exceptions that don't sound any different so why those? Anyway, again it's OK, pretty average and again nothing to touch what I would call genuine Tull. His voice is also shot to hell, he just can't sing anymore. Some people should know when to retire.
Benefit's a belter of rock album with the bluesy old Tull influences lingering on it. Even the acoustic elements are quite strident. Song writing on it was superb and Ian's voice had full range and power, which is why it's a little sad to hear that voice on RokFlote is so much weaker. Martin Lancelot Barre's riffs on Benefit rock too!
@@biserkasertic1208 Lyrics is not about range ... it is about tonality - and Ian can still sing wonderfully. There is incredible nuance in his voice, and I am even warming up to embrace much of the spoken word stuff. Just keep listening and more and more seems to come out of the woodwork .. what I love about Tull.
@@justgivemethetruth I agree he still have this charisma in the vocal expression.For example I really enjoy his voice on album Rupie's Dance, or in the songs Doggerland from Homo E. and Banker bets Banker winns from TAAB2. Here on Rockflote (and Zelot Gene as well) I can't find real chachy melody in the vocal lines. Usualy he compose the instrumental parts around main vocal melody, and here I have impression he compose instrumental parts first, and than just add the vocal melodies.
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 Ian is definitely the soul of Tull, these people just want to complain Martin Barre or whoever isnt in the band anymore but if he were they'd still find something to complain about
Being 'A', Broadsword ', 'Crest of a Knave' and 'Roots To Branches" some of the most ignored records by the late Jethro Tull followers, I would suggest many of them to stop for a while and just listen to them. That's a most important matter to rate this album, for Ian gets it again! This is not prog, it' s Tull again, made up of Ian's view of nowadays music and his unique ability to evoke myths. The album has got little in common with 'Broadsword' or 'Stormwartch' in many senses but this is 2023 and 'Røkflote' is just the brand new Jethro Tull great album. After listening to it twice you'll be eager to see the boys live. As it used to be.
Nice observation about the short songs being musically detailed. You make a lot of good points. I would disagree about quality of songs over the past 40 years. Lots of great ones
Agreed. There’s been plenty of great material since A.
What amazes me is the level of passion from fans still - within 24 hours my review was my most viewed video on my channel. Unreal support after so long.
Not surprising at all. Very well-deserved support and passion for a genius. Long live IA.
Thanks Davy, I really enjoyed your review! I'm the geezer that thinks yer funny.
Yeah this review did way better than I expected. Also, saying that I didn't like anything after A seems to have provoked a lot of comments, which probably boosted the video's numbers. Ignorant blanket statements FTW I guess!
I can't believe you would dismiss the entire catalogue after the 70s. There are legitimately good albums. Roots to Branches ranks up there with the 70s stuff.
I was thinking exactly the same thing!
Having witnessed the genius of Mr A over 50 years, I would never sell him short to even think he might not have great music in him at 75.
Or 105. ;-)
After a couple of plays I'm generally in agreement with your review. The compositions are sophisticated and the premise (Norse folklore/mythos) is interesting. Some of the melodies and instrumental work is outstanding. However, I find Mr Anderson's voice a little samey and underwhelming for the last few years and it does detract a little from the performance. I started noticing a little weakness in his vocals around Roots to Branches but in the run from Homo Erraticus to the current release Ian's voice is often a voiceover. Yes, it would be better if the vocals still had the clout of 70's Tull but even legends must grow old. After all, I rather liked Shirley Collins' Lodestar despite her own loss of voice. Great album despite my quibble.
Knave-87 is a masterpiece.
Roots to Branches (which suffers from about 20 minutes too much length), and Secret Language of Birds are my favorite 2nd half of career albums.
Those are easily the two best Tull/IA albums since the 90s. Although this new one is quite good.
My favourite I.A. album is SLoB. Not surprising to me - my favourite Tull/I.A. tunes have all been the acoustic ones. Another one of my favourite albums is Rupi's Dance.
@@masterchiefburgess Rupi's isn't bad- SLOB just has one great song after another and it finishes strong. Haven't heard much of the new one yet- listening back to some of HE, that's not a bad album either
@@guacamolekid3899 I love most of the songs on SLoB: SLoB, Flower Girl, Postcard Day, A Better Moon, Sanctuary, Jasmine Corridor (I.A.'s best love song IMHO), Habanero Reel, Boris Dancing, Stormont Shuffle, & In the Grip of Stronger Stuff, but I also very much like the remaining titles.
@@masterchiefburgess Circular breathing is a great track too.
Yeah I don't like the title either but it's great music......Im a huge fan Tull fan so I'm in already.....I did like TZG as well.....My preference these days (Im 64) is acoustic based such as The Secret Language Of Birds.....I really enjoy Ian's mandolin playing and wish he would make one more Tull album with half acoustic stuff Ala Aqualung.....
Can’t wait to get Jethro Tull new album
I posted that previous comment too early... Then I heard you say IA's voice was never known for strength or power. Strongly disagree with you there, my friend. At his peak, he was one of the strongest, most vigorous stage performers in Rock, if not the best. His mixes always favored his vocals - because he wanted the ideas of his lyrics heard and understood - and it was one of my favorite characteristics of JT.
It's a real Tull album. Great review ! I do think Roots to Branches was great !!
I'll go back to that one!
Valid and intelligent review. I would soundly disagree that the output of Ian Anderson since the seventies had otherwise been some sort of wasteland as it seems to have been to your perception. Note that I would not say your perception was incorrect. My own would hold that his output since Roots to Branches in 95 to now has been the most consistent in quality, if not the highest highs, of his career. Sort of like he has learned precisely what he is best off, trimming off old excesses that may have appeared on Passion Play or War Child. Yes more than a little aware there is also excellent material on those outings, saw every Tull or Ian tour at least once between 72 and 2011, and a couple since. In specific I would mark Secret Language of Birds, the Christmas album, Orchestral Tull by Ian and TAAB 2 at the top end of his output. Not a perception more than 5 per cent of Tullies would have I realize. Could not have less interest in speed metal or any metal but aware that some or many have traversed in this subject. I like how I saw Ian reference said music as "fantasy merchants." Maybe they do have something of authentic value in there again I would not know as a 66 year old man. Whereas with Ian I feel like he is talking about the real thing, as was the case with his Homo Erraticus or even long ago with Jack in the Green. Yes a fantasy but one of actual history, not something entirely grabbed out of the air.
Well put!!!
Good perceptions here, but cluttered with kind of odd comments like nothing good since the 80's. First, it's not really true if you took the time to listen ,but mostly it is not relevent to this album. Same with comments about Ian's voice. To me Ian's voice is a problem only in live performance, because he has to play the flute and sing at the same time, and it is just a big strain for an older guy to keep going for 90 minutes like he does. I mean - imagine that for most senior citizens.
It is the music that is so great, and the vocals if it because all of Ian's instrument arrangements are perfectionistic, and his voice is another instrument. But a good comment about Tull's music - especially later stuff being in a sort of timeless unclassifiable space, and some others too.
I'll try the 80s stuff again sometime.
@@electricbrainelectricshado9490 Yes, but perhaps you would find the solo albums more satisfying.. HE, Brick 2, SLOB even Rupi's
I concur with your synopsis of this latest offering and it feels like a more cohesive record (as far as I.A allows i suspect). The energy levels have moved up a notch with I.A's flute being more descriptive. It certainly is a step up from the previous album which was, for my ears, came across as rather prosaic. Your comment re post 70's output may be an oversight? Certainly i would point in the direction of Roots To Branches and Crest Of A Knave that are very decent contributions to the band's discography.
The Zealot Gene was the first Tull album (really an IA solo album with the JT label placed on it) that truly disappointed me. I thought it was tepid and lazy. RokFlote is a massive improvement.
Right on , brother
That was a very interesting critique with some very salient points, in particular Tull not producing anything noteworthy since the forgettable “A”. Two points are worthy of discussion though. I don’t get why you would think that Tull (Anderson) who have sold 60,000,000 albums would be incapable of making a wonderful piece of art. Secondly you seriously misunderstand the direct comparison Anderson is making between the Crazy Norse deities and modern dictators. The brilliant Hammer On Hammer specifically attacks Vlad the Bad (Putin) who he played in front of in 1992 in St Petersburg at the festival of white lights, in no uncertain terms. I mean comparing his actions to that of the Ragnarok is pretty strong stuff. Lyrically and Musically this is a fantastic CD released at a time when music is on its knees.
At "forgettable A" I just stopped reading
@@samuelecallegari6117
And here was me thinking how much I will miss your input.
@@hooch304 I agree with Samuele as I haven't forgotten 'A' either. Crossfire? Black Sunday? Working John, Working Joe? Oh, OK it's not a great album, but it's not lousy either. Just an opinion, and like a**holes, everyone's got one.
@@PaIaeoCIive1684
Totally agree with your last sentence.
I love jethro Tull but never warmed up to A. However, it does contain two songs that I love unconditionally: Black Sunday and The Pine Marten’s Jig. The rest is indeed forgettable.
If you don’t think Ian has written a good song since A, you’re not listening adequately.
👍!
"Way better than it has the right to be" ??? what kind of moronic, illogical statement is that? It's a damn good album to any experienced listener and long-time fan. This guy's opinion is not even worth responding to...
@@stanferraro4130 yeah this review is kinda weak
@@stanferraro4130 It's a sham he said that as he does make many intelligent points.
Been a huge Tull fan since 1974. Approx 20% of his songs are fantastic (Among my all-time favorite songs)the rest do not gel with me. Secret Language of Birds is great. Rupi s Dance bit riff repetitive but some bangers and incredible flute work on several. Heavy Horses are some classics. Aqualung great. Just started listening to this, will see
Huge fan and only 20% of their songs are fantastic???? 😂
.. good job, instead of words of praise in your narrative I simply give you an A+ and I know Tull
Black Sunday is good, Especially the SW remix.
Awesome song
Black Sunday is not good_ it is fantastic!!! Among the best of, no doubt.
Your review is very insightful and intelligently constructed. A lot of great music came after the 70's, so I disagree on that score, but it was ironic that in the UK, the 50th anniversary Tull tour gig that I seen only played music from the first 20 years!
Oooh, I'd disagree with you about Tull from the 80's on ... massively.
Roots To Branches is one of my faves, but others too, but where most Tull albums, for me are like 100% there are a few clunkers. But they don't destract from the good songs that are there.
I agree with you on the lyrics, how they stay in the background and wait for you to go searching for them and deciphering them - all except for Hammer on Hammer where he talks about Vlad the Bad.
That comment on musical detail taking a lot of time to sink in has always been true for me when it comes to Tull.
I often find that the songs I first dislike become my favorites. At first I only liked the 3 preview songs, but now there is only one song I would not rate 4 or 5 out of 5. That detail sinks is, and there is so much in each of these songs.
great to hear of your evolution on your appreciation of this album. It reminds be of the 70's when my brother and I lived together and loved Tull. BUT, EVEN IN THE 70'S!!!, I woulld bring the new album home and we would put the album on the turntable and sit attentively to the new offering. After the first listen, we were never sure. After 2 or 3 listens, it would click. This is an amazing phenomina sp.
@@jermaschinot
It's almost magic, and I often do not trust it ... but this album is great.
At this point there are only one or two songs I would rate a 4, the rest 5s.
I'm thinking ZG and RF are right up there with the rest of my favorite JT/IA albums.
What movie studios started doing with movies, but chopping them up and flashing
backwards, forwards and sideways is what Ian seems to do with songs, he has
some themes and then variations and jams them together so that at first they do
not make sense, but they gel over time into something greater than the whole.
I do find the praise for Roots to Branches fascinating, as for me, that album is what I regard as the forgotten album. I actually had to ask Mr Google some time back as to when it was released. The title track is good, but beyond that, and again, for me, it's an easily forgotten record. I know there's a track about a Harry's Bar, but I couldn't cite any titles beyond that. I only have it in digital format. I'd probably not be considered a fan by many, having disembarked the Tull/Anderson train at Dot Com Station and have never seen any worthwhile reason to get back on since. Always musically top notch, but I'm afraid that is not enough to get me over the vocal quality - or lack thereof - but everything between This Was and Dot Com - even Under Wraps - still gets a spin. I'm just glad I saw them in 77 and 84, because the two 90s shows and the 2014 outing were not much to write home about. I don't know about the rest of the world, but Tull have been bringing the same set list to Australia for decades, and the 2014 show was end game for me. It's good to see what's being put out getting such a good reception though.
Valley
Out Of The Noise
This Free Will
Roots To Branches
Rare And Precious Chain
Wounded Old and Treacherous.
If you don't like the themes or lyrics, the music is amazing to listen to.
Some more than others.
@@justgivemethetruth
I really don't know what it is about that album, but it really didn't appeal. Catfish Rising did appeal, and that was because of its heavy acoustic leaning.
@@Broxin7
Sounds like you prefer the acoustic songs. While I like Catfish Rising, it is not one of my favorite Tull albums. I think I prefer songs with a lot going on, and that is RokFlote in spades - but it always takes me a while to digest and get a handle on the music.
@justgivemethetruth
I think, for me, Catfish represented a long time between drinks for dedicated acoustic pieces, rather than pieces that might feature a bit of acoustic guitar or mando in the mix. Perhaps there's many musical attributes that people find appealing/unappealing. Hey, call me worthy of a pair of concrete shoes and a deep river, but the A album is one that appeals to me in a big way. Perhaps these little nuances of appeal and preference among the Tullian species stands as good grounds for the more hot-headed fans to avoid contact with each other beyond a casual nod and a grunted G'day mate.
@@Broxin7
I like "A" and "Under Wraps". I pretty much like all Tull. If I had to point to albums that I don't love quite as much, I'd say "Warchild", "Too Old Too Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die", "Rock Island"; but there are great songs on all of those albums. I can be and have been very critical of Ian and Tull, but it is nevertheless my favorite music. I would rather discuss the music than argue. Other people have different opinions they got to honestly the same as everyone else.
Ian is all too conscious of his vocal limitations...but he is a creative juggernaut. Never one to rest on past triumphs he sallies forth to produce works of very dense lyrical quality (as always)...prose that forces you think and expand one's knowledge outside the commonplace. As a lifelong admirer of his I have been no less critical of the fact everything since TAAB 2 sounds all too familiar. Generally most all melodies seem to default to a 'ditty like' kind of jaunt that gets redundant and less interesting with every listen. All his recent recent compositions are way too carefully devised to accommodate a voice that must exist in lower registers with vocal assists in spots by another gent who simply fills in the blanks. Reliance on spoken word (no matter how profound) gets old fast and repeated listens are difficult to enjoy despite an admiration for the effort involved. The performances sound phoned in and arrangements are merely a variation on a theme.
Lastly...Ian's reliance on resurrecting the TULL moniker as a selling point is much too obvious...even though these capable players have stuck with him for years and deserve a spotlight. Jethro Tull is an ever evolving sound and it is Ian's baby...he can do and say what he likes...but the ultimate judgement of these works will be determined by LP and CD sales which seem for the moment only to be fair to middling. I wish them all the best.
Where are the memorable melodies on this new album?
I'm betting Ian was really inspired by the show Vikings before writing this album haha. Good stuff, but my favorite album is still Songs From the Wood. Thick as a Brick coming in 2nd. And the runners up are Broadsword and the Beast, and Aqualung.
Allfather is Classic
Any Ian Anderson album is better than it has any right to be haha
I really like 84's Under wraps, a really effective, consistent and detailed production-wise pop album, while found songs from the wood a chore to get through. The album they released in 95 had some good songs on it too.
Seriously?
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 yep. Underwraps > Songs from the wood for me
@@twilightpole8634 Sure, music's a matter of taste. Glad you like Under Wraps. Guess you like electronica? I like the track Under Wraps but the album's a stinker to me - and I love most JT albums, with Songs from the Wood one of my top 3. Imagine how dull the world would be if everyone liked the same music...Cheers mate.
UW would have been a killer album with an actual drummer. The songs are actually quite good but suffer from the use of drum machine.
@@rightchordleadership I can see that point of view with the drums, but it's not really a problem for me. I think its sounds dated in a good way, and when i listened to a drummer playing the UW songs on youtube it didn't really sounded that different for me
Have you heard the Roots to Branches album? I believe that album is really great,
For the later years.
There is one - "Rocks On The Road", from Crest Of A Knave. That's a keeper - but sadly, too short..
from Catfish Rising
Thank you, Tom - memory's growing shorter every day.🥴
Been a big Tull fan since '71 and I own most Tull CDs. That is all I listen to in my Vechicle. I saw Ian's newest line up about 6 years ago at the Greek in L.A. I have to say I was embarrassed for Ian because he sounded like he was always out of air. It was painful to hear. Ian reached his pinnacle during the 80's I believe. I tried to listen to this album and I have a hard time with it because it reminds me of the Greek. I LOVE Tull , but damn, Ian is as bad as McCartney is now. PLEASE retire guys! As sad as it is, I have given up on any more of his albums. I miss the OLD Tull. I apologize for being honest.
I have no issue with Ian Anderson releasing new music, it's obviously up to him but calling it Jethro Tull is just wrong.
Nothing he's released after Stormwatch is really Tull.
A was originally going to be his first solo album but the label told him to release it as Jethro Tull so it would sell more and so it continues with a few exceptions that don't sound any different so why those?
Anyway, again it's OK, pretty average and again nothing to touch what I would call genuine Tull. His voice is also shot to hell, he just can't sing anymore. Some people should know when to retire.
the last Tull abum I really Loved Was Benefit! Thats from 1970 over 50 Years whew!..But they all have something to offer at least up to storm watch...
Pffffffffttttt......oh please.
😂😂😂 they have really started after Benefit!!! I'm afraid you're kind of behind...
Maybe L.I.T.P...@@handebarlas6248
Benefit's a belter of rock album with the bluesy old Tull influences lingering on it. Even the acoustic elements are quite strident. Song writing on it was superb and Ian's voice had full range and power, which is why it's a little sad to hear that voice on RokFlote is so much weaker. Martin Lancelot Barre's riffs on Benefit rock too!
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 We all miss Martin & the rest of em!
I don't know what your are listening to but it's not that good and I've been listening to Tull for years.
Listen harder.
@@rightchordleadership I've listened a few times. It ain't getting any better.
@@clutch2827 Due to his limited vocal range, vocal lines/melodies are too predictible and uninteresting.
@@biserkasertic1208
Lyrics is not about range ... it is about tonality - and Ian can still sing wonderfully.
There is incredible nuance in his voice, and I am even warming up to embrace much of the spoken
word stuff. Just keep listening and more and more seems to come out of the woodwork .. what I love about Tull.
@@justgivemethetruth I agree he still have this charisma in the vocal expression.For example I really enjoy his voice on album Rupie's Dance, or in the songs Doggerland from Homo E. and Banker bets Banker winns from TAAB2.
Here on Rockflote (and Zelot Gene as well) I can't find real chachy melody in the vocal lines.
Usualy he compose the instrumental parts around main vocal melody, and here I have impression he compose instrumental parts first, and than just add the vocal melodies.
It’s no longer JT
Agree with you - it's Ian Anderson. But what's Jethro Tull without him? Not JT either.
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 Ian is definitely the soul of Tull, these people just want to complain Martin Barre or whoever isnt in the band anymore but if he were they'd still find something to complain about
@@Thiagoo662
true ... but they always show up within minutes of the review of a new album to grind their 50 year old axes. ;-)
Being 'A', Broadsword ', 'Crest of a Knave' and 'Roots To Branches" some of the most ignored records by the late Jethro Tull followers, I would suggest many of them to stop for a while and just listen to them. That's a most important matter to rate this album, for Ian gets it again! This is not prog, it' s Tull again, made up of Ian's view of nowadays music and his unique ability to evoke myths. The album has got little in common with 'Broadsword' or 'Stormwartch' in many senses but this is 2023 and 'Røkflote' is just the brand new Jethro Tull great album. After listening to it twice you'll be eager to see the boys live. As it used to be.