Big Band Record - Ray Anderson

Advantages: A New Direction For Tull
Disadvantages: A New Direction For Tull

...A was initially to be Andersons solo project but when Chrysallis the bands record Label heard the demos they immediately wanted it be released under the Jethro Tull name. By this time 3 other members of the band had left since Stormwatch. For this project Eddie Jobson a great keyboardist and electric violinist was drafted in as well as American Drummer Mark Craney. Martin Barre was still there at this time too. This album was more electronic than any other release and the band turned away from their folk rock direction. The album spawned one classic “Black Sunday”.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some moments of heart stopping beauty and confirmation that Suede can still astound when they choose to
Disadvantages: Far too much half realised filler and several tracks that resemble a poor photocopy of the band's once individual sound

...’ and has trimmed the visibility of his accent. Thus Anderson’s vocals are perhaps his warmest and certainly most human on record to date. Musically, ‘A New Morning’ goes on a treasure hunt through the band’s back catalogue for inspiration. Thus ‘Obsessions’ and ‘Beautiful Loser’ harken back to the guitar wielding rockers of their eponymous debut, whilst the windswept melancholia of ‘Untitled’ carries with it more then a whisper of ground travelled on ‘Dog Man Star’. Meanwhile the smart hooks and smooth production of ‘One Hit to the Body’ could have slipped easily onto the track listing of ‘Coming Up’. Not that the album spends its entire running time rehashing moments of past glories. The delightful ‘Lost in TV’ manages to hint at both U2 and REM with one of the sweetest chorus hooks the band has managed to date, whilst the restrained... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Album
Disadvantages: Slightly Depressing In Parts

...“Orion” and “Dark Ages” were lumbering epics enlightened by one of Ian Andersons finest whimsies “Dun Ringill”, and the jolly instrumental “Warm Sporran”. Many of the lyrics contained within reflected Andersons views of current affairs. This gives the album a foreboding almost threatening feel although it is not a totally cold record. At this point Tull were trying to find where they would be heading in the future. An unforeseen event after the release of this album (the death of John Glasscock who was ill) meant that the band had many decisions to make.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful