[.ca] Broadsword And The Beast

Simply one of their best. Both a step forward and back.:
Broadsword and The Beast was released at a time when I was 18. I had been listening for years to Tull due to my older brother's influence on my stereo. I considered myself a fan from the moment I heard "Wind-Up" on Aqualung. Remember,before the days of the internet, a person couldn't research and find out any and almost all information on a particular band or it's going's on. Fortunately, I was at the time working at a "record" store and was intrigued when the new release shipment came in with this LP in the box. I immediately bought it. It remained on my turntable (or not far from it) for almost a year. I saw the subsequent tour (which was fantastic) and I continued listening to the LP until I managed to get a CD copy years later. The music today is well, historically an 80's type sound. A sound that found it's way into many a great artists music (see Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Who, Robert Plant) But, one must remember that Jethro Tull wasn't yet in the "classic rock" category. None of the previously mentioned bands were. Tull was just a constantly touring and prolific contemporary band. Radio had not yet become so marginalized as to squeeze all music into a particular style or box. Tull is to this day a great band and incredibly great LIVE. The following tour for "Under Wraps" was a a drastic change and one which didn't appeal to my more organic ears. But, I returned to the fold with Crest of a Knave. This album, with all it's synths and such. Including it's excellent and rare outside production by Paul Samwell-Smith. Is a great Jethro Tull album and I continue to enjoy it with their best works today.

What is up with this trendy jethro tull:
Jehtro tull is one of the most inspiring, innovative, and creative bands of all time. This album proves to all of mankind that bands of this genre can easily change considering what the public is interested in listening to. Through drum machines, ol' Clive is only to be put down. I admit, the songs on this album are highly interesting and have very good and intricate melodies, although it is not what I expected from a band as great to me as Jethro Tull.

Not the worst:
If you are a casual Tull fan, STAY AWAY from this record. There are many other, better Tull albums. Living in the Past, Benefit, Aqualung, Stand Up, all contain music that is more recognizable as classic rock. This album is all synth-drumkit driven 80s experimental pablum. I REALLY liked Jethro Tull until I started working my way to the more recent releases (80s on up, basically). Those albums wore me out for the most part... and that includes this album. It's mediocre at best, and banal at its worst. If you are interested in picking up a new Jethro Tull album, and you've picked up most of the 60s & 70s discs, this isn't a bad one to start with. You'll see where everything is headed. Not too long after this album Ian Anderson ruined his voice with a throat infection (seriously ruined... he's painful to listen to on his most recent albums) To sum up; Best of the Worst of the Tull catalogue.

Bring Me My Broadsword:
This is probably the best Tull record of the early 80's. "A" was really an Ian Anderson solo album under the Tull name, and Under Wraps took too steep a dive into the keyboard and synth sound of the decade for most Tull fans. Broadsword toned down alot of the keyboard featured on "A" and Ian Anderson's song writing for this album is simply fantastic, featuring songs written more in tune with what a fan expects from a Jethro Tull CD. Broadsword is a fast, fun-filled disk that clocks in well under the 45 minute mark, but packs so much into each song! Highly recommended!

"To Kiss the pussy wilow":
The Broadsword and the beast is not what I expected. I remember the first time I saw the cover and the name I expected big time heavy metal about evil monsters and battles. I was a little dissapointed when i found it to be very mellow and lyrically a little more serious. Pussy willow, Flying colors and Fallen on hard times instatnly caught on though, and eventually the rest too. This is an extremely well written album! I don't consider Ian Anderson the best songwriter in rock music for nothing. The music is so beautiful, hinting at medieval but at the same time completely different from everything else. And lyrically, it's extremely intelligent poetry that is extremely hard to interpret. Well, except for "watching me" which i always thought had a nice beat but was kinda stupid. Overall my favorites are Flying colors, Pussy willow, The clasp and Fallen on hard times. I think that the only Tull album I like more is Minstrel in the gallery a true masterpiece. If you're a person who needs upbeat dance music through the whole cd you might get a little bored but if you have an appreciation for some of the better poetry ever written set to beautiful music, don't hesitate to give it a chance.

• Beastie
• Clasp
• Fallen On Hard Times
• Flying Colours
• Slow Marching Band
• Broadsword
• Pussy Willow
• Watching Me Watching You
• Seal Driver
• Cheerio