HEAVY HORSES

The new Jethro Tull style that emerged in "Songs from the wood" remained in the following album but don't get me wrong: this is a very original album. "Heavy horses" was the second album of the six-men line-up of Jethro Tull including David Palmer and such as the previous album, this was a record that I needed to listen to several times before I appreciate its uniqueness.

Anderson played some of his best flute lines in this album while Barre showed maturity as a musician that links up really well to any rhythm that appears in the songs. The string arrangements, the interesting lyrics, the hard rock tunes mixed with sweet flute passages (something that has always been the most recognizable characteristic in Jethro Tull's music but it is also something that never gets annoying but keeps improving over time) are the most remarkable characteristics in this album.

1.- "and the mouse police never sleeps" (03:12): What an opening! With the folky acoustic guitar, the powerful bass line, the chorus by Glascock, the song is aggressive and fresh. The little stops that the song takes every time it's going to repeat the patron keeps the song really interesting. This song reminds me a lot to Comus' "First utterance" (only without the violins).

2.- Acres wild (03:24): The mandolin and the violin are the main instruments in this rocky piece with sensual organs here and there.

3.- No lullaby (07:55): One of the hardest songs of the album: more presence of the electric guitar drums, organ and bass, at some times it reminds me a lot to Yes early albums (that obviously changes when Ian Anderson's vocals and flute appear).

4.- Moths (03:28): The melody is absolutely beautiful: the flute and the discrete orchestral arrangements by Palmer come and go through the song and it is just lovely. At some moments, I feel as I was listening to The Carpenters (who I adore) only that the voice of Karen is replaced by Ian's; anyway, I really think I've heard a cover of this piece or a really similar song, only that I don't remember when or where.

5.- Journeyman (03:58) This song reminds me a lot of Gentle Giant's "Cogs in cogs", especially the bass and keyboard lines.

6.- Rover (04:17): The marimbas played by Barlow in this piece give it a very unique touch; the rhythm is rocky but not too fast.

7.- One brown mouse (03:23): Another rock piece with more presence of acoustic than an electric guitar.

8.- Heavy horses (08:55): The title track is also the longest song of the album: the piano and the violins in the beginning and the powerful rock structure predominant in the song made this a very essential jewel in the band's discography.

9.- Weathercock (04:07): An excellent closing track for an excellent album! The last piece is also very strong rock with nice acoustic arrangements from time to time; very intense most of the time.

SONG RATING: And the mouse police never sleeps, 5 Acres wild, 4 No lullaby, 4 Moths, 4 Journeyman, 4 Rover, 4 One brown mouse, 4 Heavy horses, 5 Weathercock, 4

AVERAGE: 4.22

PERCENTAGE: 84.44

ALBUM RATING: 4 stars

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