ROOTS TO BRANCHES

This was a bit of a return to form for Jethro Tull, getting back to some of their folk/rock roots as well as some new touches, thankfully it was their best album for years. Of course you can't expect the same sounds as the old Tull, but there are many qualities to be found. In my opinion, it's their best album since "Broadsword And The Beast" from 1982. Here they throw in plenty of far eastern flavours much like in Anderson's solo work from the same year. For the most part it works really well. 'Rare and Precious Chain' probably being the most inspired. The flute is terrific on this album, lots of great riffs. Organ and guitar work is fine too. There's a nice share of very mellow and melodic music as well as uptempo stuff, interweaving instruments, even some jazz breaks. A personal favourite of all is the delicate "At last, Forever". Towards the end we get a bit more of the Dire Straits-esque leanings they'd adopted from the late-eighties ("Another Harry's Bar), still good songs however, and fans of the classic Tull should find plenty to enjoy. Comparing it to some of the band's earlier works such as "Aqualung","Heavy Horses", I definitely wouldn't rate it quite as high but it isn't too far behind! Three and a half stars is about right.