THE BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST

After Under Wraps, this is my least favorite Jethro Tull album. But being a Jethro Tull album, it does have it's merits. All of the somgs have that Tull spirit. There are some good prog moments, there are some good rock moments. There are some good folk moments. But nothing on the album jumps out and says "listen to me again".

There is some interesting tom tom work by drummer Gerry Conway on Clasp. Beastie has some nice moments. And Pussy Willow and Seal Driver are not bad songs. Broadsword, a song that seems to be a favorite among some fans, is a tiresome dirge, and brings to my mind some of the lesser neo-prog bands.

Maybe if I were just into Dungeons & Dragons.

2.5 stars, rounded up.