ROCK ISLAND

One of the weakest Tull's albums that sounds so typical for the power-pop from the late 80's. I don't think this is a "Catfish Rising" predecessor, or "Crest Of A Knave's" style follower. This album is an independent, standalone piece but overall impression is not very good.

There are a few good tracks scattered over the album; "The Whaler's Dues" perhaps being one of the best. It's a multi-part composition with great flute playing (style is untypical for Ian), great atmosphere and excellent, sad lyrics. "Big Riff and Mando" will also provide some enjoyable moments for a prog rock fan. "Kissing Willie" is a rare attempt from the prog band to write a song with implicit sexual content. It's not very demanding, but it's fun.

The other tracks of interest are lovely "Ears Of Tin", "Rock Island", "Another Christmas Song" and "Strange Avenues". However, they are far from the best songs from the JETHRO TULL's wide catalogue. The other tracks on the albums are not worth mentioning, they re just hard-rock-blues clichees wrapped into a late 80's cheesy sounds.

This is not a good starter for a JETHRO TULL newbie, or for the progressive rock newbie in general, unless you are already into that 80's rock sound and you like it.