CREST OF A KNAVE

1987's CREST OF A KNAVE is a solid "comeback" effort that is not quite up to the lofty standards of earlier fare, but it still won't disappoint Tull fans. Regrettably, by this juncture, Ian Anderson's voice is just not what it used to be, but his flute is as compelling as ever, and Martin Barre shines as usual on the axe.

Opener "Steel Monkey," and closer "Raising Steam" are throwaway cold and mechanical numbers that awaken best-forgotten memories of UNDER WRAPS, but "Farm on the Freeway," "Dogs in the Midwinter," "Budapest" and the hard-hitting "Mountain Men" ably redeem the session.

A worthy addition to your Tull collection - just don't expect the consistent brilliance of the classic 70s albums. Its somewhat harder edges led KNAVE to garner an award for "heavy metal album of the year," if you can believe that! HA!