TOO OLD TO ROCK 'N' ROLL: TOO YOUNG TO DIE!

Since so few will, I'll "stand up" for this album as a personal favorite. And that's given that I absolutely hate the cover art... however, after the somewhat overly complex approaches on Minstrel or War Child, which made some great songs alongside some proggy work that I could take or leave, this album returns to the song concept of earlier album.

Loosely conceptual, I find this to be a great set of songs, some rockers balanced with some orchestral additions. It's Anderson's last album with his original vocal quality, and he's in fine form--one can hear the range of stylistic approaches he'd used over the years, and his flute playing is on point. Martin Barre turns in some excellent guitar work, and I find the often stripped-down approach to the arrangements more embraceable. The irony in the title is that this is a chapter end for the band, taking a new direction and new vocal style with "Songs from the Wood".

It's a pity that this album didn't have any hits, and the critics beat up the band so badly that change was inevitable. But I won't stop listening to this one, and I've found it rewarding over the almost 50 years I've enjoyed it.