UNDER WRAPS

The greatest single attribute that makes prog so appealing is that theirs not always complete total consensus , one way or another. Some hate YES' Tales from Topographic Oceans while other adore it . Same for Tull's A Passion Play and countless other examples , all densely described on this site. This much maligned and abused album has been a punching bag , for hard core fans especially, ever since it appeared back in "New Wave" days, mainly because it dared to "sound different" , eschewing the medieval folk- troubadour approach for an experimental synth, e-drums/programming loaded set of songs which perhaps would of been better received as an Ian Anderson addition to his solo "Walk in the Light" , as both deal with Cold War issues (hence the icy electronics) , just like Camel's Stationary Traveller. Both are albums I deeply enjoy, irrespective of their other, more classical releases, before and after. So, I must admit, I liked Under Wraps a lot (Proggers are a rebelious lot , wot?) and I agree with Ian Anderson that the songs and the melodies are top-notch, but the arrangements are what make Tull purists cringe. But we would all be pretty "Thick as A Brick" if we expect rehashes of the masterpieces (Incidently, Anderson only recently started to rekindle his love for this "Jewel") . Many love Heavy Horses and Stormwatch, two albums I have a hard time getting into. Intricate music affects intricate listeners in very different ways, where mood, atmospherics and attitude can polarize with utter intensity.That's the beauty of music= how personal does it get???. I will grant credence to the argument that the percussives would of benefited from a real drummer , adding a warmer, less plastic palette of sound. Maybe one day. I do not like comparing albums because its like rating your kids, each has their own personality, its quirks and its character. To slam an album because it went off on an unappealing or unpopular tangent is unfair especially with Prog where experimentation (failed or succesful) is in the ear of the beholder. In closing, Under wraps is light years more entertaining than anything on the radio since the 80s anyway. Love it or hate it, its still good music. I have opened my umbrella , ready for the downpour of derision from the ultra fanatics. I'm Under Wraps! 4 "Q" spy gadgets