Jethro Tull: the 80s

This is the most usually criticized period for all the traditional prog bands of the seventies.

Having all the Tull's discography I confess I really enjoy all their 80s' stuff, especially in the freshest remastered re-issues.

Which is the most interesting album from the ones above?

Me I would say "A", just because the fantastic "Black Sunday" song.

Edited by Andrea Cortese

Yep, Broadsword is an excellent album. And what a great remaster!

Under Wraps is the most strange and funny Tull album!

In my opinion Tull never made bad albums

Of the few I do not listen to often:

1. Catfish Risin'
2. Crest of a Knave
3. This Was
4. Dot Com

Edited by Andrea Cortese

eugene wrote: Andrea Cortese wrote: Yep, Broadsword is an excellent album. And what a great remaster! Under Wraps is the most strange and funny Tull album! In my opinion Tull never made bad albums Of the few I do not listen to often: Catfish Risin' Crest of a Knave This Was Dot Com I agree with your list of less exciting albums, but Under Wraps is weaker or worse (right word) than any of them. I mean - popish radio friendly commercial songies - really bad IMO! But I appreciate that for die-hard fans they "never made bad albums"

Only apparently Under Wraps is a popish album!

It is an interesting "opera buffa", a sort of "humoresque pastiche". I don't think songs as "Tundra", "General Crossing" and "Automotive Engeneering" are popish tracks.

They could seem to be so, but they aren't, in my opinion!

I know very well "This Was" and the sound is very good. My favourites from that 1968 album:

1. Beggar's Farm (one of the best Tull's songs ever!! really underrated!)
2. Song For Jeffrey
3. My Sunday Feeling
4. Serenade to a Cuckoo

... and so on.

The fact is that I do not listen to that album often, since there are many other Tull's records that catch more my attention and they are not the most famous:

1. Stormwatch
2. A
3. Roots to Branches
4. War Child

and all the Ian Anderson's solo works, in order (of preference):

1. The Secret Language of Birds
2. Rupi's Dance
3. Divinities: Twelve Dances with God
4. Walk Into Light

Is Roots to branches any good? And when I mean any good is it better than...at least Too old too die...? Because I was thinking I may buy it in a very near future, because I only have albums from the ´70 by Tull...

Andrea Cortese wrote: Roots to Branches is the most solid and convincing Tull's album of the nineties.

Ditto that. A very powerful beautifully written album. The arrangements are as well thought out as anything the've ever done. Lots of instrumental counterpoint and dynamics. The band really kicks ass. The production is perfect.
One of my all-time favorite Tull albums.

Dr. Occulator wrote: Andrea Cortese wrote: Roots to Branches is the most solid and convincing Tull's album of the nineties. Ditto that. A very powerful beautifully written album. The arrangements are as well thought out as anything the've ever done. Lots of instrumental counterpoint and dynamics. The band really kicks ass. The production is perfect. One of my all-time favorite Tull albums.

And the opener track is really fantastic!

Of the list above 'Crest of a Knave' is the one I listen to most - I guess that means I like it the most.

Anyways, that's how I voted...

Honestly though, from his 80's releases the '20 Years Of Jethro Tull' Box Set, which I have on vinyl  gets much, much, much more play than any of the studio albums listed above.

Gulp! Broadsword is so highly appreciated!

...I knew that

But I have to insist: "A" is the better on the list above!

Goldenavatar wrote: I've got to go with Crest of a Knave. After all, they did win a grammy for it, beating out Metallica. Man that's priceless. Plus it has Farm on the Freeway, Budapest, and Jumpstart, all great Tull tunes.

Yeah that was priceless: BEST HEAVY METAL ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!
I bet Ian had a good laugh on that one.