MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY

Minstrel In The Gallery is one of the fan favourites but it has always escaped me why. Right from the first time I heard it I was amazed at the lack of passion in this music. Was this the same band that had created poignant masterpieces such as Taab or Stand Up?

Of course, Jethro Tull is a very diverse band so it is no surprise that fans tend to pick completely different favourites, depending on the aspects that please them the most in Tull's sound. For me this album lacks enough compelling song writing to make it stand out above average Tull music. Another criticism I have is that they tried too much to return to the success formula that was called Aqualung. Both the 'harsh' sound and the acoustic versus 'hard' rocking nature of the songs are a clear nod to territories they had visited before.

And the backwards looking recipe did not inspire them to great song writing. The opener Minstrel In The Gallery is exemplary. It seems to be in search for a memorable tune for its entire 8 minutes but it doesn't happen. The song has some raw power yes, but it lacks the inspiration to charm me. It's also saddening to hear how old and drained this band sounds. Well , they were 8 albums into their career already.

Cold Wind to Valhalla and the charming One White Duck are the only songs that have any lasting effect on me. Actually this would be the only two tracks that I have occasionally been returning to over the years. Baker Street Muse is ambitious and has a few nice sections, such as the softer middle part, but generally I would have to repeat the same criticisms that I have summed up for the title track. It's slightly better but never does this sparkle with the creativity and enthusiasm that kept Taab and Passion Play going for more then 40 minutes.

This sits somewhere between 2 and 3 stars, decidedly better then War Child or Heavy Horses.