When I think of Jethro Tull, I always say Aqualung (1971) and Thick As A Brick (1972) which were/are standout Tull albums for me. To be honest I have not heard their latest albums The Zealot Gene (2022, see review) or RókFlóte (2023, see review) but now I am ready and willing to review Tull's 24th studio album called Curious Ruminant. The new Tull album contains nine tracks, 100% pure folk/prog material reminiscent of their middle years. So, in other words: classic Jethro Tull music indeed, featuring excellent vocals, lots of flute solos and Elizabethan melodies galore. Jethro Tull 2025 consists of Scott Hammond(drums), David Goodier (bass guitar), John O'Hara (keys, accordion), Jack Clark (who makes his recording debut with the band here) (guitar) and of course Ian Anderson (vocals, flute, guitar). Album opener Puppet And The Puppet Master, a soon to be Tull classic for sure, sets the tone for this remarkable album, as the song is really atmospheric and Anderson's flute playing is prominently present in the beautiful melodies. Next up is the title track, also the first single of the album, which mixes hooky heavy guitar riffs from "newcomer" Jack Clark with again genuinely nice flute melodies from the master himself. Dunsinane Hill opens with a folky musical theme combining Anderson's flute with O'Hara's accordion in an exceptionally smooth and musical way indeed. This song was developed from an unrecorded instrumental played live a few times in 2007! The Tipu House is a mix of rock and folk and stands out due to the melodic refrains, while Savannah Of Paddington Green is a brilliant folk/rock ballad; lyrically, a song of change and bleak prediction in the face of the disastrous climate change. The lyrics in Over Jerusalem deal with the Israeli Palestinian conflict, while musically this song is very intense, featuring a great blend of folk and progressive rock, with the more than excellent guitar solo in the middle being the musical highlight here. Then it is time for the epic track Drink From The Same Well, which is dominated by the several types of flutes played by Anderson. This song, clocking in over sixteen minutes is mostly instrumental and it will certainly become a Tull classic for sure; a song that is worth listening to over and over again. The short Interim Sleep ends this album. I can honestly say that Curious Ruminant is a wonderful album, a MUST have album for Tull fans. Listening tip: Over Jerusalem! **** Martien Koolen (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
