A

Time of a big change: huge lineup shift, new sounds incorporated, new sterile visual aesthetic and the end of classic era. How Jethro Tull came out of it? Well, I wouldn't hesistate to say: victorious. And I would love they had stayed on this route a bit longer. It's not my favourite moment in band's discography but it's their last fully enjoyable album untill Catfish Rising, which was nice and pleasant but not as ambitious anymore. They subsequent offerings were more and more simplified, varying from synth flooded synthpop attempts to Dire Strait clones - which was boring and dissapointing. "A" still has an adventurous side, there is plenty of complicated motives and colourfull arrangements, flute parts are brilliant and very prominent, Jobson is great too. The tracks are still smart and energetic enough to please an old Jethro fan in me. The new aesthetic and synth/electric violin elements are intriguing spices and do not dominate over traditional Jethro spirit (which was going to happen soon) while adding something fresh. Three stars for prog collection, four stars for any Jethro collection, so three and a half star rounded up to four for innovation and vigour in those trying times.