CREST OF A KNAVE

I think I like 'A' and 'Broadsword and the beast' better than this. On those two albums JT were sounding different, but once accustomed to new sound (synths), it still was progressive thinking to discover not to deep beneath the synthie surface. And on this album there still are (merely) some shadows of former glory here and there, but they are overwhelmed by mediocrity. The unevitable comparison to Dire Straits comes to mind over and over again. The are several reasons for that: voice, guitar parts, melodies, simplified drums and predominant pedestrian rock feel. The flute and occasional glimpses of 70s spirit are not enough to rescue this one for me. It's not terrible, but boring and totaly passable. Sad to rate it with 2 stars.