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"Spiral" is a very strong hard rocking track to open this review with. "Bends like a Willow" is a track that could have come off of the previous release and it is pleasant to the ears. "Awol" is just ok for me until a third of the way through the track when my ears prick up and the track becomes fatter in content. I like "Nothing@all" and it almost reminds me of Keith Emerson, a very short piano piece. "Wicked Windows" is a little quirky - it's a weaker track as far as I'm concerned. "Hunt by Numbers" is a number about cats, a standard rock track although a pleasant diversion. "Hot Mango Flush" - quirky and bawdy and interesting. "El Nino" is an interesting track that carries the world music flavor from the previous release. "Black Mamba" named for what is acknowleged by many to be the deadliest serpent on earth due to its venom and aggressive nature. This track, though, is not about a snake. "Mango Surprise", sheesh this guy has a depraved brain. "Bends like a Willow" again a world music flavor and again hiddenly erotic. "Far Alaska" is a standard number. "The Dog-Ear Years" does nothing for me - it's merely there. "A Gift of Roses" has strong references in the lyrics to the older, brilliant, album (A Passion Play) other than that it's merely pleasant. "The Secret Language of Birds" is a bonus track - an appetite wetter to something that sounds quite interesting.

This, for me, is a good and pleasant album however it holds no Tull highlights among the covers bookending it. In places the middle eastern strains from the previous release are still present however this is very much more a standard rock release from Tull. I can't in all honesty award this 4 stars but I can't fault it either. It's a fun listen. So - a solid 3 stars from me.