THE BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST

Lovely album, and in my opinion quite underrated. I understand the most people will dislike 80's sounds - synths, production. My first impression was: this album is somewhat entertaining, but after scratching the surface it's somewhat hollow and weak. But...after repeated listenings, it started to grow on me...and not because of catchy melodies here and there, not because I , Jethro Tull fan, got used to the songs, no...it's because the songs actually have that depth...they just need to be listened more thouroghly.

The album is not short of emotions too..some melancholy, on the rain streets in the 80's scenery. Political and economical turbulences of the era. It's authentic. And good. Drums are great, guitar too, everything is cleverly produced - this is the best you can get from that 80's production in a prog rock.

There are no fillers. Some tracks are a bit weaker, like this albums is weaker in general, compared to the most successful Tull's albums, but it's far from being bad. Meditative Broadsword, elegic Slow Marching Band, essential Pussy Willow...every song with something decent to catch your attention - after careful listenings. Watching Me Watching You using the same little trick band used in Heavy Horses, in the song Mouse Police, that overdubbing of melodies, in this case synths, not vocals. It's hard to say whether is the song in 4/4 or 6/8...it's an electronic delight. But I can understand why it's not appealing to some people. However, this is good album.

It seems bonuses in re-issue(s) are quite worthy to get. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with them, so my rating applies to the original album.

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