BENEFIT

A secret gem, remaining somewhat absent from some discussions, but a record that deserves rock and prog fanatics' full attention - this is Jethro Tull's third studio release, named 'Benefit' and released in mid-1970, after two really good albums, also continuing the band's streak of releasing something every year. Now, 'Benefit' comes after the pretty decent debut, and the quite solid but still not fully epic 'Stand Up', and it plays its role as a seriously important step in the band's development, but it has to be said that by itself this album is pretty damn excellent! I would even go on to say that there is no 'Aqualung' without 'Benefit' - the five-piece display a tremendous songwriting, more riff-oriented compositions, with sharp and sometimes corky wordsmith by Ian Anderson, all making up for a very well-structured and enjoyable album.

The mixture of their bluesy roots, with the hard rock leanings, is probably the main flavor of the album; the folky bits are also here, of course, as well as the medieval-like phrasing; So, one has all the elements that make up what is for many the essential Jethro Tull sound. This 1970 release is a very straight-to-the-point solid collection of songs, maybe a bit darker than its predecessors, but very elegant and impressive. The guitar playing is the thing that would probably remain in the memory of the listener after a few spins; Martin Barre is exploring more large-sound, heavier riffage, which results in some pretty iconic songs, in my humble opinion. The keyboards are still not very prominent, as 'Benefit' could be more fruitfully classified as a hard rock album, rather than a prog one. Glenn Cornick does some justice on the bass, and Clive Bunker impresses with his fine drumming. Anderson, as usual, is the multi-instrumentalist powerhouse leading Tull to its glorious moments - the man wrote the whole album, except for his vocal, lyrical, and musical contributions.

Several highlights can be found here (or rather, no bad songs are present!), among which one should point out the opening track 'With You There to Help Me', an exploration on friendship, and probably on the power and possibilities of human relationships; 'Alive and Well and Living In' is a shorter and very elegant poetic piece that leads to the crushingly good 'Son', with its almost obnoxious main riff; Then one would hardly miss out on praising 'To Cry You a Song' ? the first really epic J Tull song? Or the melancholic adventure of 'Inside', and the admiration that 'Sossity; You're a Woman' instills, a brilliant way to finish off an excellent album.

Jethro Tull certainly reached new heights with 'Benefit', despite some not so laudable commentaries from critics and fans. It is an album that has a personality, it is a coherent and enjoyable listen, and despite being somewhat of a transitory release for the band, it is a very well-written one, containing some of the most killer songs one will find in any early 70s rock album.