A PASSION PLAY

This is another one of those classic albums that has split the fans in two groups. Just like Tales From Topographic Oceans, King Crimson's Islands and a few others, A Passion Play is a debatable classic to anyone who wasn't introduced to this material at the time of its release.

My theory is that the already existing fan base was eagerly awaiting another great Jethro Tull album after a streak that began with the release of Stand Up. Since there was no point of reference to compare A Passion Play to at the time of its release the fans played their vinyl records like crazy just to get the feel for the material. Guess what thought? Judging from the current status of this album, they did manage to get something interesting out of all their hard work. Unfortunately this only proves to me that any half-decent release can get into your head if you really want it to. My question is--do I really want it to?

After being convinced to give A Passion Play a chance, almost ten years ago, I played it a few times only to rarely pick it up since. Every time I actually give it a shot it only brings me closer to one and same conclusion regarding its quality. Namely, the band seemed to be content with the response that they received after Thick As A Brick and therefore began to work on an even more ambitious recording. The myopic hope of seeing the lightning strike twice made Jethro Tull do minimal enhancements to the winning formula. Those enhancements and the overall lack of any worth a while material made A Passion Play seem as only a weak half-sibling overshadowed by the greatness that was depicted on Thick As A Brick.

The biggest differences this time around were the lack of continuity, that made this recording a very bumpy ride, and the addition of a sketch titled The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles which seemed completely out of place with the rest of the album. The material and all of the revisited themes that bind the album together are just not that great. This just screams for a fans only labeling if there ever came such an occasion!

**** star songs: A Passion Play (Part 1) (21:36)

*** star songs: A Passion Play (Part 2) (23:32)