STORMWATCH

Jethro Tull

Prog Folk

3.49 | 883 ratings

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LiquidEternity
Prog Reviewer

The final act in the famous folk trilogy is not as much of a letdown as so many people seem to think.

The folk aspect of the music has kind of meandered to the back seat again for this album, however. The consistency and wholesale energy of Songs from the Wood is not quite here in its form. However, when compared to most of Tull's catalog, Stormwatch is an average-to-strong release. There really isn't any new ground being tread here at all, though, and so if you're looking for progression or creativity, this might not be the wisest choice. No ground is being broken here at all, and plenty see the band as merely rehashing old ideas by this point. While this does hold some truth, the music here does not need to be instantly dismissed. This is probably the final truly important Jethro Tull release, in my opinion, and as such it does need to be looked at some.

While it is true that most of the tracks are mildly uninspiring and unremarkable, a few stand far above the rest. Most important is the nine minute Dark Ages, featuring some wonderful guitar work and great double bass action. The vocal lines are some of the best since Songs from the Wood. Parts of this song border on metal, at least as close to metal as a progressive folk act dare creep. Something's on the Move and Flying Dutchman are also both undervalued tracks. A lot of energy and high-caliber flute work drive most of the songs, making even the least original songs fun no matter how cliched or rehashed they might seem by this point.

Is it essential? No, not really. But if Songs from the Wood interests you much, you will most likely enjoy Stormwatch as well. Certainly a good addition to any Tull fan's collection, though not terribly necessary.

LiquidEternity | 3/5 | 2008-10-2

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