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Jethro Tull - Stand Up CD (album) cover

STAND UP

Jethro Tull

 

Prog Folk

4.05 | 1444 ratings

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Sinusoid
Prog Reviewer
3 stars Sitting down here.

STAND UP is Jethro Tull's second album and takes a vastly different approach than the previous THIS WAS. The debut is an interesting hybrid of blues, jazz and rock with loads of instrumental flair. This album takes a more lyrical approach, giving STAND UP a singer/songwriter feel despite many moments of instrumental upheaval.

At least STAND UP achieves relative consistency in the quality of the songwriting; the debut had a couple of blues things that were wastes. Even the weakest of tracks like ''Reasons for Waiting'' and ''Look Into the Sun'' have some high points instrumentally. Still, STAND UP lacks that spark that gave THIS WAS character. ''We Used To Know'' is cute for five minutes due to the chord progression being similar to the Eagles' hit ''Hotel California'', but the novelty wears off soon after.

''A New Day Yesterday'' is the only song that could tie in with the debut; it's a great jazzy-blues track had Ian not tried to imitate Kermit the Frog. ''Bouree'' is the only instrumental track that serves as a foundation for flute and bass dexterity. The foray into world music with ''Fat Man'' and the powerful ''For a Thousand Mothers'' are the best works here. The bonus CD has the complex single ''Living in the Past'' and the epic ''Sweet Dream'' that add to the highlights.

I feel a bit passive on this album; Tull would reach greater heights later with THICK AS A BRICK, SONGS FROM THE WOOD and others, but STAND UP isn't a bad starting point. Very hit-and-miss, but also non-demanding making it a bit easier to digest than other Tull records. My biggest gripe is that I don't own a vinyl version with that legendary pop-up gatefold sleeve.

Sinusoid | 3/5 |

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