NEW ALBUM: Jethro Tull - "the zealot gene"

[CRAZY-HORSE]

Deezer listen:

their 22nd studio album,
first in 19 years since the Christmas album,
Anderson's first in almost a decade..
recorded over three years, delayed release due to covid restrictions...
a concept album referencing various parts of The Bible to modern situations:
examples: 
comparing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction of Hiroshima.
the Disciples denying knowing Jesus to 'fall guys' taking the blame for mistakes by those in higher places.
Ezekiel's two harlot sisters to the actions of todays youth when they get drunk on weekends. etc etc.....
music has that cliched, stereotypical 70s Tull sound.
some acoustic material, some cool guitar solos and the ever present flute sounds you expect and love.
nothing experimental or overly clever on here in fact you as fans have heard it all before...
i know Anderson never really had a great voice but it has held up better than i thought considering his age as it still sounds 'playful' in place...
all up i enjoyed the album and it is on the 'to purchase list':

Mrs.Tibbets:   Mrs Tibbets - YouTube  (audio)

Shoshana Sleeping:  Jethro Tull - Shoshana Sleeping (Official Video) - YouTube  (video)


and my favourite, the title track:

[Ruby]

^I will listen to this - just haven't had the time. What I have managed to hear of it so far sounds like what you'd expect of JT.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

^^
it probably overstays its welcome slightly (by a couple of tracks) but nonetheless....
but i think you will enjoy it.

[Ruby]

Ok – I listened, and this is my take on the album. Ian Anderson is super bright and super competent – could be described as a bit of a zealot himself. He’s obviously steeped in biblical lore, (one does not suck this kind of thing out of one’s thumb suddenly) and to me, has imbued the whole thing with that censorious Old Testament vibe. I did think that had I listened to this in my teens, I’d have mulled over it for days and perhaps even gone into rhapsodies about it, however, at this time, it feels heavy, and archaic (which makes total sense – the subject matter is such after all, even if modern parallels have been drawn) and I’m not enchanted with the actual music - on first listening.

The lyrics do make you stop and think and I’m not sure I’m clever enough to figure out exactly what he’s trying to put across all the time, but I do know that it all sounds a little bucolic to my ears. Nothing wrong with it per se, but nothing new and enticing either. Am I mistaken or did I hear some U2 ish moments on Mrs Tibbets?! It that a reference d’ya think?? Considering their atomic/nuclear mentions? Or is it ironic? Would have thought that never the twain would meet!

There was one number that stood out head and shoulders above all the others, I thought -  “Mine is the Mountain” – clearly about Moses and the ten commandments – and then the second that had some pull was “Barren Beth, Wild Desert John”. Maybe something to do with the fact that these are such striking figures in the whole narrative. Both zealots too, I’d have said – Moses definitely – a charismatic one too – how else would he have managed to convince people to follow him blindly around in a desert for 40 years! Then there’s the monastic life and ghastly fate of the Baptist - so dark, as was his cousin’s. Hmmm …. maybe it requires further listening and I should not be judgmental myself, after all old and jaded could apply to me too, lol! Will have another whirl …  

[JeromeD]

Now after reading that review I just have to listen to the whole thing. You just know how to put things across my dear.

[Ruby]

^Disclaimer: tendency to get carried away by own imaginings which may lead to exaggeration, colouration, and any number of otherations. (Just in case. LOL!)  

Thanks tho' - glad you think so.

[Music Head]

can't believe this never even charted here
stupid americans
so good to hear an album with intelligent lyrics
have never heard a bad Tull album

[CRAZY-HORSE]

glad you liked it MH
that makes us all on the same page for a change.