09-03-2025, 17:10
JETHRO TULL ~ Curious Ruminant
![[Image: MTctMjM4Ny5qcGVn.jpeg]](https://i.discogs.com/33AxDR0x5ZjjO2LNWb_52QPANIwnL0IDLfmrrQiSCHQ/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:598/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTMzMzM2/ODY5LTE3NDE1MTg0/MTctMjM4Ny5qcGVn.jpeg)
I listened to this album for the first time on Friday. It sounds like Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, more specifically. I feel as though I’ve heard it before and on initial listen it seemed a lot mellower than the previous couple of releases. More reflective – less insistent. I’m hearing it for the second time today and separating out the tracks in my mind – they kind of ran into one another the other day because there are not huge differences in the mood, tempo, constructs and delivery, IMHO. Not necessarily a negative or derogatory remark – it just IS. I’m getting the feeling that Mr Anderson has given up railing at the world at large and has become resigned to the fact that history repeats itself and human nature will never change!
He expresses all this with his usual literary prowess and keen intelligence, and I expect that this is exactly where the title originated – not from the hoofed lot, but from ruminations upon all things by our very curious bipedal species!
My ears pricked up at the keys, courtesy of Andrew Hidding (former JT band member who seems to have been reinstated for this outing) and the lead guitar – Jack Clark, from what I can tell. Nice tone.
Gotta say, the flute is also a standout on this release – it’s more pastoral than progressive, and the nod to rock mainly comes from the aforementioned guitar guy who I strongly suspect may have metal leanings. I think the tracks that have already been posted are representative, and that the title track especially, is probably the pick of the bunch, however, I’ll choose one that hasn’t been posted before. Going for the long one – just less than 17 minutes – “Drink from the Same Well” …
... and upon further reflection / rumination / cogitation / whatever you will ... the opener - sorry to be backward!!
I listened to this album for the first time on Friday. It sounds like Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, more specifically. I feel as though I’ve heard it before and on initial listen it seemed a lot mellower than the previous couple of releases. More reflective – less insistent. I’m hearing it for the second time today and separating out the tracks in my mind – they kind of ran into one another the other day because there are not huge differences in the mood, tempo, constructs and delivery, IMHO. Not necessarily a negative or derogatory remark – it just IS. I’m getting the feeling that Mr Anderson has given up railing at the world at large and has become resigned to the fact that history repeats itself and human nature will never change!
He expresses all this with his usual literary prowess and keen intelligence, and I expect that this is exactly where the title originated – not from the hoofed lot, but from ruminations upon all things by our very curious bipedal species!
My ears pricked up at the keys, courtesy of Andrew Hidding (former JT band member who seems to have been reinstated for this outing) and the lead guitar – Jack Clark, from what I can tell. Nice tone.
Gotta say, the flute is also a standout on this release – it’s more pastoral than progressive, and the nod to rock mainly comes from the aforementioned guitar guy who I strongly suspect may have metal leanings. I think the tracks that have already been posted are representative, and that the title track especially, is probably the pick of the bunch, however, I’ll choose one that hasn’t been posted before. Going for the long one – just less than 17 minutes – “Drink from the Same Well” …
... and upon further reflection / rumination / cogitation / whatever you will ... the opener - sorry to be backward!!
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson