Jethro Tull - The Zealot Gene CD
SKU
28-NOM19439934472.2
“I am a longtime Jethro Tull fan, but Ian Anderson's voice has been on the decline for a few decades now. I was unhappy when he booted Martin Barre from the band. His solo records were lackluster at best and I found it nervy of him to tour under the heading of Ian Anderson Performs Jethro Tull. He wanted to move beyond Tull, but came back to it often in the form of tours, books, anniversary box set releases and so forth. He was nearly the Scottish Gene Simmons - making a cheap buck at every turn.
Enter The Zealot Gene. It's a wonderful collection of new songs that offer commentary on modern issues, often under the guise of historical storytelling. The music harkens back to vintage, 1970s Tull. It has several acoustic songs reminiscent of the Songs From The Wood era and others that have a madrigal feel to them comparable to Minstrel in the Gallery and A Passion Play. The lyrics use allegory and have an almost religious-positivity to them. Ian has not always had favorable opinions on religion, but he seems to be changing his stance a bit; or, at least, softening it if not embracing it.
All in all I was pleasantly surprised that it is very listenable from start to finish. It's the best Tull album since Crest of a Knave, you know, the heavy metal album...”
- LabelInside Out
- UPC194399344729