Xurtio

Album Title: Heavy horses
Artist: Jethro Tull
Nationality: British
Year: 1978
Subgenre: Folk Prog
Player(s): Ian Anderson (Vocals, flute etc), Martin Barre (Guitar) Barriemore Barlow (Drums), John Evan (Organ, Piano), David Palmer (Keyboards) John Glascock (Bass)
Familiarity: I know and enjoy Jethro Tull's popular tunes
Favourite track(s): Heavy Horses
Why? It's epic. It starts with several progressive changes that set a mood and have their own climax before the transition to the vocals, which are excellent. Then the reprise at the end with the instrumental intro.
Least favourite track(s): Most the the tracks were kind of typical Jethro Tull feel, with the exception of the opening track, Moths, and title track, which were great.
Why? There was nothing really bad, but nothing really stood out; they were just a bit more folk on the folk/prog spectrum they exist on.
Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad? As always, it's on this list, so it should be prog, and the title track really seemed to satisfy that feeling. Also, because I know and accept Jethro Tull, the vocals had already passed the test. Familiarity doesn't hurt scores.
Factoids you'd like to share? We use 100% of our brain, not just 10%, that's a myth spread by people claiming to use 14% of their brain.
End impression: I like the album overall, Jethro Tull is very much part of the identity of progressive music, you kind of feel like you're going on an adventure with them. So far, it's the best album of the three I've seen here.
Rating: 4.0

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Anteater

Album Title: Heavy Horses
Artist: Jethro Tull
Nationality: British
Year: 1978
Subgenre: Prog-Folk
Player(s): Ian Anderson (Vocals, Flute, Dancing), Martin Barre (Guitar) Barriemore Barlow (Drums), John Evan (Organ, Piano), David Palmer (Keyboards) John Glascock (Bass)
Familiarity: Is it possible to be a proghead and not know Tull?
Favourite track(s): Journeyman, No Lullaby
Why? I picked these two because the former is groovy in an almost AOR fashion whilst the latter has some excellent orchestrations and plenty of fun posturing from Ian.
Least favourite track(s): None.
Why? 'Heavy Horses' is such a consistent record from start to finish that even when something doesn't stand out, it adds depth to the album experience.
Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad? Of course not. Doesn't really apply to me on this band.
Factoids you'd like to share? A lot of metalheads were pretty mad at Jethro Tull in 1988. Wonder why?
End impression: Surprisingly strong album from a band that were already considered "dinosaurs" by critics.
Comments: The funny thing about Jethro Tull is that a big chunk of their 70's output had at least one meh cut per record or song segments that didn't quite work on their more epic excursions. Heavy Horses, however, is one of the few exceptions to that rule by being a pretty groovy ride from '...And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps' all the way to the end. This gives it a slight edge over Songs From The Wood for me, tying it with TAAB and Aqualung as their best album of the 70's...though of course that's only my opinion. That being said, I don't think Ian was ever quite this good again going forward into the 80's and beyond.
Rating: 4.5

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