JETHRO TULL/BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST CDL 1380 (-82) FRANCE

There are times when I almost feel like a designated defender of the band's later works. Among the more unrelenting fans and critics there seems to be a consensus their last great album was the 1978 "Heavy Horses" and the ones after that showing on decline. This their fourteenth studio LP got mixed reviews on release and sold pretty well with #19 on Billboard and #27 in UK, but still far from the reception they had in their heydays and today seldom counted as a must-have. There are more electronics involved than before, thus in way pointing forward to the 1984 synth infected "Under Wraps", and the production - by former Yardbirds member and producer Paul Samwell-Smith - coming out somewhat brighter. But in the midst of all that you still get a very reliable Jethro Tull album, resting on well written gripping melodies garnished by lots of good guitars and flute and not least Ian Anderson's personal vocals. Divided into two parts - "Beastie" and "Broadsword" - with both theme songs working as epic yet catchy introductions. "Fallen On Hard Times" so memorable it should place high on any Tull top-songs list. I could go on mentioning about every track as some kind of favorite, though instead saying that to my taste it is a very good album with if any then very few weak spots. Both "Clasp" and "Watching Me, Watching You" relies way to much on synths to be perfectly pleasing to this old fan's ears, but they are so great songs I keep the ossicles open anyway. Issued and reissued on every possible format all over the world through the years. Premiere UK (CDL 1380) and US (CHR 1380) on Chrysalis. Japan 2005 CD on Chrysalis, remastered in paper sleeve, came with eight bonus tracks. First French had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with glossy lyric inner. (YÖHT*) (MFÄX*)