J-Tull Dot Com [EXTRA TRACKS]

Jethro Tull

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00000K1FC
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,237 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The cyber-centric title of Jethro Tull's 25th collection of new music is cause for pause. Ye olde art-rock band dropping au courant lingo into their songs from the wood? Ian Anderson intoning with characteristic gravity: "Punch my name and in case you wonder / I'll be yours / Yours dot com"? Hmmm. What would that poor old sod Aqualung think? Get past the notion that these fixtures of prog-rock have hit upon the dubious notion of using an album title as a billboard for their Web site, however, and you've got a collection that will leave Tull true believers contented. The group's inimitable hard rock and otherworldly folk brew makes no less--or more--sense now than it did when the group emerged with such unlikely hits as the aforementioned Aqualung and 1972's Thick as a Brick, which consisted of one 43-minute song spread over two sides of a record. If they could pull that off, these durable graybeards can find love on the Internet. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tull still sounds great after 31 years!, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

While "Dot Com" may not reach the exalted heights of such masterpieces as "Songs From the Wood" and "Stormwatch," it is an extremely creative and challenging effort from Tull. Since their Grammy-winning "Crest of a Knave" in 1987, Tull's studio output has been inconsistent: "Rock Island" was OK, "Catfish Rising" was weak, and "Roots to Branches" was real good. The new one, "J-Tull dot com," is impressive both musically and lyrically (although I'm never quite sure what Ian is singing about most of the time).

The album is full of wonderful, magical moments: Ian's growling "Cross-Eyed Mary"-type flute flutter that starts the album, Martin's searing guitar work on "El Nino," the beautiful melody of "Bends Like A Willow," the fierce jam in the middle of "AWOL," the sad piano/flute unison line in "Wicked Windows," and so on. Of course, the musicianship is top-notch. I'm convinced there are no better musicians in all of rock. Besides Ian and Martin, drummer Doane Perry, bassist Jonathan Noyce and keyboardist Andrew Giddings make superb, creative contributions that bring Ian's songs to life.

Ian's voice has lost its gruff edge and now sounds a little mellower. He's not pushing his range here, but sounds confortable, relaxed, and confident. His flute playing has never been better.

Curiously, the best songs on the album are the last two: "The Dog-Ear Years" and "A Gift of Roses." These songs sound like Tull circa "Songs from the Wood" and are my favorites. The former is a whimsical, self-effacing look at Ian's life, a gracious acceptance of the aging process and a declaration of contentment and happiness. The latter is a lilting love poem to a woman (Ian's wife?) It is just marvelous.

Tull gives real music fans a treat with "dot com." They are a shining beacon on a dark, stormy sea of musical mediocrity. I love what they've done here and hope they never stop.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best TULL of the decade!, November 27, 1999

By	Raymond B Howard (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The new Dot Com CD by Jethro Tull contains some of the finest Tull music ever made! For me, this is their most inspirational album ever, because it shows that old fogies can come back with a vengeance. (If Ian can, so can I! :)

Track by track impressions, and 1-10 ratings...

Spiral - Somewhat pleasant rocker with a simple basic riff. Not very inspired singing from Ian. A rather forgettable track, compared to the sparklers that follow. *6*

Dot Com - Haunting flute work and background sighing make this a fine moody piece. *8*

Awol - This one doesn't appeal all that much. The leading flute riff is slightly annoying. Something about the singing seems unfocused. Very nice bridge piece in the middle, I usually fast-forward to there. *5*

Nothing @ all - Pleasant piano piece, serving as good lead-in for Wicked Windows. *7*

Wicked Windows - Ian's singing and lyrics really pick up in this one. Some of the bridge reminds of Minstrel. Only real flaw is the overly simple guitar riff. *7*

Hunt by Numbers - YES! I like everything about this song. Guitar riff is the perfect basis for delicious organ and flute, which take turns overlaying. Ian thinks his kitty cats are ferocious beasts! Just when you think the song is near the end, the finest flute section kicks in. One of the best Tull songs ever! *10*

Hot Mango Flush - A different direction for Tull, with music written by Barre. It's catchy and works well, but think it would drive me nuts if I listened too often. Best in small doses. *8*

El Nino - A mellow build-up leads repeatedly to the El Nino storm riff, which grabs my guts like the wind! *9*

Black Mamba - While good, this piece strikes me as... workman-like. Maybe because it reminds me of the older Tull sound. The basic riff is too repetitious. *6*

Mango Surprise - A fine reprise to Hot Mango Flush in a percussive style, just the perfect length. *8*

Bends Like a Willow - A fine ballad with sweet lyrics. I find the lead-in riff somewhat annoying, but the bridge is really great. *7*

Far Alaska - This piece works, but doesn't excite me too much. The main riff is smooth, but comes back once too often for me... and has one flute note that goes off the page slightly. *6*

The Dog-Ear Years - This song has a great busy lead-in riff, which comes back for the bridge and the ending. Lyrics are sweet and reassuring to all us geezers. But, parts of the singing in second stanza don't work and drive me nuts. *7*

A Gift of Roses - Sweet acoustic leads into delicate complex riff, followed by Ian in fine voice and singing sweetly. The bridge is perfect, and the complex riff returns for the ending. The 2nd best Tull song of the last 16 years, after Hunt by Numbers. *10*

The Secret Language of Birds (bonus track) - Ian in fine acoustic form, complete with bird talk. Preview of his solo album, which can't wait to get my hands on. *8*

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ian Anderson Does It Again!, December 11, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Poway, California) - See all my reviews

Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull have done it again. For all you Tull fans (and you know who you are), this collection will not disappoint. Ian Anderson continues to compose music and write lyrics in his own style without regard for what is currently the sound or style. This collection contains licks familiar to Tull fans as well as new sounding material. Songs like Spiral, Bends Like a Willow, A Gift of Roses, and Far Alaska will certainly please the Tull officionados. The more you listen, the more you like it. Listen carefully to the mastery of his lyrics and the signature mixing of the music. For four decades Ian Anderson has reined supreme. I can't wait for the next concert!