Customer Reviews

Rock Island

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Boy, ever since about 1980, Tull haven't been able to win. If they vary from the program one iota, everybody complains that they haven't released another _Aqualung_ (or _Thick as a Brick_ or _Songs from the Wood_ or <insert your favorite here>). But if they stick to a formula that has made their fans happy, they get pasted for not being sufficiently innovative.

The latter is what happened with this fine album. Hard on the heels of the fan-pleasing (and Grammy-winning) _Crest of a Knave_, Ian Anderson and the then-current gang turned out a nicely crafted album of rock tunes along the lines of what fans have always considered their "classic" material. And they took it in the eye.

Okay, the songs aren't the absolute very best that Anderson has ever written. But outside of Lake Wobegon, not every album can be above average. And calling this album "lackluster" is on a par with saying, "Wow, Gielgud really phoned in _that_ performance, didn't he?"

Even if it were true, the fact is that Tull can _afford_ to phone in a performance now and then; even their most lackluster effort (which this isn't) beats the heck out of nearly anybody else's top-drawer material.

This stuff isn't really lackluster anyway, so I'm not sure where those complaints came from. I suspect some listeners are just automatically suspicious of slick production, as though it's always a cover for poor songwriting.

Well, it can be, but in this case it's not. I don't think Anderson's songwriting here is as inventive as on the next one, _Catfish Rising_ (which is a lot lighter and "free-associative", nowhere near as serious and intense as this one mostly is). But it's tight and clean, and there are several really striking songs in the set (notably "Another Christmas Song"). There are a couple of not-especially-high points (I'm not a huge fan of "Undressed To Kill") but at its worst it's listenable.

If you're looking for classic Tull, don't start here; start with their older stuff. If you're looking for the "best" of Tull's 1985-present output, I'd recommend _Crest of a Knave_ and _Catfish Rising_ first, followed by the rest of them (in no particular order): _Roots to Branches_, _j-tull.com_, and this one.

Following up Crest of Knave, Rock Island was put into a tough position. Knave was a first for Tull, a Grammy winner and featured a new sound that combined most of their previous sounds into something new. Tull carries that same sound from Knave to Rock Island, but it doesn't come off as well here. Rock Island is a really solid Tull disk. Rock Island seems a little more mellow than the average Tull album. "Kissing Willie", "Ears of Tin", and "Big Riff & Mando", are really the only fast tempo, upbeat songs on the disk. But it's the slower songs, "Another Christmas Song", "Whaler's Dues", "Strange Avenues", that make Rock Island shine. This disk always reminded me of the Tull classic Stormwatch album for some reason. It's almost like Ian Anderson took a decade back-step when writing these songs. "Whaler's Dues" is probably the highlight of the album, just because it sounds very different from the rest of the songs on the disk. It seems like "Whaler's Dues" should have been placed on Stormwatch right after "North Sea Oil". Overall Rock Island is worth the money, and if you think Jethro Tull disappeared after Crest of a Knave, the you should really pick up this album and the 5 star "Catfish Rising" to hear where they went after Knave.

This album was my personal start to become a real tull-fanatic. I bought it on vinyl many years ago and it still is one of my favourite albums. It brings rock, a light blues-feeling, catchy melodies and the tull-typic dark atmosphere together an brings out a unique and impressing piece of music. My favourites are "Ears of tin", "Another christmas song" and "Strange avenues". It is lightly true that Ian's voice is not as strong as on the 70s-albums, but it creates a sound that fits to the instruments and completes the album.
If you also like the modern Tull releases: I can highly recommend this album to everyone! It is one of the best Tull releases.

I'd say this is a good Jethro Tull album. Those who prefer the hard rock side of Jethro Tull as opposed to their accoustic side might enjoy this.

My three favorites from the CD: "The Rattlesnake Trail," "Ears of Tin" and "Undressed to Kill." The title song, "Rock Island," features a loud guitar and flute jam that almost measures up to "Black Satin Dancer" (from Minstrel in the Gallery). The remainder of this album is entertaining.

Maybe this CD isn't the best Tull has ever recorded. But, there have been moments when I enjoyed "Rock Island" more than the others. This is a fun loud rock album once you get acquainted with the songs.

Hi there. And yes, let's end this underrating reviews for this great album.

It's a great Tull album, like many others. More Rock, less progressive or folk, maybe. But those are labels and don't really matter. What matters is to listen to Whaler's Dues, Rock Island and Strange Avenues and see that this is the old Tull with all their magic. And you can still enjoy great songs like Undressed to Kill (that time doubling at the end is genius), Big Riff and Mando and Another Christmas Song. It's Tull all the way, as good as ever.

Best regards to all real Tull fans!!!

ROCK ISLAND is a good album, not the best one Tull ever made, but with several worthwhile moments. Ian Anderson is still pitching things at a slightly lower key, presumably to go easy on his voice, so the "Mark Knopfler" affect in his singing is held over from CREST OF A KNAVE, but it's not a distraction. The band is in great form most of the time, with Martin Barre standing out as always. "Another Christmas Song" is the high point, a true beauty, one of the few times when a sequel (to Tull's 1968 "A Christmas Song") actually stands toe-to-toe with the original. Other good tracks are "The Whaler's Dues," one of only two songs I can think of (Billy Joel's "Downeaster Alexa" being the other) that dares to risk the wrath of environmentalists by examining the modern problems of whaling from the whaler's perspective; "Kissing Willie," a naughty ditty about, well, let's just say " Think Bill and Monica" and leave it at that; and "Strange Avenues," one last visit to that poor old sod sitting on the park bench and recalling his visage on a long-ago album cover.

While we're at it, Chrysalis Records' policy on reissuing Jethro Tull's recorded catalogue is truly bizarre. How is it that this album, which at best sold moderately upon it's initial release, is still available and CREST OF THE KNAVE--the one which won a GRAMMY!!--is out-of-print? This makes sense?

There's not a bad moment on this rocking Jethro Tull record. It's a Stand Up effort filled with their usual clever musical twists, but presented in a more electrifying manner than many fans may be used to. Not that it isn't without it's acoustic leanings, but even the mandolins seem to be played in heavy metal fashion. Perhaps the Grammy influenced their mood, in spite of Ian's claim, or perhaps the time was just ripe to plug in and let loose. Whatever the case this CD rocks and does so in style. Standout tracks include Kissing Willie, a song with tongue firmly in cheek. Or is that a tongue! And it's quick switch guitar riffs are as potent as any they've ever recorded. Another Christmas Song is another great song that Santa is sure to have playing on his sled CD player while he delivers all the presents the night before (I wish Ian would stop teasing with a song here and there and just write an entire Christmas CD.) And then there's The Whalers Dues: a song that could have been on Stormwatch, and is every bit as good as anything from that record. IF you like your Tull over easy you may find this one too loud for your tastes. However if you like your Jethro Tull served hot and a bit on the heavy side, then get it now and turn it up full blast. It's a whale of a good time.

It surprises me that there are negative reviews about this album, even Mr. Anderson himself,(rock musics most gifted composer) has disparaged this set. I am not sure why. For a start this collection contains at least two classic Tull Meisterworks in the form of the atmospheric title track and the awesome Whalers Dues. Added to those treasures are the tasty Rattlesnake Trail with it's stinging guitar lines and the wistfulness of Another Christmas Song. Add in the raunch of Ears Of Tin and a few other delights and the result is one very satisfying album. I am not one to be overly gushing about all of Tull's output,because their next studio set,(Catfish) leaves me cold but I am a true Tull fanatic and if you count yourself amongst those numbers you have to have Rock Island, and Broadsword and Dot Com and....

I have to politely disagree with some of the negative comments about Rock Island. True, most of these songs aren't played on Classic Rock radio alongside 'Aqualung' and 'Locomotive Breath'. But, that just further demonstrates the rigidity of Classic Rock radio Disk Jockeys.

I don't particularly like the opening song, 'Kissing Willie.' But, from there on, you've got one very good rock CD. My personal favorites are 'Ears of Tin,' 'Undressed to Kill' and 'Another Christmas Song.' This album blends electric guitars, flutes and mandolins very effectively. If you are even a moderately fanatical Tull fan you ought to own a copy of Rock Island

Jethro Tull from time to time in their career have made milestone albums that have defined them. Among those albums would be Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, The Minstrel in the Gallery, Heavy Horses, Songs from the Wood, The Broadsword and the Beast, Crest of a Knave and Rock Island.
Ian Anderson is on stride and his interplay with Martin Barre on guitar is outstanding. Ian Anderson with his flute and Barre on the guitar play what amounts to duel lead on their recordings.
Among the songs are Undressed to Kill, Rock Island, Heavy Water, Another Christmas song and my personal favorite Whaler's Dues. Whaler's Dues is in my mind one of the finest songs Ian Anderson has ever wrote and my ears always perk up when it plays.
Ian Anderson has put together a masterpiece that not only Tull collectors will love, but Classic Rock fans as well. This is Jethro Tull in its top form and a very nicely crafted album to say the least...................