Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson proves that age isn't a barrier to creativity. Since he returned to releasing new material under the Tull moniker in 2022, he's been just as productive as he was in the 70's: Curious Ruminant marks the band's third album in three years. Naysayers may shrug this off and put it down to the 78-year-old simply legacy building, or maybe, and more plausibly, he's still got plenty to say.
'Puppet and the Puppet Master' sets the tone for the album with folk-style instrumentation that could be in a Tudor court, it fit wasn't from the break-out electric instruments to remind us this is a prog album.
'Over Jerusalem' sees Anderson being political yet- non-partisan on issues in the Middle-East. He paints his canvas with breathy vocals, creating curious imagery with his poetry. The heavier instrumentation takes you off guard before we return to the central delicate melody.
This time the album is perhaps more personal in places (only just) with Anderson contemplating life's purpose and eloquently ruminating on death on the album closer, but Anderson's wordsmithery saves it from being maudlin.
Some of the songs are developed from unfinished instrumental demos and album opus 'Drink From the Same Well' is one such fruit of those sparks. The 17-minute track began life as a collab between former member Andrew Giddings and Anderson. It's an ever-evolving soundtrack with some terrific arrangements and despite the length, it never seems drawn out.
Ian Anderson’s flute work dominates the album, but that's no bad thing, it features some of his best playing. Let's be honest, this may as well be an Ian Anderson solo album in all but name. Even so, it's a compelling addition to Jethro Tull’s already impressive catalogue and another poetic masterwork from the prog rock Titans.
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