Stand Up

iTunes Review

After the blues influence of their first album, Jethro Tull retooled with guitarist Martin Barre and began their trek into English folk music and the signature Tull sound. “A New Day Yesterday” still holds to the smoky blues line, but “Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square” is exactly the mix of flute, organ and electric guitar that fans have come to expect. The instrumental, “Bouree” is a virtuoso piece that exemplifies the best in progressive rock: technical but with great heart and a sense of history. The mystical push of “Back to the Family” with Ian Anderson’s distinctive vocals represent the band’s sense of drama that would hold through classics such as Aqualung and Thick As A Brick. “Look Into the Sun” is a great acoustic British folk-like tune where Anderson sings with an extra “shake” in his voice. “Nothing Is Easy” spotlights the band’s instrumental prowess with unexpected breaks and tempo and texture changes. “Fat Man” aims for a rumble through the jungle with its hyper-extended percussion. “Reasons for Waiting” includes gloomy organ and a beautiful string arrangement. The “Remastered Version” includes five bonus cuts, including the stereo and mono single mix of “Living In the Past.”