Jethro Tull – Under Wraps
hello all! today’s review is Jethro Tull’s 15th record, from 1984 – Under Wraps!
i had seen Tull fans online mention this album when discussing other records – primarily A, which is the least “Jethro Tull” album to date. and that made sense, given it’s origin. but it took like, 30 seconds to grasp why this album might draw fan controversy. and by the second track, i had an idea of what i was in for.
im not against artists dabbling in new spaces or shifting with the times at all. i quite liked both of the last few records. what shocked me was how this album felt a bit like a discount Bowie record. like, with tracks like Radio Free Moscow it feels like its a difficult vibe to get away from – and im alsp reminded in places of musical sounds or themes that Peter Gabriel would explore later.
i dont think there’s anything here that i find particularly bad (except a slur in Automotive Science – this record, like A, is very much steeped in Cold War anxieties and that track is commenting on a sense of American Emasculinization, and the line in question is about a fear of Japanese imports, but like, cmon), but at the same time the highlights are kinda low. i’d say check out Lap of Luxury and Radio Free Moscow – if those are your taste, give the rest a spin. otherwise… probably hold off on this one.
faves – Lap of Luxury
dislikes –
Under Wraps – 4/10
next week – Crest of a Knave!
first: This Was | previous: The Broadsword and the Beast | next: Crest of a Knave
all my reviews for Jethro Tull
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