Jethro Tull's complicated mix of music, dense lyrics and resolutely artistic performances have confounded critics and earned a small but devoted following since the band's 1967 formation in Blackpool, England. Co-founder Ian Anderson has been the con...more Jethro Tull's complicated mix of music, dense lyrics and resolutely artistic performances have confounded critics and earned a small but devoted following since the band's 1967 formation in Blackpool, England. Co-founder Ian Anderson has been the constant in the band, whose music is called cerebral, theatrical and quirky by lovers of "Benefit," "Aqualung" and 1971's "Thick as a Brick," and self-indulgent by others who groaned through the agonizingly long and obscure "A Passion Play," released in '73. Popular on both sides of the Atlantic with their brand of alienation music, the band's hard rock/folk mix evolved into a harder sound with "Crest of a Knave" in 1987. Although two releases in the early 90's, "Catfish Rising" and "A Little Light Music" were only modestly successful, the commemorative sets released in the mid 90's were popular. The band, now mainly Anderson plus back-up musicians, continues to perform to small, loyal audiences, and Anderson writes and records on his own....less |
