Search - Jethro Tull :: Too Old to Rock N Roll: Too Young to Die

Fine, underrated album

Gsorme | Seattle, WA USA | 05/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't understand why so many people don't care for this album. I'm a latecomer fan of much of the Jethro Tull canon, but this was one of the last albums I listened to for two reasons: 1) I'd heard so many negative comments about it, and 2) I first became a Tull fan because of the folk music motifs they incorporate, and I imagined there wouldn't be much use of them on this album. (There are some folkier tunes - 'Salamander' - but it's definitely more of a 'rock' album.) The album has received some criticism because the songs were apparently planned for use in a dramatic production that was ultimately abandoned. But if a 'concept' album that tells a cohesive story is your cup of tea, at least this one is far more consistent than many other rock concept albums (e.g., Bowie's masterpiece `Ziggy Stardust'). Besides, in my humble opinion, 'concept' albums and rock and roll are rarely a perfect match. As two rock icons noted in `Spinal Tap', there's a fine line between stupid and clever. (We could charitably substitute `silly' for `stupid'.)So I was surprised at how good the album is, with its abundance of beautiful melodies, well-crafted songs, and even a cohesive story of sorts. I'm amazed at Ian Anderson's gift of melody and inventiveness as a songwriter. Only one or two rather slow - and I wouldn't necessarily say 'dull' - moments. The blend of acoustic and electric sounds is, to my ear, finely balanced. The musical showmanship by everyone is imaginative and at the same time focused. The intricate arrangements display variety, richness, depth, listenability, and a sense of humor. Songs aren't played `as-is'. What Tull does often enough is to take well-crafted songs and add depth, complexity and playfulness to the arrangements; that skill is in evidence here (Taxi Grab's shifting rhythms, Pied Piper's baroque stylings, etc.)Anyway, that's my two cents."

A great album, an excellent band

milkmanz2 | Rhode Island, USA | 06/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"i bought this album a few days ago, not knowing what to expect. I'd heard quite a few negative comments about it, but i had heard the title track before and thought it to be very good, so i decided to take a risk. This is one risk i'm glad i took.
After saying that anyone who reads this may wonder why i only gave it four stars. Well as good as it is, it has to weak spots, "From a Dead Beat to and Old Greaser" and "Bad Eyed and Lovevless". The first is...well...dead would be a good way to describe it. Don't get me wrong, i enjoy soft, calm songs, but this is beyond calm, it's comatose, with the exception of the sax parts. The second on i jst don't care for.
The rest of the album is wonderful however. "Quizz Kid" is interesting, it's not the best on the album, but it's bearable."Crazed Institution" is excellent, espicially it's repeating section of "you can ring a crown of roses 'round your cranium..." "Salamander" is very good, although at 2:49 it's too short. "Taxi Grab" is very good, probably the hardest rocking track on the album. "Big Dipper" is a great song, very catchy. The title track is one of the best songs on the cd, one that really makes this album great. "Pied Piper" is...unique, it's good, but you have to listen to it a few times to really appriciate it. The last song, "The chequered flag" is one of the high points, if not the highest on the album. Everything on it is great, the lyrics, the music. It really has no relevence to the rest of the albums theme of a washed-up old rocker, but that doesn't change how great it is.
So if you want a great Jethro Tull album try this one. It's songs may not make the radio as often as "Aqualung" or "Bungle in the Jungle", but it's best songs are right up there with these songs."

"Born in the sun-kissed flame"

Jerry Fry | Freeman, MO USA | 04/26/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I wish people wouldn't describe an album as "great" and then just give it 4 stars instead of 5. I give this album 4 stars, I don't think it's great but do think it sounds good. Actually, I only like half of it really. Half of it I think deserves a "5" and the other half a "3". "Quizz Kid", "Crazed Institution", "Salamander", "Taxi Grab" and "Bad-Eyed 'n' Loveless" are the ones that sound best to me and are generally the only ones I listen to although the others really aren't bad. I bought this on record album in 1976. The whole first side sounds good but the second side seems to die out. It's nearly impossible to surpass in sound an album like "Minstrel in the Gallery", that's part of what made this a minor disappointment but this album is surely in all Jethro Tull fans collections."