Search - Jethro Tull :: Under Wraps

I'M JUST A BIG STEREOTYPE! I-Spy dance party at Ian's....

t'amant | WA | 05/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just kidding...thought I would finally review at least one cd from a favorite band that is not "well-loved" (but note the 4- star rating which means "I like it" at Amazon). This isn't a Tull album you would play for a rocker friend to get him/her into TULL...You might never hear the end of it! I am a very absorbed and appreciative TULL fan and have most of the albums (see my Amazon list) but find myself cringing at the style here! Under Wraps sounds more like Devo or The Buggles (not the Police like IA says) or something, which isn't horrible or anything, just strange for TULL! I'm trying to get my Tool/Floyd/Nirvana loving 14 yr old son into TULL and I will have to hide this one or it's over!! Actually, I've played it quite a few times now and he has heard it a bit to his snearing delight. Luckily I have a few hours everyday to play instruments and crank it up and, guess what, my TULL chromosome kicked in and I had a blast playing drums to this (the electro drums provide a metronome like quality)! AND, that is what is needed to cover up the electronic drums that disturb my 60's/70's rock sensibilities (I got into fusion jazz and blues in the 80's to avoid the silly crap that infected the rock world). It's hard not to like any work of TULL, I find, if it is given half a chance. The songs ARE quite fun and high energy but a little hyper sounding. If this album could be redone or had the drum track replaced with something soulfull it could be far more enjoyable. The keyboard work is interesting and the real live playing is very professional, as you would expect.



And Martin...God bless you! You're truly one of my favorite guitarists (I've been one for almost 30 yrs), but how could this be your favorite TULL album? There are so many great ones and your playing on others is phenomenal...you've lived in Europe far too long (welcome to the Northwest, I heard you bought a place in W. Canada)! Spanish discotek's are great on vacation, but you leave that music there (j.j.)! There is a reason TULL fell flat in the U.S.A. with this recording - Americans didn't want a dance TULL act!



Can Doane Perry just redo the drum track and release a new Under Wraps called "Under Wraps...secret mission - blow up the drum machine"? Thanks TULL for all of the great music (including this one, I appreciate the need to experiment), I have gained so much from your music over the years! Keep on Rockin'..."

Jethro Tull Meets The 1980s

David R. Gaines | Rockville, MD, USA | 06/05/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ian Anderson deserves credit for constantly being open to new inspiration, new sound sources, new influences, and ways to stay at least somewhat relevant to what the current pop music climate is. 1984's "Under Wraps" is the best example of this. It's hard to believe that the same band (or at least the same band name) made both the "This Was" and "Under Wraps" albums. This remastered edition of "Under Wraps" includes the promo video for the album's single, "Lap of Luxury," which got a fair amount of airplay on MTV at the time, although "Lap" didn't chart very high and the band has never, to my knowledge, performed it since the tour for "Under Wraps." A welcome addition since only part of the video appears on the 20th anniversary Tull DVD/videotape.



In any event, guitarist Martin Barre has somewhat surprisingly said several times over the years (including a phone interview I did with him in 1988 for the Washington Times) that this is his favorite Jethro Tull album and the easiest one for them to make. The tracks "European Legacy," "Under Wraps" #1 and #2, "Heat," and "Lap of Luxury" are among my favorite Tull songs. I think it is the instrumentation - digital drum machine in lieu of a live drummer - that puts people off, since it adds to the somewhat cold, digital, super-precise feel of the album. The above-named songs would fit well into any Tull setlist with the addition of drummer Doane Perry instead of the drum machine (interestingly, Perry has said that Ian Anderson is the finest drum machine programmer he's ever come across). Certainly the overall tone is not what someone would ordinarily expect from Jethro Tull, but then it's hard to think of a band that varies its style so much from album to album. What IS the "real" Jethro Tull sound, anyway?



If it's good enough for Martin Barre, it's good enough for me. :)"

Infectious

David April | 04/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At first casual listen I was quite disappointed, the 70's Tull sound now completely gone by this albums creation in 1984. But subsequent listens grabbed me. This is a great album! I can't even point my finger on it but there is something really enjoyable and infectious about this music. I've been listening to quite a bit of the other, mostly 70's, Tull albums and this one is refreshing for a change of pace when I discovered it recently. This was an album I wrote off before I ever listened to it, big mistake. Ian proves he can master the more electronic and synth influenced music and make it work- and work well. Kind of funny, but after listening to Under Wraps for a while, the other Tull material is what sounded 'different' and a bit off. Its all good but give Under Wraps a chance, look past some of that 80's vibe and you'll find some great timeless music. Just give it a couple of listens before you pass judgement..."