A Passion Play - JETHRO TULL***

A Passion Play 1/The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles Part 1/ The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles Part 2/A Passion Play 2

With A Passion Play Jethro Tull attempt a second side long concept album. Unfortunately, instead of a creative masterpiece we get an exercise in self indulgence, not helped by the dire tale of the hare and his spectacles. (US:1 UK:13)

“In trying to improve upon his greatest triumph, Anderson committed the ultimate sin by reaching a little too far. Enter A Passion Play, easily the most demanding, frustrating and divisive entry in Jethro Tull's entire catalogue. I can think of no better word for A Passion Play than self-indulgent. Occasionally brilliant in spite of its obvious pretensions, but consistently overwrought.”

“It is not so much that the music here is bad (it is certainly performed with great technical skill), however, there is nothing on the album that comes close to being a memorable melody. Unlike the two Tull albums that came directly before it which are full of melodies and wonderful instrumental sections, the only thing I can ever remember about this album is The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles, which unfortunately, as well as being the most memorable moment is also the worst.”

“Jethro Tull were under enormous pressure when it came to cooking up the follow-up to Thick As A Brick. In the end, they produced yet another album around the concept of one long song, and unfortunately this time around it feels rather forced - what was a good idea to do once seems to have been unsustainable as a model. In addition, this album has the infamous tale of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles, an incredibly irritating and not very funny story which robs the album of all momentum.”

“Ian gets serious about prog-rock and shoots himself in the foot with this pretentious, meandering and contrived conceptual piece about Limbo. His affected vocal mannerisms are stupid, and even the attempt at levity, The Story Of The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles, falls on its face. The music is expertly performed and recorded, but the melodies really got away from him as he got carried away with the lyrics.”

“Tull have another try at the side-long concept LP after the superlative Thick As A Brick but this is a lot weaker. The endlessly changing bits and pieces never quite last long enough for me to get into the groove of the music. There are a few nice moments here and there, but the whole thing doesn't work as a complete entity.”