The Beast

Jethro Tull - The Broadsword And The Beast (1982) {Japan Mini LP Edition 2005, TOCP-67680}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 440 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 163 Mb | Artwork (web)
© 2005 Toshiba-EMI / Chrysalis | TOCP-67680
Rock / Prog Rock / Art Rock

In the '80s, Jethro Tull was no longer the dominant force on the rock scene they had been throughout much of the previous decade, but the indomitable Ian Anderson continued to make ambitious records based on themes of ages past, even in an era of skinny ties and drum machines. BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST has a marked swords-and-sorcery motif; Anderson is depicted as a winged elfin creature on the cover. Despite such leanings, producer Paul Samwell-Smith–original bassist for the Yardbirds–gives the record a modern gloss, weaving the synthesizer playing of Peter-John Vettesse and the out-sized guitars of Tull stalwart Martin Barre through BROADSWORD's vaguely medieval-sounding romps.