JETHRO TULL
RökFlöte (InsideOutMusic)
Jethro Tull hadn’t released a studio album in 20 years, then in 2022 came The Zealot Gene. Now, RökFlöte drops. Sorta like buses, you wait forever then one shows up followed right behind by another. Ian Anderson celebrates his 55th year with the iconic band and has unleashed his might in the form of mythology: the flute god takes on the gods of the North. This record is a mix of prog-rock and folk (surprise – not!); the team – including newest member guitarist Joe Parrish-James – excel.
Exploring his roots to dig out a Scandinavian heritage, Anderson, 75, became intrigued by the old Norse paganism and has set his words in the form of lyric poems, done mostly in a spoken-singing style. The songs are all tight – though one wishes a few were longer, continuing the narrative – and all three singles are bang on. Look for the contemporary stanzas at the end of some, especially referencing a war criminal dictator, though the likes of The Feathered Consort and Cornucopia are slightly softer. Never count a veteran out.
words RHONDA LEE REALI