SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JETHRO TULL – J-TULL DOT COM: ANOTHER CAST OF THE NET (DELUXE EDITION)

JETHRO TULL
J-TULL DOT COM: ANOTHER CAST OF THE NET (DELUXE EDITION)
INSIDE OUT MUSIC

Released in 1999, J-Tull Dot Com was Jethro Tull’s 20th studio album. Anderson and company navigated the 1980s well, but the 1990s proved to have new obstacles, with CDs, the beginning of bands using the internet and a new bass player (Jonathon Noyce). Martin Barre (guitars, backing vocals) and Ian Anderson remained the core of the band with Doane Perry (drums) and Andrew Giddings (keyboards) who had been with the band since 1984 and 1991, respectively, at this point. And yet, make no mistake, J-Tull Dot Com: Another Cast of the Net is a Jethro Tull album, with each member contributing.

For this new CD set/vinyl release, J-Tull Dot Com has been remixed by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief) in stereo and surround sound, including Dolby Atmos. The sound of the album is phenomenal and does allow one to hear the music in a whole new situation. What one discovers is just how great J-Tull Dot Com is as an album. The original album, and this remix, show a band that was not trying to compete in the late 1990s styles, but rather do what they do best. There are heavy songs on the album, but it is much more acoustic than casual fans may recall. “Hot Mango Flush” is almost a folk song, while “Spiral” is much more driving, hard rock. Both styles co-exist nicely, even in a song like “El Niño”, which brings everything together in one song.

To add to the remixes, there is a selection of previously unreleased songs. “Sad Suit” is a lost gem. Musically, it is trademark Jethro Tull, lyrically, it is a clever commentary on society. It is also interesting to hear the Jethro Tull version of “The Secret Language Of Birds,” which Anderson would record for his own solo album of the same name. Plus, there are a few live recordings, which allow the band to explore the heavier side of the album tracks. “Hunt By Numbers” really explodes in its live performance, while “Dot Com” features incredible playing from the entire band, but especially Anderson’s flute.

When J-Tull Dot Com was originally released, it did not have the sales of previous Jethro Tull albums. It did not even reach the top 100 in the United States. This new package allows fans and newcomers a chance to get a different view of the album. J-Tull Dot Com has aged remarkably well and whether it is the remix tracks of the original versions, the album sounds exciting and fresh. It puzzles me as to why this album was not huge upon its release. J-Tull Dot Com features a great many fantastic songs and holds together as an album. As a three CD set, it is magnificent. This release also marks the album’s debut on vinyl.

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