SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – AQUALUNG (REDUX)

VARIOUS ARTISTS
AQUALUNG (REDUX)
MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS

Jethro Tull has been classified as an art rock band, prog rock, folk rock, and just play rock. They have never been seen as a heavy metal band. Sure, guitarist Martin Barre could trade licks with the best of them, and some of the songs on Aqualung cross over to hard rock, but heavy metal, no. It is interesting, then, that Magnetic Eye Records is releasing two heavy metal tributes to Jethro Tull. This album, Aqualung (Redux) is exactly as the title indicates, some heavy metal bands covering the Aqualung album track for track.

Tribute albums are usually made with the best intentions. Clearly the bands collected here want to do their best for Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. They also want to put their own spin on the songs. The Well’s version of “Cross-Eyed Mary” is a great version of the song, with raunchy guitar and interesting vocals. Big Scenic Nowhere does an excellent job interpreting “My God” and gives you an idea of how Jethro Tull would have sounded if they formed in the late 1990s. At times, it is more grunge than heavy metal, but it is very good.

Elsewhere, Osi And The Jupiter turn “Cheap Day Return” from a short acoustic song into a nightmare of sounds. It is very different from the original, yet it works. The Sword takes on the iconic “Locomotive Breath”, and alongside the title track, it is perhaps the most popular song on the album. With a beautiful piano intro, The Sword brings in the blues influence found in Jethro Tull.

Tribute albums are always tricky and sometimes need to be taken on their own and not compared to the originals. That is easier said than done, however, but this ‘heavy metal’ tribute to Jethro Tull is always interesting even if not all the songs and arrangements work. Aqualung is a brilliant and iconic album. Aqualung (Redux) does put a new spin on the standard.

Jethro Tull Links