Lost/Forgotten Album #122

There's been a lot of debate on why Jethro Tull's 1988 album "Crest Of A Knave" won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal performance. I'm here to tell you why. Or, to be more specific, for you to LISTEN why.

1984 saw the release of "Under Wraps", an album about the Cold War. Compared to the previous album, "The Broadsword And The Beast", this album got lots of folks scratching their heads. What happened?

Do you want an 80's sounding album? Do you want drum machines? Do you want synthesizers? Do you want minimal geetar? Do you want an album that, when you're done listening, you can't remember any songs? If so, this album is for you.

I got this album when it first came out, maybe listened to it once. This year I found a cheap set which included this album and thought I would give it a second chance. Sadly, it's still bad. What's even worse is that the original album had 11 songs while the CD version now has 15 tracks which includes b-sides and bonus tracks. It really makes this album that much worse.

Listen to this album and "Crest Of A Knave" back-to-back. Obviously someone was smart enough to give them an award for not continuing on the "Under Wraps" path.

Hey, maybe they should have kept this album "under wraps". Get it?

Under Wraps

1. Lap Of Luxury
2. Under Wraps # 1
3. European Legacy
4. Later, That Same Evening
5. Saboteur
6. Radio Free Moscow
7. Astronomy
8. Tundra
9. Nobody's Car
10. Heat
11. Under Wraps # 2
12. Paparazzi
13. Apogee
14. Automotive Engineering
15. General Crossing

Availability: If you really want this album, I recommend you get the 4 CD set which includes this album, "A", "The Broadsword And The Beast" and "Crest Of A Knave", all remastered. Total price is around $18.

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Permalink Reply by Niels (Mod) on December 1, 2012 at 5:12am

For me, "the great Jethro Tull-era" ended in 1979, with the release of the double live-album "Bursting Out". On that album was, what I would call the classic JT-line up, including the great drummer Barrymore Barlowe. I can't remember how many were left around the time they released this album and COAK, one of them had died, that much I know. Something also happend with Anderson's voice in the beginning of the 80's, I can't remember what, but the sound of classic JT was no more in the beginning to mid-80's, and I didn't really care for their new sound. I would probably agree with Scott, and say that JT after 1980 is pretty much....ZZZzzzzzzzz

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Permalink Reply by Scott on December 2, 2012 at 10:43pm

Is that the "Valley Girl" girl?

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Permalink Reply by Jon on December 3, 2012 at 3:08am

It most absolutely is.

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Permalink Reply by Scott on December 7, 2012 at 9:53am

uh... The very first thought I had (not even kidding) is this sounds like that Men Without Hats band (remember Safety Dance anyone?) - and that's not a good thing in anyone's word!

Second song conjures up visions of the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, you know that Bob Seger tune he did for that movie? Yuck!

True to Tull album form, the third track I found myself totally drifting off and not listening at all. When I refocused, I only wished I hadn't.

Jon, I cant make it through this one. Sorry, but I'mm TUlled out. No More please!!!