Label: Kscope
Music
Ian
Anderson is back at it again with a follow up to the surprising sequel to Thick As
A Brick, the strong TAAB2.
That stout showing with a different band gave Mr. Anderson as much authority as
one would expect being the driving force behind Jethro Tull since their
inception. So what does the prog legend do for an encore now? Under the banner
of Ian Anderson, which equates to Jethro Tull to most of us longtime listeners,
we now have the persnickety Gerald Bostock taking another journey on Homo Erraticus. Note that it is not
referred to as Homo sapiens but our species gone a bit astray or erratic.
Anderson and band are back in fine and witty form on this
release. He colorfully describes the gist of the story on their website and it
gives the perspective audience a window into what is going to happen upon
listening to the new progressive rock journey. In summary…The now middle-aged
Gerald Bostock after a trip to Mathew Bunter’s Old Library Bookshop in Linwell
village, the two gents came across a dusty, unpublished manuscript, written by
local amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt, (1873 -1928), which is entitled
“Homo Britanicus Erraticus.” Then from there the album jumps into three suites
as the story moves along. Part One: Chronicles is comprised of tracks 1-8, Part
Two: Prophecies tracks 9-11 and then rounded out with Part Three: Revelations
with tracks 12-15.
Anderson brings back the talented Florian Ophale to lead
the way on lead guitar along with David Goodier (bass, and double bass), John
O’Hara (orchestral conductor, piano, keyboards and accordion), Scott Hammond
(drums and percussion) and Ryan O’Donnell (additional vocals).
Anderson continues to burn the midnight oil while opting
to explore new avenues and challenges rather than resting on the laurels of
previous accomplishments. His voice is the perfect complement to the most
entertaining music found on this new album. The pace of each track is ever
changing and the scope is broad with artistic strokes of progressive rock,
metal and folk to create the backdrop to the story, all with energetic purpose.
I think Ian has adjusted well to losing some range in his vocals over the years
and the music more than compensates for that change. He is a storyteller
supreme and the music is the proverbial icing on the cake.
”Doggerland” leads things off nicely and sets the tone
for a proper Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson outing and from that point it gets
“progressively” more interesting whilst moving into each suite. As usual Ian’s
flute adds an entirely different dimension to the music and it just would not
be the same without it of course. The different moods and atmospheres are
placed properly throughout and the story masterfully told by the master
himself. “The Turnpike Inn” is likely to remind you of the heavier JT with the
guitar playing, it still works very well. As much as I respect Martin Barre and
have enjoyed his work over the years I cannot see where he is missed,
particularly on this rocker. Ophale does more than an adequate job and most
certainly Ian would take no less than the best musicians to work with to
perform his compositions. “The Engineer” picks it up again with some strong
guitar lines and Ian’s voice is very capable here. “Tripudium Ad Bellum” keeps
the fires burning with rapid flute lines to kick off the proceedings then the
intro takes a turn with some nice jazzy guitar as Ian has some fun leading the
way with his flute. Suddenly it changes again with some driving passages like
TAAB had to offer. It is an instrumental foray that introduces you to the
second suite in a most classic prog way. “The Browning Of The Green” rounds out
the final suite. It is a drive you home number with great music from all
points. The combinations of instruments and unique vocals created in this
recording take the best of what Anderson and band has to offer. The rock, folk
and metal combined is what you would expect and that is exactly what you get on
this entertaining excursion. “Cold Dead Reckoning” ends the opus most
appropriately with the classic JT sound and flair. The title has finality to it
and the music lures you in and hits hard leaving you to think what could
possibly come next but alas this story is over. In the end what you get is an
all-encompassing state of man set to music that surely has another chapter to
tell down the line. I don’t think we have heard the last of Gerald Bostock…that
is if man made it out of the desolate land he walked upon as the curtain closes
one more time.
I must admit upon first listen I was not too sure about this album but after several more subsequent spins it grew on me a few notches upon the ladder of approval. This is not music you can listen to in the background; it demands your complete attention to be appreciated as an entire work of art. It’s never cut and dried with Mr. Anderson and you will find once you consume every bite of this full course meal that Homo Erraticus is yet another triumph. This is indeed a musical story that deserves repeated listens. Is this another prog rock classic? I have no doubt that it is. You must add the album to your collection if you have a place in your heart and soul for progressive music.
5/5 Stars
Key
Tracks: Doggerland, The Turnpike Inn, The Browning Of The Green
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder
April 11, 2014
Tracks:
Part One: Chronicles
01. Doggerland
02. Heavy Metals
03. Enter The Uninvited
04. Puer Ferox Adventus
05. Meliora Sequamur
06. The Turnpike Inn
07. The Engineer
08. The Pax Britannica
Part Two: Prophecies
09. Tripudium Ad Bellum
10. After These Wars
11. New Blood, Old Veins
Part Three: Revelations
12. In For A Pound
13. The Browning Of The Green
14. Per Errationes Ad Astra
15. Cold Dead Reckoning
Tracks:
Part One: Chronicles
01. Doggerland
02. Heavy Metals
03. Enter The Uninvited
04. Puer Ferox Adventus
05. Meliora Sequamur
06. The Turnpike Inn
07. The Engineer
08. The Pax Britannica
Part Two: Prophecies
09. Tripudium Ad Bellum
10. After These Wars
11. New Blood, Old Veins
Part Three: Revelations
12. In For A Pound
13. The Browning Of The Green
14. Per Errationes Ad Astra
15. Cold Dead Reckoning
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