Ian Anderson - Walk Into Light

[Zzzptm]

Thelemech was listening to this and it got me to want to hear it again, particularly after his "aged cheddar" comment.

I have to say, it's started off quite well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSixZsEcLE4

"Fly By Night" certainly has a very 80s sound to open things, even down to the bent bass notes a la Tony Franklyn from The Firm... but it's also surprisingly undated. I'm not cringing the way I do when I hear overdone 80s synth-pop. This is more like properly done electronica, and I suppose I appreciate this album better now that I've developed an ear for electronica over the last 15 years. That's an ear I certainly didn't have when I first heard the album.

But, as the second song starts, I'm thinking, "Hey, that's kinda like Tiesto...", a comparison that was impossible in the 80s, when this LP came out. Just checked - this was 1983. I was a kid looking for more Deep Purple back then, totally unprepared to hear this work. Who'd a thunk that Jethro Tull's leader would be *ahead* of the times?

Now I feel like a Rolling Stone editor, having to walk back a previous average-to-poor review in light of a later appreciation. So it goes. At least I'm not doing it because of peer pressure but because of an actual new-found something I had missed before. This is really quite delightful and I'm eager to see where it leads to...

[Zzzptm]

"Trains" was just a bit cheesy... but "End Game" just made me think of A.R. Rahman's work, and it's excellent stuff.

I need to hit Thelemech with some awesomeness points, or my karma will be in disarray...

[Zzzptm]

Side two has some good stuff for the first three tracks, but my interest perks up significantly for "User Friendly". It is synth-rock done right, with a touch of flute to warm it up.

"Different Germany" closes it out. Before it turns up, I want to note that I was haunted by this tune when I first heard it, even though I was ultimately disappointed with it. Going into it again 25 years later, I want to see if I'm equally haunted but no longer disappointed...

Now it's over, and I'm not disappointed. I get it. Thanks again, Thel!

[Thelemech]

You are welcome 

Such a great album that holds up very well these many years later. Glad you enjoyed it!!!

[Zzzptm]

Not just holds up well, but actually improved in my assessment. Such a pleasant surprise!