review by thomas

Although one can argue that this album isn't really that progressive - and it isn't - this is certainly one of Tull's best albums. All songs are of high standard, making it hard to point out highs-and-lows. Actually there are no lows. Ian Anderson's flute are in focus on many of the pieces and the group also included some unusual instruments like the recorder, balalaika, mandolin and others. Keyboards are used sparsely since John Evans (the future keyboardist) hadn't joined the band yet. The keyboards played on the album are handled by Anderson.

Some clear folk influences on tracks like "Fat Man" with it's unusual instrument line-up (balalaika, recorder, mouth-organ), "Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square" a strange little tune and the second song in the trilogy of Jeffrey, and finally the acoustic "Look Into the Sun". Classical inspiration can be heard in the reworking of Bach in "Boureé". We also have a bunch of hard-hitting rock tracks like "Nothing is Easy" and "For a Thousand Mothers". The record is simply a pleasure to the ear(s).