Faces Smiling In The Gloom

Albums
CD Review, BBC Radio Three
A Passion Play, Jethro Tull
Passion, Peter Gabriel (music from Martin Scorsese's film The Last Temptation of Christ)
Crest Of A Knave, Jethro Tull

A Passion Play, Jethro Tull
A new album for me, I am writing part way through my second listening. A Passion Play is an album of two tracks, both just over twenty minutes. Let me warn you know, I am no fan of pigeon holing, I don't the idea of putting birds where they are free not to spread their wings. So, Jethro Tull's concept album then, he he.
I am just starting my exploration of Tull's music, so my comparisions on that front are not backed by any great knowledge. In instrumental terms, the album seems to make greater use of keyboard instruments, piano, organ, synths than other albums, but certainly not overly so. All of the other instrumental hallmarks that you would expect of Tull are there, lots of accoustic work, simple but effective bass work, flute and Ian Anderson's rather unique voice are all there and as good as on any other album.
The music itself then. The album is quite an experience. It is very much written as a single piece but moves around with a great freedom, although some may say insanity instead. Parts are very complex, parts very simple but it does hang together very well. I suspect when I know it well enough to start putting the lyrics in place as well, the sense of unity will only increase.
Apparently, Tull fans are quite divided by the album and I can understand that. It certainly seems to be fairly unique in their output and in a very different style. A lot of people just won't like the type of music, comparible as it is to the standard view of progressive rock of the seventies in a way that other Tull really isn't.
However, I love it. I loved it the first time I heard it and can only imagine that my love will only increase as I know it better.

Recommended to:
-Jethro Tull fans (with the warning that it is quite different)
-King Crimson and prog rock fans in general
-Those with a taste for the bizarre

Not recommended to:
-People who like their music straight forward
-Those for whom prog rock sends a shiver down the spine.

Laser Squad Nemesis
The first clans that fall under my beady eye are the 8-bit Fanatics from division one and the A.B.C Warriors from division two.

8-bits:
One of the best clans, active in the LSN community and with what seems to the outsider a brilliant team spirit. Some of them are even vaguely amusing. In game terms, maybe they aren't so strong. Lacking many top fifty elite players, they will find it difficult to crack the top teams in division one. They do have depth and shouldn't founder however. Scrapping it out mid-table seems likely, and one of the clans that with some lucky results might do a little better.

A.B.C Warriors:
A self-declared clan of rookie players, formed from fresh players. For that reason, they are difficult to judge. However, a good proportion of their players can be expected to start their climb to the top ranks here so good results are a distinct possibility. Inexperience will probably have a dulling effect however, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were mid-table at the end of the season, and outside chance for top tableness.

Other People's Mistakes

Mistaking perturbed for preturboted is a grave mistake. To confuse the feeling of being mentally agitated or being thrown into disorder with the shock and horror felt in the fraction of time before being slapped in the face by a large flat fish is a mistake many have made and to their great cost.

Quack!