It’s been over 20 years since a Jethro Tull album has been recorded (not counting The JT Christmas Album). In fact, you could say it was last century since the last release of a Jethro Tull set (J-Tull Dot Com – 1999). Even so, we’ve certainly enjoyed a steady diet of updated classic Jethro Tull reissued titles as an interim. But now…
On January 28, Ian Anderson and what is now Jethro Tull will release a new Jethro Tull-branded album in The Zealot Gene. With 12 new compositions, Ian Anderson announces the album with “While I have a spot of genuine fondness for the pomp and fairytale story-telling of the Holy Book, I still feel the need to question and draw sometimes unholy parallels from the text. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly rear their heads throughout, but are punctuated with elements of love, respect, and tenderness.” The Zealot Gene is being called a “darker album for a darker time” in comparison to the 51-year old Aqualung.
The Zealot Gene is being released on CD, a Limited Edition Deluxe 2CD/BD (with bonus demo tracks, an artbook, and a 5.1 Surround mix by Jakko Jakszyk), DD, 2LP 180g-weight Black Vinyl with included CD, a Limited Edition 180g-weight Red Vinyl with included CD, a Deluxe 3LP/2CD/BD (with turntable mat and a numbered print), and a Deluxe 2CD/BD/LP (Red Vinyl) Box. Covering all bases, there plenty of ways to acquire the new Jethro Tull album.
The Zealot Gene is preceded by a new single from the album – “Shoshana Sleeping”. It’s pretty good and so Jethro Tull! (hear below)
The Zealot Gene – Jethro Tull
CD1
01 Mrs Tibbets
02 Jacob’s Tales
03 Mine Is The Mountain
04 The Zealot Gene
05 Shoshana Sleeping
06 Sad City Sisters
07 Barren Beth, Wild Desert John
08 The Betrayal Of Joshua Kynde
09 Where Did Saturday Go?
10 Three Loves, Three
11 In Brief Visitation
12 The Fisherman Of Ephesus
CD2 (Demo Bonus Tracks)
01 Mrs Tibbets (Rough Demo)
02 Mine Is The Mountain (Rough Demo)
03 The Zealot Gene (Rough Demo)
04 Shoshana Sleeping (Rough Demo)
05 Barren Beth, Wild Desert John (Rough Demo)
06 The Betrayal Of Joshua Kynde (Rough Demo)
07 The Fisherman Of Ephesus (Rough Demo)
08 Jacob’s Tales (Initial Idea Demo)
09 Sad City Sisters (Initial Idea Demo)
10 Where Did Saturday Go? (Initial Idea Demo)
11 Three Loves, Three (Initial Idea Demo)
12 In Brief Visitation (Initial Idea Demo)
13 She Smells So Sweet (Initial Idea Demo)
BD
5.1 Surround Mix
Does anyone know the packaging dimensions of the Limited Edition Deluxe 2CD/BD set? Is it 5″ CD-sized or 12″ oversized?
The CDs are of standard size.
So as a huge Tull fan, I have mixed feelings about this. How can you justify this as a Tull release when it’s quite simply Anderson’s solo band? In addition, you keep the other guys & let Martin Barre, your partner of over 40 years, go. That act in itself is enough to warrant a boycott of this, although I’ll certainly listen to it. My Benefit box should be here today and that may have to suffice. I didn’t go to Anderson’s gigs as Tull & probably still won’t. What a cold gesture on his part.
I can understand your feelings on the matter. When an original (or largely original) band no longer exists outside the realm of just one member, it’s a challenge. However, with access to the single, the music is not bad and resonates with the Tull mindset. Nevertheless, the Anderson has felt strongly enough to use the JT name for this release. I have the same strong feelings on other bands just as you have with Tull.