4 out of 5 Stars!

After Jethro Tull’s “classic period” that ended with Minstrel in the Gallery, the band (to me) turned more “rustic,” softening its blues-inspired Hard Rock edge and putting a heavier emphasis on Folk-oriented tracks, although many still with Progressive tendencies.

At the time, I was not overly thrilled with the change in direction and prayed for another Thick as a Brick or Aqualung, but as the years passed, Tull’s music from the late-’70’s era eventually grew on me, and the trio of albums where this new rustic style is most prevalent (Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses, and Stormwatch) have actually become some of my favorites by the band.

On this album, with imaginative tunes such as “And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps,” “Rover,” “No Lullaby,” “Journeyman,” and the lengthy title tune, not to mention the excessively catchy “Moths,” “One Brown Mouse,” and “Acres Wild” included, I find myself playing Heavy Horses quite often and now celebrate Jethro Tull’s diversity throughout its lengthy career.

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