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Post by bambooflute on Dec 29, 2015 14:04:25 GMT
Well, I was given a copy of Martin Barre's "Back To Steel" for Christmas. So, I guess I should review it, hmmmm?
I'm sweating a little. Maybe I shouldn't continue...but I will, because I think we should be able to share our honest thoughts.
Cards on the table: those of you who know my tastes may be aware that I am not a heavy rock fan. I have never liked bands where the electric guitar is front and center, turned up to ten. Take a look through my music collection and you will see tons of folk, acoustic, world music, and some progressive rock, certainly... Tull is the perfect band for me - with flutes, mandolins, acoustic guitars, saxes, accordions, whistles, and keyboards all adding texture, spice, and interest. Conversely, the heaviest band that I like is probably Marillion, and even then Steve Rothery does more interesting things with the electric guitar than... Ahem.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
So... the electric guitar, for me, is best when it is one ingredient playing a supporting role, rather than up front taking the lead. As such, I found "Back To Steel" a very difficult album to listen to. It was a Christmas gift, and courtesy demanded that I give it a try, and I sat down and tried to listen with an open mind. But it was painful. The worst track, "A Moment of Madness," felt like it was making my ears bleed. Razor sharp riffs and crunchy chords. Not my idea of fun. Where is the atmosphere?
The other ingredients do not help the proceedings. The band is lackluster, at best. As a singer, Dan Crisp lacks character - he is on key but that is about the best I can say about him. Then there are the covers! Why butcher the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby?" And what they did to "Skating Away..." (one of my favorite Tull songs) almost made me cry...
I keep reading that, with this album, Martin Barre has been released from the constraints of Tull and is making the music he always wanted to make, or words of that nature. I wanted to avoid making comparison of MB with IA, mostly because I do not want to be accused for being a sycophantic Anderson fan. I do not agree with everything that Ian Anderson has done, but it is his talent that made me a Tull fan. If this is Barre unleashed, then good luck to him. Without Anderson, Barre's music has no appeal to me. MB's "Back To Steel" is an album I doubt I will ever play again.
There's no right or wrong in this. It's all a matter of taste. It comes down to what flavor of ice cream you like, really. If you like the Martin Barre flavor, then that's wonderful. I will always reach for the label marked Ian Anderson. It brings me no pleasure to report that "Back To Steel" gets a big thumbs down.
Nice cover art, though!
Ducking and running for cover,
David
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Post by Quizz Kid on Dec 30, 2015 1:16:12 GMT
Boo, Hiss  Not really. I mostly disagree, but as you say each to their own and we are more than happy to have reviews that add to the debate rather than detracting and putting all comments into the same old 'X' can do no wrong/'Y' can do no right' camps. I think this album shows Martin at his most inventive for quite a while. But it's late and I need some sleep, and so I'll try to add a bit more later. In the meantime, go to your room and write out a hundread times 'Martin is a rock god who should not be questioned'  |
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Post by Tulltapes on Dec 30, 2015 9:26:52 GMT
Your opinion is fine. You’re entitled to your opinion here and it’s perfectly ok to disagree as long as nobody jumps on eachother about it (as far as i'm concerned). It’s not an album I would expect someone who isn’t a huge heavy guitar fan to be interested in. I like to listen to how he arranges things and uses harmonies etc. I don’t put it up there with the Tull classics of course but I found it an interesting listen. I am a heavy/distorted guitar fan, and huge Barre fan and while at first I liked the album a lot I was not “bowled over” by it. (I really love “Away with Words”) I thought the Tull re-arrangements were so cool and different that he could just have worked those into his own songs. Or why would he have to rely on tull songs for his album? He does some really clever things musically that have nothing to do with the original Tull song. BUT.. After seeing this band live it absolutely put everything in a whole new perspective. This is a LIVE band and should be seen live! Dan Crisp is great. I didn’t expect to like him as much as I did but, he was awesome. I also wasn’t a fan of Ryan O’Donnell until I saw him live but he almost speaks the words softly. He’s a great talented guy but not my cup of tea for Tull songs really. Dan Crisp is a powerful, passionate singer and a great guitar player and integral part of a tight band that plays on all cylinders together. Very impressive. I find myself putting on the CD alot now and the songs and melodies have grown on me, getting stuck in my head because of the impression the show made on me. Dave I think even you would have enjoyed the show. They brought a great, fun, atmosphere and they played so well together. It was exciting. Martin has a renewed energy that I haven’t seen in many, many, years. The CD now reminds of that! I also totally get why he is recording the Tull material as he has to play Tull live but doesn’t want to do it like a cover band and still have his fans recognize them. That’s respectable. I am starting to love some of his arrangements better than the originals. They sound SO fresh, and I LOVE how they do Sweet Dream (that riff has been stuck in my head). So.again we differ in opinion. But, I get it.. it’s all good.
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Post by bambooflute on Dec 30, 2015 13:49:06 GMT
Boo, Hiss Not really. I mostly disagree, but as you say each to their own and we are more than happy to have reviews that add to the debate rather than detracting and putting all comments into the same old 'X' can do no wrong/'Y' can do no right' camps. I think this album shows Martin at his most inventive for quite a while. But it's late and I need some sleep, and so I'll try to add a bit more later. In the meantime, go to your room and write out a hundread times 'Martin is a rock god who should not be questioned' I wrote that out one hundred times, Pat, in my own blood.  Ha ha ha... Thanks for having a sense of humor about it. I am, actually, interested in hearing why you do like the album. I am all for friendly debate. I used to like to go to the movies and then discuss them afterwards with my friends, and learning why they felt they way they did, regardless of their points of view. So, please, let me know! -David |
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Post by bambooflute on Dec 30, 2015 13:55:58 GMT
Your opinion is fine. You’re entitled to your opinion here and it’s perfectly ok to disagree as long as nobody jumps on eachother about it (as far as i'm concerned). It’s not an album I would expect someone who isn’t a huge heavy guitar fan to be interested in. I like to listen to how he arranges things and uses harmonies etc. I don’t put it up there with the Tull classics of course but I found it an interesting listen. I am a heavy/distorted guitar fan, and huge Barre fan and while at first I liked the album a lot I was not “bowled over” by it. (I really love “Away with Words”) I thought the Tull re-arrangements were so cool and different that he could just have worked those into his own songs. Or why would he have to rely on tull songs for his album? He does some really clever things musically that have nothing to do with the original Tull song. BUT.. After seeing this band live it absolutely put everything in a whole new perspective. This is a LIVE band and should be seen live! Dan Crisp is great. I didn’t expect to like him as much as I did but, he was awesome. I also wasn’t a fan of Ryan O’Donnell until I saw him live but he almost speaks the words softly. He’s a great talented guy but not my cup of tea for Tull songs really. Dan Crisp is a powerful, passionate singer and a great guitar player and integral part of a tight band that plays on all cylinders together. Very impressive. I find myself putting on the CD alot now and the songs and melodies have grown on me, getting stuck in my head because of the impression the show made on me. Dave I think even you would have enjoyed the show. They brought a great, fun, atmosphere and they played so well together. It was exciting. Martin has a renewed energy that I haven’t seen in many, many, years. The CD now reminds of that! I also totally get why he is recording the Tull material as he has to play Tull live but doesn’t want to do it like a cover band and still have his fans recognize them. That’s respectable. I am starting to love some of his arrangements better than the originals. They sound SO fresh, and I LOVE how they do Sweet Dream (that riff has been stuck in my head). So.again we differ in opinion. But, I get it.. it’s all good. Thank you for the very interesting and thought-provoking response. You referenced "Away with Words," and I must say that I DO enjoy Martin's acoustic guitar playing, but have been informed by a knowledgeable fan that the chances of Martin doing an acoustic tour are slim to none!! Ah, well... Your other point, that sometimes an album gains a new life after being seen live, is well taken. I have had this happen with me regarding a number of songs over the years. I'm still on the fence about seeing MB live, though... It just so happens that the Tull songs he chooses to play live number amongst my least favorites... I don't know. Maybe I should take the plunge if he ever comes around my way again - that way, at least I'll know for sure and can say "Yay" or "Nay" with a fuller perspective. It's only one evening, after all... Above all, thank you for being respectful. I respect you and how you articulate your opinions! -David |
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Post by Tulltapes on Dec 31, 2015 8:37:57 GMT
Thanks FTB. I would recommend seeing him if you get the chance again. There's bound to be something you like. And for around $20 a show you really couldn't go wrong. I also love Martin's acoustic playing more than most anyone's. There's some nice acoustic work sprinkled around on BTS for sure, even a song like "You and I" has very nice acoustic guitar harmonies. As for an acoustic tour? Here's what Martin said when we asked him recently.
TJTG - You mentioned, that with ‘Away with Words’ you did one acoustic gig. Would you ever consider doing more acoustic shows?
MB - Yeah, well, it’s in my little black book and we tried one and it was so successful. We just did one little gig down in Cornwall, but it was packed out. And the people, everybody really, really enjoyed it. It was percussion and three acoustic guitars. And yes, I would like to do it.
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Post by bambooflute on Dec 31, 2015 14:30:08 GMT
Thanks FTB. I would recommend seeing him if you get the chance again. There's bound to be something you like. And for around $20 a show you really couldn't go wrong. I also love Martin's acoustic playing more than most anyone's. There's some nice acoustic work sprinkled around on BTS for sure, even a song like "You and I" has very nice acoustic guitar harmonies. As for an acoustic tour? Here's what Martin said when we asked him recently. TJTG - You mentioned, that with ‘Away with Words’ you did one acoustic gig. Would you ever consider doing more acoustic shows? MB - Yeah, well, it’s in my little black book and we tried one and it was so successful. We just did one little gig down in Cornwall, but it was packed out. And the people, everybody really, really enjoyed it. It was percussion and three acoustic guitars. And yes, I would like to do it. I recall him saying that in the interview, but it was suggested to me that it's unlikely MB would ever bring a full-blown acoustic tour to the USA. Maybe we could ask him to do a sort of "light and dark" tour, with one hour of acoustic music followed by an hour of heavy stuff? Anyway, conjecture and two dollars will buy a cup of coffee, as they say. MB is in control over his future projects, so we will have to wait and see. Time will tell! -David |
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