I Dig Heavy Metals

When Ian Anderson's musical career ends, Homo Erraticus will likely not be viewed as a classic by music historians and prog rock aficionados. Jethro Tull fans will, generally speaking, consider it a minor, if pleasant, album, if I may prognosticate here. Personally, I rather like it, though I do recognize its faults. With a new Jethro Tull album out, I've been listening to Anderson's more recent music, including Homo Erraticus. A song I keep coming back to is its second tune, "Heavy Metals".

Anderson picks out a very pretty melody on acoustic guitar while Scott Hammond keeps time with a bell (or so it sounds) that mimics a blacksmith at work with hammer and anvil. (Or this could be a synth sound.) John O'Hara contributes some tasteful keyboards that mainly add mood and fill in a sparsely arranged song, but he finds the room to throw in a flourish or two with a harpsichord-like sound.

Anderson's voice changed forever after some throat problems back in 1985 and he was in his late sixties when he recorded this song so age was a factor as well in his limited range. But his singsong style here is perfect to accompany the bouncy, folky guitar melody. And in 90 seconds Anderson encourages us to ponder how human nature persists through the ages.

"Heavy Metals" probably won't make any best-of collections where it would sit next to recognized acoustic Tull classics such as "Mother Goose", "One White Duck", or "Dun Ringill" and this is a shame. This is a late period Anderson gem.