When one can not say of the 1974 published by Chrysalis album "Warchild", then monotony. What stirred together the creative head and mastermind of the British rock band Jethro Tull here of styles, sounds, follies and oblique sound, already a really own (music) gives soup. For me, the album marks the beginning of a tape phase in which the chef himself did not know exactly how it should go on for now and first tried around with familiar and new ingredients. During the penultimate album "Thick As A Brick" was able to build on the outstanding success of its predecessor, "Aqualung", the entire project "A Passion Play" had been a nerve-sapping disaster. Just as "Thick ..." was "A Passion Play" designed as an ambitious Long track album, but the sessions were already gone unhappy to and were summarily abgebrochen.Dann was started for the album again with (almost) zero. But even that but then finished end product came to only moderately; Anderson was repeatedly "hollow bombast" accused the really bulky album caused a lot of resentment and conjecture, Anderson's creativity would be at the end. Went with "Warchild" is now back in song formats like the older albums. Obviously, Ian tried to music easy, fresh, to let act cheerful, this he combined elements of rock, prog, folk, scattered here and there blues and jazz, and took besides the usual instruments (guitar / Martin Barre, Drums, Percussion / Barriemore Barlow, bass / Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, piano, organ, synthesizer / John Evan, flute, acoustic guitar, vocals / Anderson) also glockenspiel, marimba and especially unusually, also accordion and saxophone. That some of the compositions before "A Passion Play" had arisen, the aborted sessions came from, other songs were written during the concert tour, underlines the impression of stylistic disunity of the disc. Time very catchy, simplistic, then departed, diagonally, then again ballad, bonds of sailor songs, then suddenly rocking, then the unfamiliar saxophone sounds, arranged by David Palmer Orchestra deposits .... some people called it varied, others confused, crazy, undecided. That "The Third Hoorah" a theme from the song "Warchild" resumed, perhaps should be an attempt to give the album inner cohesion. Actually, the music should come out as part of a film project as a soundtrack, but failed because of the finances. Thematically looks Anderson it as a continuation of "A Passion Play". The Back Cover is shown by the people represent the individual songs. Whether the crosshead has shown with the flute here all critics, demonstrated incredible diversity and has lived creativity free progressive art, or simply everything was there, thrown out of temporary helplessness in the pot, new sounds added and umrührte, is controversial , I mean: Especially when it comes to the composition depth, "Warchild" is not attributed with certainty the best Tull albums. Nevertheless, the music makes at least in phases fun and never boring.
The sound quality is nothing to complain about; even the old record sound quite appealing. By contrast, the first CDs were grottig, no comparison with the vinyl disc. Then in 2002 came the excellent remastered CD that offers great sound even whopping seven (7!) Interesting bonus tracks, namely unused studio songs, so oä no demos. 2014 came the "40th Anniversary Edition Theatralic", which represents an incredible treasure trove. First album of Steven Wilson was (Porcupine Tree, No-Man, Blackfield, solo albums, etc.) not only newly remastered, but also still remixed.Und not only high resolution (24-bit / 96kHz) for audio DVD, but also in various surround formats, also in high resolution; this was the old Quadro mix even 1: 1 "pulled over". Additionally be more bonus tracks, demos, commanded, among other things to the creation of video material, an informative, thick booklet ... On CD, the album is also remixed / remastered to give S.Wilson, who is now highly recognized for its work in this area, benefit must hold that it has not unduly interfere with the remix in the composition of music. Wishes of Anderson, rauszumischen completely certain instruments were, Wilson simply refused because he could not take wollte.Davon authenticity of music to many a ne slice cut (keyword: Genesis Remixes) (!) .` Whether the revision has led to an improvement, is a matter of taste. Definitely was the analysis, the increased audibility without that it sounds sterile. However, I personally prefer the 2002 remastered CD, as well as the MFSL Gold CD. The vinyl edition of 2015 is based, of course on the remix / remaster of 2014th For fans and surround listeners the Edition is of course compulsory, as for audiophile listeners with DVD-Audio players, unless they prefer as I the old mix. All remastered versions, whether stereo or surround, offer good dynamic range and it was controlled high but not too high. The MFSL Gold CD which there was limited, and that is now being traded at high is, incidentally, also very well done. It sounds a bit warmer, fuller than the other versions.
