Jethro Tull: Ian Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, bouzouki, flute, bamboo flute); Martin Barre (acoustic & electric guitars); Andrew Giddings (accordion, piano, Hammond organ, keyboards); Jonathan Noyce (bass); Doanne Perry (drums, percussion).

Additional personnel: Najma Akhtar (vocals).

With 1995's Roots to Branches, Jethro Tull signed a sixth lease on life by absorbing the ethnic sounds of India and the Middle and Far East. Ian Anderson was camouflaging his failing voice with fluting that was better than ever and with songs that suited his singing range. Jethro Tull follows up Roots to Branches with J-Tull Dot Com, a title that advertises both the band's new website and Anderson's newfound Internet prowess. The band has made a career of blending rock with jazz, blues, classical, and folk, and it would seem that the globetrotting Roots to Branches, along with Anderson's solo album from the same year, Divinities: Twelve Dances With God, would point to a full-time obsession with world music. But now the band abandons some of the world sounds in favor of songs that are more straightforward and lacking in variety, and unlike Roots to Branches, J-Tull Dot Com fails to excite with the first listen. While not as memorable as the previous effort, the album still delivers standard Jethro Tull: Anderson's flute, Martin Barre's crunchy guitar, and the wide-reaching keys of Andrew Giddings support Ian's ever-weakening voice, which he imposes onto every song. Once again Tull's capable hard rock is alternately ornamented, twiddly, and heavy-handed, so after repeated listens Tull fans should be satisfied. ~ Patrick Little

Jethro Tull soldiers on into the Information Age with J TULL DOT COM, an album title that--not surprisingly--reflects the address of the band's website. From the opening blasts of Ian Anderson's trademark flute on "Spiral," a song that churns over Martin Barre's power chords and squealing harmonics, it's clear that Jethro Tull isn't about to change its battle-tested formula any time soon.

J-TULL DOT COM is rife with the kind of social commentary that has always been a staple in the band's music. "Dot Com" is a trenchant commentary on the disillusioning effects of living in an Internet-saturated world. During the chorus, Anderson snidely declares "So punch my name / and in case you wonder / I'll be yours / yours - dot com." Other songs, such as "El Nino" and "awol" contain lyrics that address similar themes of disenchantment. But despite the gravity of much of its subject matter, J TULL DOT COM remains a relatively upbeat musical feast throughout. Indeed, the band seems as flawlessly tight as ever. "Hot Mango Flush" is a particularly toe-tapping affair. For fans of Jethro Tull, J-TULL DOT COM is a sure bet.

Q (9/99, p.102) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...[proves] that [Ian] Anderson is still very much in touch with the real world, there is plenty here to comfort fans of the heavy-rocking, eccentric prog-folk of THICK AS A BRICK and AQUALUNG..."

Mojo (Publisher) (9/99, p.103) - "...will delight...those in search of something redolent of STAND UP, WARCHILD, MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY, even A PASSION PLAY - all of which are recalled here....Anderson's endlessly fascinating, unique musical personality is absolutely to the fore, as captivating as ever..."