"Jethro Tull" - "The Zealot Gene" (2022): creation story, meaning, video clips
The Zealot Gene - this is the title of the 22nd studio album of the British rock band "Jethro Tull". Work on the disc has been going on for more than four years, and now we can finally enjoy these works. This is a very deep record, with alluring melodies and captivating lyrics inspired by the Bible...
History of creation: inspiration and background
Released at the end of January 2022 of the year, The Zealot Gene instantly attracted everyone's attention. And there are several reasons for that: this album was the first with original material from the end 90s and the band's first release since the beginning 2000-х. According to the leader "Jethro Tull" by Ian Anderson, work on it began to boil back in 2017, and the idea itself was born a year earlier. Alas, for a number of reasons, the recording was interrupted every now and then: a huge tour in honor of the 50th anniversary of the group, a pandemic ... So, the last five tracks were recorded by the band members remotely - each at home, after which the parts were combined into one work. Only in 2021, the work was brought to mind.
Staring down at us from the gloomy album cover, Anderson is the author of most of the songs. And it's not just about the album. The Zealot Genebut also the material of the group as a whole. As for the record, it defies convention. Lyrically, the inspiration was biblical themes and myths. The pandemic also contributed, against the background of which Jethro Tull had to cancel the tour:
“It all happened so unexpectedly! We had no choice but to run home and wait out this storm,” Anderson commented.
Sound, lyrical meaning
The sound of "The Zealot Gene" makes it clear that despite his considerable age, Anderson, who has long since 70, still able to ignite like in the old days! This disc can hardly be called conceptual, but each composition is inspired by the Bible. We can come across interesting references in every track. And the opening album Mrs. Tibbets» reminds us of mother Paul Tibbets, the military pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in the mid-1940s.
The disc was published by an independent German company "Inside Out". Talking about her Anderson emphasizes:
“Great guys! They were reminiscent of the companies that existed in the early stages of Jethro Tull - something like Chrysalis or Island. They are ruled not by money, but by the music they live by. It was incredibly comfortable and pleasant for us to cooperate!”
List of tracks
The name of the disc fully and completely reflects its ideological content. For example, the word Zealot means "ardent follower", "fanatic follower". In general, the name translates as "fanaticism gene" - It seems that this topic seriously worries Anderson.
“I am really worried about the polarization of opinions in the modern world. You must love only black or white, because the gray tint and the desire for compromise is not supported! And very often condemned. But there is always that very middle that people do not want to notice. Because of this, a split occurs, quite painful for many ... "
The musician adds: “I tried to reflect this idea in the cover. At first glance, it is black and white. But if you look closely, you can see how black and white smoothly flow into each other, creating a great variety of gray shades! My son James helped me with the cover art.
Mrs. Tibbets»
Jacob's Tales
"Mine Is the Mountain"
The Zealot Gene
Shoshana Sleeping
"Sad City Sisters"
"Barren Beth, Wild Desert John"
"The Betrayal of Joshua Kynde"
"Where Did Saturday Go?"
"Three Loves, Three"
«In Brief Visitation»
The Fisherman of Ephesus
Almost every composition is inspired by biblical sayings. And if it is difficult to recognize them during listening, then bold reflections of the author himself come to the surface. This lyrical and philosophical trackswhich will certainly serve as valuable food for thought.
Conclusion
Over 30 amazing albums and more 50 million copies sold around the world - "Jethro Tull" rightfully bears the title of one of the most legendary rock bands in history! Their song repertoire is rich in classics, which to this day resonates with ever new listeners. AND The Zealot Gene - a vivid proof that, despite the years, there is still gunpowder in the powder flask!
