“…And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps” may seem an odd title, but turns out to be something of a riddle with a simple answer: it’s about a cat. “Acres Wild” is a love song with a mild disco beat, yet manages to comment on the country versus the city; no points for guessing which one Ian Anderson prefers, but at least he assures us that he’ll “make love to you” pretty much anywhere. Martin Barre finally gets to let loose with some riffing on “No Lullaby”, a mostly heavier track along the lines of their most popular sounds. The title is apt, as there’s not a lot of reassurance in this lesson for an infant, who wouldn’t be able to sleep through it anyway, after having been jarred awake by the brief drum solos. “Moths” is a very poetic description of the insects’ seemingly “suicidal quest” around a candle, to precisely trilling mandolins and a string arrangement. “Journeyman” is very interesting musically, with the bass, guitar, and organ in harmony with each other, the cyclical nature of the melodies fitting the treadmill progress and repetition of the figure described.
Side two is virtually devoted the Ian Anderson menagerie, starting with the ode to his dog in “Rover”. (There are a few passages of vibraphone throughout that remind us of Zappa, or at least “Changes” by Yes.) Similarly, “One Brown Mouse” was seemingly spared the wrath of the police in the first track, given lots of devoted attention and wonder from the auteur. The title track is the longest and most ambitious, combining the heavy riffing with intricate strings, multiple tempo changes, occasionally evoking the galloping horses themselves. And while the creature named is actually an inanimate object, it’s only fitting that he takes the time to marvel at the wonder of the “Weathercock”.
Altogether what we have here is a longing for simpler times and traditional pleasures, though there’s no mention of the economic strife of raising crops and such season after season. Heavy Horses is mostly strong, and highly recommended for those who love Songs From The Wood; it might even be better than that album. (For the cleverly appended New Shoes upgrade of the album for its 40th anniversary, the obligatory Steven Wilson remix is supported by various unreleased tracks, plus two CDs covering a May 1978 concert in Switzerland, some of which had already appeared on the Bursting Out live album.)
Jethro Tull Heavy Horses (1978)—3
2003 remastered CD: same as 1978, plus 2 extra tracks
2018 40th Anniversary New Shoes Deluxe Edition: same as 1978, plus 31 extra tracks
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