As a band seemingly in existence since the dawn of time, or at least since the Baroque period (see Anderson's brief but informative liner notes), these long winded, long lasting Rock minstrels turn up by way of the necessary "Best Of" commemoration album covering some twenty-five years in the business. Amazing but true, without benefit of anything close to a hit in the last maybe fifteen or twenty years. I'm not qualified to pass judgment in that regard, but there's certainly something to be said about durability regarding many old, classic bands like Tull, or Yes, or maybe ELP. While none of these receive quite the level of notoriety of The Who, Zeppelin or Floyd, surely they've carved their own impressive niche in the annals of Rock & Roll history.

Remembered for past bouts with greatness, Tull's "Aqualung" is quite likely enjoying its placement as one of the all-time great releases ever. Ian Anderson, the mainstay vocalist/flutist, chief strummer, scriptor and all encompassing wit, does well to sum up this collection as more than just a poorly conceived cash-in attempt by a once popular, but forgotten, ranks that no longer matter. Among the 70-plus minute twenty-song career span found within this forest of folklore, he's proven to be more than just the random act in the bargain pricing market that many contemporary credibility seekers have lost merit for doing.

Expectedly, such age-old classics as "Living In The Past," "Aqualung," "Bungle In The Jungle," "Locomotive Breath" and "Thick As A Brick" did not to fall by the wayside among any notion of a hit. Think back to the '70s and even today. True Rock radio never lets you forget. There are considerably more songs available however, that many might find a touch obscure. The album is certainly not an average stroll through everyday Pop-dom as most are. Anderson himself admitted as much by saying "A few spectacular duds," which refer to their long leaning Prog-Rock intentions that sway as brilliantly as a tall tree in a cloudy breeze and offer something more than expected.

Interestingly enough, while there are no real surprises or re-recordings, although considering the twenty something figure of membership cardholders, nobody could deny them that spin they sought. Time constraints, however, figure into the set, as a few were given the necessary quick snip in favor of extra titles that reach as far North as 1995 - "Roots To Branches" specifically, which pleasantly enough finds little lost in the process of aging!