"Rock Island" is the 17th studio album by the British rock band Jethro Tull. Released in 1989, it was received with mixed reviews but still attained gold status. The album is a continuation of Tull's sound marked by heavy electric guitars, synthesizers and electronic drums.
The album's content draws on a variety of themes but has a strong focus on socio-economic issues of the time. The hard-edged sound of Rock Island, a stark contrast to the band's folk/rock roots, mirrors the brutally honest commentary in the lyrics.
Some notable songs from the album include "Kissing Willie", "The Rattlesnake Trail", and "Another Christmas Song". Particularly, "Kissing Willie" stirred a bit of controversy due to its suggestive lyrical content.
"Rock Island" charted at No. 18 in the UK and No. 56 on the Billboard 200 in the USA. Despite the significant shift in style, the album reaffirms Jethro Tull's propensity for experimentation and genre-blending, showing off the band's ability to adapt their sound to the changing musical landscape of the era.
