Rock Island (Jethro Tull album)

Rock Island is the seventeenth studio album by the British progressive rock band Jethro Tull, released in 1989. The album is noted for its themes focusing on the isolated existence of the rock musician and the transient nature of life on tour. The album's title reflects the realities and challenges faced by touring rock bands, often spending extended periods in anonymous hotel rooms and remote locations.

While Rock Island did not achieve the same commercial success as some of Jethro Tull's earlier albums, it reached the Top 20 in several countries, including the UK and Germany. Critically, the album received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the album's musicianship and Ian Anderson's lyrical themes, while others found it to be less innovative than previous Tull efforts.

Notable tracks from Rock Island include "Kissing Willie," a song that incorporates humor and innuendo, and "Another Christmas Song," which offered a cynical yet poignant perspective on the holiday season. The album's cover artwork, designed by Iain McCaig, is distinctive for its stylized, somewhat abstract imagery. The lineup for this album featured Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, Dave Pegg, Martin Allcock, and Doane Perry. Rock Island was followed by the album Catfish Rising in 1991.