THICK AS A BRICK

After my years of being a frequent listener in the progressive scene, I have never heard an album that moved me, captivated me, inspired me, impacted me, and that I loved so much, both in its history and musical development as well as in its unique melodies. Undoubtedly, my favourite album, and par excellence, Jethro Tull's best. The original packaging, designed like a newspaper, states that the album is a musical adaptation of a poem written by the fictional eight-year-old genius Gerald Bostock, although the lyrics were written by Ian Anderson. The latter was a major influence on the imagination and humour implemented in the album's writing. The album prominently features flute, acoustic and electric guitars and a Hammond organ, and the extensive instrumentation includes harpsichord, xylophone, timpani, violin, lute, trumpet, saxophone and a string section, all uncommon in the band's earlier blues-inspired rock (This Was, 1968). According to Anderson, the lyrics were derived in part from his own childhood experiences, although the overall theme was Bostock's attempt to make sense of our lives.

Thick As a Brick has a variety of musical themes, time signatures and tempo changes, all of which were characteristic of the progressive rock scene. Thick As a Brick, Jethro Tull's fifth album, was recorded in late 1971, and released on 10 March 1972 (considered the golden year of progressive rock). Both the first and second parts of the song are full of rhythmic breakdowns, constantly changing sweet, medieval and epic melodies with arpeggios and hybrid interludes between each part of the song, creating a very exciting and fantastic atmosphere for every minute that passes during the song's playback. Ian Anderson was surprised when critics called Aqualung "a concept album". He rejected this, thinking it was simply a collection of songs, so in response he decided to "come up with something that really is the mother of all concept albums".

It is impressive the feelings and aural satisfaction that every melody causes. Beyond the fanaticism or love I have towards this work, it is incredible to think about the creativity and legitimacy of the song in any aspect, rhythms, the atmosphere generated, lyrics, etc... definitely, and at the end of the day, an album that any prog lover should have listened to.

I will be eternally grateful to Ian Anderson for composing such musical majesty and for inspiring me and opening me up to many things in progressive.

Thick As a Brick I & II: 5/5

10/10, 5 well deserved stars for one of the greatest works ever created in the history of music.

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