THICK AS A BRICK

"And the poet lifts his pen, while the soldier sheaths his sword"

The first time I heard this concept album from Jethro Tull, my first thought was "wow!" The album is designed to look like a newspaper focused around the fictional eight year old Gerald Bostock, and the entirety of the tracks make up a poem supposedly written by Bostock. The concept of the poem is a young boy's trials of becoming an adult. From being forced to stop dreaming to no longer believing in heroes, the poem is a tantalizing display of childhood's finale.

The album contains only two tracks-Thick As A Brick Side 1 and 2, that are really the same song. The original LP was one song, just split up onto the two sides. The music is absolutely breathtaking, from Anderson's playful flute to both Anderson's and Barre's guitar. Evan's piano, and yes, harpsichord rounds it off to make an intelligent, well put together, example of magnificent music. Not only just thought provoking, Thick As A Brick is possibly one of the best albums ever produced.

In conclusion, Jethro Tull's virtuoso masterpiece is an absolute essential of progressive rock.