AQUALUNG

The most famous album of the band and, in my opinion, after "Stand Up" probably the best. By some considered the first progressive album of Tull, is in fact a transitional album on the way which brought the band to "Thick As A Brick". This is not a concept album, as explained by Ian Anderson, but only some vaguely related songs. The main change is the permanent entry of John Evan in the lineup. Moreover, more attention to the production and sound engineering, much refined, compared to the previous "Benefit". Howewer, the most sophisticated style is not always a good thing: the strings in Slipstream and Wond'ring Aloud are, without doubt, unnecessary.

The beginning of the album is beautiful, with four great songs. Aqualung, an absolute Tull classic, is the beautiful opening track. The guitar riff that opens the song is stunning, and the acoustic section, filtered with the voice of Anderson, legendary. The flute is absent. By contrary the second track Cross-Eyed Mary, immediately starts with the flute and goes on in a way at times closer to hard rock. Cheap Day Return and Mother Goose are mainly acoustic tracks, two little masterpieces, very enjoyable even on first listening.

Other notable tracks are My God, a song of complaint about the evils of organized religion, with a splendid central part where Anderson plays a furious flute solo, Hymn 43 conventional piece of rock with a great guitar riff, Locomotive Breath (another classic always performed in concert) and the final song, Wind Up.

Not bad but not great too, the divertissement Up To Me. The brief Slipstream and Wond'ring Aloud are, unfortunately, ruined by the strings of David Palmer, but do not affect the final quality of the record.

You've never heard an album by Jethro Tull and want advice on which album to listen first? Then, "Aqualung" is probably for you. It is the most classic work of the band and one of the more interesting. It is also very enjoyable, absolutely not challenging and therefore easy to assimilate even at the first listen. Precisely for this reason the only risk is feeling a bit tired after few plays, however, remains an essential album for fans and definitely recommended to all. Final Rating: 8 / 10.

4 stars.

Best song: Aqualung

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