THICK AS A BRICK 2 (AKA: TAAB2)

Review # 83. Thick as a Brick was released in 1972, and it was the answer of Ian Anderson to critics and media when they were 'accusing' Jethro Tull of having become a Progressive Rock band. (That's the story I know at least). I believe the whole idea was extremely sarcastic, but finally, TAAB became one of the best and most famous albums ever recorded by the band. On the album's 40th anniversary, Ian Anderson decided to release Thick as a Brick 2. The sequel...

The truth is that further the title and very few tunes that brings to the mind the first album, these two albums are quite different. Thick as a Brick 2 is a concept album, it contains 17 tracks, that most of them are between 2-4 minutes long. (Only exception the song 'A change of horses' that is 8 minutes long).

But the songs are so cleverly placed in order, that the final outcome is very nice. Here Ian Anderson tells the story of the 8-years-old poet 40 years later. The story also includes a few different options of our poet's future, given with the so familiar sarcastic way of Ian Anderson.

For me, part 1 of the first Thick as a Brick was a masterpiece! Here you will not find any masterpiece I'm afraid, just a well-structured album.

His voice is in a good form, (or the studio engineers did a very good job), the songs are above average, and the record as a whole is enjoyable. I think 3.0 stars is a good rating for this album...