THICK AS A BRICK

This is the album where the vision of Stand Up is culminated in a truly progressive album, through and through. This album features Ian as his lyrical best and his melodies match those on Stand Up.

As for the band: for the most part, this is acoustic guitar, flute and organ driven. And Ian and John rise to the occasion admirably. Bass players also take note because Jeffrey Hammond is all over the place! This album is grounded in tremendous folk themes but then crosses over into heavy rock, jazz, and even classical themes (which is really what makes this album so fabulous). While propelled by the organ, bass and flute, Tull really throws out the kitchen sink with horns, strings and percussion galore.

Most prog fans will have this album as it is the Holy Grail of progressive rock for most, especially Tull fans. To me it demonstrates the heights an individual band can reach when all the right things come together at one moment. Great songwriting, wonderful ambitions, superb playing, an incredible album, and certainly the best thing Tull put to record.