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Jethro Tull - Aqualung CD (album) cover

AQUALUNG

Jethro Tull

 

Prog Folk

4.37 | 2917 ratings

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Marty McFly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars "Aqualung" starts with uncompromising guitar riff which is now rated (by my and other people) as one of the greatest riffs in history of rock music. "Sitting on a park bench...", first I though it's story about some sleazy park guy, who tries his dirty tricks on girls, but then it turned to be about his loneliness instead. Quite heavy part indeed, one can get false feeling about genre of this album, but soon after, from 1:03-2:13, then part which will make you head-bang (at least a little bit) for sure, wild acoustic guitar accompanies something so unique in prog folk genre, Ian Anderson's Voice (capital letter intended). It's something so special, that I rate him amongst the best in (rock music) history. Basically, just his vocal and folky guitar to make me happy, but we're on PA, aren't we. But fortunately, other parts of music works as well.

This is repeated instantly in "Cross-Eyed Mary" (hello real life Mary, sitting beside me), with even basic instruments used (with addition of piano and Voice somehow emulates many things), wide variety of styles, joined together by one thing, wild tempo. And of course, another thing, IA's trademark instrument, flute. Or should I say furious flute, same as everything he touches ? Then, stream of songs in similar, prog folk theme continues. Lyrics are mostly British folklore influences (I suppose), or other, medieval sounding words .Continues until

"My God" comes. Which comes with first criticism of religion (third one is Wind Up). I don't see much inside this topic, but his arguments seems solid and truth. 3:26- to about 5:00, FF (furious flute) solo takes the place. Probably the greatest flute moment I've ever heard, performed with such virtuosity and energy, that you can almost feel his passion (for play). And imagine how he's standing on one leg, when live version was performed. "Hymn 43" continues in breaking-worship-myth as second one from god trilogy, full of tongue in cheek lyrics (again, it's how I feel them, my personal opinion). Quite aggressive song though, even Aqualung is first shocker, this one is just gravedigger of emotions. Don't take me bad, it's good song, but after Aqualung, I was ready for everything here. "Locomotive Breath" starts as something very bluesy, every sounds here, piano, scratching guitar, pace of song, everything indicates blues rock. Of course, Jethro Tull, masters of deceiving comes with their unique sound, after this blues intro. So called song on which you can put your hat on. No, this song won't slow down, because it's dragger of this record. And we're now ready for

"Wind Up" closes original trilogy. Although not believer (no way), I admit that if to believe, then for your own way of doing it, not "wind it up on Sundays" as he correctly mentioned. Really beautiful melody, in intro part (first two minutes) and also in later in more rocking part (last four minutes). My favourite section to be honest. From bonus part of remastered version, one that caught my attention is surprisingly this "Interview" part. He has such calm voice. So this saying about how he's wild on stage and shy guy in reality. Other songs are good, two goes in a way of first prog folk section, then different version of Wind Up, whistling Boureé and "A Song For Jeffrey" different version.

Five stars for such prog folk monument, where there's no weak piece.

Marty McFly | 5/5 |

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