THICK AS A BRICK

As great as many of their other albums are, they cannot quite match the sheer brilliance and gloriousness of Thick as a Brick, the pinnacle of their three masterpiece albums, and one of the best-ever progressive rock albums. Although constructed to be a parody of the concept album approach (in response to critics referring to Aqualung as a concept album when Anderson maintained it was not), this album-length single composition (split into 2 album sides) consisting of many separate parts brought together with ingenious transitions and connecting sections. Intricately crafted songs and parts that fit together magnificently, and mixing the acoustic melodies with the harder rock elements as only prime Tull can, and while still also managing to be quite accessible, featuring some of Tull's most melodic and joyous passages. Even though the whole piece runs for ~44 minutes (with only a brief break between sides), there is not a single dull or lackluster moment anywhere, nor any part or section that doesn't fit or should have been left off. Just brilliant from start to finish. Also, the most cohesive and locked-in the whole band is here, with each member contributing greatly to the whole, particularly Barriemore Barlow's dynamic drumming and inspired percussion work that stands out, as well as Martin Barre's guitar work, and of course Anderson's flute and probably his best-ever vocal performance. And it still stands now, fifty years later, as time has not diminished the power and magnificence of this album in the slightest. it stands as a monumental achievement in rock music. Rating 5