AQUALUNG

This is a masterpiece of prog rock album that has now become a legendary one. It's a pity of you claim yourself as a prog lover but you don't have this album in your collection because this one is a must have. With their debut album full of blues influence, this album is more of a rocker with variations of styles and tempo. It was not hard for hard rockers to accept this album because it contains heavy guitar riffs which resemble typical hard rock music. Of course, you would hear a lot of flute-work throughout the album - that's has become the trademark of Tull's music.

The album opener and title track "Aqualung" has colored my childhood when this song was popularized by my illegal (oops!) radio station. It's relative accessible rocker with typical guitar riffs of hard rock combined with drums, unique vocal line and acoustic guitar as rhythm section. I remember that this track was my brother Jokky's favorite song because he always played this song everyday. I got used to it because he regularly played it and the first impression I got about this song was especially the "distant" vocal sound during chorus where the acoustic guitar rhythm accompanies. The song is very dynamic and it represents prog nature because it offers tempo and style changes throughout the stream of the song. "Aqualung my friend - don't you start away uneasy .." is a memorable lyrical part that I cannot forget since the first time I listened to it until now (Oh boy . 35 years have passed .!!).

"Cross-Eyed Marry" is another great track with soaring flute and piano during opening followed with energetic music. Again, I like when the vocal enters especially with the guitar riffs that accompany the vocal. Great! "Cheap Day Return" offers great acoustic guitar fills and melody. "Mother Ghoose" maintains the same acoustic guitar style that accompanies unique vocal line. "Wondering Aloud" is a nice ballad with heavy voval line and articulate acoustic guitar fills. "Up To Me" is another favorite of mine especially it has a unique laughs at the start of the track followed with powerful acoustic guitar fills, flute and unique vocal line "Take you to the cinema ..". It's a wonderfully crafted track that characterizes the music of Tull.

"My God" has a powerful melody and great acoustic guitar part at the opening. It's my favorite Tull's track as well. The music flows naturally with ambient vocal at the opening, moving up into an energetic style with drum beats and guitar riffs. I always repeat this track whenever I play this album like what I'm doing now. The combined work of flute and electric guitar is really excellent. The flute solo in the middle of the track is terrific! "He is inside you and me. So lean upon him gently ..".

"Hymn 43" is another great rocker with powerful riffs and good combination of piano and flute works. "Slipstream" is another nice ballad. "Locomotive Breath" is the band's legendary track with great piano solo opening followed with great electric guitar touch that brings the music into a dynamic style.

My CD is a Special Edition 25th Anniversary with luxurious and colored booklet and very nice CD case. I don't regret at all spending money to purchase this CD. The music is a masterpiece; the production and sonic quality are top notch! Highly recommended to all of you claim as prog lovers! Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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