THICK AS A BRICK

Ian Anderson is known to have ridiculed the critics' frequent use of certain labels in order to describe the music of JETHRO TULL, including the very terms "progressive rock" and "concept album". He was allegedly so mad at the press pronouncing their previous album "Aqualung" a conceptual work, so that he decided to deliberately make a "concept album" to satisfy the public, as a parody on the then popular YES or EL&P. But, wow - what a parody that was!

"Thick As A Brick" is an exceptionally devised and produced musical work that can most closely be tagged as rock with serious symphonic structure. Although not entirely digestible in one sitting - I usually have problems to maintain attention around the middle of the side 2 - the album is an ultimate classic progressive rock record that was hardly ever beaten. Although I will not give full 5 stars due to personal sensation that the album is overloaded and saturated with excessive musical themes and repetitions, do not be distracted - it is the masterpiece!

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5

P.A. RATING: 4/5