THICK AS A BRICK

If I'm ever banished to that fabled "desert island," and allowed to bring only a single Jethro Tull album, this would likely be the one (though it would be tough to leave AQUALUNG, MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY, SONGS FROM THE WOOD and HEAVY HORSES behind).

Why does this disc get the nod as possibly my favourite of Tull's extensive oeuvre? Well, for a start, the music really resonates with me. The various themes and melodies, arranged as a single, album-long suite, are brilliant, and insinuate their way into the pleasure-center of your brain, n'er to depart. I love Barre's guitar and Anderson's flute as usual, but the inclusion here of so much Hammond organ (courtesy of John Evans) really fleshes out the sound, and gives this effort a classic Prog feel. Season that with generous dollops of workmanlike fiddle from the multi-talented Mr. Anderson, and you've got a delectable auditory stew -- a feast for the ears of epic proportions. That's not all: I also think the lyrics are brilliant -- some of the best Anderson has ever penned (the credited lyricist, little "Gerald Bostock," was, of course, fictional). My tastes in poetry may be somewhat plebian -- I confess that I prefer Byron to Keats or Shelley -- but to me, lines like "The poet sheathes his pen, while the soldier lifts his sword" and "The doer and the thinker, no allowance for the other" are simply brilliant. I always find new lines to ponder and enjoy when I listen to this awesome disc, and I listen to it fairly often.

If you're not familiar with the music of Jethro Tull, I'd suggest starting with AQUALUNG, then, if you like that, pick up this album next. If you're already a Tull fan, but don't have THICK AS A BRICK, then run, don't walk, and beg, borrow, buy or steal it! A MUST!