THICK AS A BRICK

I don't know what else I can add to what is already said. You know the history Ian Anderson's reaction to the critics that called Aqualung a concept album decided to make the mother of all concepts by creating a complete hoax. Anderson went so far as to create a newspaper of the cover complete with a bawdy "connect the numbers" drawing. The whole thing is very Monty Pythonish. The lyrics are roughly a satirical look at English Society in general.

The music is far better thankfully creating as Ian Anderson said some very sophisticated music, for it's time. As the entire piece is one song split into two parts because of the album side restriction the song conveys many different moods and feels sometimes reprising different passages from the first part in the second part. The music is dramatic, folksy, rocking, jazzy and bluesy throughout the piece. It is the high point for Tull and this particular band. The players are all in top form with John Evans, Martin Barre, Barrymore Barlow and Jeffery Hammond-Hammond all in great form. Ian's flute and vocals are never better and it all blends into one big package that soars. I really have never grown tired of this Masterpiece and it has stood the test of time.

From the best era of Jethro Tull we have the best album and a complete classic example of what was Progressive Rock. 5 Stars