A PASSION PLAY

This stunning follow-up to their groundbreaking Thick as a Brick remains a divisive album among fans, many hailing it as a masterpiece while others dismiss it as as a cumbersome and pretentious misstep. Once again, it contains a single album-length song split between the two sides of the album (although subsequent releases have divided the single track into numerous named subtracks). The 2 parts are also separated by the short comedic song The Story of the Hare Who Lost his Spectacles, which has also raised speculation on the value of its inclusion. As a whole composition, APP is also quite brilliant, with many virtuosic sections, but it does not quite reach the heights of Thick as a Brick. It is quite dense and complicated, more of an acquired taste that requires repeated listens to fully appreciate. It is clear that the band was trying to replicate or even surpass what they achieved with TAAB, and sometimes that is to its detriment, as APP is just not as melodic, engaging, or accessible, but is nonetheless a compelling and rewarding experience, and an incredible album. Rating: 4.5