A PASSION PLAY

Well, this album is the lest accessible of Tull's I've heard (this, Thick as a Brick, Aqualung, and Songs from the Wood). It is much darker than Thick as a Brick, and lacks some of the energy it had. Side one starts out with a kind of goofy carnival theme after some scary noises. Then Ian Anderson begins the verses accompanied by the piano, in fine classic Tull fashion/ Then the song goes into some crazy jazzy sections. This album is far jazzier than Thick as a Brick, and Ian Anderson plays thesaxophone a lot more on here. There are lots of dark melodies in the first half, but their is also some goofy stuff, like this goofy English accented fellow saying something about 'your sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the shoulders of a young horse named George' and some other kind of goofy stuff. I'm sure it's all just some weird metaphor though.

The secopnd half starts off with a goofy little story narrated by John Evan I think, called 'The Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles.' John Evan uses a bltantly goofy and fake accent and this track is a waste of time I think. They definitely should've made it a separate track, because this is utterly bad. However, the rest of Side Two dominates. It features great melodies reminiscent of Thick as a Brick's darker melodies, and some pretty cool lyrics.

So the first half is not as rewarding on the first few listens as Thick as a Brick was, so don't expect that. And the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles is definitely a downside of the album. Although side two continues on and ends perfectly. So if you liked Thick as a Brick (which I'm sure you did), expecially the jazzier moments, then you will probably like this. If you haven't heard Thick as a Brick, you need to get that first, and if you like it(which you will), then get this.