THICK AS A BRICK

Don't get me wrong - I really like this album. Indeed, I have 2 vinyl copies and a CD, so it must have something. It's just that, much though I really like children, I can only eat one at a sitting. And it's the same with this. It's excellently composed and played, I can play any bit and guarantee to enjoy it, I like the cover art (the piss take of a provincial newspaper - especially on the vinyl) and the story is an endearingly silly concept (an Anderson piss take).The lyrics are deep and though provoking. But try as I might, I can't play the whole album in one go because it just doesn't quite do enough to captivate me in the same way (say) Camel's The Snow Goose does. One side at a time is enough or else I get bored. More folky and progressive than their earlier blues inspired stuff, it's a lot better than Benefit or Stand Up and only Aqualung bears comparison. A masterpiece? Nearly - worth 4.5 stars but that's all. Sorry Ian!