THICK AS A BRICK

I decided that my first review for this beautiful site will be for the album that has introduced me to pure prog, like it did to many others before me. For this album, I see little reasons not to give this a five star rating. I will just forget common criticism and reactions from experts and band members, stating that this would not be a real concept album, or would be created by means of a joke, and would therefore not deserve to be taken seriously. The music is great, and as a composition, this is absolutely a masterpiece. It brings all important factors from previous prog albums in an extreme form. Differences in rhythm and volume, the use of different instruments, a long silence in the middle, dark lyrics, a combination of many genres, and most of all it was maybe the longest pop-related song ever on its release.

If anyone wants to know the definition of progressive rock, this is the first thing to listen. Actually, every album of early Jethro Tull is a standard for the connection between pop/rock and prog. Just for their use of different rhythms, volume changes and lyrics, they have had that sound since Stand Up, their second album. Thick as a Brick is a mix of folk, rock, jazz and blues, all in the most progressive way. The unique thing that makes this album better than other real prog, is that it is balanced. It doesn't just throw around ideas, the different parts connect very naturally, something is extremely difficult with its progressive structures. That's the reason that even a sophisticated pop fan could like this as an album.

This is one of the few albums you will like the first time as well as the 1000th. A must-have for a good prog-fan, and both one of the best albums and one of the best songs ever.