Thick as a Brick vs. A Passion Play

dr prog wrote: If you haven't got the APP remix go get it. The extra minute added to side 2 is my fave part of the album. Side 2 is awesome. The chateau mixes are excellent too

Agreed, side 1 of Chateau is one of my favorite 'sides' of all time. I may actually prefer that 20 minutes to TaaB AND APP. It's *that* great.

TaaB. Please guys! You can't find any objective reasons about choosing one of them. This is about opinion and taste. APP is a great album like many of JT's albums. I pick TaaB today. Maybe tomorrow I change my vote because I like them equal and I like to vote in this kind of polls!!!

digdug wrote: Really don't mind if you sit this one out

My words but a whisper, your deafness a shout. DUN!

dr prog wrote: As for Aqualung. If I only ever heard side 1 I'd say it's up there with the quality of TAAB and APP but side 2 always lets me down. If we were talking about the 1971 extras such as wondring again, dr bogenbroom, for later, life is a long song, up the pool, nursie and hymn 43(quad) then yes we do have 2 sides of quality matching TAAB and APP

Some of this songs you listed were released as an independent EP, called "Life's a long song"- and its actually the first recording of the 1972-1975 formation(Anderson, Barre, Hammond, Evans and Barlow).

--> http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=22493

The somewhat enigmatic APP is probably the more cohesive for the entire trip, the 1st flute duet (7 mins in check in on headphones) and sax inclusions are two examples of the sonic diversity this in which this surreal tale unfolds. The singing is brilliant.

TAAB has a first half which is highly memorable and rocks very passionately as well. Hugely complex (which is why Tull played excerpts and arranged versions in concert) this comedy is well worth the time. One of the most exciting albums in rock.

My vote to APP for being dark, strange and wonderful and such a well, classical piece, but really... you have to have both in your collection. Glad I have.

My versions btw are the 1990s TAAB with some bonus material (and the newspaper) and the Japanese replica LP issue of APP.

Not sure about the latest remasters. Must admit I just cannot keep up with the deluge of new and old happening all the time.

I mentioned on my radio program last night that I've always been attracted to music that sounds like the wrong notes played with utmost confidence. I don't know, but that's got to come from my love of APP. There's nothing wrong with TaaB (I love it), it just hasn't aged as well for me. Or maybe I'm just burned out on it. Aqualung never really thrilled me much at all, but that's not to say it isn't without its merits. I just never particularly found it exciting - save for maybe "Up to Me". It's a good rawk album and necessary because it put them on the map and awarded them financial freedom, but man it bores me sometimes. I like Benefit, too, but I'm just tired or hearing it. APP? I've probably heard it twice as much as any of those and I'm still hearing new things everytime. It never gets old.

Yeah, it gives you a whole new appreciation of that enormous body of work they composed in 72-73.

cstack3 wrote: Jeffery Hammond-Hammond is an absolute beast on both LPs!  Considering he didn't even know how to play bass before Ian Anderson showed him, he evolved into one of the best prog bassists in the business.

I Agree. JHH had no formal training, so his idiosyncratic style was always original sounding, emotive and extremely melodic, while holding down the bottom end. He absolutely defines the early Tull sound along with Anderson, Barre, Evans and Barlow.

Edited by SteveG - June 13 2015 at 10:10

This is sadly true. After APP Jon Evan seams to hide from Tull's music.

It has some exceptions but not an entire album...

Love them both but TAAB has the edge.