This is definitely one of the big boys in Prog Rock, one of the most recognizable albums in the genre. Jethro Tull had formed in 1967 as a Blues band, and only vocalist/flautist/sometime guitarist/general guiding light Ian Anderson survived from that lineup in the long run. Drummer Clive Bunker from that time is also here, although this is his last J-Tull Album. The group is rounded out buy guitarist Martin Barre, keyboardist John Evan, and new bassist Jeffery Hammond. This is their 4th release, and the blues is long gone in favor of Prog-Folk.
Aqualung commences with the title track, and its famous "dunna dun duh dah duh" opening riff. It moves through several movements, with lots of acoustic guitar. There's also tempo changes, and somewhat nonsensical lyrics about homeless people. The whole first side of the album is about that topic, evidently, but it's not worth trying to make sense of. Next up is the also famous "Cross Eyed Mary", which can only be described as an assault of flute. Then comes the quickly acoustic "Cheap Day Return", a forgettable transition into "Mother Goose". This is also mostly acoustic, and is a pastoral number. It's fairytale feel juxtaposes nicely with the hard edge of the first two tracks. Another quickie acoustic transition called "Wond'ring Aloud" follows, and then the A side closes with "Up to Me". This song combines the two prior moods, using piano and mostly acoustic guitar, but going in more aggressively.
Side B has an anti-religious theme, and it makes it a lot more clear than the message on Aqualung's A side (the back cover asserts that "In the beginning man created god.") "My God" is the first piece up, and it uses tempo and tone to create a creepy feel as it bashes god. This song also gets pretty bombastic, and there's some nice flute trills. Next, "Hymn 43" is another aggressive, but not very loud, piece of music mocking religion. It's quite endearing as it's got a simple melody. Yet another fast and expendable acoustic piece called "Slipstream" follows. Then comes the well known and menacing "Locomotive Breath." This one has another flute attack towards the end, but let's not forget heavy lyrics and guitars and a large amount of musical thrust. "Wind Up" then winds up the album, starting slowly with the acoustics, then speeding up slowly into the heavy side of Jethro Tull, and finally slowing down again for a quiet finish.
The album has varied moods, so as a continual work with two concepts it's not coherent. However, this is one concept album that works fantastically as a set of songs that are separate. Three songs get radio play on classic rock stations, and most of them are easy to get into because they're rather simple for prog rock (this is one of Prog-Folk's best strengths). The flute parts are some of the best you can find, and that's why they're Jethro Tull's signature.
A good combination of anti-religious sentiment, mastery of manipulating tempo, and progressive accessibility, Aqualung earns a strong Grade of A-.
Aqualung commences with the title track, and its famous "dunna dun duh dah duh" opening riff. It moves through several movements, with lots of acoustic guitar. There's also tempo changes, and somewhat nonsensical lyrics about homeless people. The whole first side of the album is about that topic, evidently, but it's not worth trying to make sense of. Next up is the also famous "Cross Eyed Mary", which can only be described as an assault of flute. Then comes the quickly acoustic "Cheap Day Return", a forgettable transition into "Mother Goose". This is also mostly acoustic, and is a pastoral number. It's fairytale feel juxtaposes nicely with the hard edge of the first two tracks. Another quickie acoustic transition called "Wond'ring Aloud" follows, and then the A side closes with "Up to Me". This song combines the two prior moods, using piano and mostly acoustic guitar, but going in more aggressively.
Side B has an anti-religious theme, and it makes it a lot more clear than the message on Aqualung's A side (the back cover asserts that "In the beginning man created god.") "My God" is the first piece up, and it uses tempo and tone to create a creepy feel as it bashes god. This song also gets pretty bombastic, and there's some nice flute trills. Next, "Hymn 43" is another aggressive, but not very loud, piece of music mocking religion. It's quite endearing as it's got a simple melody. Yet another fast and expendable acoustic piece called "Slipstream" follows. Then comes the well known and menacing "Locomotive Breath." This one has another flute attack towards the end, but let's not forget heavy lyrics and guitars and a large amount of musical thrust. "Wind Up" then winds up the album, starting slowly with the acoustics, then speeding up slowly into the heavy side of Jethro Tull, and finally slowing down again for a quiet finish.
The album has varied moods, so as a continual work with two concepts it's not coherent. However, this is one concept album that works fantastically as a set of songs that are separate. Three songs get radio play on classic rock stations, and most of them are easy to get into because they're rather simple for prog rock (this is one of Prog-Folk's best strengths). The flute parts are some of the best you can find, and that's why they're Jethro Tull's signature.
A good combination of anti-religious sentiment, mastery of manipulating tempo, and progressive accessibility, Aqualung earns a strong Grade of A-.
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