Aqualung

Shut up, dude

Jethro Tull was like a boogeyman growing up in my house. Anytime I was in the car with my dad and a Jethro Tull song came on, he would quickly change the radio station before I could register what happened. I mean I’ve never seen him move so fast. I thought to myself, "are they really that bad?" At that point I had only heard the title track of this album, and even then only the first five notes or whatever, so I was painfully unaware. I'm sorry for ever doubting you, dad.

This was a cool mix of genres to me. Some sick flute playing

Good guitar

I love this album before I relisten. The flute makes it something otherworldly or ritualistic. -------------------------- If you can listen to the Steve Wilson stereo remix it's definitely worth it. I have nothing negative to say about this album. It's masterful prog/hard rock with bluesy undertones and that iconic flute led folkiness. It's really heavy at times too - quite Sabbath like. 5*

Progressive rock aren't typically in my heavy rotation, making Aqualung an album that I just stumbled over. That said, there is plenty to admire here. The album's central concept—tackling themes of religion, society, and marginalized figures—gives the lyrics real substance, and Ian Anderson's character-driven storytelling brings those narrative threads to life effectively. Musically, this album delivers some standout guitar solos that cut through the arrangements with great grit and energy, balancing out the intricate acoustic passages and flute work. However, despite the strong craftsmanship, the style just doesn't hit my personal sweet spot. It works well as a cohesive, theatrical piece, but the overall sound lacks the casual replay value to make me want to put it on repeat. It's a solid, impressive effort for what it is, just not something I’ll be returning to often.

Enjoyably witchy

Album started with what sounded like it was going to be a good hard rock song and slowly transitioned into more of a soft rock song. Wasn't bad but it unfortunately set the tone for the rest of the album to be rather boring. The mix of piano and flute into this album was a surprise and fit well. I would say the album was a solid 6/10 as it was a decent listen but there was nothing to draw me into wanting more. It gets 3 stars from me.

Solid

Jethro Tull — Aqualung (1971) 8/10 — ★★★★☆ I've known the big Jethro Tull songs for years, but somehow I'd never gotten around to listening to a full album. As someone who loves progressive rock and metal, I figured it was finally time to fill that gap. What struck me immediately was just how far ahead of its time this album sounds. It's hard to believe some of this music was recorded in 1971. The way Jethro Tull moves between delicate acoustic passages and heavy, aggressive guitar riffs reminds me of what bands like Opeth would do decades later. I even found myself thinking about the melodic middle section of Metallica's "Master of Puppets." The album opens with two perfect songs. "Aqualung" has one of the most addictive guitar riffs I've ever heard, and "Cross-Eyed Mary" is another incredible example of how adventurous and heavy this band could be. Both are easy 10s for me. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed the quieter, folk-influenced material as well. "Mother Goose" was a particular highlight, while "Hymn 43" delivered another excellent dose of hard rock. "Locomotive Breath" remains a classic, and "Wind-Up" closes the album nicely by bringing together those contrasting musical styles. Not everything hit quite as hard. "My God" was a little less engaging than I'd hoped, and a few of the shorter acoustic pieces were pleasant without being particularly memorable. But there's really nothing here that I outright disliked. Overall, Aqualung was an excellent introduction to Jethro Tull beyond the familiar hits. I can hear elements of so many bands I love in this music, and it gave me a new appreciation for just how influential their sound was. Track average: 7.77/10 Final rating: 8/10 — 4 stars.

My experience with Jethro Tull growing up is when one of there songs came on the radio my dad without fail would say “these guys are weird” and either crank it up or instantly change the station.no in between. Correct. They’re weird. Cool flute I guess.

Oh no, not bloody Aqualung! Last time I heard this was at the height of punk as a young boy. My uncle decided to introduce me to some "proper" music. I hated it. Ah well, here goes... Nope, it's still shit. Prog with flutes..."proper" music. And I know that they're playing a character, but they do sing about schoolgirl's panties with a bit too much relish for my liking. Dodgy AF. No no no no no x1,000,000.

I got to pull this from my dad's record collection. Some of it drags, some of it seems silly, but there's solid songwriting throughout.

Opening with Aqualung into Cross Eyed Mary, songs I've known and loved since childhood, made me think this whole album would be flawless. Much to my surprise, things take an immediate turn toward the twee for a few tracks thereafter. It does pick back up ( then ebbs and flows) as the album progresses but it never hits that strong high-mark it creates with that opening again. Big bonus points for being one of very few rock band that can incorporate a flute and make it should badass. Still doesn't save this from being hits-only album for me though.

cool flute

This album surprised me, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I even enjoyed the flute. It's got a solid rock vibe with bluesy undertones. Yay for music!

Despite living 70s rock, folk and prog, this band never clicked with me. There are other bands in each of these genres that do it better. It’s not a bad album at all, I just don’t think it needs to be on this list.

First full Jethro Tull album for me, that was rather pretty with a neat story in each track, somewhat reminds me of Led IV. Standouts are Mother Goose, Wond’ring Aloud, Up To Me, Locomotive Breath and Wind-Up.

Every single song is great. One of the great prog albums. I love the heaviness of Martin Barres guitar across this record. And of course the flute adds a unique and amazing flavor. And the short pretty interludes are just as great as the heavy hitters in between. They are beautiful palate cleansers. Definitely an important band an album to me. It deserves all of its praise.

Super cool

Ah Jethro Tull, the band with the flute who beat Metallica to earn the first Metal Grammy. I had heard both "Aqualung" and "Locomotive Breath" before hearing the album in full. Those two songs are still bops and I would argue that "Aqualung" has one of the better riffs of the era. The rest of the album though is fine. Nothing that memorable compared to those two hits. I did like "Cross - Eyed Mary." 3.5 rounded down to a 3/5

Maybe it is the giggle after 'intent', maybe it is because I confuse 'Aquabike' with 'Aqualung', but I just don't care for the title character, that song, or this album as a whole. The instrumentals are great and the flute solos are special, though.

This one goes places! I loved the variety

day 25 of not rolling Aja by Steely Dan i've been playing a lot of Vampire Survivors recently and i feel like this album is the evolution you get if you combine the items "Black Sabbath" and "Flute"

SITTING ON A PARK BENCH Really didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, but it flowed really well from song to song. Some ripped, and the more melancholy ones still entertained, even if they sounded like the ramblings of an old vagrant (which was probably intended). 3.5-4

I did like the part where the floutist is desperately gasping for air during a solo

Surprisingly I enjoyed it especially while playing assassin's creed with the kind of tavern sounding songs

Going in, my expectation was to know very little, if any, of this album. But immediately, "Aqualung" triggered memories of middle school, listening to the local Oldies radio station while on AOL Instant Messenger 😂 There were a couple other songs on the album that were familiar for the same reason. Fun to randomly pull a memory from music - probably boosting the rating for sentimental reasons

Epic flute!! Overall it's fine

10/10

So many deep cuts there with Hymn 43 and cross-eyed mary, great album from great band I hug yo see twice. True classic.

4 sterne

Feels like generic early 70's metal but the second half is strong and while the flute was always joked about in pop culture, it ended up being my favorite element. The second half is strong. Especially Wind-up. 3 out of 5

Fav: Aqualung, Cheap Day Return L: Mother Goose 4 Some crazy flute stuff going on. For most of the album the lyrics hang between an unfocused persuasive essay, scenes of street life, and poetry. Unfortunately the spot it’s in the middle of is a weird one and I think is the album’s biggest weakness for me. Cover: 4 Name: 3 would be a lot cooler if it wasn’t one of the songs Minecraft Parody: My Notch, Hymn 64, Herobrine (Aqualung)

bands named after english agriculturists who helped to bring about the british agricultural revolution of the 18th century - yes bands with flute solos - yes songs about homeless perverts - yes 5/5 - no notes

Flute playing ranks this level up higher than I anticipated. Who knew the flute could rock so hard? The album is great value though, heavy in the right places and some great lyrics in there.

Путешествие сквозь года на поезде, на который следовало сесть значительно раньше. Но, как говорится, лучше поздно, чем никогда. Будет интересно послушать их от первых альбомов до сегодняшних. 2 - 1 - (1)

I guess there are some people out there who love the incredible string band and Black Sabbath in equal measure, in which case this is their dream musical mashup. Me, I find it quite confusing.

Great early 70s rock record. Has quite a few hits, and the remastered 25 year version sounds very clear. I enjoyed hearing the short interview with Ian Anderson at the end. 4.0/5.0

A half formed concept of an album.

didn't hate it as much as i thought i would. weak link in this band is the singer. if they were a purely instrumental band Jethro Tull would be an order of magnitude better.

Not anything I will ever listen to again but it was certainly interesting: folk, rock, jazz flute… the riffs were okay and it wasn’t too long. It was an interesting sound which, with some stronger riffs and melodies, could have been great… as it is, it was okay.

An odd, but worthwhile listen. A strange juxtaposition of rock riffs that almost bordered on a sabbath-esque sound, and jazz flute/recorder sounding like excerpts from the wicker man. At times this was played fairly straight, and other times tending towards prog noodling. By and large, the more straightforward tracks tended to suit it better as I found it meandered a bit too far at times when it did so.

Some pretty cool shit, some very bleh shit. That might be my review of prog as a genre

Was it a fun rock time when I listened to it? Yes. Will I ever listen to it again? No.

Was ok

Not something I would typically listen to however it was enjoyable.

If you can get past the heinous first two lyrics of the album this is good, I had to wait a day because I was not in the headspace. Gets a star for the flute I really enjoyed that Playlist add: “Hymn 43” but “Wind It Up” is a heck of a closer

Ian Anderson famously insists that this isn’t a concept album, but it feels so cohesive and singular that I can’t help but think of it as a concept album. Later albums would go on to be far proggier, but aqualung sits in a sweet spot between prog rock and folk rock jam. I love it, one of my favorites all time.

I feel like it’s a 3.5 it’s been playing in the background while working & it’s not bad but also not blowing me away

The prog rock / folk of the 70s is one of the genres that has not aged well, and this album is definitely impacted by that. Some fun stuff here, but I think its overrated when talked about as one of the great rock albums.

It's definitely a good album. However, I find the sound of this album has not aged very well. I'm not a big fan of the flute (in general), and I don't really like how the instrument is used here. Some tracks I enjoyed: "Aqualung", "Cross-Eyed Mary", "Hymn 43", "Locomotive Breath", or "Wind-Up" (probably my favourite). For me, this is in the 3,5 star range. But, mostly due to the flute, I think 3 stars are enough.

good opening of opener immediately the songs are too long (very jammy) very musical theater in a way i'm not sure about kinda hate the flute, kinda love this is joni mitchell for old men who are obsessed with lotr all songs kinda sound the same it's fine very eager

This would be fresh and exciting is it we're released today.

I recall my Dad playing me this when I was a teen, I think it was aqualung that impressed me, but now it sounds dated. bit hippy-ish, but then they are rocking with a flute so there's a folky feel to it.

I never thought I would ever say this about a rock album, but the flute saved it for me.

This album is rock that goes two ways: psychedelic with flutes and more classic rock n' roll. Either way, it was an interesting journey. The two longest songs, "Aqualung" and "Wind Up", were wonderfully multi-layered and complex. The riffs on those were also familiar, so I must have heard those before somewhere.They didn't feel like they overstayed their welcome because the music kept changing. I found myself drawn to those two and "Mother Goose" (the opening riff there was beautiful).

Super good. Give me all of the flute solos!

HEY AQUALUNG. This album is so good. Admittedly does drag a bit in the middle and rest of the album doesn't quite live up to the Aqualung song, but still worth a 5 in my book. Could listen to over and over.

I’d call this whimsical rock music. Flutes, chanting, a bit culty. Some songs/interludes give JCS energy. Trouble keeping my attention (maybe because it was so long), but I bet these are very weird and cool guys.

Never really listened to them beyond Aqualung. Some decent tunes and while it seems to be divisive, I dig the flute. Masterpiece - no, but some good music to get down to.

Title track is baller, the rest of the album is alright

Rather long in a meandering and indulgent way, but I’m intrigued by my new relationship with the flute. Quite radical and evokes a feeling of community with the working class

Eh. Music and vocals didnt exactly match. Some combo of hard rock, metal, and fairy folklore music and pseudo angry/emotional vocalizing. Odd. Not the worst, but not sure I believe I must hear this before I croak.

Just not really for me. Kind of sad about it, because I’d heard good things and thought it would be my kind of music. Objectively not bad

Love this one. Makes me need to go shower now.

This was honestly much more interesting as an album than I thought it was going to be! Was definitely a situation where I judged book by cover and was wrong tbh. Wonderfly constructed percussion/instrumentals, and interesting (although not always relatable) storytelling. Will listen again Fav songs: aqualung, hymn 43, cross-eyed Mary

***An ok, easy listening album

Not really a fan of Jethro Tull

Classic Tull, always a great listen

I liked this album but the titular song is the main draw here.

I mean, is what it is. Somewhat iconic and influential, but just not that great, honestly. I'll generously give it a 3 just due to the use of alternative elements (a rock flute!) and it's longevity in the mainstream.

This is such a great album! Solid from start to finish.

Solid rock with flute album

👎🏿

The most classic rock of all classic rock albums.

I’ve always been aware of jethro Tull and the song, Aqualung, but I’ve never really given them a real listen til now. Short answer: this band rocks! Such unique vocals and the occasional flute solo are my highlights.

Wow, I have a lot to say about this one. When I was very young, unaware and (religiously)fearful, the song Aqualung creeped me out, yet it was hypnotic, mysterious and cool, esp w/the flute. I now fully appreciate Ian Anderson calling out religious and societal hypocrisy. Still as relevant as ever! As a sidenote, this extended remix was perfect for gardening with the Shokz! 4.5 stars

Interesting mix of rock, sometimes in the "hard rock" territory, mixing with folk elements and flute! I'm going to give this one some more listening time in the future.

4.5

Gotta love a little prog to start your day The title track is far and away the best thing about this album, and absolutely brings it up a point or two. I love the guitar rift and how it slowly shifts to become something completely different. The next couple songs are good too, not quite as good but they keep the energy going. Vocals are solid, instrumental talent is great I do think this one falls off pretty hard towards the second half. It’s far from bad but nothing comes even close to Aqualung, it’s just a bit aimless and there really isn’t anything that wows me. I’m pretty sure this would be like a high 3 without the title track, but man that’s a good one. Will absolutely listen to it again to see if I change my mind on the remaining content since it can take a couple tries sometimes for this genre

fuckin banger I know Aqualung is a song about a pedo but at the end of the day it is such a well written song. That tough in-your-face riff with no rhythm to accompany it, only to blend into that soft acoustic. Man, this is why I love prog so much. The album is dynamic and exciting. It's a rocker, it's got variety, it's got energy. What else could you want?

When discussing classic prog-rock, Jethro Tull is one of the first bands that automatically springs to mind. It is all the more interesting, then, that their most popular album bears only a tenuous connection to prog; instead, it is essentially blues-tinged, heavier folk-rock featuring vocalist Ian Anderson’s signature flute solos. At the same time, the music leans slightly toward the classical: while the traditional verse-chorus structure remains, the rhythm and composition can shift multiple times within a single track. Yet, the album avoids the primary pitfall of art rock — the songs are genuinely memorable. Foremost among them, of course, are the opener about the vagrant nicknamed Aqualung and the reflections of a down-and-out soul in "Locomotive Breath." This was the band's last album with a truly accessible entry point. What followed was avant-garde material and folk music worthy of a hobbit tavern.

I'm a big fan of less common instruments being thrown in the mix with your more typical rock band, and the flautist on this album absolutely cooked. Overall quite a fun prog rock record - the guitar solo on the title track is another standout

Pretttyyy coool

What on earth is this?

Every song is excellent.

Reminds me of a rough around the edges Freddie Mercury style of cadence with art rock touches. Despite its standing as a 1971 prog rock milestone, the contrast between Ian Anderson's acoustic flute passages and heavy guitar riffs doesn't quite pull it together. The songs themselves seem more like demos than fully completed songs, meaning the album ends up being distinctly average rather than fully polished. Needed a bit more oomph. 5/10

N.B. only the Steven Wilson mix is available to stream. The first song was decent hard rock of the period, but I couldn't stand the rest. I'm going to have to listen more carefully next time, because I want to know what I'm missing.

This was cool, I knew the song Aqualung, but nothing else. This was pretty cool to listen to fully

Aqualung is solid '70s rock.

gosto bastante do aqualung prog maluquinho na vibe terra média é sempre muito bem vindo

pior que esse eh classico memo né, ouvi a primeira música e lembrei que já ouvi ela sim, mas o album inteiro não. e eh bacana, até. a flautinha dá um toque de ROCK PARA HOBBITS, que é coisa boa. dá pra ver que os manos brasileiros do rock rural pegaram umas coisinhas daqui. no mais, é bem divertido e bão!!

One of the most well-known and greatest progressive rock albums! It combines Folk and Hard Rock with flute playing to get the signature Jethro Tull sound. One of the greatest albums ever!

Una de las obras más ambiciosas, teatrales y perdurables de la era dorada del rock que ha envejecido bien como una cumbre indiscutible de articulación compositiva e inventiva conceptual. En el plano de diseño formal, la producción alcanza un entretejido que destaca por su claridad: logra resolver con pulcritud técnica los abruptos choques dinámicos entre la furia del hard rock eléctrico y los pasajes acústicos renacentistas, permitiendo que la respiración de la flauta traversa, las cuerdas de acero, el piano y el virtuosismo melódico de la guitarra de Martin Barre convivan con una definición espacial impecable. La interpretación de Ian Anderson y su ensamble desborda una autenticidad frontal, dotando a la banda de una autoridad superior al prescindir de artificios pomposos para abrazar una aspereza vocal y corporal genuina. Obras capitales como el dramatismo dinámico del tema homónimo "Aqualung", la marcha implacable de "Locomotive Breath", la ternura acústica de "Wond'ring Aloud" y la confrontación visceral de "My God" dan forma a un documento conmovedor, crudo y real que opera como un penetrante y sutil llamado a la conciencia sobre la marginación de los desposeídos, la hipocresía del dogma institucionalizado y la búsqueda de una espiritualidad personal honesta. Por su versatilidad entre estallidos rítmicos de alta tensión y remansos de sosiego lírico, el álbum ofrece múltiples usos, resultando idóneo tanto para el ejercicio físico y la conducción despierta como para una concentrada y profunda reflexión solitaria.

Good musicianship, but nothing really engaged nor maintained interest for long.

Take me back, probably their only good album.

This shit kinda rocked. I didn’t think I liked jethro tull but I’m glad that I gave them another chance. Love me some woodwinds - the solo in my god was sick. Worth a full star by itself

go' fløjte

Fløjten er *chef's kiss* Hvis ikke 5, så er den godt nok tæt på. Skal lige sove på'en.