Aqualung

This is getting 5 stars rather than the 4 I had planned due to all the wankers that complained about flutes or gave it 1 star.. Piss off

I don't care. Four listens where I stayed awake, and once more when I was nodding off, and I can't think of anything engaging to write about this album. Once I was writing articles for an ESL textbook, and I received an assignment to bash out 500 words on the Canadian Tulip Festival. I struggled to stay alive writing it, I was that bored. There is no interesting fact about the Canadian Tulip Festival. The festival stemmed from when the Dutch royal family sent Canada a load of tulips after WW2. I don't care, and neither do you. The first festival was in 1953. I can't conceive of any person who would have interest in that detail. Over 300,000 tulips are displayed at the festival every year. That's over 300,000 cases of me not giving a toss. Alanis Morissette gave her first public performance aged 12 at the 1987 festival. A far more fascinating titbit about Alanis I once heard is that, apparently, she's not adverse to a bit of backdoor action.* Is the Canadian Tulip Festival a good tulip festival? I have no clue whatsoever; I don't know at all what constitutes a tulip festival of merit, except that it probably needs a lot of tulips (although could you have a tulip festival of just one tulip? What if it were a really, really big tulip, like the size of a Jeep or a Wetherspoons?). Is Aqualung a good concept album? I don't like the concept behind the concept album. One can make a thematically and atmospherically harmonious album without stapling on a narrative about a wheelchair-bound deafmute who starts a nuclear war via his ability to receive radio waves mentally, all to show everyone the folly of monetarism (that's the concept behind an actual album, Roger Waters' Radio K.A.O.S.). Oh wait, according to Jethro Tull it's not a concept album, it just shares many traits with those of concept albums. I would say that such inane pedantry would render the album mockworthy, but I can't because that would involve me caring one jot. What does anybody want me to say about this? The leader, Ian Anderson, made Jethro Tull stand out from the other prog groups by playing the flute. In terms of gimmicks, it's hardly Rick Wakeman wearing a full suit of armour or Stacia from Hawkwind dancing with her jubblies out, is it? Jethro Tull was named after the inventor of the seed drill. Can you think of a less interesting origin for a band name? I've sat here for 15 minutes trying, and one just isn't emerging. Oh, maybe this is interesting: the first two songs introduce two characters, Aqualung and Cross-Eyed Mary. Aqualung is a homeless man with a lung condition (hence the nickname Aqualung), who spends his days masturbating in playgrounds. Cross-Eyed Mary is a schoolgirl prostitute who Aqualung ogles through the schoolyard fence. And that's it from them. So, turns out it wasn't interesting after all. The theme of the second half of the album is a sardonic dismissal of organised religion. I'm an atheist, and to me that's akin to pointing out that water is useful when you're a bit thirsty, and if you're religious, you'd probably find it smug and uninsightful. This isn't a one-star album, and that's the problem: a disaster of Hindenbergian proportions would at least be a curiosity. This is a two-star album that is so dull it's not even intriguing in its tedium: it's just dull. *The author would like to make clear that they have no knowledge whatsoever pertaining to the proclivities of Ms. Morissette, and no inference or judgement on that matter should be made regarding the statement referring to Ms. Morissette in the preceding passage.

Hobbit Rock made by actual hobbits.

I have always loved the song Aqualung, but never listened to the whole album. Simply awesome, the whole thing just rocks. Brought my speakers to life!

There's a subsection of prog rock that I like to call "goblin summoning music". Music that would summon whimsical fairy-tale beings if you played it in a forested mountain valley. This definitely falls under that. Like yeah, go off on that flute dude. That's what I come here for. You know what modern music needs more of? Flutes. We used to play them for 43,000 years and now cast them aside in favor of demonic shit like "synthesizers" and "guitars"? Get real. What are they gonna make up next? A device that magically tunes your pitch? No way. Get real. Great album. Also the holder of the world record speedrun for pedo lyrics, at an astounding 0:12 seconds into the album before the first mention of wanting to fuck little girls. It's cool though because the song is about evil people (the homeless). Four outta five!

Classic ron burgundy solo. Didnt know he sang locomotive breath

Someone's middle school band director lied to them. Flute is not rock and roll, buddy. This album has no idea what it wants to be and it's utterly frustrating. Every track starts off really great ... and then the flute shows up and wrecks the whole rock vibe. Without the flute, this would have been a 4-star album easily. As it stands, I'm being generous with a 2-star review. Extremely generous. That damn flute...

An absolutely marvellous album. Locomotive Breath is my favourite.

The third CD I ever owned - first heard this album in 1988 I think. But HOLY SHIT I spun the Steven Wilson 2011 remix and good lord it sounds really, really good. hadn't heard these songs in many years.

Great riffs bogged down by by boring prog ideas. This is Black Sabbath if they thought they were smart.

Think I'm gonna put this whole project on pause and go binge Jethro Tull's entire discography because this was FUCKING AMAZING.

There's a reason why Jethro Tull beat Metallica at the Grammys. It's a brilliant Album with plenty of guitar and flute solos alike. Aqualung is one of my favourite songs of all time.

One of my favourite albums since I was a kid. Rock solid through and through, there's an amazing mix of folky acoustic and crunchy electric riffs, all interspersed with Anderson's legendary flute playing. The lyrics and imagery are also very vivid, with each song painting a compelling picture. Additionally all of the songs compliment each other nicely and the album has a great flow. To me this is a prime example of how to put an album together. Fav Tracks: Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath

I love rock. I love classic rock. I love British classic rock. And yet I somehow made it to 40 years of age without hearing a Jethro Tull album. This get 4 stars for the jazz flute doubling the bass line into on Up to Me. The extra star is for everything else. I’m not saying this is the best British classic rock album ever ...but if someone else were to say that, I’d hear them out.

Not enough rock albums have flute

Came away with the impression that any groovability was a happy accident, that these silly sods were more interested in playing silly buggers with studio gewgaws, prog "innovations" (I've yet you hear a prog album where the trickery amounts to more than blue balling the listener) and getting jiggy on the flute. But jigginess cannot be ignored. Musically, they score almost half the time. The problem is mostly the lyrics (Balzac via Pete Townsend's operatic tendencies?) and the vocals (some bloke who came third place in his Fagin audition?) I imagine Tull and their fans really want you to listen, insist their are layers to the music and words, but I only found it tolerable by not paying attention.

Lizzo could never

An amazing album that showcases all the best of Jethro Tull

Nr. 105/1001 Aqualung 4/5 (3x) Cross-Eyed Mary 4/5 (2x) Cheap Day Return 4/5 Mother Goose 4/5 (2x) Wond'ring Aloud 4/5 Up to Me 4/5 (2x) My God 4/5 (3x) Hymn 43 4/5 (2x) Slipstream 4/5 Locomotive Breath 4/5 (2x) Wind-Up 4/5 (3x) Average: 4,0 Just consitently good songs.

I dont like it. Sounds like a fairytale theater run by deadheads.

I mean they rock the shit out of that flute….

Anybody who complains about the flute knows what they can do with said instrument. This is a classic from start to finish.

One of the greatest albums I've ever listened. The flute solos are really magical.

It’s a fucking banger.

Alright, so this is incredible. Folk-prog-blues-hard-rock... Enjoyed every minute

Going in I didn't really know what to expect, but it really surprised me. I thought that the song progression was great and that all of the instruments + voice fit together perfectly. The first song starts the album off really strong and every song after that matches that level of quality. Favorite track: Aqualung

Jethro Tull is the only band allowed to use the flute. Them and King Gizzard. That's it. This album still feels influential over modern music because these progressions are just so timeless. Aqualung really hit things out of the water and there are very few albums like it. All songs are highlights and should be required listening, but an abbreviation of the highlights are: 1, 4, 6, and 7.

A true classic combining rock and folk.

One of best rock albums of the decade

Approved by my dad!

Good prog rock that I've listened to before. Not the best but very good.

I didn't have high expectations, particularly as it was partially classified as prog rock, though i think ultimately the album is pretty solid and varied... albeit with more flute. Locomotive Breath stands out for me, but overall it is an enjoyable album.

I like prog, also the early stuff. But I can't stand the flute. But besides that I like the sound and vibe.

;)

Iconic rock album.

Never gets old, always nice to revisit this classic album

First time exploring this legendary group. Wow! Flute and electric guitar? These guys make everything work and combine all kinds of genres and break down any rules about what can and can’t be done. Amazing musicianship. While closer to world music and jazz, rather than rock from 2021 eyes, it is a remarkable musical experience.

Bought this on vinyl from a yard sale a few months ago really only knowing Aqualung and am very glad I did. Thought this was just hard rock, so a nice surprise to see folk and psych elements on this. Second half of the album had me drooling like the old dude at the [REDACTED] Already Saved: Aqualung Saved After Listening: Mother Goose, My God, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath, Wind-Up*

As good as it was the first time I heard it!

I have only really heard the song 'Aqualung' from Jethro Tull. I should have listened to more. This album is superb. It is driving and lyrically interesting with its explorations of religion, god, and the human condition. Ian Anderson's vocals are superb and the flute playing is not a mere novelty; it is phenomenal. Jethro Tull's dedication to traditional British folk music shows through the prog rock in a way that feels natural. I will definitely look for this album in vinyl

So I accidentally listened to this on shuffle, but really really liked it. Awesome musical bits, vocals sounded cool, what lyrics I could understand were p good. 10

Another prog rock masterpiece, but with flute.

2 words, rock flute. Big Jethro Tull fan and this is obviously their biggest album. I'm always on the lookout it when shopping for second hand vinyl. Would love this guy in my collection.

Obviously a classic but weirdly I never fancied them

Quintessentially English in both sound and writing. Dickensian. Jethro Tull is certainly eccentric. Who else could write a 7 minute + epic about a creepy old pedophile, by the end of which we are dared to sympathize with the man? In musicianship, they sit at a precipice- they are too prog-ish for mass consumption, but they are no Yes or King Crimson- they know how to rock. They have a flute player. Why? Why not is a better question. It works, adding a unique texture. Cross Eyed Mary is about a elementary aged prostitute. That’s two songs in a row about pedophilia. I don’t want to know about these guy’s personal lives. Or maybe they made outragous songs just for the fun of it, like the Rolling Stones, but more bookish. The drums sound very close, but not very loud. Pretty nice. Excellent acoustic work. I’ve heard this album many years before. We’ll get to that. Did I mention the acoustic guitar? Incredible. Mother Goose. Wondering Aloud and Cheap Day Return are excellent song fragments, but they aren’t complete. For wondering aloud that’s a real shame, because it really is a beautiful song. What is Up to Me about? The lyrics seem to be an enigma. Not even Dylan could be this enigmatic. My best guess is it’s about a guy who beats his wife. I have no clue really. My God. I listened to this album obsessively for a few weeks in 2019 when I was in 9th grade and at that time, I was an atheist. Most of the songs on side two take a heavy anti-christian angle, which I loved at the time and now look on with disgust. I can at least say that on My God, the lyrics are a masterwork, no matter if I disagree with the lyrics. It gave me quite the chill. And it’s wonderful music. Why the choir section though? That self indulgent section puts a big dent in what would otherwise be the standout track on the album. When I first heard the song, I pictured as this atheistic anthem, but upon further listening, it is really quite a comedic song. Hymn 43 is not an anti Christian song as much as it is an anti christian song- it is directed against the personal failings of christians to uphold His example. But you could make that song about any religion. Regardless, it’s a good hard rocking tune, with some pretty good guitar riffing. Slipstream is another beautiful acoustic fragment. If you tied all those fragments together you’d have a pretty good song. What on earth is that string section. Even stupider than the choir section on My God. Locomotive Breath. A commentary on “overpopulation.” Quite frankly to me it takes on eugenic overtones. But on the other hand it sounds quite relevant to today, just in the sense that it seems like we’re all on a crazy runaway train to nowhere. Is that buzzing sound intentional? It’s awful. Wind Up is the kind of song that only really works as a finale, but it does its job well. Another anti-christian drag. I can get some of the sentiments, and I used to embrace the whole thing, but I’ve grown up. I’ve moved on. If watching the world for the last 8 years has taught me anything it is that the worst kind of world is one in which everybody interprets reality through their own lens, instead of all agreeing on one objective truth. In no other world could Donald Trump become president. I think there is a good side of rigid dogmatism that Ian Anderson failed to get. Nice to relive some old memories. Excellent album all things considered.

A classic! Likely the first Jethro Tull album I listened to, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite, maybe number 3 behind Thick As A Brick and Heavy Horses. I may have listened for the first time late in high school, but more likely it was early on in the college years, as that's when I was really having my 70's progressive rock awakening. I enjoy the folky influence here, but there is still a lot of great guitar riffs and of course the legendary flute playing of Ian Anderson, adding up to an unmistakably Jethro Tull sound. It's a pretty varied album overall as the sound weaves back and forth between previously mentioned textures, and overall does it with great success and plenty of replay-ability. Not quite a 5 star album for me, but a solid 4 stars, and a well deserved place as an all time classic album, particularly for 70s rock/prog rock. Also reminds me, I'm WAY overdue on a Jethro Tull deep dive! I believe I've at least covered all albums up through the 70's, but much more to listen to beyond that.

This was pretty fantastic. The guitar tones and riffs were awesome. APPARENTLY this is an unpopular opinion, but I loved the flute. I had heard "Aqualung" (the song) before and kinda hated it, but I have had a change of heart now. It is soooo good. This album is pretty consistent and great. Also, their vocalist is fantastic. I love the more laid back "acoustic" songs. This album is so versatile. Actual...4.5 Liked Songs: "Aqualung" , "Cross-Eyed Mary" , "Cheap Day Return" , "Mother Goose" , "Wond'ring Aloud" , "Up to Me" , "My God" , "Hymn 43" , "Wind-Up" , "Lick Your Fingers Clean"

Этот альбом очень внезапно понравился. Звучит как смесь Black Sabbath времён Дио (или просто как Rainbow) и Paper Mache Dream Balloon, за счёт очень круто вписанной в саунд флейты. Вообще протодум с флейтой штука очень необычная. Я всем рекомендую заценить, особенно если вы металлорокер, как я. Да и помимо флейты альбом очень приятно звучит.

Psychedelic flute rock, love mother goose and Cross eyed mary

Sehr cool. Insbesondere die Querflöte.

I enjoyed this. I understand why some people didn't like the flute (though I don't know why they were so angry about it) but I personally like music that mixes genres and instruments in an interesting and unusual way.

Hey Simon, let’s play “I have never”! Let me give you a head start: “I have never conflated Jethro Tull and Hawkwind for decades, maybe because I assumed Hawkwind had to involve flutes”. <Downs a flagon of jizzy English cider> Devil’s teeth, prog! So many units to a song! Happily, most units rock. This is fun, and the lyrics have pungent imagery and vocal kick, offsetting the dangerously bucolic interludes. Martin Barre’s amp slays faces. “Hyme 43” sounds like a correct version of Southern Rock. No complaints here!

Much better than the widespread scorn from '90s music press would suggest. Beats Metallica any day and inspired me to check out their other work. Some of this is a bit pervy, and it's not clear if it's pro- or anti-pervert, but hey, '70s lyrics.. [EDIT - 2nd time and still great! Hope you enjoyed it too, Mark. Entertainingly bonkers, and slaps hard]

It's pretty easy to listen to, but a bit weird. Feels like Zeppelin with less Muddy Waters and more Tolkien - or like the progrock side of Zep. Title track slaps but it's played out; I really liked some of the grooves like "up to me", but a lot of it just feels like Jimmy Page b-sides, and the flute never stops feeling out of place, which is weird.

Man, this game was scary af. Can’t believe there’s gonna be a movie about it with Markiplier

This record is as weird as endearing. The title track and "Cross-Eyed Mary" set the for quite an original ride for sure, but beyond any "concept-album" pretensions, they're just good pieces of seventies music. The rest of the first side is OK, with a lot of acoustic tracks also evocating a vague narrative displaying different characters' voices. And just when you think that things get a little drowsy come the big guns--best represented by Ian Anderson's flute, oddly enough (what an incredible way to make this instrument shine in a rock act!). "Up To Me", "My God" and its crazy vocal bridge, "Hymn 43" and its infectious groove, "Locomotive Breath" and its heavier riifs, "Wind Up" and its guitar solos... At this point, I do not necessary need to follow the somewhat muddle narrative or wonder what the "difference between God and religion" really means (the supposed "theme" of that second side). The music is good enough. I don't know any other Jethro Tull album, and I'm not a *huge* fan of Prog Rock. But I understand why *Aqualung* was liked by so many people in 1971 and later. 4/5. Number of albums left to review: 540 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 222 (including this one). Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 107 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 133

Un album qui a, à mon grand dam, consolidé les liens qui préexistaient entre eltrapeze et mon propre père, le père de robvipère.

Eeee I need to try this again lol. Listened to on the way home from a job interview; probably not giving the album its best shot. I think I like what jethro tull do, I’m new to them and still getting a grasp on their music. My initial reaction to this project was not as positive as “Thick as a Brick” 2.5/5

Renassaince fair rock

I knew more songs from this album than I thought - just didn’t know the song titles. Good listen.

Punk rock was created in direct response to musical flatulence just like this.

Not for me Jeff

God I really disliked this. I know it's of its time and I can see the quality of the playing and everything is great. But it just felt like it was taking the piss. All I could hear was a jack black cover band who play a set in a film that's set in a renaissance fair with mid 2010's stoner actors who fuck around and not much happens. It's just so ridiculous and pompous and easily parodied.

Highlights: "Up to Me," "Slipstream" Strong performances from the entire group of a good variety of moods and styles marred by some bizarre and repellent lyrical choices. This is early enough in prog history to compete with Yes, Crimson, and Gentle Giant for claims of influence. But it stands out for being the most unpleasant sheerly from its unrepentant edgelord attitude, from clocking in three songs sympathetic to pedophilia to the closing arc in that British tradition of congratulating yourself as a prophetic revolutionary for dunking on the church. Maybe the biggest thing Tull imparted to future prog acts like Rush, Tool, etc is the undying attitude of preening libertarian faux-intellectualism. You know, the thing everyone hates most about prog.

A bit like Black Sabbath with added woodwind. Impressive musicianship, but the songs don't grab me. Some questionable themes, but it was the 1970s. 2/5.

First time listen beyond title track (which tuned down and through heavier amps would’ve been a doom metal classic) and “Locomotive Breath.” Dug “Hymn 43” and “Wind Up.” Still on the fence about the flute and all flute related breathing sounds here.

Overall: 9/10 First of all, I love the amount of acoustic guitar. I love the flute. I love the vocals. I love how weird this thing is. Get this flutist on top of a mountain and watch all the little children in their lederhosen dance around in a circle. I don't know if I'm gonna listen to this all the time but I loved it. I'd only heard the title track before and loved it but never felt compelled to explore their discography further. I kind of want to check out some of their other albums now cause this was so awesome. Very proggy and strange. If you aren't religious (I'm not at all) some of the lyrical content may bother you, but it was fine for me. Fav Song: Mother Goose Least Fav Song: Hymn 43

Excellent album

Another one I’m familiar with, but after another full listen I like it even better than I did before, the criticisms of organised religion and using religion as a means for committing atrocious acts is so well done as this is a recurring theme within the album, there’s also another kind of storyline focussing on the harsh realities of the world with whole aqualung storyline which is loosely carried onto the next song after the opener. No skips on this, it has such a good variation between full on rock with awesome riffs and going crazy on the flute and quieter acoustic songs to break up the pace a bit, the last song being a perfect showcase of this within just one song. Despite liking all of the songs, my personal favourites are: aqualung, hymn 43, wind up and locomotive breath, although after this listen that’s expanded to include pretty much all of the songs. Overall, a solid 9.5/10 which is not what I was expecting to give it before but it seemed to really click with me on this listen.

One of the biggest—and unfair—criticisms from mass listeners is about the flute in Jethro Tull. But let’s remember that most people are ignorant on music and only groove on some of the most basic rhythms, instrument, and harmonies. And I feel bad for them—but detest those who act like they love music but only love some vanilla ass shit when there’s so much flavor out there. This album is a wonderful fusion of jazz inspired flute lines and proto metal. Sorry haters your musical tastes are the equivalent of gruel.

Fuck me, this is a really good album. I had no idea what to expect. I generally find prog rock to be completely up it's own arse. However, this album is not like that at all. At it's heart it really is rock, the guitars and drums are superb, the bass-playing is excellent. There's a lot more though, there's definitely some jazz influences in there, some folk and soul/funk too. I only listened to the 11 original tracks on the vinyl LP, and I have to say there was not one weak track among them. An easy 5 stars!

It's almost stupid to write a review of Aqualung. It is one of the most iconic, recognizable, and emblematic albums of all time. Even if you don't know the album, even if you don't know the song most associated with Jethro Tull, you have to know the opening riff to Aqualung. It is that well known. If you don't - for example, if you've been living in a cave all of your life - go listen to this album. If you've never listened to rock music ever (EVER!) then this should be one of your first five albums. Aqualung is rock and roll.

Incredible. Best to listen from start to finish

Holy shit, so good, I’ve heard a bit of jethro tull, but not this full album, I he flute, the prog, the rock. So good.

One of the big classics. Nothing really can't be said, which hasn't already been said.

I knew "Aqualung", but I had no relation to the band and the whole album. I'm glad that I could hear this mixing of Rock, Folk, Gitarre and Flute. I love rock, folk, gitarre and Flute and I will play this one more often.

Really good. Very hit the spot actually for a music genre I was looking for.

Still so powerful and different, I loved it when it came out and have heard it over 100 times.

A second listen improved the score; while I have a difficult time with folk Tull, rock Tull has a bluesy complexity that has me wanting more. “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath” are the standards, but this is a great album from start to finish. Slightly rounding up.

I can't, in good conscience, only give this 4*. 4.5* would be perfect, but I'm rounding up to 5*. I think what I love about Tull is they hit just the right balance of complexity for me. Not too simple to ever sound dull and not overly complicated musically such that I'm confused and uninterested. Some prog rock and jazz just leaves me feeling like I just don't get it. I'm sure some of Tull goes over my head, but I feel like I get it enough.

This is the hundred second album I’m rating. After about two weeks I’ve finally caught up to my backlog. I was hoping I could finish this in 1089 days but I guess I’ll have to take a little longer. I’ve heard Aqualung but no other songs. Adding to my Playlist - Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Wond’ring Aloud, Up to me, My God, Hymn 43, Slipstream, Locomotive Breath, and Wind-Up. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. All in all I liked 11/11 songs. Not what I was expecting but still really good.

love the flute and electric guitar combo

Amazing

really makes you feel like a homeless man

Incredible album. One of the best Tull albums.

An amazing classic!!

WOOW JUST WOW

I enjoyed this much more than I expected to - never heard it before, other than locomotive breath. Creative, fun and extra points for making the flute cool.

Aqualung: An absolutely captivating and riveting song. The transitions from the hard parts to the softer parts are seamless, and the amazing guitar solo is one of the best ever. It's a song I never get tired of listening to. The album was hard to rank, but putting this at 1st was pretty easy. One of my favorite songs. Cross-Eyed Mary: At this point in the ranking, I've been jumping around songs and have changed rankings multiple times. All of these songs are amazing and I feel like this one should be higher, but I'm going to keep it at 6th. It's a titular song in the album and follows the Aqualung theme very well. Great guitar work and vocals. Cheap Day Return: These last songs have decent melodies, but are too short. This one is always enjoyable and a great joint between Mother Goose and Cross-Eyed Mary. A decent 9th. Mother Goose: This is probably a more controversial opinion, but I love this song. It's a bit softer, but it has some amazing flute parts and really catchy vocals. I know it's not the best song, and others are better, I just like this one more. It's very enjoyable, and I'm putting it in 4th. Wond'ring Aloud: A soft, beautiful song that's just too short. Not much to say, a solid 10th. Up To Me: A very catchy song that I always love listening to. It's a bit short, but a solid 7th. My God: This is where it gets tough, as the 2nd place to 5th place were difficult. This one has a nice opening and great melody. I didn't realize it was 7 minutes on first listen, because it's so enjoyable. Ian Anderson's flute is one of the things that makes Jethro Tull special. The flute solo with the "chants" is very conflicting to me. I love the flute, but the chants are a bit odd lol. I still like the section, and I think it adds some character to the song. It was difficult, but I'm putting this as my 2nd place. Hymn 43: This is definitely a controversial opinion. Don't get me wrong, it's a great songa and I still love it. I just don't think it's one of the best. I always listen to it, thinking i'll be blown away, but the opening kind of kills that mood. It jumps right into the song a bit too quickly and I don't enjoy it as much. It's my 8th place. Slipstream: This is the song I don't really care for. It's a nice soft song with nothing spectacular. It's sandwiched between two amazing songs, so it's pretty forgettable. It's my 11th and last place. Locomotive Breath: I feel like a lot of the same descriptors can be used on these songs, but that doesn't mean they're repetitive. Locomotive breath combines melodic tones with rougher flute parts and great vocals to make a great song. My 5th place. Wind Up: This is a more emotional song that has beautiful vocals, melodies and a great acoustic guitar line. It's very enjoyable to listen to. Transitions from the melodic open to a rocking guitar part with rougher vocals. This is a good 3rd in my opinion. So ranking the songs was a daunting task, and I know I did a poor job. I gave it my best, but this album is so amazing that the rankings are tough. There is nothing I don't enjoy about this album. I would love song suggestions for more of these. I have some ideas, but nothing for sure. If all else fails I'll just do In the Court of the Crimson King or something like that.

Excellent album!

Vojko ima jedno pet šest tullova na ploči, meni je ovaj najbolji baš odličan folk rock ali mislim da je njemu najdraži thick as a brick jer se zove thick as a brick

Stanky

Great album with dozens of good songs.

Excellent album. The title track is amazing but I just love Ian Anderson's flute in Jethro Tull.

This album was a banger. The whole album was well thought out and tight. I enjoyed the lyrics and the transition in themes from individual struggles to being pissed off about religion. I had no idea flutes could go so hard. The acoustic 6 and 12 string parts all rocked too. Everything felt smooth and the song transitions flowed well. Favorite songs were: Cheap day return - love the mellow but intricate acoustic 12 string Up to me - main riff was fun and the supporting flutes sounded great Locomotive breath - the build up in layering in this was satisfying. Piano and flute parts sound amazing 9/10

Jethro Tull is one of those bands I've heard the name like 1000 times but never actually listened to any of their music. First off, I thought it was just one guy and Jethro Tull was his name. I'm glad I chose to look at the lyrics of the songs as I listened. A lot of thought provoking lines. Honestly, I loved this album.

Damn, I knew this one was on here, and was hoping it'd be number 1089. End the thing on a high note. 12 albums out, almost made it. Alas. It's great, but also as someone who likes other Jethro Tull albums, it's wearying that this is the only thing in their discography that most people have heard of, or are willing to praise. "Oh yeah Aqualung's great [now stop talking to me about Jethro Tull]," they say. Problem is, though, at the end of the day their potential > their actual output. They've got some heaters in their backlog ("Thick as a Brick" can unquestionably hang with the Genesis, ELP, and King Crimson prog classics, and I'm willing to go to bat for "Songs From The Wood" and "Heavy Horses"), but the bulk of their stuff was middling, and I gotta be honest with myself about that. Definitely underrated, but there's still a ceiling there at the end of the day, y'know?

AQUALUNG is not a concept album. If there's anything Ian Anderson would wanna have you take away from this album, it's that there's no concept, story, or overarching theme. Sure, a few songs maybe share a couple of characters, but that's it. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of songs. And I'm not here to tell him he's wrong. After all, he wrote the thing; he should know better than anyone. Honestly, listening to the album myself for the first time in forever, I'm not even 100% on what the plot would even be. I guess it'd be about an old creeper and a schoolgirl prostitute or something? Well, thank goodness it's not. If I wanted to hear about a creep and his underage lover, I'd go listen to HISTORIE DE MELODY NELSON again — and of course, I don't want to. But here's the thing about that "concept album" belief people held about this record. Even if it's not actually a concept album... It darn well sounds like it. Which, what I mean by that is that these songs sound structured like narrative. They sound like they're meant to evolve and tell stories and play by that flow and not so much the typical "verse, chorus, verse" mould. And as someone who enjoys themselves a good narrative every now and then (excluding something like HISTORIE DE MELODY NELSON, anyway), that's exactly why I like this album so much. Y'know? Either way, I think it would've been good 70's rock. It's sure got the melodies and riffs for it (goodness, the title track's), with just enough unique instrumentation to keep me engaged. Like, I know everyone clowns on Jethro Tull for the flute, but that is honestly part of what makes them so interesting. Don't act like it's bad flute playing, either. I'd even go so far as to say it's kind of awesome. At any rate, believe me, it probably could have been **way** worse... Goodness. And even if this album isn't a concept album, I don't think the band getting the claim laid at their feet that it was was a bad thing. After all, it did inspire Anderson to write THICK AS A BRICK, his parody of concept albums — and boy, that's a dang fun one. Pretty neat that we got a second good album out of the whole claim. And, yeah, concept album or not, AQUALUNG is pretty dang good. Good enough for a 5, honestly, and I really do try not to hand those out too often. If you somehow haven't already, check it out for yourself and see if you can find your own story in there. I think it's worth your time. Unlike HISTORIE DE MELODY NELSON! Oh, I hadda bring it up again — rule of three and all.

Ground breaking.

Insane guitar. Amazing sounds. One of the best albums i've listened to. Flabbergasted i haven't discovered this before.