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!

Classic ron burgundy solo. Didnt know he sang locomotive breath

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

An amazing album that showcases all the best of Jethro Tull

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!

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.

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.

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.

A true classic combining rock and folk.

One of best rock albums of the decade

Not enough rock albums have flute

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Approved by my dad!

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.

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.

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.

Thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end.

Amo este disco y a Jethro. Rock, punto.

;)

Bust out the ‘Tull! Classic!🤘🏻

Yes. I've always had a thing for Jethro Tull, the airy, natural lightness of their prog flavour, Anderson's voice and, as much as I don't pay much attention to lyrics normally, their telling of vignettes... oh and the flute, yeah absolutely (some of my fellow reviewers need to pull the guitar necks out of their asses). But it's been more on a per song, Greatest Hits basis. Now, 9:45 am, Aqualung has been playing twice already. I love this. [... it's been playing all day long. "Slipstream", that strings arrangement? I love this.) You know when you're young and the old people tell you about their music and it's all a bit cringe and omg, they're doing the Ginger Baker air drums now!? Or, well, mimicking playing a flute? This one goes out to my late godfather: You were right about everyhing!

Probably one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It displays a great depth both musically and lyrically.

Love me some flute

I think Ian Anderson's flute is a little bit like Lemmy's warts - identifiable, and the thing that people who don't know either artist, know. But, in both cases, they are extremely incidental to the majesty of the artist, and in some ways detract from them. Anyway, this album is incredible - I'd only listened to one Tull album before, but I'm revisiting the rest of the catalogue, as this is now one of my favourite albums of all time.

That was incredible. Also reminded me somehow about wovenhand

An absolute masterpiece of an album, it makes you slightly uncomfortable before moving on to songs that makes you feel nice and then poking holes in religious institutions.

SNOT IS RUNNING DOWN HIS NOSE

One of my favourite albums of all time! The definitive Jethro Tull album.

A personal favorite and an album that has value far beyond the title track.

4.9 - My god I loved this. What a great album I had no idea about. Echoes of Zeppelin and fairport convention, with a stupendous flute solo running throughout. It might be a little dad rocky, but it did not bother me one bit So good

Hymn 43 gets this to a 5 alone. Does it have a unifying theme or "concept" as an album? Doesn't really matter I guess. So is the whole album about Aqualung and his journey away from forced religion or something?

Heel Nice. Lekker beetje trippend. Nog een keer luisteren om beter naar de tekst te luisteren

another LP I have, love it - prog/folk concept album - flute & guitar !

Yes

Je ne comprend pas les détracteurs de flûte qui pullulent dans les reviews; c'est l'élément clé qui distingue Jethro Tull du monde du rock en rajoutant une sonorité inattendue à un album folk rock. Pour revenir sur l'album: WOW. Moins ambitieux que Thick as a Brick, je l'accorde, mais remplie de bangers: Locomotive Breath, Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, My God, et bien sûr, Aqualung sont des classiques aussi riches que passionnant à rérérérécouter une fois de plus.

Instant 5 for me. Love his album and I don't even have to listen to it to rate it.

Easy 5. I have this album memorized. Everything about this album is great, from the classic-rock station staples (Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Cross-Eyed Mary), through the "deep tracks" (My God, Up To Me, Mother Goose, Hymn 43), to the short interludes (Wond'ring Aloud, Cheap Day Return, Slipstream).

unique. the flute mixed with the distorted guitar gives a very interesting vibe. overall pretty fucking banging Favorite Song: My God or Cross-Eyed Marry

Prog rock is one of the most volatile genres we've come across, with no idea what to expect. This was one of the times where it worked. From start to finish this album was easy to listen to and kept the listened engaged. You don't often get a flute in rock feature this prominently and it absolutely worked. I will definitely come back to this album and might explore the artiest further. Would probably be a 4.5 with half stars but I'm going to round up as I enjoyed the whole thing.

Lizzo could never

Great album.

I played this CD constantly in college. I still know it front to back but it’s been a while since I listened all the way through. So this was fun.

Excellent album with a lot of replayability.

10

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

Tull is like your favorite familiar local restaurant. Often you go elsewhere, sometimes close by for a change of pace, sometimes venturing far afield to explore new culture, different surroundings, feel the thrill of novelty. But here you are now. Back again for the millionth time and no less disappointed for it, on the contrary, like coming home to loved ones or a familiar place that has etched a deep groove in your heart. Familiarity overwhelms objectivity. What's good about the album, what's not, none of that matters. Music you fell in love with early on is forevermore untouchable, and this is such an album. I would posit that this is objectively good, whatever that means: well executed, well recorded, solid compositionally, surprises here and there, emotionally charged performances, intelligent, interesting, and unusual subject matter presented in a pleasantly poetic fashion. It even rocks, and there are those of us out there who, and this might be hard for some to believe, actually like the flute! To add, the 2016 Steven Wilson remaster is a great addition to the canon. The drums are a bit more percussive, and the orchestral sections move forward in the mix to great effect, especially in My God and Wond'ring Aloud.

Now this is a fantastic album. I love the vibe and how smoothly it all flowed together. The interview at the end of the Special Edition of the album was also a really great listen!

Owned this album 30 years ago. Still great.

Some really great instrumentation combined with gripping lyrics makes this a top-notch album. Just the opening few seconds foretell that this album will be something special. Spotify has an interview with a band member at the end, I always enjoy hearing skilled artists talk about their work and this was no exception. Favorite track: "Locomotive Breath."

Listened to it three times

JAZZ FLUTE

That flute goes crazy!

Very relaxing

First time listening to this album. This is the type of record I anticipated from this challenge. Unexpectedly good, and deserves a deep listen. Feels like a good book set to music. Also, the flute is enchanting and adds nice texture to the rock. 4.5 - rounded up so as to please the hubby.

This one is already on my playlists.

Their most well known album. Fantastic Throughout

Sweet classic rock. With a flute nonetheless

Honestly, at first I didn't like this record precisely because so many people I knew loved it. The flute thing was a gimmick, right? Eventually I decided "Thick as a Brick" was fantastic, and it ended up changing my opinion of this record. It's brilliant.

So many bangers on this man. I honestly can't believe I haven't listen to these fellas. The flute in particular makes the tracks really distinctive and unique The medieval/LOTR feel to it also goes really well. A fantastic listen through and through. Best - Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Up To Me, My God, and many more Worse - NONE 5/5

This is another landmark album for me. It was released during peak prog years for me. Jethro Tull were a big band but not exactly my favourite and because there was an embarrassment of prog riches my money was spent elsewhere. I had just started my career and was living in a hostel in Wakefield with other young lads many of whom shared my love of music. Aqualung always reminds me of one particular pal who was heavily into Jethro Tull and who introduced me to this album which he loved and wore a long trench coat. He would always greet you with “Aqualung, my friend”. It is a top album which I grew to love but strangely never bought the album until very recently when I saw the CD cheap in a sale. Just about everyone I knew had a copy, it was always played on the radio and more recently was readily available on streaming platforms. So there was never a dire need to own it. I do have other Tull albums, in fact most of them, and I rate some of these more highly than Aqualung. But this album means so much to me that I can only give it 5 stars. A lot of my fellow reviewers seem to be hung up on the use of flute by Ian Anderson and don’t think it very prog. My view is that they are missing the point. I do like the flute and Ian is a very proficient player but a lot of it is to do with Tull’s image. Ian stood erect on one leg playing his flute is very iconic and an image immediately associated with the band. 5/5 26/7/24

First time listening to this band. The instrumentation was something that I was able to appreciate. The flute playing whimsical

Iconic rock album.

One of my favorite albums of all time.

eins der ganz grossen

not their best imho but god, it's a great great album

Truly an amazing work! From those iconic intro chords of the opening title track through the growing crescendo that closes out the final Wind-Up, each track perfectly complements what precedes and follows it and gives unity to the entire album even as it twists and turns its way through Rock, Prog, Metal, Folk, Blues, Renaissance, and Medieval elements...and then they throw in that kick-ass flute to boot!