Aqualung

Groundbreaking? Maybe. Formative? I guess. Historically important? Um, sure...? But good? No. Not in any sense of the word. This is the definition of aging poorly.

What's the worst part of this album? Is it the screechy lyrics? Or maybe the 'we all live in a European shire' vibe? Or could it maybe be the Ron Burgundy flute loops? Nope. It's all of the above. I've actually never gotten through this album in its entirety but I did yesterday and I am still wading through a tide of regret. One of the worst so far for me.

This album was my introduction to prog rock, really. My aunt is a Jethro Tull superfan and she gave me this album when I was in junior high. I took to it right away; the weirdness of Ian Anderson's flute playing combined with the excellent instrumentalism of the rest of the band was my first foray in to non guitar/bass/drum combos and I really liked it. What Jethro Tull have always done is combine really crisp playing and singing in to songs that still feel like they have feeling in to them. A lot of the 70's big boys do this but for whatever reason Tull seems more exacting with the studio recording while still not sounding robotically timed. This is in contrast to bands like Genesis that are more in time and bands like Zep that are less metronomic but aren't nearly as meandering with their songs. The title track is a great example with the combination of the classic riff and the solo sections much later. I think every song on here is good though the singles are very much the right choices to play on their own. Locomotive Breath in particular is one of my favorite Tull songs. I don't necessarily think this is their best album, but it's probably the most iconic one of theirs. It's wild to read complaints about the flute playing. It sounds weird at first but that's the point. It takes real talent to integrate that in to rock music and Anderson has it in spades. It's unique and it rules, you maniacs.

Four songs that kick all kinds of ass (Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath), in distinctive ways. Some interesting filler. A closing track I'd never heard that is pretty damn good. Two more observations: (1) the "hey" after the "do you still remember" line in Aqualung, and the moment in Locomotive Breath when the guitar slams in, are amazing. (2) Rush got mocked in the Onion for being nerdy-guy music to drive away women with, but (partly based on my wife's reaction) I think JT might be right up there.

5/5 - I guess we learn something about ourselves with this list every once in a while. I learned I like Jethro Tull far more than I thought I liked Jethro Tull. Maybe it's just the incredible production of the recent remaster/remix, but this sounds very good, and I was into it the whole time. Aqualung, Cross-eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath, Hymn 43, Mother Goose.

4.5 stars.

Amazingly, Jethro Tull can sound both really old and truly timeless at the same time. They reach far back, and down deep, for inspiration; then they offer something progressive, varied, and energetic. Listen to “Up To Me”: what a fantastic combination of flute, acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, and of course Ian Anderson’s gritty vocal presentation. Or you could just listen - again - to “Aqualung,” “Locomotive Breath,” “Cross-Eyed Mary,” or any other song on this stellar album. Occasionally you’ll hear the influences of contemporaries. This short song may sound a little bit like Cat Stevens, half of another song might fit on a Black Sabbath album, but most of it can only be Jethro Tull. There’s just nothing quite like this. It’s an album that still sounds great over a half century after its release.

This is a rock and roll renaissance festival. In fact, I might actually go to a renaissance festival if Jethro Tull provided the musical soundtrack! This album is amazing. The combination of volatile lyrics, instrumentation, music genre/style, and power grab you and take you on a tour of images and direct confrontation. It is easy to remember the flute as it stands out in rock and roll as a surprise element. But the piano also features prominently and gives the music a fuller feel. Even their slower, folk songs feel full and strong, while serving as great counterpoint to the real shredders. Love it.

Really tootled my flute!

Most people don’t hate the flutes on this album but the general reviews are skewed by Georg Flütenhater who writes 10,000 reviews complaining about the flutes on this album every single day

Pre Listen: Aqua Lung was a pretty cool concept game, then it was made into a movie. I don't think this has anything to do with that, but the album cover is neat. No expectations. Notable Tracks: Aqualung - Instantly hooked. This is playlist worthy for the sound alone. Please, PLEASE maintain this quality through the rest of the album. I especially love the guitar riffs at the start and end. Mother Goose - I normally dislike Renaissance-y sounding songs for being somewhat cheesy, but this shit goes so hard. Perfect blend of flute, acoustic guitar, and electric. Slipstream - Another highlight. Wish it was longer. Wind Up - Probably my least favorite track, if I had to choose one. It ain't bad, it's just the most boring out of everything here. It feels out of place. Post Listen: Felt like a lovely union of Black Sabbath, Yes, and English Folk. Such a well crafted assortment of instruments. The drums, the flutes, the guitars, the bass, the piano, damn near all of it was so well done and well balanced. The vocalist compliments everything too, solid lyrical work. I do think the A side was a lot stronger than the B side, but it was all fairly good regardless. I knew this would be high up there for me after I started humming along on the first track and beyond, having never heard any of this in my life. Some things just scratch your brain the right way, and you jump on that wavelength effortlessly. Almost a 5 if the B side just had like 1 more great song, painfully, 4.5/5. Maybe I'll come back and bump it up at some point. EDIT - Came back, bumping it to a 5. The album may not have finished as strong as I would've liked, but it was still strong. Downloaded my favorite songs, and they're so good. If an album contains multiple songs that make me feel things in a strong way, and I don't give it a 5, idk what a 5 is.

Jethro Tull's sole selection on this list is the prog rock staple Aqualung: an album that continues to kickass. Iconic opening riff, the incredible flute opening and epic crescendo in Cross-Eyed Mary. Also like the My God and Hymn 43 transition, hits as thick as a brick. It's a classic for a reason. Everyone talks about Ian Anderson's flute but it's Martin Barre's guitar chops and tone that really seals the deal and makes Aqualung such a great album.

A classic from my childhood

Banger

wtf how have I not listened to this album before?!?! I knew just bit and pieces of a few Jethro Tull songs until today, and I always thought it was just generic boomer music, but... my mind is blown! this is amazing!!

SITTING ON A PARK BENCH absolutely insane transition to song 2 top fucking ten. I don't even care. MY GOD!!!! MY GOOODDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a beautiful rejection of the status quo. A send up of religion that I didn't know I needed.

Fuck w the flute

Heard it recently on vinyl. Still good as ever.

Classic prog, love this album 5/5

First concert ever. Mind blown.

You can have a little flute as a treat. I don't care what other reviews say, any instrument can rock if you play it with attitude and that's exactly what this band does. This record went by in a flash. It doesn't suffer from the common prog rock pitfall of being too grating at times or including 10 min interludes of ambient sounds. It's more on the normy side of prog rock, but that still makes it more interesting and experimental than 95% of the music on this list so that's fine by me. A wonderful combination of a broad array of instruments and sounds with a variety of interesting messages about how we view the homeless, religion and more. 5/5

This feels like an album I should've known before being quite a prog fan. But that makes it all the more fun to discover it now, for the early 70s it is surprisingly hard sometimes, but simultaneously the more folk elements for very well. A great album I'll remember.

One of the best prog albums of all time, flute solos go crazy

Number: 142 Date: 05/25/2026 Artist: Jethro Tull Album: Aqualung Year: 1971 Style: Prog Rock Familiarity: Extremely (5) Rating: 5 Before: ======= I've listened to this album dozens of times over the course of my time here, mostly during my high school years in the late 70's. I still like it a lot but rarely listen to it nowadays so this will be a real treat. It always reminds me of a good friend from HS who turned me on to this. We used to listen to it a lot on trips to go backpacking in the mountains of western NC. The music seemed to really fit with the majestic views as we zoomed along the Blue Ridge Parkway. During: ======= Right off the bat, I give the first two tracks, Aqualung and Cross Eyed Mary a 5. The final track "Wind-Up" is the only one that is a little weak, imo. 5 Aqualung 5 Cross-Eyed Mary 4 Cheap Day Return 5 Mother Goose 4 Wond'ring Aloud 5 Up To Me 4 My God 4 Hymn 43 4 Slipstream 5 Locomotive Breath 3 Wind-Up ----------------------------------------------------- 4.55 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= So, it turns out that this is was my 4th favorite album from 1971, the last time I checked. It was beat out 2 Yes albums, The Yes Album and Fragile, and Led Zeppelin's, IV. 5 my personal rating 5 suitability for this list 4 impact ----------------------------------------------- 4.7 composite rating

I have a sort of a soft spot for Jethro Tull. Maybe it's just this album, this is the only album of theirs that I really like. I remember hearing this way back when I was a kid and it was the first time I realized that rock music didn't just have to be guitars, drums, and bass. Who would have thought a flute would be the perfect addition to a pretty heavy album? And I was always blown away with how great a drummer Clive Bunker was. He may not have been super flashy but everything he did was the right thing to do. And that still holds up listening to this album now. This is still a good album and I feel like it has aged pretty well. It does sound a little dated maybe but not in a bad way. And it so so unique - there is no one else that sounds like this. Maybe thanks to Ian Anderson for that? I'm struggling to rate this one though because it is really on the line between 4 and 5 for me. I think it will have to be 5/5 because I'd feel bad for giving it less.

Good

La complejidad de los 70, la "doble escalera" musical, la riqueza de la flauta y los cambios de ritmo. Un disco con dos pisos, con subidas y bajadas constantes: la sofisticación conceptual mezclada con algo muy terrenal y medieval.

4.6

An astonishing tour de force that makes you feel both disgusting and all powerful, much like the titular character. I really like ever single track on this album. Fun fact, my parents bought a Concert DVD of this band for my brother, and I thought that they were just trying to pass some random ass band off as legends in order to convince him that the flute he played was cool and rock and roll. I now know the error of my judgement. Also, for the record, I listened to the Steve Wilson remixes because I adore his production generally, and specifically on this record. It gives the album a new life that helps it to feel a lot more timeless. Standout Tracks: Aqualung, Up To Me, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath 4.6

It is such a unique and iconic album. Beyond the flute usage, it does bring a lot of things to the table and remains a quintessential prog rock album. Cannot fathom that there is only 1 JT album in the list with as many Morrissey and Elvis Costello albums that it contains. 10/10 [KEEP]

Great album!

SITTING ON A PARK BENCH -- had a bass playing friend who was so obsessed with this album and in particular aqualung the song that this album is a little tainted for me but it is phenomenal all the way through. Someone had to bring flute to rock classic. There are plenty of moments on this album that had me go "oh shit, that's sick" for it to be deserving of a 4, and it really is reaching up at 5. Hymn 43 pushes it over the top for me I think. Also iconic album art that looks just about nothing like it sounds. The interview is a dumb addition but turns out that’s not in the original track listing so I’ll let it slide.

I don't need to praise how great this album is. The ones who know it is, know it is! Of course I am listening to the Steven Wilson Mix on vinyl which sounds amazing. This was so good, when side two finished. I flipped it back over and started it over again! Classic!

Prog Rock masterpiece, i love Jethro Tull

Great album

No notes.

BANGER, THAT IS ALL Many musicians have and can shred on the guitar but only the GOAT Ian Anderson can shred on a flute

Fucking Awesome

I've never encountered a bad Tull song. One of their most popular albums, full of hits. Classic rock with flute

Album qui peut être ressorti dans une soirée JdR, ce qui est un très bon avantage !! Des sonorités qu’on entends pas trop et qui donne l’album un vrai style

Definitivamente um disco da década de 70. Um dos álbuns mais anos 70 que já setentou na história. Totalmente um produto de seu tempo, e isso não é algo negativo. O seu tempo era legal! É um disco descolado, repleto de Riffs eletrizantes, e instrumentalização neo-folk fascinante de se ouvir, com instrumentos de sopros quase que medievais ou místicos. Uma sonoridade super fascinante que te pega muito bem, junto das letras enigmáticas. Rock progressivo com flautas. O tipo de coisa que você usaria pra encantar criaturas folclóricas em uma montanha da scandinavia. Claro que, às vezes, esse pastelão pode ser cansativo, mas hoje estou de bom humor e consequentemente o charme do álbum me conquistou bem. A canção titular é absolutamente clássica, e merecidamente, que Riff tesudo. Excêntrico, peculiar, fantástico. Ótimo disco, preciso me familiarizar melhor com o trabalho de Jethro Tull. 5/5

Una maravilla

I listened to the Steven Wilson mix of this album. It’s been a while since I listened to the older mix of it, so I can’t do a comparison, but this mix is clear and powerful and sounds great. This is a great album. While arty/proggy, Jethro Tull has some huge riffs, putting this at the heavier end of that spectrum. This is balanced with folkier songs, and, of course, Ian Anderson’s flute. More rock flute, please. The opening riff on Aqualung is a beast. Locomotive Breath is excellent.

Such an emotive and powerful album. I hadn't heard of Jethro Tull until today, I really resonate with the religious and politicaI themes. Wind-up is one of those songs that expresses a feeling, experience or situation which you have never been able to vocalise. It's positively lost in translation. Very ahead of its time and reminds me of early Alice Cooper - Love it to Death. Aqualung is so captivating and completely charismatic. A masterpiece in storytelling and genre bending. Incredible album, thank you for introducing me.

Такой зубастый фолк. И прогрессив, если угодно.

My fave Jethro Tull album. I had the privilege of seeing him perform a couple of these songs live, admittedly a few decades late.

Impeccable atmosphere and scene setting on each song. I especially loved how on Locomotive Breath the instrumental mimics the chugging of a train. Super super cool.

a lot of wonderful stuff going on here. every instrumentalist is in top shape, that flute is an MVP. great lyrics all-around, i love how terribly honest the title track is towards how the average person sees the homeless, alternating between a poor helpless victim and this nasty gollum-esque creature of evil; those opening verses are just cruel and i think (or hope lmao) that its by intent. my god and hymn 43 are great anti-organized-religion pieces, "he is the god of nothing if thats all that you can see" goes crazy. going beyond individual compositions, this album is arranged perfectly, alternatively between aggressive blues rock and folksy ballads so cleanly. prog rock has always known how to use an album and this is no exception. not a fan of locomotive breath, it just felt a bit flat compared to the rest of the album. gonna be a hard choice between 4 and 5, this is really strong stuff...

Wtf you guys, Jethro Tull are amazing??! How has this never come up before?!

Had a old friend over for breakfast today. Its been a while since I listened to this album. I must make a note to get it out more often. It's a brilliant album there's not a duff track on it, though some are better than others. My personal favourite is Wind Up. It puts into words many of my feelings about religion. But rather than boring you by waxing lyrical about it I'll just get on to scoring it. Bet you can't guess. It's a 5

Awesome album! Rock/folk/heavy metal mix. Highly recommend!

I'm pretty bummed out that I didn't manage to really listen to this all in one sitting. Life kept getting in the way, and it took about five or six goes before I just gave up and listened to it in pieces, rather than from start to finish in one go. I have heard the whole thing, but I don't feel like I properly got to enjoy it as one experience. Part of why I'm bummed out is this is definitely a 5 for me, even under those circumstances. Holy heck this was great. Never listened to Jethro Tull before, honestly thought I might be in for some country music with a name like that. Unbelievably good. Gonna have to listen to more of them for sure.

Toujours réconfortant d'écouter du Jethro Tull.

FLUTES. enough said.

Absolutely fuckin rips

When to listen: on a journey to Middle Earth. I liked the random influences infused with rock, I liked the weirdness. If you can't have fun making music when are you supposed to have fun?

I'm violently partial towards Prog. A lot of my all-time favorite albums are Prog. Any era, doesn't matter. As early as Genesis or King Crimson and as new as King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard or The Mars Volta. If I had to pick any genre as my absolute favorite, it would probably be Prog. At a certain point I thought it would turn into me having really high standards for the genre, but I'm 312 albums into this god-forsaken list and I've only become more partial to the genre. If it has ridiculous storyline, ridiculously long songs, ridiculous time signature shenanigans, or a combination of the 3, it's basically a minimum of 4 stars. Anyways, this gets the bonus points of being the most whimsical album about a homeless pedophile I've ever heard. That and the absolutely wild flute solo in Cross-Eyed Mary. Woodwinds in rock will never not be a great thing. If you're saying "man, I really wish there wasn't a flute in this song, it's really killing the vibe," consider the following: 1) you're probably not saying that. 2) if you are, please stop talking and let me enjoy my flute riffs without your negativity. Thank you for your time and consideration of the following.

an amazingly creative tour de force from a time when rock had some truly original artists

I Like it Track 1 and 7 are my favorites so far.

Very interesting listen, I loved it. I think I've heard some at least from this before but this was fun and one I'll listen to again and again

I knew of aqualung but had never listened to much of Jethro till. This album was a great listen. I'm not sure if they had just faded a bit relative to other bands of their era but it's not for a lack of talent. Great listen, listened twice over the weekend.

Sometimes Jethro‘s thing works sometimes, it’s ponderous and stupid Irish prog . But this album works nearly perfectly.

Wow… just wow. Como es posible que nadie me dijo de esto? Yo conocia del Title Song pero el resto del album esta salvaje. Great fucking sound, killer lyrics, FLUTE! 5/5

9 / 10 - Prog-Rock mit Flöte - Voller genialer Riffs, Motiven, Virtuosität und Vibes Favs: - Aqualung - My God - Locomotive Breath

This is peak. I need to check more of Jethro Tull after this

Such an incredible album. Heavy riffs, old-school rock ‘n’ roll, peaceful folk, Jazz bits, alternately thoughtful and biting lyrics, and of course, Ian’s inimitable flute. Every time I come back to this album it’s better than the last time (the Steven Wilson remix is superb). Just another great album from a band that has a lot of them. 5.0/5.0: Iconic

not many bands can pull off a flute solo

At last something not mainstream pop listening. This album has been a favourite for many years. Interesting lyrically, great musicianship with bonus flute. Aqualung and Locomotive Breath favourite tracks.

I love that flute playing bastard

A folky progressive hard rock album that's elevated by Ian Anderson's flute, and elevated even further by being one of the first albums I really got into after my first three music obsessions of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Rush began to run their course. It's a shame Thick as a Brick by this band isn't on this list, cause that one goes even harder.

I dreaded when Aqualung (the song) came on the radio as a kid. Thought it was going to be many agonizing minutes of something that sounded like the first minute or so of that song. I must have always noped out and left the room when that song was playing because I clearly never heard the rest of it. FANTASTIC solo. Great song. Then they have a whole album after it as well?! “My God” blew me away, maybe even more so on the second listen. Locomotive Breath into Wind-Up was a good way to end it as well. A cool mix of genres. Flute going hard as hell. Some rockin prog jams. Honestly what a pleasant surprise, a really cool album.

Flute rock, hell yeah!

Getting sick of the people that whine about a flute being in rock music. How shortsighted are you??? Was about to give it a 4, but with all those whiners, this classic gets a 5.

An absolute gem. Loved seeing them (well, him) live a few years back.

FLUTES FLUTES FLUTES!

I was not expecting this one to show up. Aqualung is one of my favourite albums of all time, and has been since I was a teenager. I have no objective way of ranking, it's 5 starts all the way down.

To me Jethro Tull and Aqualung were more of a punchline than something to be taken seriously. An Anchorman bit. Having listened to this album in full, this thing rocks. Yes there’s the flute, but there’s also some great electric and acoustic guitar riffs, some lovely strings bits, and some solid piano. I wavered between a high 4 and a low 5, but with no stinkers in the album, I ultimately felt that this was surprising enough to warrant the 5/5.

Overall Rating - 4.68/5 (9.36/10). Incredible album from start to finish. The perfect mix of rock, prog, and just a dash of British Folk. So many iconic songs, incredible guitar work, great lyrics, over a solid beat. Also, as Ian Anderson was known to say, the flute is a metal instrument.

In general this was a really great listen and something I might come back to. Those riffs are fuckin tasty.

Already listened to this album before and I don't mind listening to it again. Prog Rock might be my favorite music genre when done really well and I don't think there's a single bad song on this album.

It,s many,many flute,it's good,it's perfect

Old Charlie stole the handle and the train it won’t stop going. No way to slow down

Somehow greater than the sum of its already great parts.

The best!

One of the best of its age. As smashing as the heavy rock works of Purple or Sabbath but with a softer, milder approach. Cross-eyed Mary, Aqualung and Locomotive Breath are all time classics that everybody knows and respect. While I was listening to the Steven Wilson mix I was thinking how good this period was for music and how bad the current one is. Listen to these instruments isolated and then thinking about nowadays music. It is offending.

sounds weird in a good way but classical

Has some big sounding riffs that really rock mixed with some kind of pastoral hobbit rock energy. Has some mad ambition. Banging percussion. I actually weirdly rate the flute and medieval touches here, which come off as fun and campy and not too self-serious. Fun!!

Я б поставив 4.5. Іноді занадто глибоко заходить в фолк і мені це якось просто ок. Окремий лайк за флейту (чи на чому ці магічні звуки робились)

Aqualung and Locomotive Breath fucking rule. Honorable mention to Hymn 43, too

One of my favorite prog rock albums

Ah, Aqualung! I can't even imagine how many times me and my mates listened to this one in my youth. Songs from the Wood was possibly played even more, but I'm sure these were taped on the same cassette and just kept flipping over... it in the car and where ever we had a deck to play it. This is an excellent album. It has the folkey vibe I actually do like, the virtuosity of their instruments that serves the music (not the musicians ego) and the heavy vibe of a pre-metal rock band being really heavy.

After 1048 albums, I just assumed Aqualung didn’t make the cut. But because my father raised me right, I knew album #1049 was going to be a good listen, especially when I already knew several songs on the album were good. But nothing prepared me for how utterly solid this album is. The chord progression is so satisfying. Their usage of flutes and wind instruments is beautiful. The entire album flows flawlessly. The religion focus isn’t heavy handed, and the vocals add a sardonic tone to the lyrics. The progressive genre typically veers toward too much, but Jethro Tull manages to toe the line between accessible/engaging and outlandish/repetitive. Part of that is the unusual instruments they use, and that they use folk to create a chill, folklore attitude. This makes Jethro Tull a band with a unique sound, something that still holds true in 2026. Whatever the reason it is, I’m locked and engaged. Hats off. I am so impressed with Aqualung. Relistening multiple times was way too easy.

Peak music. The tempo changes and riffs are amazing. The use of woodwinds really add some atmosphere. Pioneers of Prog rock, and this isn’t even their best album.

Je One of Steve Harris' (Iron Maiden's bass player & leader) favorite album and yes you can hear the influence of Jethro Tull's cerebral album on Iron Maiden. Riff heavy & intelligent Aqualung is the thinking man's all-purpose all occasions go to - from getting a party started to trying to make sense of Hegel and the like. This is NOT a concept album, but the theme of God & religion (and their differences) is present in several songs- Aqualung often demands your full attention and more often than not fully deserves it.

Maybe it wasn't trying to be a concept album...but it's the best Prog variety this side of Genesis' Lamb.

This is a great album that I haven't listened to all the way through in decades. I remember as a teenager getting irritated by the excessive radio play of Aqualung and Locomotive Breath, but after a long hiatus, those songs and the whole album really stand out as special. And yes, even the flute works after all these years. :)

Fire

Another one of my favorites.

Beautiful album, a classic. Takes me back to a time where all music I dicovered seemed magical and I was eager to get to hear it all. 'Wind Up', what a beautiful track.

笛子真妙

Liked most of it. Need to finish

I enjoyed this album a lot. It's a perfect blend of prog, folk, blues and rock. While my personal taste in music has moved on from this kind of stuff towards more experimental music, I know my teenage self would've absolutely adored this album. I remember having first heard both 'Aqualung' and 'Locomotive Breath' around that age and being blown away, so it's a shame I didn't seek out back then. Still, I really like this album for what it is. 4.75/5

My God. 10/10 no notes. Some real folk blues right here. Ik heb van begin tot eind van dit album genoten, en was zeer positief verrast. Je hebt muziek die mooi is, en je hebt muziek waar je iets bij voelt. De eerdere albums die we gereviewed hebben, kunnen we allerlei mooie dingen over zeggen, en ik was zeker ook wel aan het meeknikken op de maat. Maar bij dit album, kreeg ik gewoon echt een vrolijk gevoel. Ik luisterde het in de auto, en ik catchde mezelf af en toe een brede grijns krijgen. Zo'n gevoel en gedachte van, "wauw, they really just did that. And pulled it off. Dit is episch". It's just, straight up, capital F Fun. De blend van akoestische en elektrische gitaar, de folky piano en crazy fluit, en de story-telling vocals, gaven mij een hele immersive experience. Ik stelde me echt een traveling troupe van muzikanten voor die in taverns en op dorpsfestivals bij het vreugdevuur hun verhalen kwamen bezingen, met magische instrumenten from the future. "Tavern Rock" kwam in me op. Door de immersion was My God bijna een religieuze ervaring. Hier kwamen de thema's, de instrumental solo's (en samenspel) en folk zang prachtig samen. De gitaarsolo into de fluitsolo into the whole shebang together... Chef's Kiss. Het album eindigt met Wind-Up, die de thematiek van verbinding met God, maar de oppositie tegen het instituut 'Kerk', mooi samenvat en afsluit. In de deluxe edition op Spotify wordt dit nog opgevolgd met de bonus track Lick Your Fingers Clean, die het oorspronkelijke album niet gehaald had, een extra (live? alternatieve?) renditie van Wind-Up, en een interview met frontman Anderson. Ik baseer mijn oordeel over het geheel op de originele versie, waarbij ik Wind-Up een perfecte afsluiting vind, en beschouw Lick Your Fingers Clean als een leuke extra (het is ook gewoon een banger en past goed bij de rest). Het interview is best lang, en voor nu heb alleen nog het eerste stukje geluisterd. Misschien luister ik hem later nog af. Ik ga dit album zeer zeker vaker luisteren, ik heb hem nota bene na de eerste listen direct aan mijn library toegevoegd (en daarna nog twee keer geluisterd). Ik kijk er naar uit om bij repeat listens de teksten verder te ontleden en tot me talaten komen, want er zit echt veel in. Het album in totaliteit is een mooi sonisch geheel. Alles past, en vloeit mooi in elkaar over Beste album so far Liked songs: Letterlijk alles, maar stand out favorites zijn Aqualung, My God, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath (ja, praktisch de helft lol)

Great Album!

Jethro Tull sind eine britische Rockband, die mit Aqualung 1971 eines ihrer bekanntesten Alben vorlegte. Die Aufnahmen entstanden in den Island Studios, den Morgan Studios und bei Sound Techniques in London. Musikalisch bewegt sich das Album zwischen Progressive Rock, Folk Rock und härteren Rockelementen, getragen von Ian Andersons markantem Flötenspiel und einer textlichen Ausrichtung, die soziale und religiöse Themen aufgreift. Besonders prägend sind Stücke wie „Aqualung“, „Locomotive Breath“, „Cross-Eyed Mary“ und „My God“, die bis heute zum festen Kern des Bandrepertoires zählen. Trotz der stilistischen Vielfalt wirkt das Album in sich geschlossen und zeigt Jethro Tull auf einem kreativen Höhepunkt, auch wenn der raue Klang der Originalproduktion gelegentlich diskutiert wurde. Insgesamt ein inhaltlich wie musikalisch nachhaltiges Werk, das den Stellenwert der Band im Rock der frühen siebziger Jahre gut widerspiegelt.

More than flutes, great storytelling! But, who is aqualung? Cross eyed Mary? Sone scary characters... So glad i listened.

Bager

One of the greatest albums of all time poppin up!!! Previous review: Bro I love the tull and the stage antics I wish they had more banger albums like this and thick as a brick. Also didn’t say in the previous review but listened while staining wood and I now have this on vinyl!

Cool and unique. And that flute kicks ass

The flute is what makes it special.

Surprisingly a great album.

Brilliant album, absolutely loved it.

Love. Stone cold classic rock with flutes!

Finally got some Prog in my list. Loved my first time listening to of a Jethro Tull album in full. All I really knew going in was that there would be a lot of flute. Thick as a Brick. I always think of this style as 70s wizard rock. These guys inspired a lot of goth/folk/prog/metal bands that I love. Especially Opeth. Will be adding Jethro Tull to regular rotation. 5/5.

Man, those flutes go hard. Actually, the whole album does. This is awesome

great album had it for years and pull it out every few months

Excellent album from start to finish!

Truly pivotal in music history. Making popular the idea of acoustic, and orchestral instrumentation in hard rock music. Folk metal owes a debt of gratitude

This one is one of my favorites. I first listened to this album when I was about 10, and 23 years later it still hits as hard as when I first heard it. It's a triumph of a folk rock album and it's influence can be heard through bands and projects that followed it. Lots of variety can be heard through jams like Aqualung and Hymn 43, and also softer songs like Wond'ring Aloud. Just overall an absolute master class of classic rock. Favorite Song - Up to Me

Excellent find. Folk rock with a British bent. Wimpy bars, snot and cups of tea.

Interesting, very interesting

Perfect musical balance to be one of the best folk rock albums ever.

jehtro tull's most popular album and it's a doozy. a very creative and theatrical rock album that has quite a bit going for it. when this album isn't flooding your ears with artsy sonnets, it's basically playing the musical ramblings of a schizophrenic man going through religious psychosis. another album where i turned it on and i was like "whaaaaaat is this" but the more it played i ended up getting a little obsessed.

As a prog nerd, I feel obligated to give this a 5 star rating.

Absolute fire.

This is a personal favorite, so I knew what it would be before listening. Listened first anyway, though :)

Yay! Heared a couple of songs beforehand. Other ones turned out to be great too. Best once: Cross-Eyed Mary and My God

So good. This and Thick as a Brick were my jams for several years.

Another one of my all time favorites!

Jethro Tull beat out Metallica in 1989 at the Grammy’s in the category of “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental” with the album Crest of a Knave, an album most Jethro Tull fans wouldn’t have in their Top 5. It was the first and only time the Grammy’s held that category. Did you know that?? It’s one of the funniest things to ever happen in music. Not only did it paint the awards show as a total joke (which it absolutely is), but it also confused the shit out of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, who are not, and have never been a Metal band. By Ian’s own words, he doesn’t even consider it Hard Rock. Now, jump to the year 2025. Jack White is finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, extraordinarily deservingly so. If the laws of nature abided, I would have that man’s babies. He thanks over 30 bands not already in the hall. Notably among them, a bunch of Prog artists, including Jethro Tull. This has all been a long winded way to say that not only is the Rock Hall committee an absolute joke as well, but Jethro Tull and his signature flautistry are absolutely iconic among bands. Ian isn't the first person to play the flute, but he's definitely one of the most notable to do so in the field of music. This album is so good from top to bottom, and it's going to surprise a lot of people with just how good it is. Every hit is incredible, and could all be considered my favorites. "Aqualung", "Cross-Eyed Mary", "Up To Me", "Hymn 43", "Locomotive Breath" and "Wind-Up" are my favorite songs on this album. Which one is my favorite favorite? Man, I can't even tell you. Even the interview at the end of the album is interesting, a cool insight on how the album was made. My all time favorite genres continue to be Prog and Grunge. High chance they're all going to get a 5, and this is for sure no exception. I wish we had more Jethro Tull albums on the list, but this is the most famous and most accessible of all of them, so I'm more than ok with this being what they went with.

GOAT shit. Listened it already hundreds of times.

Felt like taking a trip through the woods while listening to this, nice vibes.

Masterpiece. Will buy this on vinyl when the opportunity arises.

A finest album of all the time!

Well, I listened to this a few times over the weekend. I added it to my Spotify list, I didn’t think Jethro Tull would be my schtick. I guess it is.

Arguably their finest album with “Thick As A Brick” being the other candidate. Loved returning to this decade and listening once more in its’ entirety.

This album is great

Why have I never listened to this in full before. Completely brilliant

Old favorite!

Legendary

Still good

Very nice flute use

Love it all, less towards the end tho.

Top track: Aqualung / Mother Goose Prog folk at it's finest.

Know II too much!

One of my all time favorites. I can listen to this album from start to finish every day of the week and not grow tired of it.

An absolute rollercoaster or an album which I still enjoy from start to finish this day. Brilliant

Really good.

A compositionally well developed album. This one is for your collection.

This is great. Show some love and maturity to this album. 5/5

This is really something special. I have often seen Jethro Tull derided for their use of flute and I am sure those same people have not heard this album. My God genuinely blew my mind, I really thought I would come away from this album thinking 'that was good, but I already knew the best song on this album' but I was wrong. The title track is probably the least representative song of this album's sound ironically enough. No skips, two amazing sides that combine hard rock and folk creates a unique sound that sounds like Ian Anderson time-travelled back to Stonehenge days and got in the neolithic music studio with a bunch of druids and they created Aqualung. Pay no mind to all the references to Christianity and homelessness, the druids simply had clairvoyance. Also, it's a crime that Thick As A Brick isn't on this list. Highlights: Aqualung, Cheap Day Return, My God, Locomotive Breath

Classic rock. Doesn’t get better than this with complex but catchy arrangements.

LOVED! Flute, wood instruments. Let's go

Simply superb. Been wanting to listen for ages and was not disappointed.

One of my favorites by one of my favorites. Such a great guitar sound, the electric and accoustic, and yeah, that flute (most of it played on one leg, in concert anyway). If you enjoyed this, brew a big pot of tea and put on Thick as a Brick.

Sitting on a park bench

Perfect. No better way to start my day. Fantastic flute.

my favorite [fl]autist

Sitting on the TOILET

Something something dead duck

as a kid, I basically jammed to the title track and that was it. bored by the rest. but now I feel the opposite? aqualung feels like it's just for the masses and I found myself enthralled by the mad soulful flute and the gasping breaths in between notes during intense solos. amazing orchestration all throughout the previously "boring" middle of the album.

More bangers than I expected.

Incroyable album des belles années de Tull. Tout de ce qu'on peut aimer de la musique dans un album légendaire : son unique, plume habile, et mélodies qui accrochent. Thick as a brick est toujours favori, mais si on le compare au reste de la musique de la liste, 5/5 est assuré. Un bonheur à réécouter

(90/100)

FLUTE SOLO

Tull the best

I really enjoyed this. The flute went hard as fuck, the piano went hard as fuck, and the guitar went hard as fuck. Surprised I had never heard of these guys before. Locomotive breath was definitely my favorite on the album. Would definitely summon a hoard of goblins and ghouls to these tunes.

Tremendous flute work.

Hobbit Rock made by actual hobbits.

I was introduced to Jethro Tull through album by my older brother when I was still a young teenager in the Mid70s. Jethrol Tull has been a constant in my life ever since, one of those bands for which I have acquired every track ever released. Not all are classics like Aqualung but I love them each in their unique way. I probably could have rated this album without listening because I know every word and every note by heart— but I listened anyway, twice, because there’s never a good reason not to.

Holy peak. Maybe I’m just a sucker for prog.

I had never even heard of the band’s name before! I read on Wikipedia that they’re known for bringing the flute into rock, and indeed, the interplay of flute and electric guitar on Cross-Eyed Mary, Up To Me, and My God is really cool. Experimental sounds can sometimes feel overcomplicated or hard to grasp, but this album also has a straightforward kind of coolness that I really enjoy. Some tracks even gave me a Led Zeppelin-like vibe, which I loved. I wish I could have seen them live!

Absolute classic. Their second best album next to Thick As A Brick in my opinion. Excellent bangers anchored by the trifecta that are the title track, Cross-Eyed Mary, and Locomotive Breath. Actually, depending on my mood, I would say this is Jethro Tull's best album, but TAAB speaks more truth to me. Let's just call it a tie.

4/5

I remembered the hits from this album, which I have owned in multiple formats, but I'd forgotten all the little gems. The unique use of the flute, the variety and nuance make this a flute.

pre-80s brit rock gets me every time

An inovator, rocked to a different drum, cult followed, and still active on the rock genre. Also known for his very long instrumentals.

If you know you know. If you don’t you’ll never get it. One of the top albums of all time from the album era.

An extremely pleasant listen. I don’t think I had ever listened to this album, though I know it.

Rating: 4.6/5 Short Review: A prog-folk fever dream where the hobbits start questioning the church and the riffs are biblical. Favorite Track: “My God” – it sounds like a priest and a warlock got in a bar fight, and someone recorded the sermon.

This has got all the little bits of silliness that get the Tull in trouble - ie Ian Anderson extending vowels into multiple syllables like a weirdo, a little indulgence etc. But they groove, and they rock. Bass lines are tight. Drum lines are tight. Every transition and return in aqualung is thrilling and its all about some dirty old homeless man with a COPD exacerbation. Locomotive breath goes hard. The flute's cool as shit as a rock instrument. "The flowers bloom like madness in the spring" is a great line where you aren't sure what it means, but it sounds cool as hell. Don't you start away uneasy.

She woodwind on my instrument till I prog

rockende gitaren met een fluitende flamingo overgoten met saus nostalgie.. topplaat!

5/5

Probably my 100th listen. Every song is fantastic- even the interludes! Ian Anderson remains one of my favorite musicians of all time and this is my favorite project of his.

Ould be one of those rare albums with every song being good.

lol, fucking flute rock. Honestly, I'm listening to Jethro Tull for the first time in my life, and I'm so glad this project pointed me to Aqualung. This record is goofy as hell, and I can't stop giggling. It sounds like a bunch of renaissance faire musicians playing at a LARP convention, and occasionally somebody drops some tasty guitar licks into the mix, all while Tumnus the Fawn dances around the whole thing with his pan flute. I'm actually pretty sure this record was a reference point for all of Tenacious D's work. Be that as it may, Aqualung is a joy to listen to. It seems like Jethro Tull was having fun on this one. I really wasn't expecting much out of this record, but I'm so happy to be wrong. 5/5

I've had this album in my collection for a long time, and I love it, so no notes are necessary.

Rock flute? Deep poetry? Snot running down his nose? I'm in.

The flute is rad as hell. Between Aqualung, Up To Me, My God, Hymn 43 and Locomotive Breath, this album is full of bangers.

Sick flute solos

Been listening to this one for what feels like forever

I've mostly listened to Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play over the last decade, but this was the album that I used to play a lot my Senior Year of High School, and I'm sitting here wondering why it's been so long since I've really played it. "My God" and "Hymn 43" are amazing still... maybe even better than I remember them.

This is one of the best albums ever created!! So original both musically and lyrical content. Ian Anderson is a genius and in his eccentrically bizarre stories makes a social statement for the ages. His flute playing is iconic and inventive. This is a must LP for your rock collection. Is it prog rock or is it so original it belongs on a shelf of it's own.

This album alone should have this band in the R&R Hall of Fame.

I'd never heard Jethro Tull before but this is fantastic! It's catchy, it rocks, there's lots of emotion, it's interesting to listen to and most of all it's fun. The songs have complex structures and sound very theatrical. The flute parts match really well with the acoustic guitar too. The title track is 10/10, and I also really enjoyed the simple but extremely catchy Mother Goose. Just about every track is great though.

This album is prog rock at its finest. Each song is complex and the lyrics are dense

I got super excited when it came to listening to Jethro Tull! I have enjoyed listening to them in the past. Anyone who hates on the flute or says it isn’t rock & roll can eat my butt. I’m biased, but I think the flute elevates the music and gives it such a unique color and sound!! Flute IS rock and roll!!

Great album! Always one of my dad's favorites as well. The sound is great, there are highs and lows that transition rather nicely. The style is one of a kind and shows that Hard Rock can be super versitile.

I fucking love wood instruments

I hate myself for not listening to this earlier. Who knew that intentionally avoiding certain things just because your parents enjoy it, in some sort of act of rebellion, would deprive you of some great stuff. Really makes me want to pick up the flute again tbh. Also I made a mistake of looking at the reviews (never doing that again) - damn some people are so vehemently opposed to the idea of the flute and act like the instrument composition of rock bands was ordained as immutable, and any addition is heresy. cowards. whimsiless mfs. Easy 9/10 Favorites: Locomotive Breath, Hymn 43, Mother Goose, Wond'ring Aloud, Cross-Eyed Mary

Absolut classic

Phenomenal Flute work

Fantastic album

Yes, this album definitely had to be on the list. I don't even need to listen to it to be able to judge it. I've been listening to it over and over again since my youth. At first, it was just the song Lokomotive Breath that regularly created a good atmosphere at parties. Later, however, I also became aware of the quality of the other songs. 5/5

Mindblowing, and unmatched in its creativity

I can see why people took this and went overboard with the unnecessary stuff, but Jethro Tull strikes a perfect balance here. I can see why people hate the ren faire stuff, but frankly that is pretty minimal in this one. It still has the edge it needs. And btw, flute >> synth.

One of my all time favorites. I have fond memories of my personal discovery of them when I was younger after I had exhausted Ozzie, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Stones, and Led Zeppelin. I know Jethro Tull is a huge band, but I feel like they (and by they I mean Ian Anderson) flies under the radar a bit. I really enjoy the tempo changes, changes in composition between and within songs, and the creative lyrics.

Badass guitar work, wild lyrics that combine filth with religious imagery, and some cool flute to boot. I love this record.

More music needs flutes, I bloody loved this it's an instant 5 from me and is likely my next purchase

Very nice! Loved this album.

Very nice

So... I'm getting my morning started, look at the title of the album, and the artist. I then think "What the hell? Who the hell?". Then, the opening riff of the opening track begins, and a lightbulb goes off in my head; "I know this song! I love this song!". Then, a series of disgusting lyrics, sick guitar riffs, catchy beats, and some top-tier flute play continue. Funny song titles scroll by. 1970s Rock blazes on. Another song I knew but didn't know-"Locomotive Breath"-played. How has it taken me my entire life to know about this album that has now rocked my world? (P.S. We need more flute). Favorite Track: "Locomotive Breath".

I knew the songs Aqualung and Locomotive Breath very well. I always thought they were great, but wasn't sure if the rest of the album could hold up. Turns out I actually also knew Cross Eyed Mary and Hymn 43. Both great songs. So I already knew and liked a 1/3 of the album coming in. The other 2/3 don't have the same power, but they fit in perfectly. In total this album absolutely slays. It's got all of the top tier hard rock elements of the early 70s. Then it adds truly unique elements like the psychotic flute playing, monkey noises, and wild character development. Absolute classic.

This one's an all timer. But my objectivity is out the window, my uncle gave me and my brother this record when we were kids and I've been a Tull fan ever since. This is probably their best overall and I've listened to everything up to Heavy Horses pretty extensively. Progressive folk rock at it's finest. Every song on this is album is just exactly perfect.

This definitely isn't bias (okay, maybe a little), but this is a great album.

Another ultra-classic addition to the monster of a year that was 1971. Sounds like a softer version of Black Sabbath, particularly with the singing. The title/opening track is a solid prog-folk number, featuring plenty of different instruments played near-flawlessly. Great riff, though it really only appears at the start and end. The piano and bass are highlights, and the latter really stands out during the guitar solo at the song's halfway point. Drum fills in the outro are solid too. The percussion sound throughout the album is very reminiscent of its time (or even late 60s), rather than the crash-heavy stadium drum sound that would come to define the 70s. It's such a feelgood atmosphere that you can't help but vibe along, even if it's not really "dancing"/radio music. (Not yet, anyway.) Cross-Eyed Mary has an excellent riff and a biting, groovy feel. Interesting combo with the flute but I think it works. And even though I'm not one for lyrics, it's hard to miss references to the previous track. This is a religion-based concept album whether you like it or not. I like it. By the time we get to the song Mother Goose, it's clear they're committing to this folk-tale-rock feel that I loved so much back in King Crimson's debut record. There are a few interlude tracks mixed in with the 5-plus minute ones, and while they're not perfect, they're (musically) leagues ahead of any hip-hop interlude you could dream of. My God is a solid start to side 2, though I feel there should be more than just the one somewhat undeveloped riff carrying us through the whole 7 minutes, as nifty and spy-movie-esque it is. The following song, though... man, it's so good. Hymn 43 is just about perfection when placed after My God, with its brisk pace, variety of guitar lick hooks, a prominent and skilful piano part, a groovy, bluesy feel... It's probably the most radio-friendly track on here. And of course it manages to sneak in Jethro Tull's signature flute. The last two songs are just as solid, the final one having a similar progressive rock feel to the opener. All in all, a very human, passionate take on folk/prog rock. These guys are pretty good. 5/5 Key tracks: Cross-Eyed Mary, Up to Me, Hymn 43

Excelente álbum. Ya había escuchado Aqualing varias veces antes de encontrarlo en esta lista. Me encanta la cantidad de ambientes que genera, y a pesar de ser un rock progresivo en el que varias canciones tienen muchas partes, nunca se hace tedioso de escuchar. El estilo folk medieval y el uso de la flauta están integrados perfectamente al del rock. Las cortas baladas melancólicas que se intercalan entre los temas más rockeros son preciosas y hacen a una mejor y más variada experiencia de escucha. Un álbum icónico e históricamente relevante por parte de Jethro Tull

Feeling like a dead duck

(Insert Aqualung Guitar Riff Here). This album is awesome! Probably Jethro Tull’s most remembered album besides their even Proggier Thick As A Brick, this album really is a staple of Prog Rock. The songs on this album all feel very cohesive, like they were all meant to be on the album, and it doesn’t feel like you could remove any of them. Ian Anderson is definitely one of the great prog rock singer, and it shows on this album. He can go from soft and melodic to grizzled and percussive with the flip of a switch. He’s also regarded as one of, if not the only, greatest rock flute player of all time. His flute parts in songs like My God is an impressive feat, and his acoustic guitar playing on songs like Wond’ring Aloud is also great. Martin Barre is also another stand out musician on the album, from his iconic riff on the song Aqualung, to his acoustic solo on My God, he really brings the power behind a lot of the album. Jeff Hammond, John Evan, and Clive Bunker round out the band on bass, piano, and drums respectively, and all of their parts on the album are a great foundation for the band to work off of. Throw on some amazing lyrics ranging from schoolgirl prostitutes to the manipulation of religion, and you have the recipe for a classic progressive rock album.

How do I even start. Aqualung is such an important album to me personally. One of my grandfather's favorite albums, I heard this all the time in the background growing up. It wasn't until I was closer to 18 that I actually sat down and listened through more than just the title track. It blew me away the first time, and continues to with each listen. Despite the opener being driven by distorted electric guitar, the majority of this album utilizes acoustic guitar over a Les Paul. A lot of the tracks, like Wond'ring Aloud and Slipstream, are quiet and reflective interludes that last but a minute or two. To fill in the cracks an acoustic typically leaves, there's piano and an orchestral accompaniment to most tracks; along with the trademark Jethro Tull flute runs. That isn't to say the album is bereft of rocking songs. Up To Me and Locomotive Breath are both driving songs; but in my mind, nothing compares to the side 2 opener, My God. A 7 minute long epic building from a simple acoustic into to an electric explosion, leading to a choral and flute driven middle section that releases a guitar solo for the ages, and a responding flute solo to finish out the track. The overarching lyrical theme specifically of the separation of God and religion is a big reason to why I love this album so much. A lesson I think all humans, throughout history, ought to learn. It's so formative to me as a person, but I think it merits a listening from every person, much like people say about Dark Side of the Moon.

One of the best albums from the 70s, incredible guitar passages, great composition, and pan flute!

That flute solo are freaking kidding so rad

The range. The piccolo. This has been one of my favorite albums since the moment I heard it when I was 12.

Someone called Aqualung music for Hobbits, and to me it's like RenFaire music. Yeah, I can totally imagine listening to this album in the Shire. No one plays the flute like Ian Anderson, and I can't think of any other group's music that sounds like Jethro Tull. Like taking a trip to a far-off land. Five stars.

I always figured no one else uses rock flute because it's a crap idea. Turns out it's because it's already been perfected on this album.

To jest chyba moje największe dotychczasowe zaskoczenie. Bałam się, że wszystkie 5 gwiazdek polecą do artystów, których już znam, a tu proszę. Rock grany pełną piersią z instrumentami, które są odważne i nie zamykają się w gitarze i bębnach. Wokal trochę teatralny, trochę country. Obrazowe teksty. Jakaś nostalgia i poetyckość. I flety! Wszystko co kocham w jednym. 9/10

Progressive rock album that’s awesome the whole way through. Not many rock bands have a flautist, you know.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 honestly cannot believe I haven’t heard this album yet. And who knew a flute solo could rock so hard! Such an important and gentle commentary on religion’s place in society - and more relevant today than ever. Perfect album.

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

My brother had this 8 track. It creeped me out

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

I love Locomotive Breath in particular, it's a jam. Rock with flute doesn't work for some people, but it works for me!

liked songs: most of them Very very good. I knew I liked the song Aqualung, but the whole album is fun. This also sounds excellent for something recorded over 50 years ago. 4.5

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?

This is a bit all over the place, but in a good way. It starts with an epic song, somewhere between hard and prog rock. It has some simple/nice folk songs (with Anderson's voice weirdly making me think of Ben Harper). There's the flute, everywhere. Flutes are underrated. This weird assembly of genres is still working, decades later, and their music is still pretty exciting.

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.

SITTING ON A PAHK BENCH

This album holds lots of memories for me. I do love it from start to finish.

Bon, je vais digresser. Depuis que je suis petit, je joue de la flûte traversière et de la batterie, et à chaque fois que quelqu'un apprenait ça, on me répondait à peu près "tiens c'est original, tu connais Jethro Tull ?". Résultat, ça m'a plus fait chier qu'autre chose, et à chaque fois que je l'entendais j'avais de moins en moins envie d'aller écouter. Depuis j'ai eu cette curiosité. J'ai pu découvrir à quel point Ian Anderson est fascinant, tant dans sa manière de jouer que dans son attitude sur scène, et évidemment dans ses chansons. J'ai eu l'occasion de le voir en concert, et malgré sa santé c'était l'une des performances les plus impressionnantes que j'ai pu voir. Résultat : j'ai maintenant un porte-clé Jethro Tull en permanence accroché à mon étui de flûte. Pour ce qui est de l'album, je ne l'avais jamais écouté en entier, même si je connaissais quelques chansons (évidemment Aqualung et Locomotive Breath). Et je le trouve génial.

I love this album.

I'll never skip a Jethro Tull song.

Love this one, although I'm only starting to get into it lately. Have loved the title track for a long time. It's got some great other tracks as well, like Mother Goose, My God, and Locomotive Breath. Wind-Up ties it all together nicely as well. I think this is a bit unique as prog goes, with some more traditional rock songs, and obviously the very prominent flute!

Yeah this rocked. I only knew a few of the songs before but enjoyed this all even if it is a little too self serious. The flute sound is a fun one and that extended solo on “My God” was great.

I never heard this until 1977 and it CHANGED MY LIFE, perhaps not for the best. First live concert I went to see. I could write a chapter in my memoir about their influence on me. 5 stars

An excellent example of psychedelic music transforming into progressive rock.

One of my favorite albums. A masterpiece, lyrically and musically, a "perfect album". Not one bad song

Love it

this is my favorite so far

I think this album is the first time I’ve really enjoyed a Prog album. I’m not sure what changed, but something about the way the instruments come together, and overall melodies really hooked me. I was listening while getting some chores done, so I think this one deserves another listen at a time when I can really focus on the music.

The album starts with a one-two punch of classics. First the title song - that opening riff is iconic and the song is so powerful. Then Cross-Eyed Mary is also a classic, but the lyrics are seriously messed up. In fact, Ian Anderson is entirely too comfortable with singing about "school girls" (see also Mother Goose). Regardless, he was a cool riff writing machine on this album (Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Up To Me, My God, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath) and is one of the few people on earth who truly rocks on flute (check out the solo in My God. So good). The acoustic tracks are nice as well. Probably the only "miss" on the album is the final track, Wind-Up, which just sounds kind of cliche (both music and lyrics). But, overall a great album, with some outstanding musicianship (Martin Barre kills it on guitar, and John Evan's piano intro to Locomotive Breath is fantastic). Favorite tracks: Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary (despite the lyrics), Up to Me, My God, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath (in other words, all the songs with awesome riffs).

Thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end.

What a cool album. It’s described as folk rock but it’s so much more interesting than that. Black Sabbath released their debut a year prior to this and I can definitely hear some Sabbath influence here, especially on the title track and My God. There’s a dash of prog worked into the mix too to keep things weird too. Who knew heavy riffs and flute solos work so well together. My God is such a fascinating track, how had I not ventured upon this one before, straight shredding and heaviness. Jethro Tull had already won me well over by this point and then they follow up with Hymn 43. I’m always down for a well done jab on religion and man, this jab is delivered with precision and wit; "Oh father high in heaven -- smile down upon your son whose busy with his money games -- his women and his gun." Locomotive slows things down a bit and demonstrates their ability on keys before finishing strong with Wind-Up. I’ll definitely be returning to this. My bad Jethro for letting you slip under my radar this long. 5 stars

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.