Reviews (page 7 of 14)
I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. I remember listening to my dad's copy when I was a kid and my memory was of silly, self-important, bloated classic rock, but it is really solid all the way through.
Excellent album, but if I’m being honest not one I’d listen to frequently. Locomotive breath and Mother Goose are favorites
Jethro tull making the flute rock n roll thanks Jethro tull
A wonderful smattering of blues, rock, jazz and prog! The musicianship on this album, like most albums produced in the 70s is top notch. The composition is thoughtful and there's a lot of interesting play between the guitar solos and flute solos. A true classic. Standout tracks: Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath
Abgefuckte Lyrics, aber krass geiler Klang
It's a battle of highs and lows. To call it a complete concept album stes it up for failure. To say that is sucks undermines the awesomeness that rears it's head on many of the tracks. Yes the flute belongs. Yes, some tracks sound like they are trying to be the best band in a medival tavern. No, it's not perfect. But undoubtedly this album shows a band willing to try. And even when it doesn't work out there are moments of pure rock brilliance (sometimes in the same 60 seconds - see "my god" but hey I guess that's prog for ya). I like the album. Not for it's entirety but for every moment I go back and turn the volume all the way up for. There are more than a few of those moments.
Not as good as thick as a brick but still, one of my favourite prog albums.
Easy listening prog. Side 2 stands out. 4 stars.
Amazing performances on this album. The flute work ranges from beautiful to beautifully erratic. Classic. *Heard Before
It's good. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 7. So on here, that would be 3.5. I feel like if I'm going based on historical value and influence, I should round up because this was advanced for its time (1971). But I'm having trouble placing this with other 4 star albums. Ultimately, I feel that I need to use both my head and (h)ear(t) and round this up, even though I don't like that sound alone enough for 4 stars. Once you include the historical aspect, this does belong on the 1001 albums list.
Rating: 8/10 Great album, nice mix of rock and folk. Really enjoyed the flute solos, sometimes it was overboard though. There's a certain cheesiness to this album that doesn't always land for me, so I can't rate it higher than this. When it works though, it's fantastic. Favorite songs: Aqualung, Crossed-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath. Worst song: Hymn 43, a bit lackluster compared to the other tracks.
The jazz flute is legit af
Classic!
My mind was a little scattered while listening, and I couldn't get through the whole thing. My fault, not the album's. I did enjoy the first half or so a good amount. The flute adds a nice bit of fantastical whimsy. Will try to listen again soon ... maybe.
As faixas mais Bardcore são mais legais.
Helt sig selv: folk, prog-rock med heav riffs. Og fløjte. Fortjener nogle genlyt. Måske LP potentiale?
I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would upon initial listen. Full of character and soul, great flute solos, lyrics were good as well.
much better than I remember, several great songs with edgy guitar sound.
Fun songs, and while it seems like the album is known for questioning christianity, the songs doing so were not my favourite.
Kende dit niet erg solide rock album
Enjoyed side two the best. Favorite songs: My God, Hymn 43, Lick your Fingers Clean and Locomotive Breath
Was a monster LP when I started college, dorm life, in 1971.
Jethro Tull is great. This album will always be great. Didn't listen, though.
Muy buenas canciones! Rock variado ,y hasta experimental
Loved it! Ian Anderson’s becomes grating after a while but he more than makes up for it with his song writing and mastery of the flute. The title track is still awesome 50 years later
For whatever reason, I've never paid too much attention to this group, but I've always been interested in this album. It's much folkier than I thought it would be with some shorter, more compact songs and the harder elements giving off near glam rock vibes. Similar to Gentle Giant in places. Not an immediate go to for me for this type of music but this was an enjoyable listen. It's a little odd to me how Aqualung (the song) became so entwined with heavy classic rock radio rotation. It seem to get lumped in with more AOR "dad rock" material, but I think people forget just how weird it is.
Pretty good. I liked most songs
fina jethro tull
Wow, is this album ever spectacular! Love the instrumentation. The overall vibe is great too.
Depends on how much you luke the flute i guess. Inventive melodic folk prog rock. Very livabke
Very cool - my first exposure! Loved the renaissance fair vibes.
Solid album, saved a few songs. Enjoyable listen 7/10
Idk how I feel about it
Love that flute
Essential Tracks: Aqualung Up to Me My God
A great prog album
Aqualung starts a little odd but near the three minute mark I start to really enjoy the soft rock. Cross-eyed Mary is pretty sweet sounding. The lyrics are still pretty weird and creepy but, the album is following a story and I appreciate that. Cheap day return was short and folky. Mother goose feels very folk music-esque. It is kind of an old renaissance fair kinda vibe. Wond’ring aloud was short and honestly kind of forgettable. Up to me started with a nice guitar and transitioned into a kind of funky flute thing. This is probably my favorite song of the album so far. My god starts pretty slow with singing and a quiet guitar but then transitioned into some pretty killer electric which I thought was pretty sweet. Hymn 43 was super bluesy and had a lot of strong electric guitar runs with perfect drum fills, this is one of the best songs off of this album. slipstream came and went, nothing memorable. Locomotive breathe was really cool, I loved the subtle piano in the background. Wind up started a little underwhelming but then it picked up and caught me by surprise. Lick your fingers clean was pretty cool and you could here the classic rock in this one especially. There is a second version of wind-up which is slightly different, sounds recorded from about aa mile away. finally, Ian Andersons interview (the final track) explains how the album came to be and the recording of the studio in which they shared a studio with led zeppelin. Overall this album was good but I feel like it wasn't mostly something that I would listen to on my own very frequently. 6.4/10.
I was excited to listen to this for the first time. It's a name and a cover that seemed to be etched in the back of my mind, always out of reach of enough of a memory to actually check it out. When I saw there was a recent Steven Wilson master of it, well that was just icing on the cake, and I listened to that one. My first listen was a let down. The Intro to Aqualung sounded familiar, but not the rest. “This is just noise,” I thought. But, there were a few moments that were brilliant. I went back and listened the next day, and clearly something shifted, because that was a much different experience. The instrumentation is fascinating, particularly in Mother Goose where it sounds like what, “progressive folk” music might have sounded like in the 14 Century. Also, the vocalist in it sounds like her could be a influence for Jack Black: I could hear Tenacious D playing this in my mind. Favorite tracks include this one, Cross-eyed Mary, and Up to Me, but the entire album is growing on me to the point that I've moved from a 2 to a four, because I'm certainly going to listen to this much more.
Well, what do you know, I liked this waaayyy more than I thought I would. So much better than ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ which I had a couple of days ago. Pleasantly surprised. I don’t get everyone hating on the flute. It works well with this type of music
Proggy
Enjoyed more than I was expecting especially the mixture of flute and orchestral instruments
I love this cover
Funky!
It’s very Spinal Tap, but Spinal Tap is good. I was actually pleasantly surprised - i thought it was going to be a classic rock slog with a flute - but the flute was a good thing. Fun record.
It was good, not to write home about
Have known and loved Aqualung and Locomotive Breath for years. When I heard Cross-Eyed Mary, I realized I also knew that song from the radio. It’s a very solid album but definitely propped up by about 4 songs, with Hymn 43 being the other standout song in my opinion.
I’ve floated all around contemporaries of Jethro Tull my entire life but never really gave them a shot, and now at last I hear what I’ve been missing. My loss entirely. I like the way the legendary guitar solo in the title track sneaks up on you - as if Aqualung himself is creeping out of the hedges to ask for bus fare lol. But for my money, My God is the best track here. On an album that puts so much instrumental virtuosity on display at all stations, that FLUTE SOLO (am I really typing this?) slings absolute pure lightning! Upon first pass it requires an immediate rewind/crank the volume/stop whatever it is you are doing and just soak in it. Thoughtful, meticulous, undeniable craft and musicianship on every track. It makes me wonder what needs to change in music today for a younger crowd to discover and appreciate something like this. The playing is so clean throughout. Songs have form and depth - it’s wonderful hearing an actual bridge. I’ve seen some reviews labeling the album prog rock but I disagree. The album isn’t prog the same way 2112 isn’t prog - a few related tracks doesn’t make the album prog and only encourages strained, unintended associations. Don’t believe me? Skim through songmeanings.com for a laugh. But also don’t get me wrong - I adore prog rock. Still, I’m glad this was my first foray into Jethro Tull instead of TAAB. Given what I’ve read about that album as a parody of prog, I’m not sure I could give it a serious listen.
Jethro Tull, een naam die is wel eens voorbij hoor komen, maar waar ik geen nummer van ken. 65 minuten Psychedelische Rock kan interessant zijn, maar mijn verwachtingen zijn niet heel hoog. Ik ga tot nu toe (4 nummers), echt heel goed op het folk sfeertje van dit album. Het rijkelijk gebruik van de dwarsfluit stelt me ook zeer gelukkig Inmiddels 7 nummers diep en My God, wat dwarsfluitfestijn is dit zeg, loev it! Oh god, er zit een interview van 15 minuten aan het einde? Laat maar zitten hoor Favorieten: Cross-Eyed Mary, My God, Locomotive Breath
Had Wayne’s World sought another song (other than “Bohemian Rhapsody”), “Aqualung” would’ve been a good candidate, and largely for the same reasons (the combination of an easily mocked over-seriousness and a legitimately infectious hook). The prog rock categorization feels not wholly accurate – yes, it’s arty in conception and ambitious in instrumentation (does the flute alone make it prog?), but it feels folkier generally, and is far more understated and certainly more comprehensible than most of that long lamented genre. (Strong recommendation on Dave Weigel’s recent book). The lyrics may be novelistic, but they’re also dreary and disheartening. Anderson’s a decent singer with a memorable voice, but annoying habit of inserting a sneering and sinister little chuckle. And easily the best rock and roll flutist one can think of (okay, the only one). Overall, this feels slightly underrated and certainly better than one remembers – richer and more various textures, quite capable playing and points for originality and uniqueness – but there is some guilt-by-association with prog rock, one supposes, and with dreaded ‘70s vibesiness, too. 3.6 > 4 rounding up with not insignificant misgivings.
Jethro Tull cultivated a distinctive late 60's sound that they twisted to their own through emotional songwriting and unique choices. One of the few popular musical acts to be in the last 60 years to use flute at all, and probably one of the best at it. Lots of songs I already knew and enjoyed and a great few I didn't to round out the album. Great listen!
Petition for more hard rock flute
Not quite as great as I remember it from back in the day but still a very good album.
I could see this growing on me with time. There's some solid tracks on here, and I like the little interludes throughout the album. There's other prog albums that I would listen to before this, but it's still good. My favourite song was Aqualung.
Really like this one actually, unique writing, interesting instruments, good vocals, etc. I think I’d buy this one.
good art... good.. Vimputtelu vämpyttelyssä jotain samaa kuin seuraavien vuosikymmenten pop musiikissa.. sitten kun kuuntelee enemmän tulee anteeksiantamattoman outoa ja kiitettävän itsevarmaa folk soitantaa.. Mutta ei koskaan liian itsevarmaa tai polulta hyppäävää.. Ei menty syvään päähän.. Näkyy arvioinnissa..
"Aqualung" is the fourth studio album by British rock band Jethro Tull. The album was more acoustic than previous albums incorporating folk, blues, pyschedelia and hard rock and heck, I'd say even a bit of baroque. Some critics labeled this as a concept album with a theme of the distinction between religion and God; the band denies any intention of a concept album, and in fact, went over-the-top concept album as a response on their next album "Thick as a Brick." The album was produced by Terry Ellis and bandleader, lead singer, acoustic guitarist and flautist Ian Anderson. Commercially, the album did well hitting #4 in the UK and #7 in the US and selling over seven million copies. That heavy guitar riff and an evil laugh open the first side named "Aqualung" with a song of the same name. The song slows down with acoustic huitar and piano and then goes back hard and back and forth. One of the most classic rock guitar riffs and a guitar solo that really sounds like Southern rock. It's about and based on a photograph of a homeless man near the Thames. A flute, recorder and piano intro begin "Cross-Eyed Mary." Some more classic rock guitar riffs. Anderson at his most evil vocals. This character sketch is about a schoolgirl prostitue who prefers her lecherous men than other school kids. Aqualung makes an appearance too. The band goes more traditional folk on "Mother Goose." Acoustic guitar, flutes, recorders. A happy song after the first three fairly dark songs. The main character is just walking around London and making observations. Whereas songs on the first side are about specific characters, the second side "My God" is more "big picture" with direct or indirect religious overtones. Anderson's vocals come in strong on the second single "Hymn 43." Electric guitar and piano. Glory seekers who use God's name as an excuse for scarier things. A jazzy piano intro which picks up kicks the first single "Locomotive Breath." Some more memorable guitar riffs with one trying to sound like a train. We get both guitar and flute solos. Yes!!! A comment on population growth. And no, that train is not slowing down. I admit to not really ever giving Jethro Tull a deep listen. I guess I was expecting a more boring prog album but no, this is not that and is quite good. I didn't hear any filler and liked the mix of rock, folk and even the baroque. There are just some classic guitar riffs and well deserved classic rock staples. An album everyone should check out and I will check out more Tull.
the guitar intro on cheap day return was beautiful, i wasn't expecting that kinda sound from this album.
Never listed to this album before. It was a wonderful wonderful surprise. Truly beautiful. The flute rips hard.
Just a solid rock album. Had me doing the stink face occasionally. You'd think the flute would be kind of prog-y pretentious, but man it hits so well in this album. Favorite tracks: "Aqualung", "Hymn 43", "Locomotive Breath"
Flutey
Rock progresivo.
Rock progresivo, folk. Un megahit. Un 4.
Klassiker
4/10, 40%
Found a new genre I like. Wind-Up is an instant classic.
Solid record. My God is bloated but I enjoyed the rest pretty well.
Rock progresivo, folk. Un megahit. Un 4.
Niezła fujara bracie
Decent listen, 'Aqualung' was a highlight and the rest of the album is a decent listen
Love this prog album. The album opens powerfully with 'Aqualung' and for the rest of the album, there aren't really any bad songs. 'Locomotive Breath' is one hell of a song, and other songs like 'Mother Goose' or 'My God' are still great along with the rest of the songs.
Flutes are sick
folk meets rock meets flute. commentary on religion and man’s relationship to it. solid album.
Feeling like a “Lord of the Rings” character after listening to this. Rate:3.5
This one brings me back to middle school and early high school where this album was played over and over. I haven’t heard it in a long time. Replayed Aqualung and Cross Eyed Mary twice. I’m sure Jethro Tull was the only rock band to feature a flute! I enjoyed this musical walk down memory lane.
I mean... By simply introducing a fuckin flute into the hard rock scene, they deserve the credit.
Classic album with some fantastic standout tracks. Jethro Tull have a fair few better albums overall though
Kool prog
If nothing else, Jethro Tull will always stand out as one of the most distinctive sounding groups. No one else sounds quite like them. Aqualung is easily the band's best, most accessible album, with a nice mix of prog and English folk-influenced rock. For me, the folk side of it can wear a little thin. But the band really shines when they lean more into their heavier rock sound. The lyricism is sharp with vivid imagery, although probably better understood if you read them. This was excellent, one of the great rock albums of the 70s. Fave Songs: Locomotive Breath, Hymn 43, Cross-Eyed Mary, Aqualung, Wind-Up
Pretty cool album honestly. I think this is one of those albums where they manage to turn the weirdness into something good, rather than letting it end up drawing the whole thing down. Perhaps I don't want to put it on immeditely after hearing it, but there are definitely some killer riffs in there, and I think it could become a quite strong album for me if I just gave it some more listenings. I'll give this one the benefit of the doubt and give it a weak 4. Plus points for standing out. The album art definitely gels well with the music on it somehow.
While I think that Aqualung and Locomotive Breath are rightfully the most famous tracks on this album, the rest were a good listen too. It manages to stay interesting and fun with lots of good riffs (and flute!!). Brownie points for being different from a lot of other album and with a good album cover too. Well worth a listen to see if this is your cup of tea.
4.5/5. This prog rock concept album is something else, the guitar work is exceptional.
Oh see this is the cool kind of classic rock. Every band member is doing really well here, including the flute. Vocals sound a little like a South Park character, which you can't unhear. The flute adds an almost Lord of the Rings vibe to a really solid rock album.
Chill
really good 4/5
Good album. I'd listened to it a lot a long time ago, and it's still good. I don't love it though. It gets a little long in the tooth. 3.5/5
Not a big Tull guy, but this is as good as they get and a classic rock staple for a reason. Some of the best interception between prog and folk there is outside of Gabriel-era Genesis, and a good time throughout. B+
Prog!
Oh no. Not aqua lung. ... Ok I enjoyed it.
pretty cool! kind of a range of genres
Great album! Enjoyable folk rock and interesting songs.
Can’t beat the 70’s
Sort of an odd duck with the religious allegory, flute and smatterings of prog. But it all comes together well.
PREFS : Aqualung, Cheap Day Return, Up to Me, My God, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath, Wind-Up MOINS PREF : Wond'ring Aloud
4.5 jævli bra tho intro sangen<3
Pretty solid album. The flute is refreshing and tastefully done, but the whole package just can’t be a five for me.
This album went kinda hard ngl. Reminded me of early Genesis
4/5
Surprisingly good, I honestly was shocked that it wasn't as Dad Rock as I expected.
3.5/5
Jethro Tull is definitely one of those bands that I'm expecting this project to familiarize me with. Slightly proggy flute rock, alright! Fave track - the title track is great. "My God" has some excellent flute jammin', and "Hymn 43" was good too!
Good old Jethro Tull
Including a flute in modern mainstream music? Jethro Tull did it before Lizzo.
brniwpdj
A classic prog rock album which is one of the finest in its era with lots of great, varied, musically well written songs. I love the flute so it's a plus that it's one of those prog rock albums on which this instrument is the main one. I'd give it a 4.5 of it, because it is not nearly as perfect as some other prog rock albums from around that time.
Charlie stole the handle!
Realy cool album, i particuparly enjoyed the guitars
Really dug this one. Cool early 70s rock, but that extra flair of the flute was another level. Loved the poetic lyrics and that the song structure explored, kept going places I didn't expect
A true classic. Love the guitar tone and great riffage throughout. Not a bad tune on the album. I forgot how good it is. 8.5/10
Aqualung is such a weird song. I listed to this album a lot in my teens.
Yeah, fan of this, hard hitting folk!
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..
Excelente.
Wow, this album rocked way more than I thought it would. I'll be checking this one out again.
J'aime la diversité d'instruments et la recherche musicale. Bien aimé, mais je reconnais que je n'écouterais pas ça tous les jours non plus, faut que ça nous tente.
No lo tenía pero es muy bueno
Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent. If that wasn't my anthem in 1971 I don't know what was. Another seminal album from the period best listened to while in a drug induced haze. Ian Anderson's flute transported us to another world.
No band sounds like Jethro Tull. It’s not just the flute, which definitely helps define their sound, but Anderson’s vocals and Barre’s guitar. I love this album. Great music and weird songs.
Really good album. I like the flutes, they add a dimension that's different. The album tells a story, and it's funny at times. Sounds like the 70s.
Probably the best applications of flute in a rocky setting. I enjoy the movement of the songs and strange vocals. I also understand this music isn't for everyone and can be a difficult listen.
Heel goed album, maar ik heb het idee dat dit er zo een is die je nog 10x moet luisteren voordat je hem pas echt op volle waarde kan schatten. Wellicht dat we dat nog eens gaan doen, maar tot die tijd 4 sterren.
Who knew prog-folk was a thing? Not me, until I heard this, although I wish I had! Title track is the most immediate, but plenty else to like as well. Probably one that would have had a 3 from the first listen, but I went round a couple more times and feel it earned that fourth star!
Not the best sounding of their albums but still a masterpiece of the prog era.
- Very cool very swag - Nerdier prog 4/5
Very enjoyable. Superb guitars
Ooooobviously aqualung kicks ass. This album is such a great story with such experimentation and sounds awesome
I was not very fond of the hit songs like Aqualung and Locomotive Breath. But I really enjoyed Wind-Up, Mother Goose and My God. Still one of the progressive rock legends.
My 100th album! Great. Had a deep, folky sound that struck me as very original for 70s rock. Some killer songs on here even if nothing is quite in the same league as the title track. A great record.
Very lively, very interesting, some great tunes
its really good. there's some lulls in the more soft acoustic parts, but when the prog hits it hits. hard.
Sick lyrics, cool as ice blues riffs and insane flutes solos are just some of the experimental and entertaining aspects of this project. Never heard of Jethro still until now and I’m definitely a fan, this thing fucking rocks and was a great listen throughout. That being said, some of the directions certain songs go didn’t seem to work for me, but when it works, it works perfectly. Besides “My God”, one of my favorites on the album, the middle section of the project does lack behind and prevents me enough from a 5. Very strong 4, an absolute essential listen
Overall a great vibe, no songs that were really questionable, no amazing songs but definitely a handful of solid ones
4/5. An awesome album with very intelligent lyrics about life, homelessness, religion, and purpose through a dirty lens of progressive rock. Some misses but mostly great stuff.
Enjoyed more than I thought. Great instrumentals Beautiful voice Some great driving riffs Needs another listen
This is my favorite of essential Jethro Tull albums. As usual, the band brings a sort of psychedelic and dreamy aspect to what people commonly associate with “bard music” with the flutes and percussion instruments. The content, lyrically and conceptually, is built off a two-faced medium. Aqualung and My God are two different concepts, one being about the character Aqualung and the other being about God. This record is a great introduction to Progressive Rock music, along with Stand Up as well as the famous Thick As A Brick. Ian Anderson is, as usual, the hardest working and most outstanding member. LISTEN ON VINYL! Spinning my copy now. 4.5/5.
Surprisingly really good
Estupendo disco de rock conceptual con algunos tramos un tanto psicodélicos, instrumentos como pianos y flautas, y una buena composición de melodías
Ovaj album imam na polici. Locomotive Breath je pjesma koja će me uvijek podsjetit na tatu jer je non stop znao tu pjesmu tražit da mu se pusti isto kao i Wish You Were Here od Floyda. Pa se onda može pretpostaviti zbog kog i znam za njih. Jako dobar - ritmički, progresivno i nekako srednjovjekovnog zvuka rock. Zaista dobar.
Wow, this is a very good album.... It rocks in a pretty standard way but the instruments OMG, the musicalities brought by flutes, pianos and many other I must not recognize really bring something GOOOD!!! DEFINITELY a 4/5!
The flute brings me into the music. Also the lyrics are something else, with all this God's theme.
Pretty groundbreaking stuff for 1971 that still holds up today. Dig the yazz flute 4/5.
Yummy
JETHRON JA HJALLIKSEN METKUILUT TAAS... huilunpuhaltaja ,, tulee nokka huilu ajat mieleen.... hyvää työtä tässä. vaikuttaa tylsältä OSITTAIN. MUTTA EI OLE.. kun kuuntelee .. pistää korvan lähelle.. musiikkia... sen jälkeen on selvä. hyvä album... paras biis my god.
The only thing that turns me off is the lead voice. It’s just not something I’m into. The music is awesome
You better know flautist Jethro Tull. He gonna toot toot all over your guitar and he gonna big yell and shout at you. Toot toot you mother fuckers. Toot toot. His voice rules biggly and the guitar lines have some pervy swill to them. Also, the guitar tones big time blast off and buzzsaw inside the heart. Dis album Thich as a Brich, bruv.
An absolute classic that blends acid folk, hard rock and heavy prog in a really cool way, but honestly, its songs tend to be kind of hit or miss. However the hit ones really hit HARD.
good use of flute. 4.
*Aqualung Jethro Tull* With this being my first randomly generated listen, it is definitely not what I expected. I absolutely love the guitar so far, especially some of the chorus parts in Aqualung. Trying to listen to the drums to gain a better understanding. "Much of this album was, in fact, inspired by frontman, lyricist and singer Ian Anderson’s then-wife Jenny Franks' photographs of the homeless along the Thames Embankment in central London." (Genius) I find this to be so cool especially since I'm into photography. It's almost like they're creating a story or theme song for her photo's which is extremely interesting. After listening to the entirety of the album I've gained a bigger interest in rock and have definitely gained an excitement to explore older music.
Classic Album with good tunes and flute
didn't want to listen to it, actually kind of liked it
È storia, dalla superlativa title track a "My God". Sarebbero 5 stelle, ma sono 4 solo perché esiste Thick as a Brick.
Homeless prog Music!
Outstanding album by an incredible band. It was in my LP collection as a teen and I remember seeing them play at the Worcester (MA) Centrum in the early/mid-80s. Such superb musicianship and interesting compositions. These tunes hooked me back then and still have me hooked to this day.
I like this album.
ikkje lika bra som thick as a brick, men fortsatt sjukt bra
Great tunes
Excellent album, pas une mauvaise chanson. Honnêtement près du score parfait.
4/3 drowned
I liked it more than I thought I would. Aqualung (the title track) is probably the best, and I dug the overall folk-rock slant. I've kind of dismissed Jethro Tull in the past I think I have a new appreciation.
A very nice album with a couple of standout moments (an in particular the brilliant Locomotive Breath). However, some parts also feel a bit uninspired and meandering. In particular, some of the more folk pieces don't work that well for me. Still, very good, just not quite enough for 5 stars.
I’ve heard of Jethro Tull before this, but never actually got around to listening to them. I liked the album. I haven’t heard a lot of older folky/rock music with flute in it, and I actually like it a lot. The flute solo followed by guitar solo in Cross-Eyed Mary was awesome! Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, and Locomotive Breath are some of my favorites from this one.
Good bit of folky-rock. Smells like hay bales and cider and cigarettes.
Eddie
Very interesting
Heard before: no Another one where my prejudices were proved wrong - all I knew about the band was: prog folk rock with flutes. This album was a blast - great tunes. Some meandered for a bit too long, but loved it overall.
Really enjoyed the three times I listened, great riffs, good singing, nice pedal measures
Folk rock, all over the place, shaggy and rambling, and I am mostly here for it. Flute/chanting bit took me by surprise though.
Solid classic rock album. Aqualung is top 10 classic songs of all time. Standouts: Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43. 4/5
some of this is really hard to listen to but that jazz flute is ON POINT
Aqualung is of course Jethro Tull's best-known album and is generally known and loved by rock fans (The titletrack and Locomotive Breath will still be heard anywhere, and you'll find them on rocklovers lists). It is indeed the best introductory album to Jethro Tull. However, as I've been told by many of Tull fans, this is probably not their best work. That honor goes to the more progressive Thick As a Brick. Still, Aqualung has enough highlights for a successful listen. The title track is magnificent and My God also remains Jethro Tull at their top.
Great
Yeah not bad. Liked the famous flute bits and pretty happy with it overall apart from that.
Jethro Tull albums generally follow the CCR Format, but also reinventing Led Zepplin. The title song is a timeless classic and there might be one other really catchy jam on here. (7/10) FT: Aqualung, Locomotive Breath , Bourée
cool medieval metal sounding album, with multiple songs spanning the same tale, definitely a great unique sound
pretty nice
I honestly saw the album cover and was like wtf is this shit - put it on while I cleaned my home - super groovy I really liked it
This was a pretty cool album. Even the songs I didn't like all that much would get bumped up a star or so when the riff (guitar and/or flute) kicked in. Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, even knowing I would like "Aqualung" and "Locomotive Breath".
tri
My grandad is always on and on about this band ( so I hope it’s good)… The album starts off with the title track, a fairly cool 6 minute multi parter, It starts with this fairly heavy bit where it kinda reminds me of black sabbath, then theres the slow section which is alright but not brilliant only to explode into this great pop track the kinda song I thought this band would make theres an instrumental that reverts into the slow second which while isn’t my favourite kinda glues all the songs sections. It ends full circle on the awesome black sabbath-y part. Amazing! Cross eyed Mary starts with a brilliant flute based intro really showing what this band can do, the main song itself is a great slow rocker with great lyrics. Cheap day return is a short and sweet interlude-y track providing a nice breather before… Mother goose is a very folk based track it’s not my favourite but it’s still good especially with the songs flute workings in it. Wond’ring Aloud is another short track not an interlude as such as it’s a bit too dynamic for that but it’s still good especially with the string work. Theres some laughing which brings on up to me it’s a decent track with a great groove to to it and good lyrics just slightly going under the quality of the first two songs. Side two starts off with the 7 minute long my god it’s intro is a great piece of acoustic picking which Segway’s into a great verse. The song fights with the original riff until it turns into quite a heavy track that eventually blends all of the sounds from this band the most interesting part is the flute solo backed with the ( na na na na na’s). Then the heaviness comes back for the last minute great! Then is the album’s first ( of two) singles hymn 43, despite its name it’s probably one of the heaviest songs on here acting as a true grand centrepiece to the whole album. Slipstream is another break-y interlude thing it’s good just not special. Then is the other single and penultimate track of the album, locomotive breath a piano led track at the start but then takes a complete left turn once the song hits and proves itself as a true rocker very entertaining! The album’s goodbye is in the form of wind up it starts off as a really beautiful acoustic track that slowly builds up what a closer. Wow really good… thanks grandad! —- But my minds changed so I had to re review—— Firstly I said it’s a 5 but I’m not sure. But I never re-listen to this thing honestly I don’t listen to much prog in my spare time and some songs on here are a bit boring. Here are the highlights: Aqualung especially for its intro and coda is really cool, the middle bit is cool too even if it does go on. Cross eyed Mary might be the best use of that all powerful Jethro Tull flute. Seriously for it’s time my god is a super bold song, it’s got this doomsday factor to it as if the great plagues are being summoned as the song plays. Hymn 43 is very danceable for its time a genuinely very cool, I like this comes after my god for the religious theming. But then you have the little ones cheap day return, wondering around, slipstream, these drag more than the multiple long tracks on here. I have sentimental value because my grandad who died two years ago really liked the band but I can’t give it a 5. It’s a 4
holy shit this album kicks ass. i seriously had no idea. the title track & most famous song might be the one of the worst ones on the album which is maybe why i've never listened to it. 'locomotive breath' made me google black sabbath's 'paranoid' album to see who was ripping off who (which really says something given this song features a bluesy piano solo and jazzy flute solo), but those albums came out within months of each other so probably no foul play there. looking forward to jason doing 'cross-eyed mary' at karaoke.
Great to revisit this album.
A fun album with some classic songs
The prog with flute kings rise to the top. An SCC prog album with room to build upon.
nice and good album
Amazing album. I just imagine Ron Burgundy rocking out with his Jazz Flute to this.
I like it, different sound, but the vocals remind me of the smiths/morrissey.
Wind-up é famosa
Good Album. Didn't love every song but it it wasn't horrible.
Enjoyed the experience of the album overall, however I did find my interest waning after the first couple of songs, however from mid-album found it picking up again. Some pretty sick flute solos scattered throughout, not something I've found in rock albums I've listened to in the past. It's a pretty good full-album experience, although I'm not sure if I'd find myself going back to listen to individual songs as a once-off in my regular music rotation.
While it makes no sense that they won an award for metal, this is a pretty rocking album.
Yep, good one, I liked it!
Þessi er alls ekki allra. Ég ólst upp við þetta og fíla vel.
Quite nice
Only the 70s could give us rock flute. And because its the 70s, it works. 4/5.
This was a surprise, I thought I hated these guys but it turns out I was wrong.
Cool one
O álbum é bão mas a capa é melhor
eles querem tanto ser o bruno maia 😭😭😭
Non male. Li avevo già sentiti in passato, non mi erano dispiaciuti ma non mi avevano mai preso troppo. Però lo stile mi piace molto.
Le había entrado a Jethro Tull hace muchos muchos años, cuando mi tío me dejó tomar prestados CDs y LPs de su colección y me puse a explorar que otras cosas tenía. En aquel entonces me gustaron muchas cosas: el tema de agregar flauta y piano "clásico" a rolas de rock, la voz de Ian y el sonido completo y "choncho" de las canciones con todas las partes que uno espera en una banda setentera. Ahora también me gustó aunque quizá una rayita menos. La voz ya no me sorprende tanto, la flauta la siento un poco como gimmick y las temáticas religiosas del disco ya me dieron flojera. Sin embargo, sigo sintiendo que tiene un gran sonido de banda setentera y que siguen teniendo grandes guitarras.
Listened all weekend.
Far from timeless. Guess it didn't start a wind instrument jn rock craze. Loved it back then. Enjoyed listening again.
One of my college roommates used to repeatedly tell the “story/history” of the song Locomotive Breath every time it came across our listening plane (which was often enough in 1985). He would say… “This song was written by a young/autistic/mentally-challenged/ street-person/asylum resident… who carried around a rag soaked in whatever bodily fluids he ‘happened to have coughed up’ that date. Use your imagination there. Reallly, it’s true!” Sorry Randy, not true, but you sure told a helluva a story. Good album with strong tracks and two all time classics. I Was leaning towards a five here, but rounding down out of respect for my old friends bullshit.
I actually really love the mix of 70's rock and sort of old-english folkyness that the band brings here. Was expecting to just enjoy the hits and the novelty of the flute, but I'd say it's all good stuff. A strong 4.5!
Jethro Tull are in full possession of their powers here, contrasts made sharper by Wilson's remastering work. Flute against distortion, folk song against the cynical humanism. Even the cover captures the muddiness of the temptation to misanthropy. I'm partial to the band's weirder output, but here they demonstrate the potential of short-but-full songs. Radio-ready, somehow: The best intro album to Jethro Tull.
Great album growing up as a young teenager…. My cousin played it all the time. Aqualung & Locomotive Breath my favorites.
Another banger for the week! I have a different Jethro Tull album on vinyl, not sure why I wouldn't have this one. It's funny that Jethro Tull is known for the flute contributions, and yet what's most memorable about any given song are the epic guitar riffs. Like the title track, when I think of "Aqualung" I hear that six-note riff. The flute is just an exquisite touch that elevates this a little bit above classic rock fare. Lots to love on this album, I think it's great. Favorite tracks: Aqualung, My God, Cross-Eyed Mary, Mother Goose, Locomotive Breath. Album art: Absolutely iconic. The evil hobo, looking like a fairy-tale troll rendition of Charles Manson. I've always enjoyed this one, I like to think he's about to pull a flute out of his coat and go nuts with it. 4/5
i think i liked it! giving 4 stars based on a strong first few trax.
This flute rocks hard! What a banger - folk tinged, retro sounding, full throated, hugely enjoyable. I love the lyrics alluding to some Victorian past. So much fun.
Un bin album de prog. 4.15
Muy buen álbum
I see a lot of people saying there’s too much flute. I felt the opposite. I didn’t really think they’re was that much flute. It was only very noticeable in a few songs and when it was used, it was tasteful. If that’s too much flute then I don’t know what to tell you. I like this album a lot more than I thought I would. Good melodies and highlights. Aqualung was a great way to start off the album. It was a solid album.
Oh hey, Aqualung. Maybe my favorite Jethro Tull album, good albeit corny (3.5/5)
Hi- Cross-Eyed Mary, My God, Locomotive Breath Raise your flutes to the sky! Jethro Tull has a story to tell (Actually 12 of them), so gather 'round for some prog-rock goodness with a heavy dose of flute-rock. The songwriting in every track is great, but the standouts are superb. Great album.
Loved my god
Good album. Has some really great tracks.
Really enjoyed it Some catchy songs I may have heard before?
Quite good
Nice album, enjoyed the uniqueness of the flute, combined with some "old sounding progressive/psycholedic" tunes. Also liked the singing voice of Ian
Prog, Proggy, Prog, Prog. Rather enjoyed it.
A surprusingly good full album. Had heard aqualung many times but the rest of the album carries it on well
Classic prog, but not too Genesis or Yes! Good riffs, voice and flute. I'm going to give it 4 because it is easily listenable.
I'm likely biased since I learned bass on these songs, but man is this album one of balance. It knows when to go for the proggy narrative lyricism but also when to let the rippers fly, when to dial it down to acoustics but also when to crank the dynamics to 10. The fact it maintans a sense of cohesion throughout is just the cherry on top
Aqualung is the fourth studio album by the British rock band Jethro Tull. Aqualung has widely been regarded as a concept album, featuring a central theme of "the distinction between religion and God".[4] The album's "dour musings on faith and religion" have marked it as "one of the most cerebral albums ever to reach millions of rock listeners".[5] Academic discussions of the nature of concept albums have frequently listed Aqualung amongst their number. The initial idea for the album was sparked by some photographs that Anderson's wife Jennie took of homeless people on the Thames Embankment. The appearance of one man in particular caught the interest of the couple, who together wrote the title song "Aqualung".[17] The first side of the LP, titled Aqualung, contains several character sketches, including the eponymous character of the title track, and the schoolgirl prostitute Cross-Eyed Mary, as well as two autobiographical tracks, including "Cheap Day Return", written by Anderson after a visit to his critically ill father.[18] The second side, titled My God, contains three tracks—"My God," "Hymn 43" and "Wind-Up"—that address religion in an introspective, and sometimes irreverent, manner.
Excellent album
первый реально хороший альбом
в последний раз слушал, наверное, лет в 17. тогда мне показался и лучше и хуже одновременно. лучше - потому что считал заглавную тему этаким качем, ну и типа риффак легендарный. хуже - потому что особо ничего с тех пор не запомнил. а вот сейчас, переслушав, ясно осознал, что первая тема вообще-то муть какая-то душная. по крайне мере первая часть и последняя части, в середине довольно приятный и мелодичный кусок. а вот вся эта хуйня с резкими сменами ритма и, будем честны, не особо-то интересным риффом, мне вообще разонравилась. вот уж реально выебон для выебона. плюс вокал очень паршиво обработан, при том что там в принципе вокалист середняковый такой. короче выписано из топов а вот в чем я был не прав - так это насчёт остальных песен, ибо они процентов на 70% - очень даже годнота. особенно зашли Cross-eyed Mary и Up to Me. ну и My God в зависимости от настроения может считаться либо самой гениальной либо самой смешной вещью, что я слышал. и то и другое в целом - хорошо. конечно, песни 2-3 из альбома стоило бы выкинуть - больно уж он длинный и однообразный, особенно под конец. но в целом все равно ровная тема, хован вроде одобряет. 8/10
I liked this more than I thought I would. 3.5 but I'll give it four stars.
surprised, better than expected
floot floot
Wow this is a really good album. I'm familiar with the title track, Cross Eyed Mary and Locomotive Breath but I thought the whole album was really good. 4 🌟
loved it
Title-track and Locomotive Breath are instant bangers. The albums works better in vinyl or cassette with each side representing either Aqualung or God lyrical themes respectively. They can rock hard and while the flute might annoy some, it is extremely well played by Mr. Anderson and remains a trademark of Jethro Tull.
Very interesting album. Had always heard of it but never got around to listening to it
So many classics within - I've never been a Tull "fan" per se, but it's hard to argue with this album. Ranging from straight rock to progressive with dashes of english folk in-between, enough interesting variety to make this a true classic album. Highlights include the epic title track of course, the heavy metal of "Cross Eyed Mary" (Iron Maiden did a cool cover of this in the 80s), and the bitter "Hymn 43" - even as one who doesn't always pay attention to the lyrics, I do love the cynicism and iconoclastic imagery throughout the album. Statement: we need more flute in modern music, dammit.
I had listened to Aqualung (the track) prior to this full Aqualung the LP listen and had wrote off Anderson’s vocal as being painfully theatrical. I must’ve been still reeling from Rush 💀. This is an easy listen for prog beginners, it’s filled with hard rocking groves throughout. It’s like medieval-ish without the pomp and pageantry of the Canterbury scene.
Love Jethro Tull. It must be something about standing on one leg and sticking your tongue out, because I also love Loudon Wainright III. Locomotive Breath is just brilliant and very easy to play (badly). Sam likes this album, having discovered it for himself.
Great stuff, hadn’t heard this before and really enjoyed it, Locomotive Breath & Wind-Up were favourites but great riffs all over the shop, will investigate further.
Querflöte und Gitarrenrock. gute Kombi.
Great!
I actually really really enjoyed this. Had heard of Jethro Tull but never listened to their music. This album was a real pleasant surprise
Dommage qu'ils soient moins bon que Bruce Springsteen et son tatouage tribal, un 4/5 bien mérité
Hadn't ever listened to this album despite knowing several tracks on it like the back of my hand. Was surprised at how overall high quality it was and really enjoyed it.
Wonderful
Very solid album, I'm surprised I haven't heard of the band before. I especially appreciate the flute, solid 4
i like this, but have heard some of the tunes so much I cant listen to them again!
Good. Except the interview at the end. Liked the prog rock/pan pipes vibe.
Much like Faces yesterday, this is a favourite of my dads. Personally I’m fonder of this than the Faces, the song Aqualung is rightfully a classic and everything else on here is a decent standard without getting close to that level.
Enjoyed this a lot by the end of it. Lots of fun bits in there, especially the Ron Burgandy style jazz flutes.
Can see why these guys are one of the originators of 🤘 It's a lot more acoustic than I was expecting although a few good heavy riffs here and there. Not totally my vibe, but influenced a lot of important bands that followed them. 7.5/10
Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Initially thought, another folk rock/progressive rock album for us to listen to, but it was really different.
Classic album, need to be in the mood.
Lots of interesting songs on here, I could see myself listening again. 8/10
Tough one. I'll give it a four just to separate it from some of the threes but probably not as good as some of the fours!
Of course the title track is a prog classic. I like the combination of longer grandiose pieces with the acoustic buck & change connectors. The thematic lyrics connect it all nicely. Very ambitious.
Played the crap out of this during my first year of college. Some interesting songwriting undermined by flat production values. Title track, 'Mother Goose' and 'Locomotive Breath' the standouts.
When i was 10 yrs old I heard the opening lines.. Sitting on a park bench Eyeing little girls with bad intent Snot's running down his nose Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.... and then with all those tempo changes and crazy instruments, I mean a flute??!!! I knew this was something special. This gets 4 stars because of four iconic songs, Aqualung, Cross eyed Mary and Locomotive Breath
Notable song and enjoyable listening separately. All together I struggle with the voice itself.
4* got really into it by the end, but struggled at the start
Classic prog rock. Lotta flutes. Fun stuff.
So some of these songs surprise me. There’s a harder sound, and then suddenly there’s something that sounds almost folky.
where else can you hear enchanting flute solos and sweet guitar solos in the same song?
Solid prog-folk. Mad Bingo vibes.
Only first and last songs are worth it, but they’re REALLY good
Hmm, Aqualung. Sort of an anthology about an individual, Aqualung, even though he isn't mentioned more than 1 or 2 times past the title track. I have this album on vinyl purely for the single, but I guess there's a little more for me there too.
Enjoyed it!
Nice warm classic rock, some cool bass and guitar licks. Production reminds me a lot of early Sabbath/Bowie. Little bit hippy and whimsical of the time. Road trippin music.
Very interesting and unique concept album. Versatile, well-written, and fully realized. Glad I found this!
Classic!
Classic
This is a 4.5 star album. Genuine classic rock, some really good stuff. I can't believe I hadn't ever heard of Jethro Tull before. The Title song on this album I had heard but barely, and I didn't have any context. Want to re-listen interview at the end of this album too since I didn't catch much while at work
This album is good
Prog Rockin
good album, i like their style!
The flute addition really gives this music such a unique vibe. The guitar work and musicianship is commendable, and I'm a big fan of Ian Anderson's voice. I'm between 4 and 5 stars right now.
Interesting
Surprised, pretty interesting concept album
3/26 Great, interesting rock album, lot of flute instrumentation mixed in and really well done. Standout Tracks: Aqualung, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, My God, Slipstream
The leap from barnstorming to conception had become the latest in a bevy of furious activity for the young rock and roll genre and Jethro Tull were one of the bands to take the change in stride. In fact, they'd lead the charge in the early to mid Seventies surge in the flourishing wave of prog rock. Aqualung, one of two of their most recognizable albums, plants its flag firmly in the soil with its starting riff and lets the flag fly freely. What followed was a litany of complex realizations and epiphanies that would soar past most heads if they didn't dig into the topic at hand while settled in. Such is the power of the human mind. Favorites: Aqualung, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Up to Me, My God, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath.
A 3 star album saved by the title track to 4 stars. Iconic guitar lick.
"Wond'ring Aloud" is a sweet love song that paints a picture od domestic bliss. Incredible riff in "Up to Me" - love the funky flute! I actually don't really like "Aqualung" at all, but there were other good songs here. Solid three.
1971 progressive rock, reminds me of ozzy Aqualung Hymn 43 Locomotive breath
Okej je, mogu ovaj zanr slusati nekad. Progresivni rok, hard rok i folk.
Mostly forgettable but enjoyable 70s rock
Flute Zeppelin or maybe even Flute Zabbath, who knows. Either way a surprisingly fun album, and I can fully understand the "concept album" debacle between the band and everyone else.
Good album. 70s prog rock that feels like a concept album; good guitar riffs throughout. Best track for my money is probably the title track, but everything else is decent as well.
7/10 but i'm rounding down because i'm not as nice
Liked this - have to say it was background music a lot of the time but was nicely surprised. Wasn’t brilliant but wasn’t bad either. 3.5
The flute makes it quite different. Great playing but some of the songs wander a bit for me.
When, in sixth form, we had a bit more freedom and a record player in the common room, people tried to interest me in the works of Jethro Tull. It never took hold. I still hasn't. It's not the flute, and I can appreciate that there were some very talented musicians in the group but there's something about a lot of it that strikes me as awkward, almost unwieldy. The opposite of what brilliant music should sound like.
A nice introduction to Jethro Tull! Lovely flute and piano throughout, interesting religious themes along the way. Enjoyable listen.
My God and Wind Up were favorites, was good
3 great tracks but the rest were meh
I liked it more than I thought I would like a rock band with a flute.
hell yea i love flute
Quite enjoyable. I was familiar with Aqualung and Locomotive Breath but not the rest of the album. Not every track is a banger and it could probably use some trimming down, but overall I enjoyed my time with it. Good chance of revisiting this one.
Heavier than expected and enjoyed it more than expected.
The rock flute lives! This is a weird album. I only heard it though a couple of years ago. It's like a medieval festival pressed on wax. I always remember seeing the cover as a kid and being fairly afraid of it. An I just realized the poster on the cover says, "Spend Christmas Skiiing..." Weird. But yeah, classic for its weirdness.
guitar tone is killer
1971 Prog rock con Hard rock Está chula la fusión.
I can tell you right at the outset that this album is too fucking long. An album better be pretty fucking good to justify being as long as a movie. "Mother Goose" is pretty good. This album doesn't really speak to me but it was pleasant to have on in the background while I worked. Love the woodwind instrument on "My God", flute or whatever it is. Vibing.