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Fans Album Reviews For:

Jethro Tull
(3 reviews sent in so far)

Thick as a Brick
by Kyle
September 15, 2008
Rating:  9.0

Thick as a Brick, in my opinion, is Jethro Tull's best album, hands down (a lot of people say it is Stand Up, and while this is a great album, it just does not compare with TAAB). This is Jethro Tull's first true concept album, and what a concept. It reaches into the absurd by proclaiming that all of the lyrics (bizarre and twisted phrases, like "Your sperm's in the gutter, your love's in the sink") were all written as part of an epic poem for a local village contest by an 8-year-old boy (they weren’t). The cover of the album purports to be a newspaper from the boy's village, covering many events which both directly and indirectly are related to the music. The music itself is extraordinary.

When referring to Thick as a Brick, you are simultaneously referring to both the song and the album, for it is, supposedly, one, grand, 45 minute song, stretching across two sides of an LP. The music is seamless, and in a short 45 minutes, you hear an abundance of clever time signature changes, wonderful melodies, subtle and powerful vocal deliveries, atmospheric and exciting solos, and truly brilliant lyrics which fit so well with the music. This is Jethro Tull's first "Progressive" album, but don't let the term scare you off. If you like beautiful, jarring music that excites and thunders, with a lot of humor, and heart, and intelligence, and if you really like the flute, Thick as a Brick is for you.

To listen to some sound clips from Thick as a Brick or to buy it click on: Thick as a Brick [Bonus Tracks]

Aqualung
By Chris
March12, 2004
Rating: 8.5

Released in 1971, this is my favorite Jethro Tull album. Opening up with the title song "Aqualung", a great way to start off this album. Running over 6 minutes long, the guitar solos are amazing. Other songs include "Cross Eyed Mary", the first song to have a flute in on the album. The next song "Cheap Day Return" is only about a minute and a half long. The whole song is played Acoustic Guitars. The next song is "Mother Goose", which is an ok song, but not my favorite. The next song, which is also ok,  is "Wondering Aloud", again only played on an acoustic guitar, followed by the intro with the strings and piano.
Next song is "Up to me", a great song with great flutes. Following after that is "My God", one of my favorites on the album, running over 7 minutes long. After that is "Hymn 43", also a great song. The worst song is "slipstream", only about a minute long. After that is "Locomotive Breath", being a pianist myself, the opening solo is outstanding. The last song is "Wind Up" a song that fit very well for the closing of this album.

"Aqualung" was and still is a inspiration to all emerging bands to be different from everyone else. I'm not sure about you, but I wouldn't be that big of Jethro Tull fan without Ian Anderson's flute.

To listen to some sound clips from Aqualung or to buy it click on: Aqualung (Bonus Tracks - Buy.com) or Aqualung [Bonus Tracks - CC Music]

Minstrel in the Gallery
By MysteryTramp
December 30, 2005
Rating: 9.0

I own many good J-Tull albums and Minstrel in the Gallery is one of my personal favorites. Okay, on to the ratings... "Minstrel in the Gallery": 10.0. Pure classic, with some great medieval imagery. And let's not forget that guitar solo in the middle. It's long, but just seems to blow by. "Cold Wind to Valhalla": 10.0. Another fine track, with nice violins! It reminds me of Led Zep's "Immigrant Song", only with a J-Tull spin. "Black Satin Dancer": 9.7. The lyrics are obnoxious, but the soloing is great. "Requiem": 10.0. A favorite of mine. One of their best acoustic tracks (actually, one of their best, period. "One White Duck/0=Nothing At All": 9.3. Another fine song. Could the title possibly be a reference to Dylan's "Love Minus Zero/No Limit"? "Baker Street Muse": 10.0. The album's best piece. It's sort of a condensed version of "Thick As a Brick "(Only more acoustic-oriented and focused), and essential listening. "Grace": 4.2. Damn is this a bad song or what? Seriously, what kind of lyrics are, "Hello sun, hello birds, hello my lady, hello breakfast, may I buy you again tomorrow?" Average: 9.03.....  No Jethro Tull fan should be without a copy of Minstrel in the Gallery.

To listen to some sound clips from Minstrel in the Gallery, or to buy it click on: Minstrel in the Gallery [Bonus Tracks]

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