AQUALUNG

Aqualung is perhaps the most popular album from Jethro Tull's catalog, or at least the most known one. There are loads of interpretations and the concept of the album, although, according to Anderson there are no consistent theme or story around the album. Who knows, still, musically were are talking about a mindblowing piece of audio.

The Album starts with the famous title song, which is constructed around Barre's legendary riff and Anderson's twisted tale of the good 'ole Aqualung, the coverboy of the album. When the song goes on, we encounter a very niece acoustic part with fine clean vocals from Anderson and the song reaches it's climax in the form of Martin Barre's trademark solo, which of course is a one fine piece of guitar work. The next song, Cross Eyed Mary starts with a cheerful flute and continues the tale of Aqualung, who desperately dreams about the forbidden meat. The song is very groovy all the way, a true Tull-classic. Cheap Day Return is one of album's three short, but very beautiful and melodic acoustic songs, very nice. Mother Goose, also a very happyhappy-joyjoy kind of tune, with a lots of folk elements, very nice vocal melodies, as the whole album is full of them. Wond'ring Aloud, the personal favourite of mine from the short acoustic trio, you almost hope it would last much longer. A true eargasm, as some would say.

"As she floats in the kitchen,I'm tasting the smell of toast as the butter runs. Then she comes, spilling crumbs on the bed and I shake my head."

Up To Me begins with flute and a stylish short lead from Barre. The song has a cathy tune, nice vocals etc, although not so great as the most of the songs. Now we leave the character of Aqualung behind us and turn towars some religion stuff i suppose, in vinyl, this would be the b-side. My God is one of the greatest Tull songs, expecially when played live. The flute song is absolutely superb. The song has a pretty dark athmosphere and Anderson slams the church of England all the way. Also very cool leads from Barre. Hymn 43 is one of the not-so good, pretty good, but just not enough. Slipstream, the third short acoustic piece, also filled with such a feeling and defines the proper advantage of an acoustic sound. Locomotive Breath is also a pretty well-known song. It starts with the gloomy piano by John Evan, and rises into a very groovy melody featuring Barre's exellent leads and a bouncing bass tune by Jeffrey Hammond. Pretty cool, though not perfect. The album ends with Wind Up, a pretty nice piano based song with Anderson's settlements about the school life. The song also has a bit 'faster' part, which works good also.

Bottom line: An essential choice for any progman and also very suitable choice for those, who are just acquainting to Jethro Tull's extraordinary music.