AQUALUNG

Ding-dong, Jethro Tull become a worldwide sensation with this one! A timeless masterpiece, let's review it track-by-track

Aqualung: The story of a grotesque beggar that became one of the most famous songs around the globe. Instant classic, nothing to say that hasn't been said already.

Cross-Eyed Mary: The rocker of the album that was even covered by Iron Maiden! The schoolgirl prostitute goes with old men like Aqualung because it makes them happy is a metaphor, serving probably as an anti-organized religion statement. Another classic song, not one of my personal favorites though.

Cheap Day Return: A short, bittersweet and beautiful song written by Ian as he was waiting for the train after visiting his father at the hospital.

Mother Goose: Another song about the street people, like Aqualung and Cross-Eyed Mary, this time more straightforward, you feel like meeting them one after another! Musically it's a fine folk tune, nice but not special.

Wond'ring Aloud: Fantastic. A sensitive song about a loving couple lining peacefully, enjoying the small joys of life. It's classical-inspired music suits the lyrics and Ian's singing perfectly, making it one of the most precious hidden treasures in their discography.

Up To Me: Our hero grows up and seems to enjoy that everything is up to him! More of a statement than an actual song, it's the most simplistic of the album with it's repetitive flute riff and monotonous singing. Catchy though!

My God: Wow! One of the best Jethro Tull songs ever. Deep lyrics about the twisted religious views that alternate the very essence of religion and God, accompanied by an abrupt rocking masterpiece including the very best flute solo I have ever heard in my life. Pure gold in every aspect.

Hymn 43: After the most serious and thoughtful way to criticize religion, here we have the playful and upbeat way. A mainstream rocker with an instantly classic riff, it might very well be the most underrated song of the album.

Slipstream: Probably written about his father's death and the way he deals with it, this song seems like the sequel to Cheap Day Return. At this point, it becomes clear why journalists and fans alike considered this album to be a concept at the time of it's release (outcasts - religion - life and death) only for Anderson to deny it and create an "actual" concept album later with Thick as a Brick.

Locomotive Breath: The second globally famous song of the album, a splendid tune about a guy who struggles to keep up with the frenzy pace of life in modern society, only to loose control, loose himself and everything he has, and seek religion as his last resort. By the way, best piano intro ever!

Wind-Up: Autobiographical (?) song with rich musical structure, once again distancing the hero's life from the norms of society (school and religion particularly) in search for self esteem and independence. Feels like 4 minutes at most while it's actually 6; that's how well it flows. Both musically and lyrically it sums up the whole album in a very impressive way!

RATING: You have to give it 5 stars! Philosophical, intriguing, rebellious at times, yet sensitive and romantic, with legendary music to uplift the lyrics and singing on a whole different level. I would dare to say that this album is part of the cultural heritage of the modern western civilization.