THICK AS A BRICK

For my first review I choose my favourite album of all time THICK AS A BRICK. There have been so many well thought out and insightful reviews of this album already, so I'll keep this one brief, as there's not much I can add to all that's come before me.

All band members are at the top of their game. Ian Anderson's vocals are probably the best they've ever been, or ever were to be. Side one is virtually flawless.....so many musical highlights...the whole piece flies by in a matter of minutes. Side two is slightly inferior, particularly during the first four minutes (my only slight gripe with the album).

Throughout, there are wondeful (albeit brief) bursts of Hammond organ, the drumming is top notch, and Anderson's flute constantly weaves it's magic.

This album was one of my first forays into the world of progressive rock music - I was introduced to Tull by a colleague at school - and liking this type of music in the early 80s almost made me a social outcast with my friends (in the age of Adam & The Ants / New Romanticism). The album stands the test of time for me, and whilst I strive nowadays to listen to as much new music as I can, I always return to this masterpiece at regular intervals, to remind me where my adventure began.

A great album, and one of a very small number of 5 star ratings I will be awarding.