THICK AS A BRICK 2 (AKA: TAAB2)

After everything I said praising "Thick As A Brick", what is here to be said about this second part that appeared after forty years ?

First of all, it pales in a musical comparison, it doesn´t get close in this criteria. Is it a reason for despair ? Absolutely, NOT. "Thick As A Brick" is a six star masterpiece, even a "common" masterpiece would pale at its side. The music in TAAB2 represents a kind of challenge in order to be appreciated; in the same way I consider the album "Minstrel In The Gallery". It takes a very long time for you to get use with and for it to really grow on you. Not obvious melodies; everything is subtle, but variety throughout the songs are assured, and Mr, Anderson´s skills hardly fails us.

But I am giving it five star; and what are the reasons for it ? Ok, I could say "Thick As A Brick" is a six stars album, so its not so extraordinary follow up TAAB2 could deserve five; but this is good for a joke, not for justifying a masterpiece status. What must be said in this moment is that the concept in TAAB2 matches and is as good as its older brother. When Mr. Anderson took the decision of composing a story regarding what could have happened to Gerald Bostock after forty years after the events reported by the "St. Cleves Cronicles"; and performed it in the way he performed, the music started to matter less.

This is a way for things to go. TAAB2 has also a masterpiece status. Hardly someone would conceive a better follow up for "Thick As A Brick" concept. And, if you do not consider its musical content up to this status, just subtract some from its older brother. Even with this lost TAAB1 will continue to be a masterpiece?

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