THICK AS A BRICK

Do I really need to say anything about this masterpiece? Probably not, but I think I will anyway! The first time I heard about TAAB (at least five years ago), I only knew Tull as "That band with the flute that plays 'Aqualung'". A 40+ minute song sounded so intriguing that I knew I would have to hunt the CD down. Remember, this is a time when I had no idea that the term "Progressive Rock" even existed. When I finally bought the CD (at my local BestBuy) and put it in my player I was expecting my life to change. After all, I had never listened to anything more ambitious than Dark Side of the Moon before. I pushed play and sat back. When it was all done, I felt?underwhelmed. "What was that?" I thought to myself. "Why do people speak so highly of this record? It just rambles on for what feels like forever". Obviously, I did not get it. Still, I was drawn to it. Its big words, its funny sounding arrangements, and its rejection of every musical rule I was familiar with at the time-all these factors made me listen again?and again?and again. Eventually, I was listening because I loved the music. I grew on me, it wrapped around me, and it still hasn't let go. Songs, albums, and bands come and go, but this is one record I never tire of. From Ian's passionate vocals to that huge drum solo, nothing on this record will disappoint. Finally, if it wasn't for TAAB, I would have never fallen in love with prog. For that, I cannot thank it enough.