THICK AS A BRICK

Thick as a Brick is without a doubt the definition of Progressive Rock. From its folky beginning with a Flute to its many complex middle sections including multiple time signature and tempo changes. It Incorporates elements of so many other musical genres. It incorporates almost a full symphony Orchestra. Some choral vocal work, complexity yet simplicity. Its deep and intellectual themes. And Not to mention its length. Oh its glorious single 42 minute track. It is hard to deny how progressive this album is.

The album starts off in sort of a folky manor. There is a simple chord progression, no electric Instruments and almost political-themed lyrics about stupidity. This all changes at about 3 minutes. Horn sections as well as multiple guitars are added. The lyrics are now themed towards growing up. The lyrics continue to speak (despite musical changes and many flute solos) of growing up until about 18 minutes in where they are themed more towards critiquing someone most likely a political or celebrity figure. Just before the 20 minute point there is an instrumental section with a complex rhythm. On Vinyl you would flip the album over to a similar rhythm and then music similar to right after the switch to electric. And lyrics similar to that part but more geared toward early adulthood. Then there is an incredible drum solo and some barely audible words. Then there are a few soundless gaps in the music. And the sound returns to exactly like the beginning and the lyrics are themed more about fitting in using war as a metaphor. Then there is a different acoustic part. The lyrics seem to describe a war and religion. Then we have another flute solo and the electric instruments come in again. The lyrics continue to describe a War or Religion or perhaps a religious war. The music changes into a very dynamic section full of many instruments and loud notes and quiet sections and possible battle music. Then the music changes back to an earlier style but slower and the emphasis on the 2 and 4. The lyrics have changed back into a critiquing a Political figure or celebrity. Finally there is a climax that alternates between a string section and electric instruments then a flute/guitar solo and then the exact same music and lyrics as the beginning. Ending in the words Thick as a Brick.

This album is great without the vinyl cover but the vinyl cover adds a lot of humour to the idea of thick as a brick. The cover reads like a newspaper and makes a lot of real world allusions. It also contains the lyrics to the song which festinate me now and will always festinate me. I can see overarching themes but it is hard to determine specifics. That is how any progressive rock song or album lyrics should leave you: An overarching theme but very few details. That is what is so great about this album. It is mysterious yet satisfies my quest for musical answers. It is both simple and complex. Isn't that how all music should be.