The leap from 1970's BENEFIT to the following year's AQUALUNG is one of the most astonishing progressions in rock history. In the space of one album, Tull went from relatively unassuming electrified folk-rock to larger-than-life conceptual rock full of sophisticated compositions and complex, intellectual lyrical constructs. While the leap to full-blown prog-rock wouldn't be taken until a year later on THICK AS A BRICK, the degree to which Tull upped the ante here is remarkable. The lyrical concept--the hypocrisy of Christianity in England--is stronger than on most other '70s conceptual efforts, but it is ultimately the music that makes the album.
Tull's winning way with a riff was never so arresting as on the chugging "Locomotive Breath," or the character studies "Cross Eyed Mary" and "Aqualung," which portray believably seedy participants in Ian Anderson's story. The fable imagery of "Mother Goose" and the vitriolic anti-authoritarian sentiments of "Wind Up" both serve notice of Anderson's willful iconoclasm and his disillusionment with the spiritual traditions to which he was born. Varied but cohesive, AQUALUNG is widely regarded as Tull's finest hour.
Live Recording
Recorded at Island Studios, London, England. Originally released as Reprise (2035).
Composer: Ian Anderson .
Jethro Tull: Martin Barre (descant recorder); Jeffrey Hammond (bass instrument, background vocals); Clive Bunker, Ian Anderson , John Evan.
Personnel: Ian Anderson (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, flute); Martin Barre (guitar, electric guitar, descant, recorder); Jeffrey Hammond (alto recorder, bass guitar); David Palmer (saxophone, keyboards, synthesizer); John Evan (piano, organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Clive Bunker (drums, percussion).
Recording information: Island Studios, London, England.
Arrangers: Ian Anderson ; David Palmer .
Jethro Tull: Ian Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, flute); Martin Barre (guitar, descant recorder); Jeffrey Hammond (alto recorder, bass, background vocals); John Evan (piano, organ, Mellotron); Clive Bunker (drums, percussion).
Rolling Stone (10/11/01, p.94) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...They were the most frazzled British art rockers of their day..." Q (7/96, p.140) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...occupies a special place in the idiosyncratic Tull pantheon. Many of its key songs have been lionised in live sets....The smaller stuff stands up well too..." Q (7/96, p.140) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...occupies a special place in the idiosyncratic Tull pantheon. Many of its key songs have been lionised in live sets....The smaller stuff stands up well too..." Mojo (Publisher) (3/01, p.57) - "...Demonstrates a new maturity in Ian Anderson's songwriting as he draws together disparate folk, jazz and heavy metal influences. The tramp on the cover quickly became the Tull persona in the public mind..." Record Collector (magazine) (p.97) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Even the mere stereo mix...is a work of immense subtlety which nevertheless lends a newfound clarity and immediacy to beloved old riffers..."
fantastic, though not for everyone this is a truly fantastic title, but its not for everyone. those looking for a more hard-rock sound may be dissapointed with several of the tracks - Tull seems to purposefully alternate psychedelia with their very folk-based songs that some call deviations or filler. I myself love the folk-type songs best of all, but the rock fan may be let down. Submitted by nancy (Southern USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
terrible remaster great album.. but the worst digital remaster i've ever heard!! awful! they should let Rhino re-issue these 70's Tull albums and do them justice Submitted by endymion65 (savannah, GA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Classic Tull revisited I am a Native American flutist and recording artist and recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Ian after one of his concerts. He has been a major influence in my taking up the flute as well as a part of my style. This is, to me, an equal to any of Tull's work past or present and and to be honest I don't recall hearing any "bad" Tull music! Thanks Ian,
Mark Thunderwolf Submitted by a reviewer (Newark, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Good, but not Tull's crowning achievement As Ian pointnd out in the interview on this disc, AQUALUNG is not Jethro Tull's crowning achievement. If you listen to later albums like THICK AS A BRICK, A PASSION PLAY, MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY, SONGS FROM THE WOOD and HEAVY HORSES, you'll realize that AQUALUNG, like all the other Tull albums, was just a step in the band's musical development. I think Jethro Tull's music got more intricate with each album they made. AQUALUNG was a very important album in Jethro Tull's career, but don't think that they stopped having creative ideas since. Submitted by a reviewer (Fairfax, CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great album... Although some of the songs aren't in my taste, this is a truly great album. The highlights for me are: "Aqualung," "Cross-Eyed Mary," "Cheap Day Return," "Hymn 43," and my favorite, "Locomotive Breath".
And, like another reviewer has stated: the remastering is crappy. The tracks aren't mixed very well, and the volume level is too low. Submitted by Julian (Las Vegas, NV) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
fantastic, though not for everyone
terrible remaster
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