Jethro Tull - Aqualung

Aqualung stands as probably one of the most conceptual non-concept album in rock history. Dwelling largely on the fallacies and failures of organised religion, particularly in the second half, Aqualung was the only ‘break’ Jethro Tull ever received, returning to relative obscurity a few years later only to be awarded the Heavy Metal Album of the Year for 1989 for Crest of a Knave after about fifteen years of relative obscurity.

1971 was probably one of the best years for rock in general, but it seemed to be an especially high point for prog, with the release of Yes’ Fragile, Pink Floyd’s Meddle and two of the best albums King Crimson ever put out. While Jethro Tull weren’t quite prog at this stage they were starting to move towards the model of Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play by individually naming the two sides and grouping the tracks together. Whilst the first side, eponymously titled Aqualung has no imposed theme, the second; My God is largely targeted towards the idea that organised religion displaces a personal relationship with God. The second half makes for the more interesting listen, but looking over past reviews it seems like I prefer my artists to be slightly acerbic, as it displays a necessary personal investment in the subject matter. It’s almost a wonder the album wasn’t more controversial. For the most part, the best tracks are the shorter acoustic tracks which have a sense of spontanteity to them.

The album was rerecorded as Aqualung Live. It’s also not anywhere here as good as the studio version, partially due to Ian Anderson’s throat surgery several years earlier, although the folkier Hymn 43 is an interesting take on the original. While it doesn’t beat the original in any way, the record would have been a better option if it was all recorded in that style.

The DCC is the best CD version on account of better drum sounds and more realistic acoustic guitar sound as well as less sibilance on the vocals compared to the 25th anniversary disc which sounds more like a cassette.

Cheap Day Return: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bqo66iPkok
My God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJi8PqB_Mk
Wind Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZXj20MjNek