Jethro Tull
Thick As A Brick

That girl on the cover slightly lifting her skirt, the boy genius receiving the award, the standing man handing him the prize, the two ladies standing and watching it all, the article narrating what happens, the newspaper page talking about this event, this is the story... The story of that child prodigy being awarded. The story of the little girl lifting her skirt. The story and events that gave birth to this jewel, this supreme work of art.

We are back in 1972, and Jethro Tull, after the overwhelming success of Aqualung, released ‘'Thick As A Brick’. The band wanted to release a typically progressive-rock album, and the result was excellent. The album consists of two long suites containing all the elements to create a masterpiece. During this period, the new drummer, Barriemore Barlow, joined the group, significantly renewing the band’s sound.

As for the cover, Jethro Tull had a brilliant idea, and even within the record, there are cartoons with jokes made by the band. All this engaged the Tull a lot, not only during the recordings of the album. Even Ian Anderson stated that after the recordings, the group would meet to decide how to handle the story of the boy, but especially to see if the cover was really suitable for the record.

Compositionally, Jethro Tull had a profoundly original idea; in fact, no group until that time had done anything like it. Only the following year, in 1973, would Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tabular Bells’ be released. This factor also contributed to the album’s enormous success. An album that at the time provoked many reactions from critics, even negative ones. Many argued that the recording of such an extensive suite partly wanted to hide the band's lack of creative flair. Others said it would be a historic record that would influence entire generations. Over time, ‘'Thick As A Brick’ has become a seminal album in the history of progressive-rock, from which many bands have drawn heavily.

From a musical standpoint, the album offers the classic style of Jethro Tull, characterized by a very melodic sound with the acoustic guitar always at the forefront. The flute, which has now become the instrument that identifies Ian Anderson, is played more impeccably than ever. Sweet and truly beautiful flute solos that suddenly break out here and there in the two pieces. Martin Barre’s guitar contributes significantly to the entire suite with a sound that is sometimes melodic, at other times more rock. The keyboards and piano, present in both tracks, best accompany the band’s instrumental performances. And finally, Barlow’s drums, which provide the rhythm and burst in with truly stunning passages. Everything is excellently mixed and united, played to perfection and recorded superbly.

This is an album that has left an indelible mark in the history of rock. With a sound that was innovative and original at the time. The brilliant idea of the cover intrigued entire generations. Music that influenced for years and years, a deep, melodic, inspired record, in short one of the most beautiful albums in the history of progressive-rock.