Jethro Tull - Aqualung

My classic reviews are so random. I seem to so often forget about some of the greatest bands of all time and end up doing something weird from the eighties. I'm not suggesting that Jethro here is in fact one of the best bands ever, but they're pretty solid. If you've gone this far in your life (even if you're reading this at 5 years old) without hearing the track 'Aqualung', you're really missing out. It's just a great song. They formed in 1967 in Britain - and are known for their signature flautist - which I'm only 99% sure I'm spelling correctly. This is one of few bands that was very successful at "painting" a song picture for you. They started as more of a blues based group - but then they rolled into the art rock genre, people really responded. How much so you ask? Well, they've sold over SIXTY MILLION albums worldwide. Not too shabby right? This album is a slick 3x platinum in the states, and rightfully so. Maybe should even have sold a few more copies than that. It's hard to find anything I really dislike about this record. I mean, from an instrument standpoint - it's got every sort of sound you could possibly want. With certain songs creating a crescendo by getting all of them involved. There are a couple big hits on this album, but the whole thing is really solid. It's got all the accolades, earning a spot in Rolling Stones Top 500 of all time. For the most part, all critics have been super positive for it as well. I'm not going to buck that trend. It's really good. It's a fun listen and the music is different - especially given the time. Dropping in 1971 - there wasn't a lot of this type of music going on. Zeppelin only dabbled in it and Floyd was a different style. But that's about it. I don't own this, but I need to. Maybe I'll run out and buy it today.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Aqualung
2. Cross-Eyed Mary
3. Cheap Day Return
4. Mother Goose
5. Wond'ring Aloud
6. Up to Me
7. My God
8. Hymn 43
9. Slipstream
10. Locomotive Breath
11. Wind-Up
12. Lick Your Fingers Clean
13. Wind-Up (Quad Version)
14. Excerpts From the Ian Anderson Interview

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Aqualung
2. Locomotive Breath
3. Hymn 43

FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars

Aqualung - Magnetic North

I had a nice post about Aqualung's 'Strange and Beautiful' record back around the Easter timeframe. That review was incredibly positive and I told you to rush out and buy it. Well, that brings me to his new album that just came out April 20th of this year. (I know, I know - I dropped the ball on a New Music Tuesday entry...) I was inspired by Mr. Nail to do another mood type review - and I've been meaning to get to this for a while now anyway. Well, at first glance here - I'm pretty disappointed. One of the greatest pieces of Aqualung's previous work was the complete mix-up of different arrangements. This one is all pretty much the same - all piano, all the time. Usually that would score an extremely high mark from as I love piano compliments, but this just feels ordinary to me. For someone who has such great lyrics and a great voice, my expectations were much higher. About the only song that switches it up is the opening track, which I encourage you to take a listen to. For some reason it sounds exactly like Beck. The style and the lyrics actually sound like Beck...very odd. I would say if you were already a die hard Aqualung groupie, you may like this. I'd say if you REALLY liked S&B - you should give this a shot too. But if you didn't really care for the last one, this one is drastically worse. If you check out my Top 3, only what I'll be listing as my number one has the feel of his previous record. Let me know if you think I'm way off base. It pains me a little to write this because I always told everyone to check him out before. Puzzling.

TRACK LISTING:
1. New Friend
2. Reel Me In
3. Sundowning
4. 36 Hours
5. Fingertip
6. Lost
7. Time Moves Slow
8. California
9. Remember Us
10. Hummingbird
11. Thin Air
12. Magnetic North

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Sundowning
2. Fingertip
3. Remember Us

FINAL RATING:
3 out of 5 stars

Aqualung - Strange and Beautiful

Happy Easter B Side fans!! I figured I'd introduce first something a little slower that everyone in the family can enjoy. I'm sure many of you were introduced to Aqualung via Brighter Than Sunshine back in 2005. However, most of you probably didn't run out to check out the rest of it either. This is where I swoop in and tell you, CHECK THIS OUT!! This is really a great record. I was a little leery that this would end up being too popish and I wouldn't like it, but man I was wrong. Aqualung did a show with The Fray back in 2006, Aqualung totally stole the show from the headlining Fray. He has put out 3 albums since this one, and for some reason I haven't gotten to any of them yet. Shame on me, as I'm sure they're all very solid. If any of them are half as good as S&B, I'll be more than satisfied. Check this out today while you're eating delicious chocolate bunnies - you won't be disappointed!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You)
2. Falling Out of Love
3. Good Times Gonna Come
4. Brighter Than Sunshine
5. Breaking My Heart
6. Tongue-Tied
7. Left Behind
8. You Turn Me Round
9. If I Fall
10. Easier to Lie
11. Extra Ordinary Thing
12. Another Little Hole

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Strange & Beautiful
2. Brighter Than Sunshine
3. Good Times Gonna Come

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars