Reviews (page 8 of 13)
People overly dunk on this album for the flute. It absolutely is a gimmick, but honestly, it's the only thing that makes Jethro Tull interesting. Without the medieval to colonial vibes thrown in, it's just a generic 70s rock album. I thought the songs got much better when the flutist came in.
Oh I like aqualung.
A really unique album! A fantastic blend of loads of genres. Fav song is ‘Mother Goose’.
I’ll give it a 3. I feel generous.
Pretty middle of the road stuff. Had enough to keep it interesting but there wasn’t any standout tracks.
Good album Jethro tull is amazing with the flute Gives off a fantasy setting vibe where a group of cool bards with guiter and drums are playing music :3 Favourite track- Wond’ring loud Date listened- 20th March 2026
Enjoyed the opening song. A bit led Zeppelin esk.
Kinda cool
Struggling between 2 and 3 because it really didn't do much for me, but was quite a bit more pleasant than the past 2 albums. Interesting storytelling and lyricism again. Needed more flute.
generator please give me something newer despite me loving the past few 60s and 70s records ok this gets heavier after the start why is cheap day return so short :c getting more than slightly whimsical in a medieval bard way on Mother Goose my God what is happening in My God Ends on a high note and there are bangers, I guess I was just expecting something harder from the album cover and from an album that existed after King Crimson, The Rolling Stones, and Hendrix
I have been culturally aware of Jethro Tull as the 70s rock band with a flute, but outside of the occasional song on the radio I never gave it much thought. There is some really great stuff on here, but not all of it works the same.
Flute solos go crazy
Quite good
1971. Themes of religion, injustice, society, personal struggles. Was never meant to be a concept album.
Why aren't there more flute solos in rock songs?
As much as I can appreciate the talent it took to make this record, the instrumentals, the compositions, and all of that, this album didn’t do much for me. There are some good songs but a lot that don’t stick in my mind.
Remarkably boring with objectively too much flute Best Song: Cross-Eyed Mary Rating: 5.5/10 Stars: 3
2/3. Really fun album, some really chunky rhythms. Much more of a straightforward rocker than I expected. Ian’s flute is always fun to hear as well, such a great addition.
Not bad
First time listening to other songs aside from the two that were overplayed...I enjoyed this album!
Got a bit old
Jethro Tull fyrir mér er annaðhvort frábært eða bara allt í lagi og þessi plata var pínulítið þannig líka. Það góða var gott en hitt bara fínt.
Good flutey prog
"All music is folk music: I ain't never heard no horse sing a song" Variety: 2 Adequacy: 4 Listenability: 3 Uniqueness: 2 Emotionality: 2 = 2.6 rounded up to a 3 INTRO Man, what I expect to be another rough one. Tull is one of those bands I can definitely see the appeal of. Interesting is not something I could accuse them of. Their approach seemed more rock oriented than some of their progressive peers, but I also remember them being just as self-serious. The title track used to be a radio staple ( or at least an edited version of it maybe?). And while admirable enough to justify it's place in the radio-worthy canon, man did it get overplayed. Even by the time I was listening to the radio a good 1 years after it came out. Enough to overstay its welcome anyway. I braved this album a good 20 plus years ago and do not remember it too kindly, but also don't remember absolutely hating it. Let's see once more if age has tempered my view. THE TRACKS Side one: Aqualung "Aqualung" - Been a hot minute, but it all came rushing back. Undeniablly solid stuff, and one of the all-time memorable riffs. This one definitely has benefitted from some time in the closet. That being said, I'm good for another 10 years or more. "Cross-Eyed Mary" - Electric prog folk? This one hits better than I recall. Lyrical, uh... content aside here, this one has a lot of good stuff going on musically. "Cheap Day Return" - Pretty little acoustic interlude here reminds me of Cat Stevens or something Zeppelin would have in between some harder bits on later albums. "Mother Goose" - I find myself much more amenable to this sort of thing which I might have dismissed as "folky nonsense" 20 years ago. But find myself admiring how damn catchy it is. Since then though I've come to love stuff from acts like Fairport Convention and the like, and this seems of a piece with all of that. Anderson's vocals here are not as overcooked as they are in my memory, though I suspect that "Aqualung" can be blamed for that, looming as large as it does in the memory of this. "Wond'ring Aloud" - Another nice little interlude here. Maybe a bit string heavy. "Up to Me" - And the flute comes back in strong here. Electric prog folk.... funk? There's a LOT going on here, and not sure it all works. Still not awful though, and there's a bit of vibe that keeps interest going along with that repeated flute line. Side two: My God "My God" - Think between the two modes I've heard thus far, the more acoustic, folky ones are my preference. This one spits the difference opening with a dark, sinister bit that would not be out of place in the soundtrack for the old animated Rankin and Bass Hobbit movie. But then the electric guitar kicks in and we get some actual noodling. But maaaaan that flute solo. I just could not help but picture Ron Burgundy going to town during this. This was on track to go on the highlights, but you just had to double down and add some chanting background vocals to the flute. This becomes a bit of a slog after that. I think stuff like this is where Tull gets the reputation as a pompous, over earnest group. "Hymn 43" - This one fades in like a coda to the previous track, and but you've got the piano and guitar chugging along so it's got some good dynamic contrast. As bluesy as anything we've heard on here, but to my ear sounds more like a rejected track from Jesus Christ Superstar. Not necessarily a knock on it, but feels slightly out of place. "Slipstream" - I might want to hear a whole album of these little acoustic interludes. With less strings though. "Locomotive Breath" - Ignoring the night club piano opening, this one comes in strong and feels like Aqualung pt. II. But now I can't shake the Jesus Christ Superstar comparisons out of my mind. This also has strong 70s rock opera vibes. "Wind-Up" - Anderson's voice sit somewhere in the middle and neither greatly offend or amaze me, but seems like they are the focus here. Dig that guitar tone when it comes in though. Dang there's a killer .38 Special deep cut buried under all those vocal gymnastics. Feels like an appropriate final statement for the album. HIGHLIGHTS - "Mother Goose" - The purely acoustic stuff - The general dark vibe - The guitar work on "Wind-Up" LOWLIGHTS - "My God" - Anytime strings pop up FINAL THOUGHTS The flute on this was not nearly as excessive as I recall, and the album feels very cohesive aside from some minor quibbles. While it's not something any but the most hardened ren fair devotee might ever try and dance to, it's got some fine grooves throughout, and could see this being a once a couple of decades listen. The flower children and the hard rockers can meet halfway here, in the magical grove where the bongwater flows and the mushrooms grow. If you can ignore the bleak lyrical content, this could provide some nice background music for your D&D game. I don't think I'll ever be a big Tull fan ( though Thick as a Brick is awesome) this was listenable, and interesting throughout. Just too serious to take seriously, and in need of a remix to remove those damn strings. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - "Mother Goose" and "Cross-eyed Mary" can stick around. I think I've had my fill of the title track for this lifetime, as good as it is. - Find me the isolated guitar track from "Wind-up" that I can play on repeat
tiene cosa
I liked it and there were some very good parts. I get why it is a classic album. But I don't think I will listen to it again. Very good record though.
A strange but interesting mix of hard rock, folk and prog.
I hope you like flute
Some great sounds, would have liked to hear more of that fabulous for playing.
The skill is undeniable, they are absolutely nailing what they are going for and have earnt their adoring fans. The bits that are great straight up rock or more glam I enjoy. The prog bits are not my kind of prog - the tendency to stick a flourish on top of a flourish, and the generally medieval vibe on some songs, is a genre mismatch for me. Still - it's fun to spend an hour in an unfamiliar part of town.
Love the flutes and this is a type of prog i could get more into if i spent more time with it, high 3
fav songs: cheap day return up to me folk, quirky, theatrical 50/100
Pretty good. Like the acoustic and flute shart more than the hard rock
Pocas bandas tienen tantos matices en cada canción como Jethro Tull, es que me encanta. Cada disco del grupo es para escucharlo de principio a fin, teniéndolo de fondo o estando atento. Funciona siempre
Aqualung and Cross Eyed Mary are great; but it all gets a bit too real ale after a while.
I was always curious what Jethro Tull sounded like.
Nothing wrong with this album, really. I just can't get excited about it. I guess we can give it an extra half-star for the unmistakable opening guitar riff of the title track. And then subtract the half-star because Ian Anderson's flute makes me think of that one scene in "Anchorman".
Led Zeppelin Lite
Geen fan van de zang, kudos voor de fluit
Är tvärflöjtstorsk och uppskattar gnom-progg. Stark 3a, nära 4a.
otroliga bardvibes
Mindre skruvat än jag trodde. Skulle behöva lyssna några gånger till för att verkligen komma in i det
Adorei as experimentações com sons de animais, piano e guitarra, um baixo marcante e letras interessantes
This record sounds ancient and modern at the same time. I feel that quite a few riffs off this record were spun off to create entire new genres of Rock music. I also love the addition of orchestral instruments.
A few song were bangers but some of the other ones were a bit forgettable. Very consistent style throughout the album. Have added some songs on playlists but don't see myself playing the whole album again.
good classic rock. I enjoyed the interview
I only knew Cross-Eyed Mary before I listened to this. The some songs are pretty good, with a mix of soft and more rock songs.
This album is pretty cool. No bad parts. Not incredible by any means, but just a solid, well done piece of music. 7/10
Very inconsistent but quite good at its best
good vocals, little bit repetitive highlights: Hymn 43, Wind-Up
Great story driven album but I lost interest in the end
Fun listen! The contrast between the Sabbath-esque deep and dark guitars and the flutes (a rare sound in rock music) really worked for me. Not sure that the 'homeless people are evil peados' angle has aged well though. Look forward to listening again. 6/10
Decent album
Good but missing something
This is clearly good, just not my cup of tea
Does the flute really have a place in rock? Arguably yes, according to this.
People who call this "Hobbit Rock" are LIARS. This is CLEARLY elf rock.
I just got the joke from Anchorman. Some bangers on here.
I want this on when I'm dying of the bubonic plague.
3.5
Don’t mind this, and it’s weird that people are so up in arms about the flute. Really? I’ve always liked “Hymn 43,” but never placed it in the larger context of Side 2 of this album. The musings about religion start to get a little tedious after a while. The riffs are great.
Might deserve a re-listen
Didn’t know Jethro was so popular!
Great album with a meaning behind it
Top 3 favorites: Mother goose Slipstream Lick your fingers clean
The interview at the end was a neat touch! Other than that, this was just okay.
I mean, you can't say things like the first line of this record anymore, but, apart from that, it's a prog rock album which I should like, but not having first heard it when I was 15 I only find it mildly appealing. Except for Cross-Eyed Mary, which appeared on a Gel-Sol Prog Rock Companion as part of a superlative mix so I love that one.
Weird stuff that your parents used to listen to.
Fun album....the flute is great
Pretty solid, do like the flute stuff but the hard rock tracks are a bit less compelling
Not my cup of progressive rock. I do appreciate the musicianship but it was hard work listening to the whole thing.
Some good songs and riffs
Pretty good
Really good, the flute is not hokey
I need to go deeper on Jethro Tull. Maybe it’s the flute that’s pulling me in more now because of Gizz, but feels like there’s more I need to uncover. I also enjoyed the interview at the end of the album. Sounds like things were tense with Led Zeppelin. Who knew?!
Sneaky! I did not like Aqualung but things got a little folky-freaky from there
A hour of Jethro Tull is too much Jethro Tull. But there were highs too
The title track for this record is famous, but I knew very little of the rest of the album, which was a shame as I was missing out. This prog-infused hard rock album is a great listen. I know very little about their catalog beyond this album now and will need to investigate more.
Serious flute action
I'll be the one to split the hairs between my two other comrades on this journey. Goddamn, that Anderson guy can play the flute.
Mye fløyte.
3 1/2 Stars: I'm down with a crunchy guitar anchored by a flute solo. I'm not necessarily putting this on a mix tape, but I certainly didn't hate it. In fact, I liked quite a bit of it.
Its a little creepy, the story and the wandering man. The music is sometimes weird too. Interestingly it is decent to listen to.
This album starts strong with two great songs, and it finishes with two even better songs. My God solidifies in the middle. However, in between there is a lot of weirdness, medievialness, flute and boredom.
Rate 6/10
Not half bad
Good one
A great opening track with lots of nice moments sprinkled throughout the album, but overall feels lacking. When the band has a chance to play like in Hymn 43 and Locomotive Breath they play very well, but other points in the album feels like music for a medieval town square. That said, every moment the flute came in was cool, especially the very long solo in My God which in itself is a refreshing track to liven up the midsection of the album, and I appreciate they didn't overdo the flute gimmick, but I wish there was more in this record to make it stand out more. The vocals are fine for a rock record but Anderson's prayers and musings aren't something I care about, and the moments that amused me as a listener were far and few inbetween. When half of your album is a guy singing about god with an acoustic guitar, it not compelling to me.
What we do in the shadows vampire music
A friend and I once took a trip up the Pacific coast and played lots of our favorite music. When we got to Led Zeppelin IV, I asked what he thought the worst track was. We reluctantly concluded that it's "Misty Mountain Hop" ... reluctant because we both loved the Middle-Earthy side of LZ, but it just doesn't have the same soul as the other tracks. I had never heard Jethro Tull before this (except maybe "Aqualung" ... I certainly knew that riff). But I kind of had the same feeling I had on that car ride... dang, I want to like this as much as everything else in its category, but I just don't. It sort of feels like the kind of rock and roll you would grow if "Misty Mountain Hop" was your stem cell. Maybe an interesting experiment, but not the one I would perform. Anyway, I'm down with flutes and prog and social commentary, but it just didn't come together for me in a way I relate to. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who have "Misty Mountain Top" as a favorite song and this as a favorite album, and power to them...
Not sure how I feel about this one but I found the flute additions interesting enough.
Classic. Not my favorite though. The introduction of the flute was fun
Glad to finally listen to this. Love that flute.
Early prog rock. Shades of Journey, and a softer Black Sabbath. Heavy anti-religious (though not atheist) themes lyrically. The flute is random but adds an interesting element Standout is the title track and "Locomotive Breath".
Definitely good but didn't leave a big impact on me unfortunately
Very cool
Little bit of everything on this one
Definitely enjoyed it.
Dun dun dun dun dun dun Thats really the highlight of the album haha
This record is a C- which makes it one of the all-time pinnacles of prog. (I actually listened to it about a week ago as part of my program to make this whole dumb project go faster.) As a know-nothing adolescent I listened to this a lot, knew it backwards and forwards. But I'm sure I haven't heard it at all since sometime between 1986 and 1989, almost 40 years. Reading wikipedia before listening, I barely recognized the titles, and knowing the titles couldn't recall any fragment of tune or lyric. This makes for an interesting experiment that's very tricky to set up deliberately. Of course, when I listened to it, I "recognized" it. What I found fascinating was that having played it exactly once, over the next few days I could get multiple songs from it stuck in my head in full detail, as if I Iistened to it often/never shelved it. One spin was enough to make contact with a high-fidelity memory of it, a memory I wouldn't say I had, and couldn't access by thinking about it. Now I'm annoyed these so-so prog tracks are ear-worming me, but that will pass. The mind and memories are strange things.
3.5/5
Ном декілька треків, але вініл би не брав
mmh
Sympa
Nice listen, very unique. Favorites: Locomotive Breath, Up to me, Aqualung
Proper prog rock
It's hard to rate this one. I'm supposed to not like these guys because they won the first ever Heavy Metal Grammy over Metallica, a decision that's more baffling than Crash or Green Book winning Best Picture. However, they are doing some interesting prog-rock stuff here for 1971. The title track is a classic rock epic and Locomotive Breath is a banger. But overall? A lot that I didn't really care for or care about.
Heavier than I expected, didn't mind the flute (which I *was* expecting, having found him a slightly scary figure as a child). I didn't exactly enjoy all the lyrics. I think it deserves its place.
Umm not my absolute favorite but i understand. its just a little underwhelming and the vocals are pissing me off a little by way of britishness. I’d listen to it again but maybe not too often.
y'all mind if the coldest white boy in the game hits that flute solo
Me gustó, es interesante la flauta en una banda de rock la verdad, lo banco.
Definitely proggy at times. Really enjoyed this one through and through. Falls right onto that ever so common 3.5 star line. While this was a good ride, it just didn't feel like a 4.
This was ok, quite enjoyed it to be fair. It’ll take another couple of listens to see how much I enjoyed it so I’ll give it a three just now.
The flute in this album is amazing! Loved the combination between the guitar and the flute!
It's fine I suppose.
Het album heeft een leuke vibe, maar ik heb het gevoel dat er in dit soort lijsten een bias is voor muziek met deze sound. Wel heeft het album een duidelijk thema, en zitten er muzikaal echt wel vette stukken tussen "My god" wat is die fluitsolo nice, meer van dit soort shit in t album please (ben nog aan t luisteren). Dit leidde me tot een wiki search, voor t eerst sinds deze albumssessies, waaruit bleek dat dit ook echt t vetste verhaal is van t hele album. Dit nummer zorgt opzich al voor +1 ster op t album. Op dezelfde manier is lick your fingers clean ook een goede vibe. Tweede deel album vond ik dus wel beter. Zit dat interview op de lp? Kan ik me niet voorstellen.... Rare keus om die nu wel er in te stoppen. Heb hem niet afgeluisterd. Al met al niet echt geweldig. 2 sterren + 1 sterk voor My God = 3 sterren Ps: agree fully met de logic op religie en de kerk. Alleen niet met zn uiteindelijke overtuiging
my thoughts are unusual
A nice new discovery actually, fresh (suppose a classic I'm only finding about now...)
it was pretty good, i want to listen to it again
I wasn’t really looking forward to a Jethro Tull album. There’s just always been something that made me find them a bit dodgy. Maybe it was something to do with the dude dressing like some kind of Shakespearean minstrel. Anyway, I gave it a good go. It was a little bit better than I had expected. There were things that unexpectedly made me think of Bowie’s 2nd/ Man Who Sold the World era, some Genesis, maybe even some Alice Cooper. There wasn’t as much flute as I would have predicted which was also a positive. When all is said and done though Aqualung has not changed my opinion on this band. Not terrible.
Boring Led Zeppelin but with flutes
I liked it! Bit of a change of pace from a lot of the other rock albums around this time, but unfortunately nothing really grabbed me in particular, so I can't justify giving it a higher score.
Do not usually like this style of music but I did enjoy how the flute was incorporated in the style.
okay album. will i relisten to this album? probably not :( overall: 3.5/5 favourite track: locomotive breath least favourite track: wind-up (quad version)
I thought I knew a Jethro Tull song but it turns out that I'm just very familiar with the image of the creepy man playing flute with his eyebrow raised to the camera (maybe a childhood formative memory!) and it's a Steeleye Span song I was thinking of. Anyway, I didn't hate this album and I didn't hate the flute but I probably would have liked it more had it been a straight-up folk album as those songs were, to me, the strongest on the record; 'Mother Goose', 'Wond'ring Aloud' and 'Slipstream' being gorgeous examples. Aside from 'Hymn 43', the more proggy rock songs just felt like I'd heard them before and better (Sabbath, Zeppelin,) and even 'Up To Me', although really good, had more than whiff of Bowie to it. It wasn't the least accessible prog rock I've ever had to listen to and I would probably put this on again when I'm next in a "70s frame of mind" and see what it does. Maybe it'll be a different experience. I'll let you know...
Lots to like about Jethro Tull. Deep classic rock with impressive musicianship and clever lyrics.
sometimes magical and sometimes spinal tap
Pretty good album, I liked the mix of genres. Locomotive breath and aqualung are both very familiar from rock radio and parents, and are great songs. Perhaps deserves a relisten down the line.
Quite an interesting album. The flute sounds interesting together with the guitar.
Flute? Sure, why not. Honestly, some of the songs might actually be TOO whimsical for me. I might like some of the flute-folk songs more if I regularly traipsed through meadows.
This album strongly reminds me of a time in my life and specific person whom I'd rather forget. Good music, tough memories.
I had been refusing to listen to anything from Jethro Tull based on having a Flute in the band. I thought this would be overwhelming to the sound, believing Flute does not belong in Rock and Roll. However this record surprised . There are some heavy guitar riffs and the guitar work on this album is great. The song "Locomotive Breath" is fantastic, I gave it a second listen. The flute is overbearing on some songs but overall not overwhelming. I would listen to it in again, and will listen to "Locomotive Breath" again as I've added it to my "liked" songs.
Very nice album
didn't finish listening
Basically the antithesis of rock and roll. Some good riffs and stuff. Overall just kinda meh
i enjoyed it overall but only a few songs got playlist adds. fuckin love the flute in My God
A couple classic rock songs here
musically i really like it, lyrically there’s def some questionable stuff BUT art can be controversial and questionable, even problematic and still enjoyable so overall I thought it was chill
Really feeling the Aqualung one
Fin musikk. Definitivt et av de større bandene i sin tid og mest unike. Liker det, men ikke veldig minneverdig. Kanskje ved flere gjennomhøringer
I didn’t finish it, travelling. But from what I listened I liked it.
I enjoyed this album fine. I didn’t feel like it was anything mind blowing but it is a great example of blending progressive, folk, and rock elements together to create a unique concept album. I enjoyed some of the songs on this album but as a collective there were only a few standout tracks for me and some of the songs fell flat and carried on for too long. Overall, I enjoyed this album but it’s not one I would immediately seek out in the future.
-this is a really good album. one of the most cohesive prog rock albums i’ve ever heard (this is prog rock right? right??). would definitely like to listen to it again because i feel there was a good bit i missed, and i would probably find more reasons to like it -as of now it’s sitting at a 3.5 for me. would love to hear more from this band -Favorites: Aqualung, Mother Goose, My God
Concept albums are fun until you don't pay attention for a couple of songs and then who knows what is happening. Will definitely revisit and I can see a higher score coming
This guy does beat boxing flute, and that's pretty damn cool. Favorite track was up to me
Not my favorite
Pretty good, although not great
Rv
Ok wouldn't listen to it again
2 classic songs with a lot of good stuff between. Dug this but wish the middle stuff was a little better
if there was rock/ blues at a medieval ren fairy, it would definitely sound like this. the flute is cunty and should be put in more songs.
king crimson but a bit more folky
Not a great lover of the prog rock scene. A listenable album but far from great. Don’t mind a bit of the old flute getting involved here but doesn’t lift it above an average album
Hace unos años hablando con unos colegas me dijeron algo de que no les molaba el prog rock. Yo me quedé sorprendidísimo porque eran el tipo de peña que les gusta música de todo tipo y de todas las épocas, y descartar de un plumazo un género de tanta importancia me pareció pasarse. El problema fue cuándo me preguntaron de vuelta si a mi me molaba, y yo dije que sí y me puse a pensar en discos y grupos chulos del prog rock. Mi primera respuesta fue King Crimson y dijeron que hombre claro eso no valía. Intuyo que lo mismo ocurriría con Pink Floyd. El caso es: quitando esos clásicos indiscutibles del género, ¿me gusta el prog rock? Es cierto que es un género pesado, pretencioso, que se la pasan en flipadas en vez de en pillar un buen groove y hacer lo que se dice una buena canción. Escuchando a Jethro Tull me vino a la cabeza esa conversación a la que llevo dándole vueltas desde hace años. No lo tengo del todo claro, pero creo que Jethro Tull no ayuda. No es un mal disco, pero me ha pillado con toda la pereza del prog.
Lots of flute, but enjoyable. This is my fiancés pops favorite artist, so got to connect with him a bit today from listening to this which was cool. Cross-eyed Mary was my fav
Я люблю прог, но все же недолюбливаю кантри и фолк
Ich hatte erwartet, dass das gar nichts für mich sein würde. Tatsächlich hat's mir ziemlich gut gefallen.
I surprisingly enjoyed it.
Decent
not so fire but still fire
Nej. Rätt trist. Lite lattjo med följt och det är aldrig egentligen. Men det lyfter inte heller. Hög lägstanivå, men inte mer än så. Gediget hantverk. Vilket tyvärr är en rätt "dålig" recension. Det vill man inte höra som musiker (iaf inte i första hand).
Better than I thought but not great
After years of declaring I wasn’t a fan…I’m still not but I can appreciate this album. Now I can listen to the “hits” without tuning them out. Good stuff.
Dobrý sóla (Aqualung)
alright
Unos clásicos y reivindicativos del folk rock.
Like the interview
I had this as a cassette tape! Lots of good songs on it, but over played on my Sirius FM radio stations.
Highlights: - Aqualung - my god !! - Hymn 43 - Locomotive Breath - Wind-up!! Songwriting umwerfend und poetisch Fühlt sich sehr mediveal an, was zum Albumkonzept passt Leider nicht komplett meins aber unbestreitbarer Klassiker
Just not for me
C’est assez spécial mais j’ai bien aimé ! Comme jacquet mdr
Other than the sick flute, a pretty solid early 70's rock album. I'd rather listen to this than Led Zeppelin. Locomotive Breath was my favourite track here. 3 Stars.
I had never listened to a Jethro Tull album before, and it was not at all what I expected. I didn't know they relied on so many blues, folk and psych elements ； that was a really nice surprise (is "psychedelic hard-folk" a genre I wasn't aware of ?). You can even hear traces of Black Sabbath and early Pink Floyd in the first track. I loved the singer's voice, and I also enjoyed the flutes that so many reviewers seem to dislike, they really add a funky vibe to the mix. Locomotive Breath is an awesome blues song, but the soft ballads like Wondering Aloud are much less interesting. It won't become my favorite band, but it was pleasant enough, and I'm willing to give their other albums a try. 6/10
I knew Jethro Tull for its psychedelic synchoped flute tunes so I had great expectations. But my quick listening didn't stick. Should I give it another go?
It's nice, it's good background music... because it lacks a bit of personality.
This was mindless rock. It's still rock tho so it gets 3 stars, and the album cover of the jewish guy is legendary
Sounded musically authentic, and I generally enjoyed the instrumentals and vocals, but most of the record doesn't match my taste so I can't see myself returning
Spi Al tapmmeeys Jack Black. ☺️. Of it's time - a good listen.
Ehh, pretty alright, but it does come off as a bit flowery and overly pretentious at times.
Good morrow ye gentle folk! Prithee, dost thee lead singer of yonder musical group wield a floute? I has't only one oth'r question; wherefore art we talking about panties on a parketh bench? For the right listener, there's a lot happening here. The band gets a bit more experimental than a lot of their contemporaries. The jazz/blues/medieval style is certainly interesting; the songs just aren't.
Underneath all the Renaissance fair flair and requisite fluting lay some pointed critiques of urbanization and organized religion that outpace the album's musical execution.
I actually enjoyed the flutes
I can’t say that I hate it. It’s very well made, and definitely unique. But it is a trip to hear this sort of rockin’ Ren fair style. Chunky prog flute. It’s not terrible and that’s surprising.
Starts off really good and sort of tails off. i'll probably lsiten again though.
Not for me, but I do appreciate the experimentation with traditionally classical music.
I liked it. The vocals reminded me of America, almost. It was good, not particularly my thing.
Something I could have playing in the background
Like opera, I recognize it as brilliant but it’s not to my taste
dad stars!
My knowledge of this album going in was limited to “rock music with flute”. I did realize I’d heard the title track before. And you know what? The flute rips. It’s a fun, unique rock album. There should be more woodwind shredding in popular music.
First time listening 3 This album was okay? The flute was interesting, and the songs were enjoyable enough. I suppose the variety of the songs was interesting, and I could see it being something I enjoy more on relistening. I can hear the elements of the rock opera/concept album come through.
Interesting listen. Some good moments in there.
Pretty good. I know a lot of people complained about the flute, but I think the flute is what makes it interesting. Favorite songs: Hymn 43, Locomotive Breathe, Wind-Up
I’m mixed on this. It has an interesting mix of instruments and styles. Everyone mentions the flute, but it works, man! I also like the guitars and music in general. I found myself mostly tapping along. It’s just… all a bit weirdly dramatic. I can’t think of many prog / concept albums that I really enjoy. This has the same kind of trappings as those. I just find it hard to engage with it as much.
Pretty good, don't know if it's something I will go back and listen to again but it was enjoyable.
This didn't move me much. Probably need a relisten again at some point. More interested in hearing Thick as a Brick.
I thought this would suck but I was enticed by the use of the flute.
3.5
I liked the song Aqualung in all its creepy glory, but the rest of the album was a bit samey/generic folk rock to me. Cool flute-ness but nothing really caught me.
Great start, but the back half fell off a bit. Still pleasantly varied and interesting.
Not bad. Liked the inclusion of flute. Not something I go crazy for, but I can appreciate it's quality.
An interesting (concept) album. The English folk rock moments and elements stick with me the most.
Aight
Another one I thought I would like more than I did. I think this album has a reputation it can't quite deliver on. Music was a little too medieval ren fair for me. If you're into prog rock with a TON of flute work, then this one is for you. Overall it was OK, but there was nothing I loved, not even the title track. 3/5
Good
pretty good, liked the flute
Locomotive Breath is genius - it has spawned many imitators, many of them seemingly on this album.
Discovering Jethro Tull in university was a revelation to me. This hit me less hard now. Vocals sound surprisingly close to Jack Black at times. Although flute playing is still on fire. Listening to aqualung and locomotive breath brings me right back to a less cynical time in my life
Gotta admit I enjoyed this more than I expected to.
JT is okay. But it's kinda behind me why they're so popular. 🤷🏼♀️
I liked it.
Cool
meh, some good singles, some ok filler.
96/1001 Jethro Tull - Aqualung Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ A solid prog rock album with flute flourishes that makes it an engaging enough listen, but nothing that sticks in the memory.
Not as good as Thick As A Brick or Songs From The Wood but a good 3. From an era when bands could actually still experiment with what ‘rock’ was, rather than confirming to narrow market constraints, like in the past 30 years.
I always thought of JT as the rock band for people who don’t really like rock music. I’m quite partial to a bit of flute, early Genesis or Peter Gabriel, but maybe not on every single song! That said it’s a bit of entertaining Middle Earth type hokum that’s not nasty on the ear and contains some good bits of music so I’ll mark it accordingly.
Don’t really have much to say but that was decent I guess
I heard some good sounds throughout, but I'm just not big on prog rock... especially when it starts to sound like something I would hear at a medieval fair.
Musically interesting. Thought was put into the lyrics and the anachronistic feeling flute sections provide a coll accent or counterpoint to the rest of the song. Not quite my cup ot tea and not a best metal album of the year.
All the FM radio of the mid-70s came rushing back, middle school, 95X, all of it!!
too much flute, too oddly 70's for my tastes!
The interview at the end of the special edition album was a nice touch
Jethro Tull! I was excited for this one, and it started strong but was really just okay-ish by the end.
Great album. Evolves throughout and love the banger flute solos. Very much your British classic rock, and the flute is a great spin. Fun listen. Might put some more time into this band.
Didn’t know flute could be like that
Lots of flute.
3.5/5. Verrassend aangenaam
Cross-Eyed Mary and Hymn 43 are bangers. Locomotive Breath is pretty good too. I can do without the forest sprite ballyhoo.
I remember checking this album out of a local library when I was a kid/tween, wanting to enjoy it more than I did, and mystified why there were so many flutes on a rock album that everyone seemed to revere. I might have wondered if this was some crossover album by Cat Stevens or something (especially with tracks like "Wond'ring aloud"), and never did recognize that this fell into the prog rock camp just as much as my beloved Rush (especially their earlier albums). I don't think I ever listened to the whole Jethro Tull album then, or since, so it's kind of nice to finally revisit it, warts and all. I've always been a bit haunted by the opening lyrics of the title track, but aside from the opening and closing sections it's not nearly as great of a song as I'd long imagined; I'd say the same of "Cross-eyed Mary" and "Locomotive breath", although they're a bit stronger throughout. I also enjoyed "Up to me" and "Hymn 43", although the whole album just seems a bit tedious (and a bit long-winded, lyrically and flute-ally).
song 1: vocals and song don't align timing wise but lowket interessting. song style resarts and it lowk turns into bohemian rhapsody fire. NOW A HAPPY JIG song 2: WOAH flute intro, kinda geeky kinda interesting song 3: super nice intro and then it rebuilds, not bad overall song 4: kinda country core, mehh song 5: slower love style, i fw it doe song 6: PIRATE JIG WITH LAUGHs, and flute, new top song 7: guitar strum intro, experimental core, turns into electric guiatar, top close except for the flute-y ness halfway through, wait lowkey song 8: bon jovi core or whatevs, sinners jiggy ish song 9: lowkey speaking idk it was meh song 10: fun intro, electric guitar with piano ooh, meh vocals let me down a little, but nice constaant bass beat song 11: slower beat mehhhh, it picked up kinda reminds me of cars movie song 12: end of movie type song, hard headed social worker ahh song 13: CHEEEe HOOOOO song 14:s song my asss its an interview
Descent but has not aged well
My first listen... Aqualung/Jethro Tull Here I am thinking I dont know the band... but its familair... like all heavy metal of the era, to some extent. I am getting a lot of School of Rock vibes/Jack Black. Its fun and exciting. and then annoying. I stop.
Cool 70's hard rock, great song subjects. Nice piece of history but not a must have record for my collection
Great album!
6/10… progressive rock
For me it is an Album which could be heared through in one - take. Experimental -alternative. Something you didn't hear all the time, but with the easy and uncomplicated songwriting and schemes.
• 3/5 • maybe it’s the vocals but a lot of the songs sound similar . . . Except Aqualung is better
rockcito clasico
A lot better than I expected but the 3 blind mice style flute playing still bothers me
Blast from the past. Tull was my first concert when I was 13. This album took me back to the times I used to love this. Not my thing as much anymore but still a fun listen
Desde el primer segundo suena a disco de culto, muy sólido, no me agradó una canción en particular pero escuchar todo el álbum completo lo vale
Not a prog guy, but a reasonably accessible album with minimal complications. The title track is a nice and enjoyable song. 3/5
Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Thought I’d like it a bit more than I did
Expected to hate this but it wasnt horrible. I dont need to listen to it again but i wouldnt be tortured if it was on. Like, say, that gawdawful Muse shite :) Anyhow, rock flute is hit and miss
Ingen andre kan rocke en tværfløjte som Jethro Tull.
Way more than just the title track, the progressive and folk mix is awesome
There was a *lot* going on. Am a fan of the flute though, and very dense lyrics.
I had an hour long out and back drive so I got to listen to this album in two parts. Most of the songs were new to me and the ones that I did know I had only heard a few times. I found this album to be enjoyable to listen to in all aspects of
Love the guitar solo for the first song. Very blue's inspired so far. Not bad
Hadn't listened to any Jethro Tull before. I thought this was actually ok! Not all of it was really my thing, but I'd probably listen again.
So close to a 4, yet most of the B side lowers it down to a 3
Hey Aqualung! (3.5)
Just finished this album I’m glad I listened to it I didn’t hate it, wasn’t boring I could do without the extras (flute and story telling parts ) but for the most part I liked a few songs and would listen to it again probably not the whole album and mixed with other albums .
This album has some classic songs, and JT is a cool creative band, but they have never been a band that has really connected to me.. I’m not sure if it’s the vocals, or kind of theatrical arrangements, but I’ve never quite got it. That said, I enjoyed the listen
Not really my thing, but it's good. I liked a lot of the songwriting.
Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Sehr gut, aber etwas langwierig.
Folky rock a decent listen
Started ok, worsened considerably. It’s a 3 from me
Though it seems un-cress He rocks with the best
I liked this more than I was expecting. It really stands out as a unique sounding prog rock album. The instrumental pallet is just so strange and specific. It's a mix of acoustic guitars, piano, flutes, strings and super heavy fuzz guitar. It's way cooler than it sounds... i swear. But also it feels deeply uncool and nerdy, which I also kind of like. I assume this was not music for the cool kids in the 70s. It has too much of a renaissance fair vibe to it, but I dig that. I like how weird and folksy it is. It feels like they took inspiration from some led Zeppelin songs in this vein and then just ran with that sound and pushed it to a bunch of new places. I love the contrast between the whimsical folk and the black sabbath guitar riffs. It’s very cool. There’s also one song with this crazy flute, chanting breakdown (My God). It’s super fun. I just found myself smiling at the instrumentation, variety and song structures. I also dig the vocals. He’s not a great singer, but he has character and a gravely edge to him. It works. Unfortunately, the words he’s saying didn’t always work for me. I consider the lyrics a strike against the album. I found the less I focused on them, the more I enjoyed the album. But there were a few lyrics my ears just couldn’t ignore that made me cringe a bit or question the ideas of the band. Maybe if I dug into them, I’d appreciate the songs more. Or maybe I’d like the record less. Luckily, I don’t have time to find out. This is a solid 3 for me. Thoughts on some tracks… Aqualung - it was great on Guitar Hero and it’s still great now. It’s just a big epic prog rock banger. The lyrics are… interesting. I get that it’s a character portrait of a sketchy, pervy homeless guy, and the lyrics definitely get that across. He doesn’t sound like someone I’d want to encounter, which I think was the goal? I read them a bit and it’s pretty solid writing, really paints a picture of this man. But is it enjoyable to think about while listening to the song? For me… not really. I just love the word Aqualung and dig the music around it and try to ignore the phrase “Watching the frilly panties run” while I head bang to that huge fuzzy riff. Cross-Eyed Mary - The lyrics on this one are even less enjoyable than Aqualung. It seems to be about a teenage prostitute who might be hired by Aqualung. It’s a lot. And the instrumental on this one isn’t good enough for me to ignore the lyrics. But I swear the album gets better from here. Mother Goose - it has Zeppelin vibes in a good way… a mix of ramble on and going to California Wond’ring Aloud - A pretty little folk track with some nice strings. Up to Me - I dig the acoustic/flute groove on this and the sprinkles of electric guitar. My God - This is an epic track. It has a Sabbath vibe. It starts as this ominous folk track then becomes a moody hard rock track. There’s a big guitar solo then a big flute solo which morphs into this Gregorian chant/flute interlude. It’s just really fun and weird. Slipstream - A nice little acoustic folk cut. Very pretty guitar and strings. Locomotive Breath - It starts as a classical piano piece and morphs into this hard rock track and it has a fun flute solo. Note: maybe I’m really into flute… who knew. Another note: This is probably the record they should have won a Grammy for... but they weren't appreciated in their prime... so then the Grammy's gave them the first metal grammy in the 80s instead of choosing Metallica... oops. Love at stupid legacy grammy win. Always entertaining.
Good
1971 memory
Good to hear this again. Not my favourite Tull album, but some great moments here nonetheless - the title track, Cross-Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath… Some really good subtle hooks that draw you in, which I think you only truly notice after multiple listens. I’m conscious that first time listeners won’t give this a second listen, which is a shame. A patchy week on the generator, so Aqualung was welcomed.
Very boomer rock, but the good kind.
same like da last recommendation
It’s obviously very good but I got tired listening to it
not my favourite, but it had a nice sound
I feel like I'll regret the rating I've given it today, but I definitely see why this album is legendary. Love the flute work, and I love how it feels like the sound of each song gets more and more complex as the album reaches its conclusion.
Bra tillverkad musik, men kanske inte för mig. Lite av musiker-musik. Andra låten på albumet hade något intressant. Kanske ska jag ändå lyssna igenom den ordentligt.
They said it couldn't be done - wind instrument hard rock in the style of a middle ages troubadour. Jethro Tull is like, "Hold my piccolo," and pulls off a bewildering spectacle (auracle?). And I can't help but think of Jethro the bard enunciating with menacing flute flourishes and making big eye gestures... 'Bravely ran away, away! When danger reared its ugly head,He bravely turned his tail and fled.'
3.2 Meh. I can see where he was going, but the voice didn't do it for me. I had a mate who was terrible at singing but thought he should be a star, went on X-Factor and all and ended up as one of few clips they show on TV where people embarrass themselves. I shit you not. Anyway, he sounds EXACTLY like this. So that was unwanted flashback. Anyway, the music was actually alright, but the flute I couldn't do, so between that and the vocals it wasn't the most pleasant 45 mins
I liked when it sounded like the Pied Piper from Shrek 4
Flute. 3.2/5
I enjoyed it for a while then I got kind of bored.
I think I was expecting a southern rock band with a name like Jethro Tull.
🤷
The fame of this one doesn't match my experience. I thought it was good, but I don't get it.
I wanted to like this more than I did. Still some solid songs on there, but this stuff is sometimes tedious to listen to for some reason. Rock that flute! 3.33
Some great songs in here, others I could take or leave. Decent enough. Highlights: Aqualung, Locomotive Breath
I enjoyed this, sort of classic rock but with some creative touches thrown in. I think the flutes really add something here and while I wouldn’t say it was a masterpiece it had enough going on to make it interesting. I did lose a bit of interest by the end but that’s not unusual.
Didnt take long to have an appreciation for this album. Lots of great musicality, interesting lyrics and even some unusually amazing piping going on! I liked the intricate guitair work too where someone was twanging his strings to perfection. Fingerpicking I beleive is the technical term so google tells me as I have no idea what it was called. I feel I have underpowered the score here but I might need this to grow on me to fully appreciate it. I think I will come back to this as I think it deserves it.
I listened to the Steven Wilson mix and I thought the production quality was really good. A detailed and well balanced mix. Generally I thought the album was very listenable. I liked the mix of acoustic and electric sounds and the folk vocals. I didn't feel a deep connection to the music beyond "Interesting British 70's Folk Rock Album" though.
I came into this as a not-a-big Jethro Tull fan. I think the song Aqualung is kind of cool. A bit too long, but the guitar riff is pretty sweet. *Beavis and Butthead head banging here* The entire album is decent. I don't think I could rate this higher than 3. The flute stuff is neat at times, but I like how other bands have utilized a flute in rock music. *shrugs* Sorry, not an essential album in my eyes. 2.75/3
Can see where stoner metal comes from. It’s weird, I feel like I should like it more than I do - I think there's too many tempo changes and hippie asides that pull away from the main groove for me. Also was a period of time where stuff felt… medieval? Like I could see some of these in hobbitton.
Flute
Not as good as a real flutist like Lizzo but I can see where he's getting at
It's been forever since I heard a Jethro Tull song, probably since someone once sent me one of theirs songs (can't recall which). On a full listen, yeah I think it's pretty good! A lot more varied and rockier than really *proggy* but it's theatrical eccentricies is partly why it makes it stand out against other prog that is lengthy and cheesy without much of an identity (*Cof* Emerson, Lake and Palmer *cof*)
I came into this as a not-a-big Jethro Tull fan. I think the song Aqualung is kind of cool. A bit too long, but the guitar riff is pretty sweet. *Beavis and Butthead head banging here* The entire album is decent. I don't think I could rate this higher than 3. The flute stuff is neat at times, but I like how other bands have utilized a flute in rock music. *shrugs* Sorry, not an essential album in my eyes. 2.75/3
A deep and bumpy journey in the early seventies.It ist the first time that i hear this album and it feels a little bit like i visit my grandparents. A warm Welcome and a stressfull conversation. Favorit Song for me: Mother goose
Not my cup of tea although there were some catchy and easy listening tracks.
Not an album I'd listen to againn but it was quite fun.
love me some Tull
There really isn't another band like Jethro Tull. I like the softer music with heavy metal grooves. The flute is always a plus. This was a decent album, but I can't go over 3 on it.
Parece musica que escucharia un peasant medieval mezclada con rock, tiene un aura muy chula
A classic, well listened to before so no surprises.
was ok 80/100
Didn't think I'd ever say this, but the flute went surprisingly hard on this record. I wanted to hate it, but I couldn't bring myself to. I didn't love it, I couldn't bring myself to.
fine
Probably rewards relistens.