In the end, you can call Thick As a Brick 2 by any title you like and it would still be a superb Ian Anderson album. It’s updated progressive rock for the heart and head, with beautiful Celtic-flavored melodies, wry humor, enigmatic lyrics, complex musicianship, rapidly shifting tones and arrangements, not to mention state-of-the-art production values. Best of all, it sounds like classic Jethro Tull. There can be only one Thick As a Brick, but I suspect I’ll be playing this new album just as often. The main difference will be that I won’t be scratching up the grooves. The newspaper, this time around, is online. The cover now depicts, appropriately enough, blog entries.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Chuck Wagner
Thick As A Brick 2 is, if nothing else, conclusive proof that when something is done this well, eras, trends and even worse "genres" lose their precedence. This album is brilliant and endears itself to the listener more and more upon re-visit.
The music is excellent and is full of melodic hooks that initially captivate but reveal upon repeated listens a sophisticated structure of both development and recapitulation.
For fans of Mr. Anderson who wish to peruse his rich and thought provoking lyrics, there is a bounty for one's mind when reading of the varied life and possiibilities of one Gerald Bostock, the central character of the album.
The "Pebbles" instrumental, of the new album, evokes images of a faraway sea chanty or a distant plainsong of the moors in it's ethereally haunting flute passage.
This is a record that will stand the test of time and is well worth your purchase as you will be rewarded through many listens. How many items of media in one's own collection really adds up to the potential of this? I cannot recommend this purchase higher.
Congratulations to Ian Anderson and band for proving that the constant of time is what we make of it, and what we choose of it.
2 - Mr.Fish
All this amazing praise in very serious "thoughty" words is impossible to improve upon!..(plus.... I am not that ambitious!) All I can say is....YES!....YES!...YES! This is the best shit to come along in a great while! Can't play it enough! Learning most on guitar in case Florian needs a "stand in"? (God Forbid!!) Seriousy, I am soooo happy to be sitting in 3rd row in October to see this project attempting to be played live!! back to back TAAB 1 & 2....could life suddenly be more fun and interesting again?? ...yes...Thank you Ian!!...and the band...Cheers!
E-Fish - Laguna Beach, CA