Tull Free...

Jethro Tull’s “Thick as a Brick “ is a genius work of art emulating a poem in a 43 minute musical masterpiece that defies all laws of music. Front man Ian Anderson created this #1 US Billboard hit in 1971 at Morgan Studios, London. “Thick as a Brick” is a rollercoaster of a song in the same, more manly, way as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” did three years later in that both of these songs feature changes in time signature, tempo, and theme. Based on a poem written by Ian Anderson, “Thick as a Brick” tells a story of a young boy learning life. The most impressive part of this song might not be the lyrics, believe it or not, but the way British Jethro Tull combined guitars, drums, piano, Hammond organ, flute, harpsichord, xylophone, violin, lute, and trumpet in one song that changes directions more than my bank account.

The song starts, “Really don’t mind if you sit this one out,” flute solo enters and gets the party started. A series of short guitar solos and riffs, drum rolls, and organ sets up the first tier of this song as Ian Anderson talks about “Sand Castle virtues.” The narrator is telling the boy that even though things may look great, may even look real, they can be taken away in an instant in tidal destruction representing the real world. The song changes for the first time after “not sing in the rain” and is characterized by a hard guitar riff rolling through like Andy Wulfeck rolling through a bag of Doritos. Softer acoustic guitar and an organ mesh like Jordan and Pippen in the early nineties only to be stopped abruptly. The song stops and is softened again by acoustic guitars, advancing drum roll and a flute that Ian Anderson kills. And an instrumental continues for a good minute, and ends with a new verse documenting the boy’s first run with temptations because the master of the family is away. The boy is not afraid, and the sand castle dreams are referenced again as he glares into the sea daring it to wash his dreams away.

An electric guitar, flute, and organ argue like old married couples while the drums set an inspiring, rough, bright mood all slow cooked in a crock pot until a marching band drum roll steps in and breaks up the fight. And that’s just the first 9 minutes.

The song rolls on and changes directions 3 or 4 more times in just part 1 (first 22 minutes). This isn’t a song you can just sit and listen to a minute or two of it and grasp its greatness, such as, I don’t know a song like “Stanky Leg” (featured in an earlier blog). As one that appreciates good music of any kind, this song, if listened to in its entirety, is sure to surprise. When I say entirety I’d even consider Part 1 good enough because it is only 22 minutes and much easier to listen to than a 43 minute tune. And plus most of us half ass most things so Part 1 would be right down your alley. Part 2 and Part 3 of Part I can be viewed here.

Anyways, just another one of RBK’s insight into the world of music.