[Review] Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick (1972)

Ian Anderson enters the ranks of the true British eccentrics with this album.

Kronomyth 5.0: In the title’s deconstruction, the moral may lay

For his next trick, Ian Anderson shifted his gaze from God to ego. Or something like that. I won’t purport to understand what it all means, being a mere mortal, but a theme does seem to emerge where the author examines his life from youth to old age. The inscrutability of it all is captured in the realization that, from beginning to end, the writer remains as thick as a brick. Anderson himself has since explained that the album is meant as a spoof, although it’s hard to imagine someone putting this much effort into a parody. If you think the “difficulty” of an album like Thick as a Brick is a stumbling block to my appreciating it, nothing could be farther from the truth. Along with Minstrel in the Gallery and Songs from the Wood, this would be a serious contender for one of my favorite dozen albums. Anderson is at his creative peak here and Jethro Tull, now featuring Barriemore Barlow on drums, would never have a better lineup. The music shifts between heavy and light, similar to Aqualung but stitched together into a seamless tapestry. Although the album doesn’t have any actual songs, it does have recognizably distinct sections that function as songs and were later apportioned into smaller, numbered pieces for public consumption. The opening theme and the section beginning “I see you shuffle in the courtroom…” are pure genius. It does all get a bit silly about midway through with the stop-and-start drum solo, but quickly rights itself with the section beginning “In the clear white circles of morning wonder…” (itself a variation on the opening theme) and subsequent “The legends worded in the ancient tribal hymn…” While I’ve since mended my ways, Thick as a Brick has yielded many hours of pleasure in the past during which I turned on and tuned in to this tale and, in fact, I still enjoy the escape that listening to this album in one sitting provides. I’ve always found it more thought-provoking than funny, but I suppose that’s true of the best humor. In case you’re interested, there are quite a few cover variations of this record featuring different articles (which may not be news to you).

Original elpee version

A1. Thick as a Brick (Ian Anderson/Gerald Bostock) (22:45)
B1. Thick as a Brick (Ian Anderson/Gerald Bostock) (21:05)

Arranged by Jethro Tull.

CD reissue bonus tracks
3. Thick as a Brick (live at Madison Square Garden 1978)
4. Interview with Ian Anderson, Martin Barre & Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond

The Players

As quoted from the St. Cleve Chronicle: “Mr. Ellis told me that apart from a short orchestral passage, the members of the group played all the instruments themselves. In addition to his usual flute, acoustic guitar and singing roles, IAN ANDERSON extended his virtuosity to violin, sax and trumpet, while MARTIN BARRE played a few lines on that delightful mediaeval instrument, the lute, as well as his electric guitar. JOHN EVAN played organ, piano and harpsichord, JEFFREY HAMMOND-HAMMOND played bass, guitar and spoke some words, and new drummer BARRIEMORE BARLOW added the timpani and percussion parts.” Orchestral arrangements by David Palmer. Produced by Ian Anderson; executive producer: Terry Ellis.

The Pictures

Photography by Brian Ward.

The Plastic

Released on elpee and 8-track on February 18, 1972 in the UK and France (Chrysalis, CHR 1003) [green label], the US, Australia and Canada (Reprise, MS 2072/REP-M-8207), Brazil (Reprise, RLLP 2007), Argentina and Germany (Chrysalis, 6307 502) and Japan (Reprise, P-8233R). with gatefold cover and newspaper. Reached #5 on the UK charts and #1 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record).

1. Re-released on elpee in the Netherlands (Chrysalis, 5C 062 93254) with gatefold cover and newspaper.
2. Re-released on elpee and 8-track in the UK, US and Canada (Chrysalis, CHR/8CH 1003) [blue label] with gatefold cover.
3. Re-released on elpee in Germany (Chrysalis, 202 654 320).
4. Re-released on elpee in the US (Chrysalis, PV 41003).
5. Re-issued on remastered elpee in the US and Japan (Mobile Fidelity, MFSL-1-187).
6. Re-issued on compact disc in 1985 in the UK (Chrysalis, CDP 32 1003) and the US (Chrysalis, F2-21003).
7. Re-issued on compact disc in 1993 in Japan (EMI Toshiba, TOCP-7815).
8. Re-issued on 25^th anniversary expanded, remastered compact disc in 1998 in the UK (EMI, 495400) with 2 bonus tracks.
9. Re-issued on expanded, remastered compact disc on February 9, 1999 in the US (Capitol, 95400) with 2 bonus tracks.
10. Re-issued on expanded, remastered compact disc on June 23, 2003 in Japan (EMI Toshiba, TOCP-65883) with 2 bonus tracks.