Album of the Day

Building on the success of AQUALUNG, Jethro Tull topped the U.S. chart this week in 1972 with fifth studio album THICK AS A BRICK, no mean feat for a set that consisted of a single epic split into two side-long parts. Representing frontman Ian Anderson's attempt to “come up with something that really is the mother of all concept albums,” the collection is a nod to the likes of Yes and ELP … with a wink at Monty Python thrown in for good measure. While the newspaper parody packaging and lyrics credited to a fictitious boy genius (“Gerald Bostock”) reflect the band's sense of humor, the musicianship - from Anderson's flute to Martin Barre's guitar and John Evan's keyboards - is definitely no joke, THICK AS A BRICK stands as one of the most complex, expertly executed recordings in progressive rock history.