Jethro Tull- Thick As A Brick Pt. 2 (First Listen)

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Song Link: • Thick as a Brick (Pt. ...

[@CliffordLake]

The use of reprises and dynamics on this album is masterful to say the least.

[@bandfromtheband9445]

AND tasteful, of course!

[@jeffmartin1026]

Deep in the mix - at 15:45 in this video - a phone rings just once. In concert the band stopped, and a single overhead spotlight shone down on a white telephone sitting on a tall stool off to the side. Ian looks at the crowd in surprise, walks over and answers it then turns to the crowd and asks if Mike Nelson* is here. The back door opens and a man in full scuba gear enters and makes his way thru the crowd and up onstage. Ian says "It's for you", turns and the band kicks right back into gear. It was stunning. * Mike Nelson was the name of a TV character in the show Sea Hunt, a popular show in the 60's that the crowd at the time was all famillier with.

[@stephendennis5911]

It's my first listening to this and very impressed with what I'm hearing

[@bandfromtheband9445]

It's a fantastic album created by guys in their early 20's! That's what gets me. These guys were so talented at a very early stage in their lives and careers.

[@Ferretbomber]

@@bandfromtheband9445 and they'd already been in bands for years. They knew what they were doing. As the band progressed Ian slowly jettisoned the 'blues guys' and brought in guys he grew up working with in the mid '60s like John Evan, Jeffrey Hammond, etc. to be more nimble at exploring multiple genres.

[@ljsites]

I love this album! I realized now I like A Passion Play more.

[@coolguitarchannel]

The first time I listened to Thick As A Brick, I listened to it backwards mistakenly lol. So by the first few minutes I was hearing the drum solos and thinking, “omg wtf am I hearing.” The rest of the album listen was pure ecstasy. It was one of the most enjoyable first-listens of an album that I’ve had. From that moment on, it has remained as one of my favorite albums.

[@cobrasys]

OMG, same here! The vinyl my uncle had had the side labels reversed, so for the longest time, THIS was part 1 for me. Needless to say, the first time we got the CD we were _very_ confused as well. But there's no denying the song works much better as intended. :)

[@bandfromtheband9445]

That is hilarious!!! I've had the same experience, thinking side two was side one but for the life of me, I can't remember which album it was that I was playing backwards! It wasn't a Tull album, though. I'll remember it one of these days, as I get more senile!

[@Jouniac]

I really love Thick as a Brick. It's one of my absolute favourite Jethro Tull albums. Yes, it is a parody of a concept album to such extent that the packaging of the album is a fictional newspaper story of a (fictional) eight year old poet... and the lyrics of the album are based to his poems. So yes, Ian Anderson is going full meta and takin' the piss on the idea of concept albums WHILE making a pretty frigging amazing concept album in the process. ❤👍

[@bandfromtheband9445]

The album is the perfect "f**k you!" to the critics who fell for it. "A Passion Play" was the perfect follow-up as an impassioned, full-on quasi "concept album," just to mess with any other critics who thought they would have "one up" on the band! Jethro Tull let them know how terribly, and hysterically wrong they were! The Bastards! (The critics - NOT the band)!

[@MarcusVinicius-ku3xk]

Thick as a brick and A passion play are masterpieces of progressive era!!

[@Neo-Midgar]

This is my favorite album of all time, & the one 40 minute epic that I can listen to over and over & never tire of. It's so complex & intricate, yet so catchy & playful. Unlike a lot of others, it's also clearly one, long form composition, as opposed to several different mashed, which can happen at times even among the greats. I've heard almost nothing like it. Also, me and I'm sure a ton of other subs have been waiting in particular for you to hear the "Do you Believe In The Day" section of this song, which is infamous as being one of the most moving & beautiful pieces of Prog ever made.

[@Neo-Midgar]

I can totally hear Mike Oldfield in that midsection as well.

[@MarcusVinicius-ku3xk]

I bet 100 years from now this algum Will be rememberd as a classic

[@paulhart3812]

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE DAY is one of my favorite segments of music in ALL OF ROCK HISTORY.

[@Stuman57]

Your actions and responses speak 1000 words. I really like that you don't stop the song to talk and wait until the end. Great reaction. You are covering all the music I grew up with. I love hearing and seeing it through new ears and eyes again"for the first time"

[@fernandomendez6718]

Facts, He definitely has the best reaction channel to music.

[@chrisegbertky]

Yes! Thank u for not stopping and commenting. But your comnents rare and insightful dude.

[@IllumeEltanin]

G'day Justin and fellow followers! I've noticed some reactors claim they have to pause at least once, or KZbin will block or take down the video. And I've seen some reactors claim videos of theirs blocked, even with pausing, of songs Justin and others can do without pausing. Does anyone notice why this happens? I :think: what I've observed is the ones which are blocked are reacting to actual uploads to KZbin, while I believe the nonblocked, nonpaused reactors are streaming from another service for the listen. Possibly Spotify, or some such? I don't upload to KZbin, and don't use streaming services, so I may be totally wrong. But I am curious what the difference is between reactors which get blocked, and those who don't as often.

[@ZaphiroAnejo]

@@IllumeEltanin it's really strange. I mean, some listen to whole Beatles albums and only a few tiny parts of the songs are "cut". Also, they would just try to upload the reaction video cutting more and more of some songs until it's alright

[@PIGFRAN]

I Love A passion Play too... I will listing now...

[@margaretchayka6878]

This album is a masterpiece of musical artistry, no doubt about it.

[@markspooner1224]

What a delight this has been, Jethro Tull are unique, there's no pigeonhole to put them in. You're getting quite good at this Justin 😉

[@marysweeney7370]

I love the section "do you believe in the day". One thing I would say is that you have to imagine a young person listening to this album with only the information provided in/on the cover. We did not have access to information like we do now on the internet about JT in order to interpret the music. I remember listening over and over trying to interpret it. It was a wondrous piece of music, full of mystery and beauty for me.

[@plantfeeder6677]

Yes and music means whatever you want it to mean. The Grateful Dead never printed their lyrics because they wanted their listeners to hear what they wanted to hear so the song means something different to each person.

[@DrakusRecords]

It's a shame that part 1 gets so much more attention that part 2. Like you, when I first heard the album I preferred side 2 over side 1, and I've listened to the song hundreds of times since then and still feel that way. That "Do You Believe In the Day" section is my favorite part of the song, and perhaps my favorite thing Jethro Tull has ever done. It is so haunting and hypnotizing. I love how it's so classical and mystical sounding in that first part with the acoustic guitar and harpsichord, then when the rock instruments come in it becomes this evil sounding march. Jethro Tull rarely played this section live. Usually when they played their abridged version of Thick As A Brick in concert, they just used sections from from the first side and only the very end of the second side. It's a shame because I always felt side two had the best moments. I first heard this album on vinyl from my aunt's collection when I was a teenager in 1995. I fell in love with it instantly and bought the cd soon after. I believe I bought a rare early pressing that was not divided into two tracks. Instead it was just one continuous 45 minute song. I actually prefer it that way because, unlike Mike Oldfield's two sided epics, it really is just one song that is meant to be heard in one sitting.

[@spazimdam]

Ian Anderson's voice always makes me think of medieval times. It's such a humorous and gentle yet aggressive vocal. Think As A Brick pt 2 is just as complex as pt 1. All the musicians are at their best. The bass and drums are just blowaway, and Barre is great, Anderson is great, and the organ is massive! Quite an adventurous listen. I am glad I've now heard it. This album blurs the lines between prog rock, blues, jazz, folk and classical, and it makes you chuckle too. Quite a romp. Best to you and your grandma!

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

Maybe I exaggerate, but the whole album does that to me, with the lines about castles and so many other things. Even the 20th Century references in it don't prevent that.

[@ericanderson8886]

Watching Ian Anderson live, a great musician, but he always has that wink in his eye.

[@jameshunter7303]

The first five minutes or so aside I think I actually prefer this side to side one. I love the “do you believe in the day” segment especially. Well played though Justin, you obviously dig and get this band

[@blackinblue11]

Legends - Do you believe, and so on, transitions are hauntingly beautiful forever..constantly building the drama

[@brucefelger4015]

You should read the entire album cover, it's an amazing prop for this music

[@donaldshaw9284]

IMHO “Thick as a Brick” is the 2nd best Tull album. Of course the best Jethro Tull album ever is “Passion Play” and should be next on your list of Tull albums to react too. Thanks a lot for this one and congratulations on your channels success.

[@robertjewell9727]

I agree about A Passion Play.

[@stevenaustin8274]

Nah I remember being slightly underwhelmed by passion play good in parts but not up to TAAB

[@robertjewell9727]

@@stevenaustin8274 , I try to not make one album compete with another although I do have favorites that take their leads. In regards Thick and Passion one is a further voyage of the other in terms of theme, construction and conceptual experimentation and I value both highly. In Passion I love the new synthesizer chair in the lineup and the instrumentation throughout reflects the otherworldly story just as the organ does in Thick's more down to Earth themes. So, but, anyway....

[@michaelkeefe8494]

Says a lot that so many Tull albums contend. For my money, Aqualung start-to-finish, altered my perceptions of what music could be. I know a lot of people swear by Songs From the Wood. It's all good... literally.

[@godbluffvdgg]

That's a tough call to make... I love both albums equally but; if you put a gun to my head; I wouldn't hesitate a second and choose Thick... A Passion Play is a "One off" as is Thick, same genius on both...How would you compare either album to Long play Prog stuff Like Relayer or Nursery Crymes or even Close to the edge...It's funny; I couldn't thing of a double sided "same" theme song album by anyone in the genre...Ian, regardless, is a genius. :)

[@themikentimcomedyshow3343]

So great I watched it again! A lot of folks don't realize Ian also plays sax all over this album

[@dennispope1355]

Definitely one of my go-to albums when I need a progressive rock fix. I love that the group created this almost classical wonderfully complex yet fun composition. I also love the next one "A Passion Play" immensely Both truly amazing. I understand the comparisons to Mike Oldfield. I also agree with the pauses creating anticipation. It's a bit like anxiously awaiting the catchup slowly coming out of the bottle while thinking about how good the sandwich will be. Anyway, another fine reaction video. Looking forward to the Tull albums "Minstrel in the Gallery" and "Songs From the Wood" I feel all their albums up through "Stormwatch" are fine additions to collectors of folk laced art rock. Thanks'

[@izzonj]

I love that you picked up on the humorous and satirical elements of this album. It's such a big part of enjoying it. What's great is the extended album cover/newspaper contains a review of this very album (likely written by Ian himself) that is not very complimentary but itself lampoons music critics taking them too seriously and calling the album overly ambitious and pretentious. (I'm going by memory here, maybe I'm off a bit)

[@sammarsh3679]

jeffrey and john wrote a lot of the newspaper along with Ian.

[@bradsmack1]

You're right about the rock press of the time (I was 17 at time of release, and had it week 1, and gorged on the rock press of the day!)---I think they sensed or had heard what Ian was "up to," and weren't about to be "had"!! As for Ian's "sensitivity" (more accurately called awareness, probably) to the press of the day....very few artists back then let it be known they cared about what was written about them----oh, they cared, all right, but few were as vocal about it as Ian.....to his credit, because it reflects his love of verbosity/language/expression, etc., and he loved being the cat to their ball of yarn. Awareness of the press, in another way, though, reminds me of Bowie, who zigged and zagged repeatedly throughout his career, largely to piss off the press, and force them to "keep up" (due to his talent, his fans loved racing along to Bowie's new personas and music, but much of the press couldn't and didn't catch up). Cut to Madonna, early '80s, well-known Bowie fan, and someone who also happily "used" the rock press to her advantage. One of the most audacious quotes of all time, was when Dick Clark (on what must have been her first appearance on his "AB" show, asked her what she'd like to accomplish in the future: "I want to rule the world")-----America must've gone, "Dang! Madonna's got balls!" Little did they know! Cut to Lady Gaga, a rabid fan of both Bowie and Madonna, picked up her media relationship cues from her heroes to perfection, too. If any of Justin's viewers, here, haven't yet scanned rock history with the attendant rock media in mind, it's worth anything from a brief peek to a thorough investigation of how your favorite artist interacted with the rock press of their day! Infinitely fascinating and revealing....as we see here with Ian!

[@bandfromtheband9445]

OMG!The newspaper articles were too freaking hilarious!

[@sammarsh3679]

The Do You Believe in the Day part is my favorite Tull moment. Sadly, they never did that bit live in the day. Ian played it in 2012 on the TAAB 1&2 tour, but his voice was long gone by then. He's sustaining the top of his range for a lot of it. A Passion Play is the (somewhat) more serious follow up to this, and it's really good. Also The Chateau D'Isaster tapes from between the two, that we had to wait almost 20 years to hear, is excellent. Scenario/Audition/No Rehearsal from the 20 years box is a pinnacle from that era.

[@stephendennis5911]

I really like the way you listen to the song or any other song and listen to it and talk about it in a positive way and I look forward to your reaction videos

[@Lightmane]

JustJP is the best : )

[@a.k.1740]

I agree with you on the second side of the album which is also my favorite and just like you, my favorite part is "Do you believe in the day?" which I find the tone of a very solemn and meditative mood. this passage reminds me of what Jethro Tull will do on the next album in 1973. So if you're looking for more in this style, look no further than the A Passion Play album which is in a similar vein (but in a more serious and darker way). I'm pretty sure you'll love it!

[@l.a.mental4262]

Congratulations Justin. Thick as a Brick is a fine album and very much a precursor to their masterpiece, A Passion Play. An even more ambitious concept album, full of light and dark humor, fantastic writing and musicianship. Hope it becomes a goal for you to listen to. Along with The Lamb Lies Down, Topographic Oceans and Relayer, A Passion Play is the apex of 70's progressive rock before the genre collapsed in on itself in the later part of the decade.

[@anthonyblakely399]

I Love Jethro Tull's Baroque/Medieval Rock and playfulness in their music.

[@btannereagle]

One of my favorite albums. This came out when I was in HS. I would listen to the entire album everyday after school. My Mom learned to like it as well. I still know all the lyrics.

[@chrisegbertky]

Me too.

[@danielmora7382]

Congrats Justin! Great that you enjoyed it! I also have a soft spot for part 2 which is often overlooked. The next in your playlist hopefully should be "A Passion Play". But be warned, "A Passion Play" is far darker, denser and challenging. It was not a spoof, but as serious as it was meant to be, dealing with the concepts of death and afterlife. However, "A Passion Play" includes IMHO the more accomplished and beautiful SOLO VOICE section from Ian. His voice had matured at the time and he sounds really in command, and capable of leading a section on his own. An incredible feat indeed.

[@robertjewell9727]

Fantastic and detailed overview. That Gerald Bostock could write some great poetry, but don't knock him for not always finding meaning. He's only 8;years old. I do wonder if the awkward transition moment is another stab at the prog music industry in which record LP sides could only be a certain length and couldn't develop say the way a symphonic composer constructs a movement, not worried about its length but only it's development, Gustav Mahler for example, and Ian said, Ok, this could go on, but we just are going to STOP right in the middle of it, because progressive concepts or not, we've only got 22 minutes and we gotta finish. Looking forward to your A Passion Play excursion. And again FANTASTIC analysis.

[@uapuat]

I have been in awe of this album since I was 12. I think you hit the nail on the head. Lots of other bands do longer songs as different sections stitched together: once a section is done it's done and you move on. Here sections get presaged, and then referred to again later. It makes the whole thing come across as one single piece of music.

[@jonanderson559]

There's so much on this album that I sometimes forget how great Barrie's drumming is, and the start of side 2 shows it off to great effect.

[@Tuning_Spork]

"Well, if we're going to send up 'bloat rock', we gotta have a drum solo." "How's this?" **frantic drum solo** "Perfect!!"

[@bobdelp2023]

ALL THOSE ALBUMS ARE REALLYYYY GOOD JUSTIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'LL DO BUT! LOL :) A PASSION PLAY, WARCHILD, MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY, TOO OLD TO ROCK N ROLL, TOO YOUNG TO DIE, SONGS FROM THE WOOD ANDDDDD A LIVE 78 ALBUM ( BURSTING OUT ) TALK ABOUT BEING IN YOUR PRIME FOR THAT ONE! :)

[@BigC.]

Bring it on Justin! Great side for a Sunday.

[@DaveMilner]

I remember going to see the Thick as a Brick tour when it came to Sheffield City Hall on Saturday, 11th March 1972, I was nearly 19. It was the most well rehearsed show I can remember, certainly for the time. It started with the house lights up & various roadies walking about the stage with brown coats & flat caps on, after a while people noticed that there were just 5 people with brown coats & flat caps on, stood looking out from the stage at the audience. Once everyone had noticed this, they threw the coats & caps off & went straight into a 1.25 hour rendition of Thick as a Brick, stopping occasionally when a phone on stage rang for such things as to pass on a notice that the horse tied up outside the theatre needed to be moved & a man dressed as a jockey with a blanket over his arm, stood up & walked out. It was certainly the slickest show I've ever seen by a band.

[@samuelecallegari6117]

I completely agree with your thoughts about this album, you understood what's going on very naturally. I may prefer part 1 over the 2nd a little bit (mainly because of the childhood heroes section) but the second is so charming. I love that in contrast with the first part the second is quite darker. The Do You Believe in The Day section always reminded me of a funeral march and it seems like an anticipation of the A Passion Play atmospheres.

[@a.k.1740]

Absolutely! I always felt the same as you listening to this section (yes it's a bit like a funeral march or a funeral ceremony but there is also something classical with this harpsichord in the background) and I find just as you , it anticipates musically A Passion Play with its more emphatic atmosphere.

[@mikell5087]

Thank you, Professor. I feel like I received a musical education re-hearing a song I've been listening to for some 45 odd years, or rather re-listening through your ears.

[@patrickkaltner8554]

Thanks for doing this. Great album. You'll need to do your homework before A Passion Play. So deep and symbolic, but awesome

[@alf5948]

If I’m not mistaken, Ian Anderson said lyrically, it’s a send-up of the English class system. Not a lot of Americans understand how that is such a heavy and long-standing aspect of English life (see the popularity of shows like “Downton Abbey”), which probably make the lyrics a little more obtuse. Really enjoyed this one!

[@michaelgrillo4333]

Having seen Jethro Tull several times live all I can say they are masters on the stage and their music is beyond most. Yes they did get their roots in the blues. Check out Stormy Monday on You Tube look under Jethro Tull 20 years Album. Ian said he is no longer doing the Jethro Tull scene but Ian Anderson and Tull's lead guitarist Martin Barre may go on the road together soon doing some ole songs.

[@jimp4666]

I've seen the Martin Barre band several times and he plays some of the Tull repertoire, some songs rearranged beautifully, I should add that they are an excellent band in their own right. You can find some live performances on youtube.

[@michaelgrillo4333]

@@jimp4666 thanks I will check Martin Barre out on you tube as they won't probably be in the USA on tour. I was in Toronto watching Jethro Tull band do a set of Aqualung when they paused while Clive did a piano cut when suddenly a big white rabbit came out and they started to play Thick as a Brick without any comment. Forty minutes later after the song and a pumped up crowd they began to play more of Aqualung; then they paused for a break and discussed Thick as a Brick before finishing the show. The critics had at them but in the end one of the most sought after albums ever.

[@martinhayward4466]

No chance of them ever getting together again I feel.

[@michaelgrillo4333]

@@martinhayward4466 Maybe a few sets (sit ins) together but Ian said he physically is not there and its time to quit for him in general. I think you will hear more classical from him if anything.

[@martinhayward4466]

@@michaelgrillo4333 Honestly I don't fell they parted very well in 2011. Ian is at the North Pole and Martin is at the South Pole. Love penguins by the way.

[@philphughes1090]

I was 20 yrs old when this came out, I bought it on an 8 track tape ,completely on a whim, found myself playing it everytime i got in the car, everday, never failing to find new excitement and wonderment in it, It remains to this day one of my all time favorites !

[@dunringill1747]

I'm glad you enjoyed the humor and satire elements to the album. Not only did "Thick as a Brick" make Billboards number 1 rank in 1972, Tull's next album "A Passion Play" also made Billboards number 1 rank in 1973.

[@Drummingvulture]

Totally dig the shirt! I'm a HUGE Massive Attack fan. I believe I have all of their music, including singles and b-sides, EPs and soundtracks. If you're into trip hop, you might like Portishead, the other big name in the genre. Unless, of course, you've already heard them, then . . . nevermind. LOL! Really enjoyed your listenings to 'Thick As A Brick'. Very cool.

[@Pcrimson1]

JP should do a cover comparison reaction to Teardrop by Massive Attack, the original, and Jose Gonzalez, the cover. Love them both. Just saying...sometimes you need a break from prog.

[@DeesoSaeed]

This an awesome album which has moments of absolute and sheer beauty-. It's probably between the ten best of the progressive genre (in no particular order, because I'd hate having to chose one over other).

[@davidbarker77]

Never realized how much flute there was on this side. It’s possible that awkward shift at the end is itself a parody of bad transitions. Thanks, JP. Such a great album.

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

I decided long ago that it was neither possible nor necessary to decide my favorite Tull. So much to enjoy and so many rewards for the exploration. Your analysis of Brick is dead on.

[@dionisioiacobelli6689]

The first time they played it in concert Ian said they barely got through it.There's so much to remember.

[@sylvaindupuis5595]

The first time I heard that album was back in 72 at my "rich friend" house. His parents had an excellent HiFi sound system witch was quite rare at the time. His older sister was learning to play flute and played it often trying to write down the flute partition. It was vinyl albums at the time and this one opened in two and a section also flipped down to make it the size of a newspaper and it had a few pages. We read all the littles stories in it while listening to the album. I was 15 at the time. A year after I went to see them for "A passion play" tour where they played it as an encore. I'm now 63 and it's still one of my 5 favorite albums. I'm glad that you chose it as a special 10k subscribers.

[@gianfrancoludovisi9539]

this is the second album showing jeffrey hammond-hammond on bass and the first with the incredible barriemore barlow on drums. Do you know that jeffrey was bass player with his first love that is painting? He left the band to go oon his painter's career and his pictures are even better than his work on bass. Jethro Tull have had a lot of musicians and everyone were absolutely fantastic. But this line up is probably the best ever. Try A Passion Play; in my opinion even better than TAAB. A bit complicated to appreciate from the beginning, but after three or four listening, you can appreciate maybe more than Thick

[@AncientHermit]

Friend of mine at the time worked for a company who bought a box at the Royal Albert Hall. (No idea how that works) however it was intended to be perks for clever managers and for much more serious entertainment, they said. So said box was going begging and would have sat there empty unless about 8 interested teenagers including me volunteered to go and fill it up for the evening (for free, win or what?). For our efforts we got to hear this whole brand new thing in one launch show and in one night. (go us!) Will never forget that night as long as I live. So, in both senses a story about the poets and the soldiers and the wise men etc, and of course the irony of it all, given the nature of the album and it's lyrics, and the way we got to see it! It was fresh then and feels fresh now. Happy days and wonderful memories of them. :)

[@vivianalyon3791]

Hi, ive never been first on comments before.Your celebration there is joyful. Enjoying Tull with you.

[@thedocofrock1890]

absolute masterpiece. i can't count how many times i lost myself listening to this when it was new. what a time it was

[@Neugen]

I saw JT when they toured this album. At one point the band stopped abruptly because a telephone atop an amp was ringing. Ian answered. We only heard his part of the call: Things like "Oh yes" and "of course" and Goodbye". He hung up and a bandmate asked " Who was it?" Ian replied "Lloyd Bridges". The band continued the song. A minute or two later a guy in FULL SCUBA GEAR came waddling across the stage while they played. That is Ian's humor.

[@jeffmartin1026]

Deep in the mix - at 15:45 in this video - a phone rings. That's when they did this.

[@Neugen]

@@jeffmartin1026 Yes! I had forgotten that ( many years ago). Thank you!

[@GeoffCB]

Yes, I remember that, except (at least for us) Ian asked for "Mike Nelson", the actual character in Sea Hunt.

[@bobhartman1215]

"A Passion Play".

[@thehesedingking338]

Was my first love, the album that got me into music in the first place. To my mind still the greatest masterpiece ever created by mankind. This is my favourit album of all time. This album has changed my life.

[@phillyflyer12]

Love the analysis. This was released when I was 16 years old. I absolutley wore out this vinyl. I've heard it countless times but never tired of it. Try Songs from the Wood.

[@freddiebarber4972]

Justin Justin Justin...you are unquestionably the best reaction individual out there. Most of the others are (um better not say I want to be kind). Anyways, try putting yourself in the 1970s when stuff like this came out. We were literally blown away. We would look at each other and go, "what was that we just heard?" Somebody would then suggest we listen to it again...so we did. It was great fun! (Remember we actually had to flip the album over. What a trip). Agree wholeheartedly the best section is the middle section about the Day. It's feels so deep and yet Ian is pulling our leg with the lyrics. Ha! Great job once again! (It is a wonderful delight having you a younger individual taking a deep dive into artists and albums we grew up with that were blowing our minds on a regular basis...ah it was so much fun).

[@anthonyblakely399]

ok..I just checked out the Billboard Top 100 & 200 and found out that "Dream" & "Rumors" by Fleetwood Mac peaked at No.1 again, then "Dreams" dropped to No. 11 last week, while the album "Rumors" dropped to No.7. Now, this week, Dreams dropped to No.21 and "Rumor" has dropped to No.14. My mind is BLOWN AWAY!!! I am proud of our young people buying and listening to Fleetwood Mac and just keeping good music "Alive." that I could just spit!!!!! lol...hahaha...wow. And get this..... 44 years ago....Rumor came out and I was 21 at the time.....and the album went to No.1 and stayed there for 4 weeks, meanwhile they had 5 No.1 hits and "Dreams" was the main No.1 hit!!!! NEVER did i think i would live to see this again.

[@markomakela2102]

Hi JP again in your long travel through the all so strange swamps of progressive rock:P I used to listen Jethro Tull among others, like Rush, but I kinda lost it during my journey... Gives me back of some childhood memories. THX again and stay safe!

[@steeleye2112]

To produce this and A Passion Play back to back is astonishing. I love nearly everything Tull produced and am constantly amazed at the consistency even with all the personnel changes. For me A Passion Play is their crowning glory, though it took me forever to get it. I wish I had your ability to grasp music so quickly and hope you do Passion Play sometime.

[@jackadesman8386]

Justin, now you definitely need to listen to A Passion Play!!!!!

[@RandyHall324]

Congratulations on hitting that milestone, Justin! It's well deserved. Absolutely love that you're listening to this - It came out when I was a young teenager, and had a profound influence on my musical tastes. It's still probably among my all-time favorites, and I'm old enough to have 1000's of albums/discs. It's fun watching your reaction, as this was one of those albums that you wanted to introduce to all your friends when it first came out, and your reactions are pretty close to how many of my friends reacted, way back when. Keep on rockin'!

[@chrisegbertky]

Oh so well said!

[@matthewrobinson7379]

My ex-wife loved this album. I liked it too, but I thought Passion Play was even better. They definitely go together. P.P. has more themes, and is more intricate. "The last hymn is sung, and the devil cries,' More!'" I especially love the middle part, "The Hare who Lost his Spectacles," almost a tribute to Winnie the Poo, spoken in, to my American ears, a strange accent. If you like Tull, try some Steeleye Span. I recommend "Storm Force Ten." Also, "Parcel of Rogues."

[@chrisegbertky]

Thank u so much for sharing your reaction to one of my favorite albums. Bought the original with the whole newspaper in inside. I can listen to it in my head because it is now part of my brain's operating system.

[@snowdog87]

Great stuff Songs From the Wood next How is your Gma doing?

[@joshuavoivodich9108]

Hey Justin, I just found your channel and am super impressed with your breakdown and review of songs, especially songs of such calibre like Thick as a Brick! Usually other channels react by saying, wow that was amazing and little else but you went into so much detail and gave thought to so many aspects of the song, not just the instrumentation but the band members, the style of music, the lyrics, the flow and progression of the song - wow! Happy new subscriber here, thank you for what you do!

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Josh!

[@Rickhorse1]

Listening to this with you really took me back & put a smile on my face. I love a LOT of music, but only a small percentage of it literally makes me smile & this is one. Btw, there are many ways that music has changed in my lifetime, but one that stands out to me is the almost total elimination of the use of the organ....which was a staple of many prog groups of the late 60s, early 70s.

[@peterichards3261]

Part 2 is not as captivating as part 1 but John Evan's keyboards just brilliant

[@bobdelp2023]

PART 1 IAN AND THE GUYS WERE JUST GETTING WARMED UP, PART 2 THEY REALLY RIP AND LET IT GO HUH? :) INSANE, INSANELYYYY GOOD JUSTIN! VERY COOL MAN, I'M SURE I'LL LISTEN TO THIS 100 TIMES MORE THAN I'VE ALREADY HEARD IT BUDDY! PROBABLYYYY MY FAVORITE CONCEPT ALBUM, CERTAINLY MOODY BLUES ( DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED ), PINK FLOYD ( DARK SIDE OF THE MOON) AND JONI'S ( BLUE ) RANK RIGHT UP THERE FOR ME ALSO! :) OF COURSE YOU KNOW ELTON'S BEEN MY ALLLLL TIME FAVORITE FOR 45 YEARS NOW SO ( CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY ) GR88888 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ( ELTON AND BERNIE ) THANKS AGAIN MY FRIEND, SO COOL, STAY WELL AND CONGRATS AGAIN ON THE 1ST 10K.

[@altayles5468]

Ah 1972, I love this Album. Listen to it several times and it continues to grow on you, like other music of this time period such as Close to the Edge by Yes. Enjoy it.

[@markdrechsler5660]

Great review. Great album. You owe it to yourself to get a vinyl copy of the album with the original newspaper sleeve. It is full of humor and cleverness.

[@GareksApprentice]

The "Do You Believe in the Day" section is getting all the attention in the reaction & comments, but I absolutely love the "Tales of Your Life" section. That riff, that bass, that flute & that organ is just rock perfection. And when Ian comes back with "Let me help you to pick up your dead" is my favorite singular moment in Part 2 & perhaps the whole album

[@slw59]

Thanks for the great review Justin of one of my all-time favorite albums. Can't wait until you hit 13K.

[@BrixtonTone]

A great Jethro Tull album, although I personally rate "a Passion Play" higher. A fantastic band and Ian Anderson's vocalisation is an unmatched and often unappreciated instrument within its self.

[@allotrope2978]

Isn't it fantastic? Haha, this album is so funny and well-written. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@papalaz4444244]

I agree. That section definitely has the Hergest Ridge vibe. I think it modulates between major and minor, which may be part of the vibe. I can't wait to see you listen to Ommadawn and Incantations.

[@lewismaddox4132]

Dark Side of the Moon had been wall-papered into my ear canals for nearly a year. Loved it, but needed a break. Went to a neighbors garage and he was playing Aqualung and it was sooo different. Saved my money to buy it and Thick as a Brick was being promoted at Tower Records in Pacific Beach. Asked the dude working there if he recommended it and he nodded his head slowly but very emphatically. Bought it and have considered it one of the most sage purchases of my life. I still have a very soft spot in my heart for Benefit which I purchased in my frenzy to snarf up everything Tull I could get my hands on. Not only does Benefit have no weaknesses, I humbly believe there is no song on it that is less than extraordinary.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

I agree with you about Benefit. It sort of gets overshadowed, being sandwiched between the bands first significant success of Stand Up, and the seminal Aqualung. As a result I think it gets overlooked far too much by far too many people. It has a sort of smokey, heavy sound that gives it true character with lyrics that are truly profound for someone as young as Anderson was at the time. So much rock music at the time was just about getting laid, and Benefit was far more cerebral.

[@lewismaddox4132]

@@GrilloTheFlightless, You're right to an extent, but we are dealing with a small sample size here. I think the old Tull heads don't overlook Benefit. It was so f'n good! It's like reactions to Bowie that seem to focus on "Space Oddity" and "Starman", as if Bowie can be summed up by his early take on space. What they don't know about him is analogous to the universe itself. I'm hopeful with Tull because I'm noticing a lot of these reaction videos are taking deeper dives.

[@cadanrichards2615]

BEEN waiting for THIS ALL MORNING LOVE IT i love the drum solo at the start Should do A Passion Play after this just like this album 2 sides 2 20 minute parts but very different to Thick as a Brick. Its an actual concept album about the afterlife

[@plantfeeder6677]

So different he should pass and not ruin his Tull experience like it did mine all those decades ago.

[@Engineer_Who]

I had never heard this album before this video, so I think it's really cool that we experienced this journey "together." Thanks for doing what you do, Justin!

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Garrett! I'm really glad you liked this!

[@scottolson6858]

Suuuch a killer album! And a killer review! My favorite JT album, and maybe, just maybe, my favorite prog album as well!

[@Minotaur1975]

My Dad told me a story - he went to a Tull concert where they played TAAB live in its entirety. They ad-libbed and extended a few sections as well so it was continuous for about an hour. When they finally finished the song, someone in the crowd yelled out "Play it again!"

[@steveobrien9937]

excellent review Justin....full album suggestions...wow sooooo many...but off the top of my head Id suggest continuing with Jeff Becks Blow by Blow album...and another Jeff (whom I discovered on your channel...thank you!)..Jeff Buckley's Grace album which is wonderful. Cheers from Canada!

[@jenniferlenfestey5335]

I fully enjoyed watching you enjoy an album I dearly love. I was 8 when this came out. It's not a perfect timeline, but the sentiment is there: I saw them live when I was 20, they'd been touring for 18 years by then. I next saw them at 38, 18 years later. Impressive then, I've toyed with the idea of seeing them next year, 18 years later at 56. You can't say that about a lot of bands now a days. Has anybody gotten around to listening to the "Walk Into Light" album?

[@amedeeabreo7334]

Love your take on side two! Wish you could have been there to hear them play it live in 1973! The power and dynamics of the band in live concert was something music fans had never heard before.....or really since. And I agree with your feeling about the beauty and feeling of the slow section on part two. While Ian has said this was a parody album, his feeling and delivery of that part of the album is somehow heart-felt on a deeper level, even if the lyrics may be over the top. There is even a suggestion of ancient egypt in those lyrics that fits with your sense of mystery and it all adds up to very special stuff. Another part of the lyrics that rises above simple parody is where he sings "let me help you to pick up your dead". Younger listeners today don't really know the feeling of those days when the war was at its peak and civil rights leaders were being killed in the streets.....there was a sense of strength and courage in the way this part of the music came across in the live performance that was Ian saying he was with us (and maybe a hint at why this album was so strong in the USA , more so than England). And you are right about the keyboard player, John Evan. He was their true classical connection , and he would always bring out a full grand piano along with the hammond organ. If you have time, search on youtube for their live performance of Beethoven 9th 2nd movement. The didn't just play a "prog" type attempt at it, but really gave it the depth that a serious orchestra would peform. Thanks for a great review !

[@JustJP]

Ty! I wish I could've been there too!

[@fagingreen8002]

Tull heads will say different, but in this humble dude opin, A Passion Play is better listening. Piano and Drums !!

[@EddieRay724]

Those intro chords to side 2 still haunt me today. This album is in my top ten.

[@bobcarn]

I pretty much covered how I feel about Thick as a Brick with your Part 1 video. For a suggestion, I'd like to recommend "Songs from the Wood" (the song, though the album is very enjoyable). It's very progressive, very different from their other songs, very rich in harmonics and composition, and musically interesting. As the song transitions and progresses, you find yourself raising your eyebrows a little while thinking "oooh... that's fun and nice!"

[@2visiondigital]

The dawns creations of the kings....after many year's of not having a stereo that played Loud enough at quality, i created a poor man's listening room. One of the greatest bits I could share for others is the " do you believe in the day" section of TAAB. A band running full force on all cylinders, a high point in rock music for me and a live band that could bring it.

[@Engineer_Who]

YES, I was reminded of Oldfield, too!

[@lucianocatarin9176]

Oh my God ,this Is an Amazing group and masterpiece,great ,great,great Jethro Tull nothing to compare to nowadays shit

[@ithaliem]

Now after this you should take Living in the Past. It's more or less their singles collection from 1968 to 1971 but an essential album to understand the brilliance of the band, or Ian Anderson. It should be listened before Benefit I think. And what a great analysis again!

[@themikentimcomedyshow3343]

Lot's of fun to listen again!! Good commentary :)

[@lylesmith9547]

Nice I’ve always believed this was Tull’s best album. It’s my favorite from them

[@immovableobjectify]

In its day, this album was an audacious standout. Although it was intended to lampoon the excesses of progressive music, it ironically it didn't strike me as such. Progressive fans craved excess and I accepted it in all seriousness. With this album, Tull set a new standard, and ended up pushing the boundaries a bit further.

[@daveking9393]

An interesting thing I learned about Tull's history is just how much the other band members often contributed in talent and creativity to some of the band's best albums. For instance the Hammond organ/keyboard player John Evan, often written off by fans as a minor contributor, was a major force in making this ambitious epic " Thick as a Brick " work. Without his creative use of the Hammond organ, the album would have been quite boring, or worse. The rapid changes in texture and driving rhythm of the organ carry the whole thing, with the rest of the band hanging great flourishes on that foundation. I didn't realize it at first after more listens I agree with that assessment. People often thought (including Ian) that "Jethro Tull" *is* Ian Anderson, but in retrospect on a lot of records it's really not true. As you point out the bass and the drums are just killer as well as the guitar work...

[@stevehall7008]

Justin, it;s great to watch you appreciate then assimilate this into your musical knowledge/experience. The time sigs, the themes and the genres. You're totally on it. Take it forwards mate :)

[@JustJP]

Ty Steve! Will do!

[@neilhinks5734]

Now that dissonant opening grabbed me soon as I heard it Justin. 👍 It lulls you into a false sense of security. ❤️ Then Ians vocan ls take off, just immense vocals imho. ❤️ That beautiful, melancholic middle section, acoustic, flute.. Ians pleading voice.. Imho. This part is Tull at their imperious best.. 😊 ❤️. It does not get better in my eyes butty. John Evans keyboard work on TAAB is some of his best work he ever done with Tull. Superb fills par excellence Justin. This whole mind blowing album to me, represents Tull at maybe their peak. It's a bona-fide Masterpiece imho. ❤️ Great review, very thoughtful butty..👍 👍 👍 It's been worth the wait Justin 😊 ❤️

[@JustJP]

Ty Neil! Glad it was worth the wait for me, you and everyone 😃

[@adelheidmarlowe9079]

The first time I heard Thick as a Brick was in my first year in an American university, so, this is not from a British but an American perspective. When Thick as a Brick came out, a lot of boys I knew were getting drafted. At the time there was also a sort of the beginning sense that the educational system should train people to be more efficient, to be bean counters (sorry to all the bean counters), not artists, not scholars. These were some of the things on our minds - where are jobs? Can I be fully human or am I only to be used to the purposes of castledwelling fools, a stupid tool, the sharp point of idiotic power? Well, sometimes young people think these thoughts :) And then Thick as a Brick. Among my friends this album received daily spins. Here is a bit of my read of the album... "teach him to play Monopoly, _not_ to Sing in the Rain..."* What shall we do, says the old man? Train the boy. Teach him to make as much money as possible. But in the meantime let's stick a gun in his hand and we can use him as a guided meat weapon for a couple years with the benefit that the system will never notice the lost potential in the lost lives. And my bottom line will be nice and fat. Be practical. There is little value in the beauty of the poet's pen unless it can be monitized or co-opted. And yet the poet is of some use. As a poet he will stand with wise men, _behind_ the gun. Not in front of it. We will use them and in the end we can blame them. Poets and wise men are often complicit. Musically, I always thought parts of it (especially on side 2) could be out of a silly gothic horror movie, maybe starring Vincent Price. * In the liner notes "and" is used but I have always heard "not" when I listen to it. You probably know this but Monopoly is of course the board game and "Singing in the Rain" the romantic musical starring Gene Kelly.

[@donaldanderson6604]

I love the way they use the transition from side 1 to 2. ELP did a similar thing with Brain Salad Surgery.