newWorld
10-04-2004, 07:46 PM
Thick as a Brick was released in 1972. The musicians on this album were Ian Anderson, vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, violin, sax, trumpet; Martin Barre, electric guitar, lute; Barriemore Barlow, percussion, tympani; John Evans, piano, Hammond organ, harpischord; Jeffery Hammond, bass, vocals.
1) Thick as a Brick (Pt. 1) 22:45
The first part and the second part of Thick as a Brick were meant to be one song, but the vinyl format forced the band to split it up. The song starts off with the "Thick as a Brick" the public may know from the radio. Acoustic guitar, piano, two verses, two choruses and a coda type section. However, this is only the intro to the song. At around 3:00 the song busts out into a killer 5/4 riff in C minor. This is one of my favourite parts of the song. The organ solo is in 5/4, but the guitar solo resolves it in 4/4; beautifully done. After this section comes another verse/chorus section that is repeated after a jazz-rock instrumental. I really enjoy the lyrics to this part; alot of rustic and contemporary (for 1972) symbolism. The next part is a soliloquy type section that has an awesome riff. Then comes a rather goofy, and rockin riff with lots of organ (this part reminds me of the middle section of Supper's Ready by Genesis). After several verses and fusiony subsections the song drifts into an acoustic section which is quite awesome. After a few verses/subsections the song ends in an alternating 7/8, 6/8 bar section and fades out. I do not want to go too in depth with the lyrics to this album, but they are quit powerfull. The song is generally about an average person's life. The first half is the intro and his youth. The boy builds "sand castles virtues" and tries to replace challenge his father. Very Platonic.
2) Thick as a Brick (Pt. 2) 21:05
The second part fades in where the last song faded out and jumps into a more chaotic, 3/4 version of the 5/4 riff from the first song. Afterwards there is alot of experimentation. Thankfully, the experimentation does not come off as random but rather necessary in the development of the song. Next comes a folky part that is similar, but different, from the beginning riff of the song. This eventually drifts into a slow section that goes on for a while. It eventually picks up into a fast paced section. The acoustic part from the end of the first song comes back and concludes the second song. To conclude the entire song comes in the chorus from the beginning of the album. The lyrics in the second half describes the character's manhood and replacement of his father. The end of the song returns to the beginning.
Overview:
It is difficult not to rate this album as a whole because it is really one song. I definitely would give this album a 9.5/10. It flows so perfectly, has deep lyrics, incorporates manydifferent moods and I enjoy it alot. I would recommend this to anyone who likes heavy 70's progressive rock, folk-rock, art-rock, or just rock in general.
1) Thick as a Brick (Pt. 1) 22:45
The first part and the second part of Thick as a Brick were meant to be one song, but the vinyl format forced the band to split it up. The song starts off with the "Thick as a Brick" the public may know from the radio. Acoustic guitar, piano, two verses, two choruses and a coda type section. However, this is only the intro to the song. At around 3:00 the song busts out into a killer 5/4 riff in C minor. This is one of my favourite parts of the song. The organ solo is in 5/4, but the guitar solo resolves it in 4/4; beautifully done. After this section comes another verse/chorus section that is repeated after a jazz-rock instrumental. I really enjoy the lyrics to this part; alot of rustic and contemporary (for 1972) symbolism. The next part is a soliloquy type section that has an awesome riff. Then comes a rather goofy, and rockin riff with lots of organ (this part reminds me of the middle section of Supper's Ready by Genesis). After several verses and fusiony subsections the song drifts into an acoustic section which is quite awesome. After a few verses/subsections the song ends in an alternating 7/8, 6/8 bar section and fades out. I do not want to go too in depth with the lyrics to this album, but they are quit powerfull. The song is generally about an average person's life. The first half is the intro and his youth. The boy builds "sand castles virtues" and tries to replace challenge his father. Very Platonic.
2) Thick as a Brick (Pt. 2) 21:05
The second part fades in where the last song faded out and jumps into a more chaotic, 3/4 version of the 5/4 riff from the first song. Afterwards there is alot of experimentation. Thankfully, the experimentation does not come off as random but rather necessary in the development of the song. Next comes a folky part that is similar, but different, from the beginning riff of the song. This eventually drifts into a slow section that goes on for a while. It eventually picks up into a fast paced section. The acoustic part from the end of the first song comes back and concludes the second song. To conclude the entire song comes in the chorus from the beginning of the album. The lyrics in the second half describes the character's manhood and replacement of his father. The end of the song returns to the beginning.
Overview:
It is difficult not to rate this album as a whole because it is really one song. I definitely would give this album a 9.5/10. It flows so perfectly, has deep lyrics, incorporates manydifferent moods and I enjoy it alot. I would recommend this to anyone who likes heavy 70's progressive rock, folk-rock, art-rock, or just rock in general.