Thick

Thick

ASIN: B00000I8TD

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Led by guitarist Scott Henderson, Tribal Tech have in the past been one of the culprits behind jazz-fusion's image problem, producing music occasionally falling into the "Extremely Complicated Music for Elevators and Supermarkets" category. But on Thick the band jettisons the sugar-coating in favor of a more improvisatory approach, and the result is a throwback to days when groups like Weather Report and the Mahavishnu Orchestra first married jazz chops and rock energy. Henderson and bassist Gary Willis, keyboardist Scott Kinsey, and drummer Kirk Covington are all monstrously talented, but that's not the only Tribal Tech attraction. Their group interplay keeps things fresh, from Henderson's wah-wah-fueled Hendrix-ian wail on the title track to the Black Sabbath-like crunch of "What Has He Had?" to the darkly evocative ballad "You May Remember Me" (dedicated to the late comedian Phil Hartmann). Some surprising extras, like the slide guitar melody on "Somewhat Later" and some bizarre studio experimentation on a hidden bonus track, make things even spicier. Tribal Tech have always been talented enough to make music that's almost too complex, but on Thick their energy is infectious enough to grab anyone. --Ezra Gale

Tracks:

Thick As A Brick
Thick As A Brick
Thick As A Brick (Live At Madison Square Garden)
Interview With Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Martin Barre And Jeffrey Hammond

Customer Reviews:

Life's a Long Song.......2007-06-20

Simply a classic. This is a Tull album that will never go out of style and can be played over and over. In fact, I've done just that. I'm not an afficianado, but I know what I like. I like Tull. And I like this album.

A wild ride.......2007-06-13

Many years ago, I purchased "Thick as a Brick" on vinyl, expecting a traditional rock album, with a collection of 8 to 10 songs. I was amazed that there was only one song covering both sides. I listened to it once and was completely lost once it got past the first 3 minute edit I had heard on the radio several times.

I was so bewildered that I returned the album for a refund and was suspicious of Jethro Tull for a few years, thinking that maybe they were just too unorthodox for my tastes.

Now that I own all of the Jethro Tull CDs, I am obviously a huge Tull fan and my opinion of "Thick as a Brick" is quite different. I like this album. It might be the best album Tull ever recorded. Or maybe "A Passion Play" is the best (which is similar to "Thick as a Brick" in the sense that they both are continuous play with many movements within).

Or maybe the idea of a single song covering an entire album is too preteneous and less enjoyable for the listener who doesn't have over 40 minutes to spare in one sitting. I'd say that someone who is just starting to get to know Jethro Tull's music should start with an album with a traditional song format. You could choose 'Crest of a Knave,' 'Songs from the Wood,' 'Catfish Rising,' 'Benefit' or 'A.'

Still, this album is nearly one of a kind. If you are relatively new to Tull, I'd play it safe and buy any of the 'Songs from the Wood,' 'Heavy Horses,' 'Stormwatch,' 'A' albums or perhaps 'Crest of a Knave.' But if you tend to like progressive, ambitious albums, buy this one.

Muddled, Pretentious - But Catchy.......2007-04-27

I cannot believe the way some people go on about this LP ... geez ... here's the reality if it. There's some good material here, enough for 4 or 5 good songs. It's mostly on Side 1. Side 2 is like some weird "remix" of similar themes that is fairly unnecessary. The whole weaving of the songs together and pretense towards viewing this as a "concept album" or some merging of pop and classic forms is unnecessary and serves the material badly. So do a few of the arrangements with bouncing pipe organ and so forth that will make most non-fans wince and remind many of us of Spinal Tap's "Stonehenge" (the penultimate Tull parody) and so forth. And the muddy recording quality does this material no favors either.

That's not to say this is a disaster, because Anderson was still writing good stuff, with energy and imagination. I think we would have all been better served if the tracks were broken out seperately and the pretense removed - if this could have been halfway-a-concept-album, songs that relate instead of interlink, like "Aqualung".

They overreached, and the results are mildly interesting.

I don't pretend to be..........2007-04-26

a Jethro Tull fanatic, but I am an old time rocker and I love both Thick as a Brick and Aqualung, and never get tired of putting either in my player and reveling in the past. The other reviewers have done a great job commenting on the arrangements, the musicianship, the lyrics, etc. so I won't attempt to add anything. My point is that there are any number of musicians who write a song or two or even three spoofing the life and times of a rock and roller, e.g. Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good" and John Entwhistle's "Success Story", but a whole record spoofing the genre, i.e. the "concept" album, in a rather subtle way was and still is remarkable. I can remember the rock critics of those days desperately trying to discern the message when the message ultimately is, no more and no less, just great music. So, buy it, play it, and just plain enjoy it for what it is.

Perfect.......2007-04-23

When I first heard a muffled version of this work through an 8-track tape deck in the mid-1970s, I was initially dumbfounded at its raw and delicious cord sense, its uplifting transitions, its oscillating dynamic, its ability to create atmosphere, and its evolving themes--that harken the rondo structures of Mozart's Horn Concerto K.447 third movement or Gershwin's American in Paris, for example. Being dumbfounded at this work turned into being flabbergasted at the fact that each subsequent listening experience was more fruitful than the previous one.

"Brick" was ground-breaking in its length (taking up both sides of an album), just as Hey Jude, Tommy, and Quadrophenia pushed that same length envelope--in each case, proving that if one produces a high quality product, then one can make it into a longer piece if it maintains quality throughout--the hallmark of a widely accessible and venerable work, worthy of praise and long-lived popularity. It became a benchmark for me, at that time in the mid-1970s...along with Yes's Close to the Edge, Who's Tommy, Coltrane's My Favorite Things, Beatles' Sgt Pepper, Chopin's Polonaise, Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, Bach's Brandenberg Concertos, Joni Mitchell's Court & Spark, Genesis's Selling England by the Pound, Beethoven's 9th, Bruce's Born To Run, Braham's 4th, Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed, Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven, Dvorak's 9th Symphony in E minor Opus 95, Steely Dan's Royal Scam, ELP's Trilogy, & Traffic's John Barleycorn Must Die--for having set the absolute industry standard for musical greatness.

I learned all of the keyboard parts of the LP in 1979, but my band scoffed at playing it. Oh well. To pick a favorite from the litter of Tull albums is quite difficult, but Thick as a Brick is, indeed, my favorite one (apologies to Passion Play, Aqualung, Songs from the Wood, Stormwatch and Stand Up). Thick as a Brick still sounds as fresh and innovative today, circa 2007, as it did in 1973, despite the fact that I have listened to the LP/CD in its entirety several hundred times since.

One of the rare perfect musical works, it is even that much better when you consider its inherent concept(s), as well as the fun tongue-in-cheek album cover that accompanies this masterpiece--the cover having taken more time to produce than it took for the band to record the music for the album. Some day, perhaps, I will stumble upon the opportunity to actually meet Gerald Bostock in person.

Average customer rating:

Man, I like these guys!
POUR ME A PINT
One of the Best Irish Albums
great album
Drunken tunes

Purgatory
The Tossers
Manufacturer: Thick Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008NRIZ
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

With the North Wind/Here We Go Again
Ballad of the Thoughtful Rover
Nantucket Girls Song
Come Dancing
Caoin (Lament)
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Chicago
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Memory
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Going Away

Customer Reviews:

Man, I like these guys!.......2005-05-20

As a longtime fan of The Pogues, I bought "Communications and Convictions" on a bit of a whim. I was floored... this is an excellent band! I decided to pick up "Long Dim Road" and this one, and I'm not disappointed.
Probably a few more "ballad"-ish tunes than the other CD's I've mentioned, but no problem, they're good at those. The lyrics can be a bit convoluted at times, but why carp? This is fun, drinking party celtic/folk/punk that is just a joy to listen to. Tracks 2 and 6 stand out to me (I REALLY like mandolin!), but they are all good. The musicianship is excellent, and Tony Duggins has that drunken, slightly off-key growling vocal thing down pat. Makes me want to hoist a pint every time I crank this one up!
The Tossers are more talented and listenable than the Dropkicks or The Real McKenzies, and more traditional sounding and less mainstream than Flogging Molly. Don't get me wrong, no-one can ever even approach the magic of Shane and the boys, but I do think these guys are the best I've heard at this type of music since The Pogues.
Finally, I can't wait until the "statute of limitations" is up on my driving record, so I can cruise 100 miles or so to Chicago to hear these chaps live!!

POUR ME A PINT.......2005-01-05

THIS ALBUM IS GREAT I HAVE ALL THE TOSSERS ALBUMS AND HAVE BEEN GOIN TO THEIR SHOWS FOR A LONG TIME. THIS ALBUM DOESNT HAVE THE PUNK INFLUENCED SONGS LIKE LONG DIM ROAD BUT IS AN AWSOME ALBUM.VERY MATURE VERY GOOD.SURE I MISS THE INTENSE SONGS THEY USED TO PLAY BUT HEY THEYVE BECOME SOMETHING GREAT AND THIS ALBUM PROVES IT.

One of the Best Irish Albums.......2004-10-05

I started to get into the Tossers about a year seeing them in Concert. They are very energentic and seem to love what they do. And by listening to this album really gets my blood flowing with energy and a sudden urge to start a jig. And Being from Chicago where they are from makes even that much better cause i get to see them more. But this Album is excellant and i suggest to purchase this great irish album. Soon or Later they will be up there with the pogues and flogging molly

great album.......2004-03-01

The Tossers are one of my favorite bands and this is one of my favorite CD's by any band. A previous reviewer mentioned that it sounds over produced and lacks energy. I disagree. The Tossers have been around a while and have since learned to play their instuments very well so the music is amazing. Not over produced. And it may not have as much of the screaming vocals and speed such as older songs like "riot" and "aye sire" but you can feel the emotion of the music and vocals more than anything else i've heard from them before. The only thing wrong with the CD is there is only one cover or traditional song, "the parting glass" which is a hidden track. Still, it's definately a 5-star CD. Buy it.

Also, The Tossers are NOT a celtic punk band. People just like to label them that way to feel cool and so they don't have to admit they like celtic folk-rock. They are much closer to celtic hippy than celtic punk.

Drunken tunes.......2003-07-19

I would sy this is one of best celtic punk albums to buy along with any other swingin utters release, the tossers play a good hybrid of genres which works well in pretty much every song its a merry album thats goes well with a barrel of guiness.

Average customer rating:

You don't need to be the Boss to do brilliant folk music
Simply Amazing

Undone
T. Duggins
Manufacturer: Thick Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Agony
Purgatory
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Shite 'n' Onions, Vol. 2: What the Shite

ASIN: B000B8I89G
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Tracks:

I Wish I Was Back in Liverpool
Ballad of Accounting
Goodnight Irene
Late
Boots of Spanish Leather
Jimmy Wilson
Missing You
(The City Of) Chicago
Monto
Broad Majestic Shannon
Childrens Potential
Shoals of Herring
Goodnight

Customer Reviews:

You don't need to be the Boss to do brilliant folk music.......2006-05-19

Tony Duggins, el lider de The Tossers, abre todos los conciertos de la banda en solitario, a capella o con su mandolina, como la calma que precede a la tormenta. Porque, a pesar de utilizar instrumentos tradicionales, el grupo de Chicago carga su musica irlandesa con alcohol y una abrasiva actitud punk.
"Undone" es el primer album como solista de Duggins, grabado junto a sus colegas de los Tossers aunque, eso si, con su magnifica voz macerada en whisky como gran protagonista. Con un sonido acustico y austero, respaldado por banjo, guitarra, violin, tin whistle, contrabajo, mandolina y bateria, el album es una mezcla de versiones y temas originales. Entre las primeras, las relecturas de baladas de Ewan MacColl, Bob Dylan ("Boots of Spanish Leather ", a duo con Meaghan Yeates), Jimmy McCarthy, Luka Bloom ("(The City Of) Chicago"), y los Pogues ("Broad Majestic Shannon"), y de temas tradicionales ("Goodnight Irene", "I Wish I Was Back in Liverpool", a capella y en directo, o el festivo "Monto"). Y entre las composiciones de Duggins, destaca esa impresionante cancion con mensaje de "Childrens Potential", una proeza de mas de siete minutos a capella.
Sin el toque borrachuzo y gamberro de Shane MacGowan, Duggins aborda las canciones irlandesas con seriedad, y demuestra que es posible hacer un gran disco de folk sin la fanfarria exhibida por Springsteen en su album dedicado a Pete Seeger.

Simply Amazing.......2006-02-25

Duggins has outdone himself. I am an avid fan of The Tossers, along with of course, Dropkick Murphy's, The Pogues, Flogging Molly etc.... This album is rough and uncut and as such is perfect.

Average customer rating:

awsome!!!!!!

Circles
Five Foot Thick
Manufacturer: Eclipse (Big Daddy)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Blood Puddle

ASIN: B0001GOH9I
Release Date: 2004-03-02

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Mediafly
I Don't
Sex
Full On
Q-Sick
All In My Head
Tired
Prozac
Sirens
No. 5
Enemy
II Sided
Bad Dreams

Customer Reviews:

awsome!!!!!!.......2004-04-30

i think this cd is awsome one of the best i have ever heard
all the song are killer they are one of my favorite bands!

Average customer rating:

Progressive, Experimental and all Tull
One of Tull's Best
A prog-rock masterpiece.
Tull's unsurpassed masterpiece!
Endlessly fascinating

Thick as a Brick
Jethro Tull
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Aqualung
Stand Up
A Passion Play
Aqualung
Songs from the Wood

ASIN: B000003JA7
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Thick As A Brick

Amazon.com

The follow-up to that FM staple, Aqualung, 1972's Thick as a Brick demonstrated that Ian "Don't call me Jethro" Anderson had so much on his mind that even the previous record's side-long suites would not suffice. The result was an album-length "song" that simultaneously struck my young ears as Tull's finest work to date (and I had them all) and led to my never listening to any of their subsequent albums all the way through. The record was packaged in the popular fake-newspaper style of the day (John & Yoko's Some Time in New York City of the same year, the Jefferson Airplane's Volunteers, and the Four Seasons' bid for hipness, Genuine Imitation Life Gazette). Opening line: "Really don't mind if you sit this one out." --David Wolf

Album Description

Limited edition reissue on 180 gram vinyl for their #11972 album featuring both parts of the title cut. Comes inthe original packaging: a gatefold with a faux 12 pagenewspaper insert. Black wax. 1997 Chrysalis/ EMI release.

Customer Reviews:

Progressive, Experimental and all Tull.......2006-10-21

Call it what you like, this album is progressive because Jethro Tull married multiple musical styles on one album. The album is conceptual because the entire song is actually multiple songs married into one song by a variety of transitions and interludes. There may be an occasional unevenness in the transitions, but in general the whole thing works, and is a unique work of rock music.

Early progressive rock was born in fits and starts. Tracing back, some of the earliest identifiable elements of progressive rock show up in some Beatles' songs. The Moody Blues provided more definition to progressive rock, and created the first progressive rock albums, though their progressive rock was on the lighter side and was much less daring than King Crimson, whose "In the Court of the Crimson King" established how cutting edge progressive rock could be. By 1972, progressive rock had a better-defined face, and that face was readily identifiable on albums such as "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge" by Yes, "Foxtrot" by Genesis, and "Thick as a Brick" by Jethro Tull. There were quite a few other progressive albums released by 1972 and numerous other artists used progressive elements in their music, but the albums listed above were among those that helped to define the limits, or lack thereof, of progressive rock.

As serious as some of us like to believe this album is, it is a satire. This album pokes fun at issues contemporary to 1972, which somehow remain somewhat contemporary to now. Some examples: the drive to push society to cater to the needs of the "average" person rather than helping the above-average person develop their skills; the debate over war and the need for war; helping others to build their country and then having them go to war with you; people who live on the dole rather than being some useful part of society. The list is quite extensive, and much of the tone is sarcastic, often caustic, if you can discern the meaning.

To match the extensive nature of the album lyrics are musical styles that range nearly as wide: there are catchy pop-like tunes; there are folk-classical influenced portions; there is a dirge in the second track; there are faster rock portions; even a bit of pomp and circumstance. I haven't even covered half the range of styles. At the very least, Jethro Tull wasn't afraid to commit their feelings of the moment musically to an album. Artistically their vision on this album is as expansive as any other group I can recall. Add to this broad range of styles sound effects and bizarre transitions and you can tell that not only did Jethro Tull use everything, they also threw in the kitchen sink.

This album became a nearly instant classic in 1972. It vaulted to number one and for a while made Jethro Tull one of the biggest groups in rock, though their music was far broader than rock. The album was also anti-establishment (a term that hasn't been spoken since at least the early 70s). Though portions of the counter-culture lyrics are relatively plain, substantial other portions of the lyrics are subtle, nearly cryptic, and manage to poke fun at numerous institutions and philosophies. Some messages are so cleverly phrased and subtle that you could call Jethro Tull progressive rock for intellectuals, though you need not delve that deeply into Tull's lyrics to enjoy them.

By the way, the phrase "thick as a brick" is slang for "stupid". I think Ian Anderson was already poking fun at those that wouldn't have the foggiest idea at what he was attempting to do with this CD, and already having a big laugh in preparation for the reaction after the album was released. The reaction was mixed. Many critics hailed it for its "message"; others derided it for being counter-culture and musical garbage. Likely many people ascribed deeper meanings to it where there were none, and missed the meaning where there was some. At the end of it all was Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, laughing, because they knew from the beginning that all of this was their art, which has to be interpreted by each person in their own way, and one person may see something that another doesn't, which ultimately means that while there are some clearly common elements, you don't want to make too much of the meanings. They are what they are, and they may be different for you and me. Isn't great music grand?

Note that there are numerous versions of this CD, with varying availability and price. You should survey the versions available to determine which version best meets your needs.

Five stars for one of the best progressive rock albums to ever be released, and for music to be intellectually stimulated by.

One of Tull's Best.......2006-08-05

For rock listeners, the idea of releasing a single, album length, composition is foolish at best, self-indulgent at worst. For those of us who enjoy jazz and classical music, the concept is less of an oddity. After all, "A Love Supreme" is a single album length composition! Like "ALS," "Thick As A Brick" is really a suite rather than a single song. While it is performed without interruption over the course of forty-odd minutes (other than a fade at the end of side one and the beginning of side two), the piece contains thematic "movements" that occur (and recur) throughout the album. When I was in my teens, this seemed very long and difficult to listen to indeed! Today, I recognize it for what it is: A pop album with ambition. In that, it surely suceeds.

A prog-rock masterpiece........2005-10-04

I had my doubts about TAAB initially, but I still wanted to hear it. Now that I have, I realized that nobody does stuff like this anymore, and that needs to change.
For those who've never heard of it, Thick As a Brick is an entire album devoted to one song, entitled Thick As a Brick. It's a long, rambling piece with some impossibly dense lyrics, the first side being by far the best, especially those first three minutes or so. The lyrics are great, rivalling Bob Dylan in delivery and crypticness (is that a word?) And the musicianship is, as we'd expect from the group, top-notch.
The second side is a bit weaker than the first, but still strong. You should own this record.

Tull's unsurpassed masterpiece!.......2005-01-31

I can't emphasize the importance of this album enough! Its ambitious concept, thoughtful lyrics, flawless execution and plenty of nice little touches assure that up until now "Thick As A Brick" has been a template for epic monumental rock compositions. Spanning across 44 minutes, this album has only one song. But that must be boring, you might think. Wrong! Instrumentally, the band plays a mixture of hard-rock, English folk, with jazzy influence, and does it in a prog-rock manner. But that is not the calculated soulless prog-rock that is being released today. On the contrary, the music and lyrics here have so much passion, that you feel it in every note. As usual, Ian Anderson does most of the work here, playing guitars, flute and singing (as well as writing controversial lyrics and designing a booklet, that is styled as a local dayly newspaper). For once his voice lost its quirky touch and expresses sad contemplation instead. And this is about the first time that Ian's passionate singing fits the music excellently! His trademark flute exchanges melodic lines with John Evans' keyboards, and both instruments are given a lot of time here. This, together with Martin Barre's guitar, make this album's very recognizable, soft yet dynamic sound. The music changes direction so much that it keeps your interest for the entire album. Yet the changes are so skillfully arranged that this ultra long song never breaks into separate parts, but always sounds as a whole composition.

Such a unique combination of perfect elements blended together is very rare. No wonder Jethro Tull couldn't top the success and perfection of this album, neither before, nor after it. Moreover, I think that if there's only one album to choose of the entire 70s prog-rock movement, it must be "Thick As A Brick", with only a few albums coming somewhat close to it (Tull's "Aqualung" or Genesis' "Selling England" spring to mind). So do I think you should buy "Thick As A Brick"? Yes, most certainly I do. Its place in music history has been reserved, and by ignoring it, you only hurt your own development as a listener.

P.S. At times I wish that, whenever modern bands decide to make an epic album/composition, they are taken to a mandatory listen to "Thick As A Brick". That way the world could be saved from a flood of mediocrity disguised in stylish clothes.

Endlessly fascinating.......2004-02-23

Like other reviewers I find the longevity of this record unmatched. The music moves with such skill and diversity, but most of all pure confidence. I have to listen to it at least twice whenever I put it on. Creativity was just wilder back then, and like the music, the LP cover is more entertaining than a dozen contemporary CDs.

As of today TAAB has 13 reviews, Dark Side of the Moon has 864. I am truly among the elite. To be fair, I guess Mike Oldfield is a far better comparison. Oldfield once made the best music of this kind - his first three albums. A great recent one-number prog-rock concept album would be Green Carnation's 'Light of Day, Day of Darkness'. So, find this album somwehere, and give it to your personal weird, pot-smoking buddy - positive results guaranteed.

The No Fun
Average customer rating:

H!

Good, but short

Scott Lucas is awesome!

Fantastic, great buy

Hmm....

The No Fun
Local H
Manufacturer: Thick Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000096FST
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Tracks:

No Fun
President Forever
Birth, School, Work, Death
Cooler Heads
I Just Want Something To Do
Fuck Yeah, That Wide

Customer Reviews:

H!.......2004-11-08

Worth it for one song- President Forever. Easily the best Bush parody song yet, less heavy handed than Pearl Jam's 'Bu$hleaguer' and more entertaining than NoFX's "Franco Unamerican". The rest of the disc is decent, but President Forever is one of those songs I play nonstop. Thanks, H!

Good, but short.......2003-10-03

This is a good ep, I just wish (like most other people) that it would have been a full LP. Oh well, it's not bad anyway. As others have stated, Scott definitely sounds more angry on this disc, especially on No Fun. It's a typical hard driving Local H song that is good to shout along with if you're not in the happiest of places. President forever has some entertaining lyrics (Gonna throw a party at Camp David...the First Lady's not invited, or, I'm President forever, if we can just agree on this one thing, you'll never have to vote again). It's a decent song, but not especially memorable.

I enjoy "Birth, School, Work, Death" quite a bit. The mini-guitar solo used during the chorus is catchy, and the crowd shouting sound in the chorus is used to good effect. "Cooler Heads" is another typical Local H just rocking out song. The Ramones cover of "I just..." is merely average. This may be due to the fact that I'm not really a big Ramones fan, so this song really isn't memorable to me.

"Fu&% Yeah, That Wide" is an entertaining song for a while, solely because of Scott just going nuts, but eventually it gets old. During a concert though, it's highly entertaining.

The only other disappointing this about this album is that the power of St. Clair's drumming just does not come through on this album. It didn't come through on "Here Comes the Zoo" either, and that's a shame. I've seen them play twice with St. Clair, and he is an animal on the drums. I can't believe they can take that kind of punishment, and that is what adds to Local H's appeal. They have a huge amount of power, but unfortunately the recording makes the drumming seem rather mute.

However, this is a good stop over point on the way to Local H's next full album, but it's probably not for casual fans.

Scott Lucas is awesome!.......2003-06-28

I just saw the boys at Summerfest. They are really awesome! Scott Lucas & the band puts on a GREAT show!!I also got to meet them & the boys are really nice! They are really down to earth. They even sell their own merch. which is really cool. The songs No Fun & Cooler Head are popular on the radios right now so tune them in! They also cover the Ramone's song "I Just wanna have something to do" so check them out. I PROMISE you wont be disappointed!!!

Fantastic, great buy.......2003-06-20

I have to dock this disc one star for featuring only 6 songs. However, these are 6 great rock songs. Scott sounds a little angry on this one which works well for a CD called "No Fun." However, his emotions only make the songs rock even harder. Great buy.

Hmm...........2003-06-10

When I first heard this, I was disappointed. After a few listens, my opinion of the new Local H songs improved, but not my opinion of their covers. The new Local H songs might be Local H-by-the-numbers, but are catchy enough to warrant a listen. The covers are not very catchy or good. Local H's performance just accentuates the covers' hooks (since Local H is all about the hooks), which are quite dated and therefore not catchy. Oh well. The new Local H songs are worth listening to, but most likely not for the price you'd pay for this new.

Average customer rating:

more great stuff from the tossers

The First League out from Land
The Tossers
Manufacturer: Thick Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

First League Out From Land
Dicey Riley
Donegal Danny
Seven Curses
Rockin' My Life Away

Customer Reviews:

more great stuff from the tossers.......2001-10-01

you really can't go wrong with the tossers... this new ep features five songs, the excellent title track, which apparently will be on the forthcoming full length record, two takes on traditional irish songs, a bob dylan cover, and an extrordinarily well done version of jerry lee lewis' "rockin my life away." the jerry lee lewis cover is surprisingly faithfull to the original: no punchdrunk irish wanking here, just rock'n roll that could, if we didn't know better, fit nicely on the "loud, fast, and out of control" box set. who knew ol' duggins could belt 'em out like that? not me.

Tracks:

Thick as a Brick
Thick as a Brick
Thick as a Brick [Live]
Interview With Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Martin Barre and Jeffery Ha

Album Description

Japanese remastered reissue of 1972 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP gatefold sleeve features four tracks including two bonus tracks, 'Thick As A Brick' (Live at Madison Square Garden 1978) & 'Interview' (With Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Martin Barre & Jeffrey Hammond). Toshiba-EMI. 2003.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered in 1997 and Released in a Paper Sleeve True to the Original Issue in a Mocknewspaper Layout. The Actual CD also Has the Artwork on the Label. A Truly Deluxe and Special Package.

Customer Reviews:

Jethro Tull's Progressive, Experimental and Complex Masterpiece.......2006-04-15

Call it what you like, this album is progressive because Jethro Tull married multiple musical styles on one album. The album is conceptual because the entire song is actually multiple songs married into one song by a variety of transitions and interludes. There may be occasional unevenness in the transitions, but in general the whole thing works and is one of the most unique works in rock music.

Early progressive rock was born in fits and starts. Tracing back, some of the earliest identifiable elements of progressive rock show up in some Beatles' songs. The Moody Blues provided more definition to progressive rock, and created the first progressive rock albums, though their progressive rock was on the lighter side and was much less daring than King Crimson, who's "In the Court of the Crimson King" established how cutting edge progressive rock could be. By 1972, progressive rock had a better-defined face, and that face was readily identifiable on albums such as "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge," by Yes, "Foxtrot" by Genesis, and "Thick as a Brick," by Jethro Tull. There were quite a few other progressive albums released by 1972, and numerous other artists using progressive elements in their music, but these albums were among those that helped to define the limits, or lack thereof, of progressive rock.

As serious as some of us like to believe this album is, it is a satire. This album pokes fun at issues contemporary to 1972, which somehow remain somewhat contemporary now. Some examples: the drive to push society to cater to the needs of the "average" person rather than helping the above-average person develop their skills; the debate over war and the need for war; helping others to build their country and then having them go to war with you; people who live on the dole rather than being some useful part of society. The list is quite extensive, and much of the tone is sarcastic and often caustic.

To match the extensive nature of the album lyrics are musical styles that range nearly as wide: there are catchy pop-like tunes; there are folk-classical influenced portions; there is a dirge on side two; there are faster rock portions; even a bit of pomp and circumstance. I have not covered half the range of styles. At the very least, Jethro Tull wasn't afraid to commit their feelings of the moment musically to an album. Artistically their vision on this album is as expansive as any other group I can recall. Add to this broad range of styles sound effects and bizarre transitions, and you can tell that not only did Jethro Tull use everything; they also threw in the kitchen sink.

This album became a nearly instant classic in 1972. It vaulted to number one, and for a while made Jethro Tull one of the biggest groups in rock, though their music was far broader than rock. The album was also anti-establishment (a term that has not been spoken since at least the early 70s). Though portions of the counter-culture lyrics are relatively plain, substantial other portions of the lyrics are subtle, nearly cryptic, and manage to poke fun at numerous institutions and philosophies. Some messages are so cleverly phrased and subtle that you could call Jethro Tull progressive rock for intellectuals, though you need not delve that deeply into Tull's lyrics to enjoy them.

By the way, the phrase "thick as a brick" is slang for "stupid". I think Ian Anderson was already poking fun at those that would not have the foggiest idea at what he was attempting to do with this CD, and already having a big laugh in preparation for the reaction after the album was released. The reaction was mixed. Many critics hailed it for its "message"; others derided it for being counter-culture and musical garbage. Likely many people ascribed deeper meanings to it where there were none, and missed the meaning where there was some. At the end of it all was Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, laughing, because they knew from the beginning that all of this was their art, which has to be interpreted by each person in their own way, and one person may see something that another doesn't, which ultimately means that while there are some clearly common elements, you don't want to make too much of the meanings. They are what they are, and they may be different for you and me. Isn't great music grand?

Five stars for one of the best progressive rock albums to ever be released, and for music to be intellectually stimulated by.

Note that this version of "Thick as a Brick" is a Japanese remaster with two additional tracks, a live version of "Thick as a Brick" and an interview track. Other versions with substantially different prices are available, so you may wish to look around before selecting the version that best meets your needs. Good luck!

A strange but excellent album.......2004-05-13

Thick As A Brick (1972.) Jethro Tull's fifth album.

By the time the early seventies had rolled around, Jethro Tull had begun to make the transformation from a blues-based rock band into a highly progressive one that incorporated elements of medieval folk music. Their recent LP, Aqualung, demonstrated that they were capable of combining rock with medieval folk stylings, and that they could produce excellent mainstream-based rock tunes. Come 1972 and the band was going to try something different - One big long song that took up two sides of an entire album. And later in the year, Thick As A Brick hit stores. Read on for my review.

Thick As A Brick is an excellent song, for a number of reasons. For one thing, it's the most medieval-sounding hit they ever scored, which confirmed they were more than just another classic rock band - they were a highly progressive one. The song explores a plethora of different styles in its forty-five minute duration. Of all of the band's albums, this is by far the most difficult one to review - but that doesn't mean it isn't excellent. Just talking about this album doesn't do it justice - you actually need to listen to it to get an appreciation for it.

The nineties Tull reissue of Thick As A Brick include two bonus tracks - A live version of Thick As A Brick and interview clips. The interview is nothing too special, and it certainly won't be of interest to anyone other than die-hard fans of the band. The live version of the title track isn't much better. The sound quality is quite lacking - Anderson's flute is virtually inaudible! And since his flute is one of the things that make Tull such an amazing band, that's a real shame. What really pisses me off is that the edited version wasn't included as a bonus track - they had room to put it on here.

Although it could be considered their strangest album, Jethro Tull's Thick As A Brick is also one of their most excellent compositions. If you're a fan of progressive rock, Thick As A Brick is an album you really need to check out. It stands as proof that Jethro Tull always has been and always will be considered masters of progressive rock stylings.

This is Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull's masterpiece.......2004-04-18

For Jethro Tull's "Thick as a Brick" album, Ian Anderson writes the lyrics, composes the music, sings the songs, does the arrangements, and then finds time to play the flute, acoustic guitar, violin, saxophone, trumpet and whatever else is lying around. On top of that, he creates Gerald "Little Milton" Bostock, the eight-year-old prodigy whose scandalous poem "Thick as a Brick" was deemed unfit to receive first prize from The Society For Literary Achievement And Gestation (SLAG), and Julian Stone-Mason B.A., who reviews the Jethro Tull album "Thick as a Brick."

All of this is chronicled in the four pages of the St. Cleve's Chronicle, all of which is faithfully reproduced for the little booklet that comes with this CD. The review by "Stone-Mason" concludes: "One doubts at times the validity of what appears to be an expanding theme throughout the two continuous sides of this record but the result is at worst entertaining and at least aesthetically palatable." Who am I to argue? I enjoy the satirical articles in Anderson's faux newspaper (e.g., "Non-Rabbit Missing") almost as much as I enjoy the music on the album.

Thematically "Thick as a Brick" is similar to "Aqualung." Again the writing is dense and enigmatic, but of course this is part of the fun. Anderson bemoans the social decay but he sees salvation down the road, but ultimately the lyrics take a back suit to the music and the brilliant arrogance of creating sections on the "single track" that are unique and yet clearly part of the whole. The thematic unity of the songs on "Aqualung" is now more than matched by a musical integration of various styles into a complete whole. You can recognize aspects of English folk music and classical bits in the mode of Handel, along with various types of jazz.

One of the nice results of this grand design is that for the first time Anderson's singing seems well suited to the music. By this point in the group's history Anderson had surrounded himself with the musicians who would finally allow him to explore his unique artistic vision. In the end just remember: "your wise men don't know how it feels/to be thick as a brick." This is Jethro Tull's best album from start to finish, although certainly they come close to reclaiming the magic in "Passion Play."

Thick As a Brick.......2002-08-15

This is the album that got me listening to Tull. These guys are great and my favorite band. Ian Anderson is incredable. If you enjoy listening to Rock music then this is a must buy.

Average customer rating:

At the Poles
Seven Storey Mountain
Manufacturer: Thick Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LP5FOK
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

SO CURSED
TWELVE TIMES
SINKING IN
THE CRUX
ELEVATOR
REASON FOR RHYME
BAD DAY
TAKE THE LEAD
SWEET FORTY NINE
TUNNEL VISION

Album Description

Fortunately, for those of us who's faith in the post-punk genre's contemporary place has been tested, Phoenix Arizona's Seven Storey Mountain offers reaffirmation with emphasis on the punk side of the spectrum. Merging the influence of calculated angular discordance and unrestrained cathartic hammering with sparse elements of both pop and hardcore, 7SM crafts a powerhouse sound that respectfully pays homage to their predecessors (think: Rights Of Spring, Jesus Lizard, Shellac) and keeps the figurative wheels in motion. Following the release of a handful of records on Deep Elm and ArtMonk, Seven Storey Mountain have aligned themselves with THICK Records, who will be releasing their upcoming record, "At The Poles". Recorded, produced and engineered solely by the band's own Lance Lammers, the album drops on April 10th. Get saved.

Average customer rating:

Decent and A Pretty Good Album
Quite an album
Don't know who they are...
unoriginal and weak
Success is just around the corner

Blood Puddle
Five Foot Thick
Manufacturer: Eclipse (Big Daddy)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Circles
Apologize For Nothing

ASIN: B0000DD54F
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Unfounded
Bored
Ducked Out
Betrayed
Listen
Blood Puddle
Nothing
Clarity
Envy You

Customer Reviews:

Decent and A Pretty Good Album.......2005-04-04

I recently saw Five Foot Thick live in Idaho. I'm not proud of living in Idaho, but anyway... They were great. Their live show was awesome. They all were great, the lead singer looks kind of like Axl Rose and his voice is cool. FFT is a pretty good band but it really depends on your taste in music. I really liked this CD and I think for a band that's not signed to a major label
(at least not when they did this CD) I think this CD is damn good. Here are the tracks and my thoughts:
Unfounded: The best song on the album. It's even better to see them sing this live.
Bored: Kinda funny. Good song though.
Ducked Out: Great song. The lyrics are good and the backup vocals are good too.
Betrayed: Good song, but it's too short.
Listen: Pretty cool.
Blood Puddle: Really dig this song. Great lyrics.
Nothing: You actually hear the singer sing, rather than scream and he actually sounds pretty damn cool. Awesome song.
Clarity:I really like the chorus. It's an allright song.
Envy You: This song is pretty cool. The way the lyrics flow together is cool.

So, if I liked all the songs why not 5 stars? Cuz it truly isn't a spectacular album. The songs are pretty cool, but they're not the kind of songs your drive around and sing along too.
B+.

Quite an album.......2004-12-29

I'm very surprised at the negative reception this album has received from those who have heard it. I went out and purchased this based on one 30 second sample and am not at all disappointed with it. There is some real drive to the aggression on this album and it makes it that much more fun to listen too. I will bite that the guitars are a little repetitive, but in my opinion, rapcore (or whatever the hell you call this) isn't supposed to be overly instrumentally driven. Angry screaming aggression pervades every singly song and the only problem is that there is only 9 of them.

Don't know who they are..........2004-03-12

This was the worst 13.99 I have spent all year. The riffs on this CD sound familiar. The turntable definitely needs to go. I read the other reviews and had high expectations of this band. The sound that this band puts out is too in middle. I don't think they know if they are a rapcore band or heavy metal. Also, take note that all the great reviews were all written by people in Spokane WA. For now I'll stick to the new Cannibal Corpse --- The Wretched Spawn, and The Black Dahlia Murder. This is not ferocious, in your face Metal as the other reviews say. Any true metal fan would agree.

unoriginal and weak.......2004-01-14

i've seen these guys a couple times in seattle and they put on a decent live show. in fact that's the only thing positive i can say about this band. i would have figured that this type of music would have faded out several years ago but that just shows you how lame the average corporate music consumer is. "blood puddle" is better than five foot thicks last attempt "circles" but that's not saying much. "blood puddle" is just another nu metal piece of crap that sounds like all the other popular "metal" these days. the only problem is that it lacks the quality ingredient necessary to this generic style, it needs at least marginally good vocals. the vocals on this album are horrific. the guy has no sense of timing or rhythm and he sounds the same on every song. the guitar sound is highly unoriginal but will probably appeal to you if you're into tired crap with no substance. chances are if you are one of the masses you'll love it.

Success is just around the corner.......2003-12-27

The best way to draw a listener in is with a killer opening track, and that's exactly what Five Foot Thick does. The monstrous opening riff to "Unfounded" is like a jarring uppercut to your cranium. It only lays the blueprint for the intensity that's yet to come. The vocals are just plain brutal as Dilling expresses his disgust with guys who act tough to feed their ego. He's more than willing to put an end to it. "Betrayed" is just as punishing despite its 1:45 running time. I'd hate to be the guy who backstabbed him. You can practically feel the spit spew forth from Dilling's vengeful mouth. Five Foot Thick pay homage to their early beginnings on the rap/rock flavored "Listen." I guarantee you that this is some of the heaviest rap/rock you've heard. Is that some turntable scratching I hear on "Bored"? Fear not metal fans, it's quickly replaced by a frantic guitar rhythm. The album's title track "Blood Puddle" will cause plenty of bruises and bloody knuckles at a live show. How can you not want to fight after hearing this song of revenge? "Nothing" shows off some of the bands depth, as it adds new musical elements. It begins with ominous guitar picking and as it picks up, the drums kick in with a marching beat. The addition of keyboards add to the effect. It's a combination of hardcore and rap vocal stylings here. I was also impressed with the three part vocal harmony on the chorus of "Ducked Out."

Bottom Line:

Brutal, intense, and heavy! Five Foot Thick are an excellent blend of hardcore and heavy metal mixed with a little rap/rock. The guitars are devastating and the vocals are ferocious, without being just plain screaming. The group shows some diversity with the addition of keyboards and some vocal harmony. Anger management need not apply to Five Foot Thick. They are so pissed off now, they can't be saved. With music this fierce, I wouldn't want to save them anyway.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music