Track 1-Aqualung
With an unforgettable, monster guitar riff Aqualung rockets out of skid row and introduces us to one of its denizens, a character so memorable that it would typecast Ian Anderson as its personification for years to come. This scraggly, homeless pedophile instantly became part of rock mythology. "..Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent." Indeed. This is a song so good that I have never tired of it no matter how many times I’ve heard it or sung it. Not only is the music of this song great, the lyrics command one's attention throughout as we are mesmerized by the story laid out before us. A staple of Classic Rock radio to this day, and deservedly so.
Track 2-Cross-Eyed Mary
The patient introduction to this song reminds me of an elfin bolero as it builds with repeated flute trills like a train climbing the grade and finally gives way at the crest to another killer guitar riff backed by a nice-n-dirty organ accompaniment. After track 1, I'm staggered by as strong a 1-2 punch as has ever been put to vinyl. Once again the lyrics are extremely compelling. "..Maybe her attention has been drawn by Aqualung, who watches through the railings as they play." I always find it satisfying when a band self-quotes one of their song titles and/or characters.
Track 3-Cheap Day Return
As he explained at the Kodak Theater concert in 2006, Ian Anderson wrote this song on the train after visiting his dying father in a convalescent home, using his "Cheap Day Return" ticket for the leg back home. Clocking in at only 1:23, it's as simple and yet complex as the feelings Ian must have felt for his dying father at the time. Packs more emotion and wry storytelling into a minute and 23 seconds than many movies can muster in an hour and 23 minutes. "..Does the nurse treat your old man the way she should? She made you tea, Asked for your autograph - What a laugh." An absolute masterpiece and perhaps my all-time favorite Jethro Tull song. My only complaint is that it isn't longer. If you didn't listen to this one this morning, it's time to hear it again.
Track 4-Mother Goose
A wonderful little acoustic guitar, flute and bongos nursery rhyme-like ditty with (once again) enigmatic lyrics to die for. "..Saw at least a hundred schoolgirls sobbing into handkerchiefs as one, I don't believe they knew I was a schoolboy."
Track 5-Wond'ring Aloud
So sweet, so full of love, and well, wondering. A slice of life so sincere and touching that it floors me every time. At this point in the album I'm deeply involved and have gladly surrendered to Jethro Tull's musings on a level that completely disarms me both intellectually and emotionally.
Track 6-Up To Me
Another funky, baroque masterpiece from Ian and the boys. The masters of "Renaissance Blues" show us again that no one does it quite like Tull does. Incredibly effective acoustic guitar work on this one.
Track 7-My God
By this time, I'm becoming ecstatic like a Baptist parishioner shouting "Hallelujah Brother!" at a revival. "Reverend Tull" does not disappoint, bringing us a stinging appraisal of the Church of England and the hypocrites who use religion as a political weapon and a personal crutch, warning us not to blindly follow our religious leaders who would ask us to follow "their God" but rather to find God within each other and within ourselves. Given the epic status of the more well-known songs on this album, this is surprisingly the longest track at 7:11.
Track 8-Hymn 43
This one is so good it's scary. At this point I'm rapidly approaching a musical orgasm. "..If Jesus saves, well he better save himself, from the gory glory seekers who use his name in death." 'Nuff said. Listen to it!
Track 9-Slipstream
Another quaint little acoustic gem that clocks in at a mere 1:12. This may be the least remarkable song on the album but that's like saying that it's the smallest diamond in the velvet bag. Still an impressive gem and too short to even think about being a "10 buster". Ends with a memorable violin glissando that sounds like it's asking a question.
Track 10-Locomotive Breath
If slipstream ends with a question mark, Locomotive Breath is the emphatic answer. How many other albums have a song number 10 out of 11 that's this good? WOW! This song is so good the album could easily have been titled "Locomotive Breath". Begins and builds tension with meandering, jazzy piano noodlings that finally give way to another thundering, unforgettable guitar riff from Martin Barre that brings the train up to full steam. I won't quote any lyrical highlights from this one because I'd have to quote the entire thing. It's that good. As satisfying a rock anthem as has ever been written. Also a staple of Classic Rock radio to this day.
Track 11-Wind Up
Oh NO! You DON'T have ANOTHER song this good to show us do you? This song is the inevitable climax and subsequent "afterglow cigarette" of Aqualung. Its reflective mood reminds us that this album is really at its core about Ian Anderson's crisis of faith and issues with the "gory glory seekers" of organized religion. "..Well you can excommunicate me on my way to Sunday school." Our antihero, Aqualung reminds us of the gap between what is preached and what is actually done about the social issues that negatively affect us all and the fact that he gets to sporadically inhabit this album's landscape just makes it all the more memorable. If I had to choose one album to represent the best of the Classic Rock era of the 1970's this would be my choice.
