Jethro Tull: Aqualung version on vinyl LP in Standard edition. This particular edition was published in Europe in publishing company Chrysalis on 26. May 2015.
For many, "Aqualung" is Tull's masterpiece. The title track and "Locomotive Breath" with its catchy riffs will go down in rock history as classics along with "My God", "Cross-Eyed Mary" and "Hymn 43". There is no disputing its commercial success, having sold over seven million copies and still outselling every other title in the catalogue, yet "Aqualung" is probably Tull's most misunderstood album. Critics label it a concept album, mainly because of Anderson's critical and skeptical views on organized religion, especially on the B-side ("My God"). Anderson disputed this assessment and almost disliked it, considering the album to be "just a bunch of songs". This label prompted the band to actually present a concept album to critics with their next studio album, "Thick as a Brick". "Aqualung" has a dominant theme, but is definitely more, much more than a concept album that deals with a single theme. Anderson explores the problems of the less fortunate in our society (e.g., "Aqualung," "Cross-Eyed Mary," "Up to Me"), teenage issues and the difficulties of formal education (e.g., "Wind Up," "Mother Goose"), and a return to parental themes in "Cheap Day Return," which incorporates Anderson's feelings during a trip to visit her ailing father. "Aqualung" also reinforced the exaggerated notion, especially among those who knew the band only in passing, that Tull was a "heavy rock" band. A few years later, the band won a Grammy for Best Heavy Metal Album (specifically for "Crest of a Knave"), officially confirming this false stereotype. However, it is on "Aqualung" that Anderson really begins to develop his distinctive style of acoustic guitar songs with "Cheap Day Return", "Mother Goose" and "Slipstream". "Aqualung" established one of the most notable features of Tull's music: songs that vary in intensity, mixing medium to heavy electric sounds with lighter acoustic passages (e.g., "Aqualung" and "My God"). In fact, every album until "Under Wraps" (1984) contained at least one number in this style. Finally, this classic is available again! Compared to the 25th Anniversary edition in a slightly slimmed down version, but still featuring quality extras compared to the regular CD: Digitally remastered, bonus tracks and full size booklet. AQUALUNG was and is a masterpiece by this great band.
Album spans genres Rock, Progressive rock and Classic Rock. 180g Steven Wilson Mix Gatefold Vinyl.