CoronaVinyl Day 113 (RS Greatest Albums 301-350): Aqualung by Jethro Tull

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Today, we are looking at albums ranked between 301 and 350 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time.  This is another one for which I have the album cover framed and hanging in my office:  Aqualung by Jethro Tull, which is ranked as the #337 greatest album ever on Rolling Stone's list.

Of course, Jethro Tull is best known as perhaps the only hard rock group that featured a flautist -- the multi-talented Ian Anderson, who was also the lead singer and main songwriter (and who also played other instruments).  Listening to classic rock radio since I was in elementary school, I am well-familiar with Jethro Tull's catalog, as they had probably a dozen or so songs that were in the rotation on most classic rock stations.  What I was surprised to find out today, as I was digging into the band's chart history, is that while their albums charted very well, they really didn't have much success on the singles chart.  Of the 13 studio albums the band released between 1969 and 1982, the lowest-charting album still reached #30 on the Billboard album chart, all but two reached the Top 20, six were Top 10, and two went to #1.  During this same span, only seven of the band's songs even charted on the Billboard Hot 100, with only two reaching the Top 40 -- "Bungle in the Jungle" (#12) and "Living in the Past" (#11).  Thankfully, their non-single tracks found a home on FM radio, and the band was more focused on making great albums than releasing singles.

1971's Aqualung was the band's first album that cracked the op 10 on the Billboard album chart, reaching #7.  It is also the band's best-selling album, selling 7 million copies worldwide and going triple platinum in the U.S.  The album also contained the band's first charting single in the U.S., "Hymn 43," which eked in at #91.  "Locomotive Breath" also charted, though it was five years later, and it hit #62.  In addition to those two songs, though, there are several Tull classics on this album, including the gnarly title track and "Cross-Eyed Mary."  The album contains some recurring characters and themes about religion, but the band claims it's not a concept album.  Whatever it is, it's a fantastic album with gritty hard rock songs mixed with acoustic songs.  Anderson's vocals switch between snarling and sweet, and the album has its fair share of excellent guitar solos and delicious drum fills.

Since I'm not picking the title track below, I would be remiss if I didn't mention it because it's a great song and arguably the band's signature song.  The title character is a homeless man, presumably who we see on the album cover.  The first stanza of the song -- or the album, for that matter -- is one of the creepiest and most memorable in rock history:  "Sitting on a park bench / Nine little girls with battered heads / Snot is running down his nose / Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes / Aqualung."  Good Lord.  If that doesn't pull you in, I don't know what will.

Favorite song from Side 1:  "Cross-Eyed Mary"

This song is the second on the album, following the title track and acting as a companion piece.  After a flute solo intro gives way to a gritty and crunchy organ and guitar riff and Anderson's equally gritty vocals, as the song tells the story about a teenage prostitute.  Even Aqualung makes an appearance.

Favorite song from Side 2:  "Hymn 43"
It was a touch choice between this and "Locomotive Breath," but I gave "Hymn 43" the slight edge.  The song is a scathing rock song, both musically and lyrically, calling out the hypocrisy of religion.  In addition to great repeating riff in the chorus, there is a nice guitar solo.