Jethro Tull – Aqualung (The 2011 Steven Wilson Stereo Remix)

"Aqualung" is considered by many to be Tull's masterpiece. The title track and "Locomotive Breath," with their catchy riffs, along with "My God," "Cross-Eyed Mary" and "Hymn 43" will rank among the classics of rock history. There's no arguing about the commercial success, as the album sold more than seven million copies and continues to outsell all other tracks in the back catalogue.

Still, "Aqualung" is probably Tull's most misunderstood album. Critics labeled it a concept album, largely because of Anderson's critical, skeptical views on organized religion, especially on Side B ("My God"). Anderson disputed this assessment, almost resenting it, seeing the record as "just a bunch of songs." The labeling prompted the band to truly deliver a concept album to critics with the following studio release, Thick as a Brick.

"Aqualung" has a dominant theme, but it is certainly more, much more, than a concept album that sticks to a single theme. Anderson explores the struggles of the less fortunate in our society (e.g., "Aqualung," "Cross-Eyed Mary," "Up to Me"), teenage angst and difficulties with formal education ( e.g., "Wind Up," "Mother Goose") and returns to his parental themes with "Cheap Day Return," a track that encompasses Anderson's feelings during a trip to visit his ailing father.

"Aqualung" also cemented the exaggerated image, especially for those who had only a passing knowledge of the band, that Tull was a "heavy rock" group. Years later, a Grammy for Best Heavy Metal Album (namely "Crest of a Knave") would officially confirm the misconceived stereotype. Still, "Aqualung" is when Anderson really begins to develop his personal style for 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.

For the Aqualung Collector's Edition of 2011, the album was remixed by producer Steven Wilson and personally authorized by Ian Anderson. With remix, one often has the experience that the original character of the music is of the music is distorted, especially when the remix suddenly brings a dynamic And clarity in the recordings, which the recording techniques of the 70s did not allow for recording techniques of the 70s did not allow.

However, Steven Wilson didn't do that here. Jethro Tull's probably most important album remains in its charisma and character completely preserved. Steven Wilson has disassembled everything into its individual parts and somehow completely dusted off. Great.