description Thick as a Brick Overview
Released in 1972 by the British rock band Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick is a concept album consisting of a single continuous track divided across the two sides of the original vinyl LP. Frontman Ian Anderson wrote the piece as a satirical response to the serious pretensions of the progressive rock genre. The album's lyrics are credited to Gerald Bostock, a fictional eight-year-old child prodigy, adding to the record's conceptual parody. It remains a definitive work of the progressive rock movement.
insights Ranking position
Thick as a Brick ranks #1 of 155 in the Progressive Rock Album ranking, ahead of Close to the Edge.
help Thick as a Brick FAQ
How long is the album Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull?
The 1972 concept album consists of a single continuous song that runs for exactly 43 minutes and 50 seconds. To fit on a standard vinyl LP, the track was simply split across side A and side B.
Who is Gerald Bostock in relation to Thick as a Brick?
Gerald Bostock is a fictional eight-year-old child prodigy credited with writing the epic poem that the album's lyrics are based on. Frontman Ian Anderson created the character as a satirical response to critics who felt their previous album, Aqualung, was too pretentious.
Did Jethro Tull ever release a sequel to Thick as a Brick?
Yes, Ian Anderson released a follow-up concept album titled Thick as a Brick 2: Whatever Happened to Gerald Bostock? in 2012. The sequel was released exactly 40 years after the original record.
Who played drums on the original Thick as a Brick album?
Barriemore Barlow played drums on the album, contributing to the highly complex time signatures alongside Martin Barre's guitar and John Evan's keyboards. The intricate instrumentation was woven together by frontman Ian Anderson on flute and vocals.
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