Aqualung" is arguably Tull's most misunderstood album. Critics dubbed it a concept album, particularly for Anderson's critical, skeptical views of organized religion, mostly on side B ("My God").
"Aqualung" has a dominant theme but is certainly more, much more, than a concept album hindging on a solitary subject. Anderson explores the struggles of the less fortunate in our society (e.g., "Aqualung," "Cross-Eyed Mary," "Up to Me"), teenage angst and formal education difficulties ( e.g., "Wind Up," "Mother Goose"), and returns to his parental themes with "Cheap Day Return, a tune encompassing Anderson's feelings while traveling to visit his sick father."Aqualung" also cemented the exaggerated image, especially to those only casually acquainted with the band, that Tull was a "heavy rock" group. Years later, a Grammy for best heavy metal album (viz., "Crest of a Knave") would officially sanction the misconceived stereotype. Yet, "Aqualung" is where Anderson really begins to develop his personal style for acoustical guitar songs with "Cheap Day Return," "Mother Goose," and "Slipstream.""Aqualung" did establish one of the most notable features of Tull's music: songs varying with intensity, mixing medium to heavy electrical sounds with lighter acoustical passages (e.g., "Aqualung," and "My God"). Indeed, every album up to "Under Wraps" (1984) would have at least one such styled number.
Music:
Nuclear Assault, fuckin Maiden, SLAYER, Anal Cunt, Agoraphobic Nosebleed (and some other Relapse stuff), Kreator, GWAR, DI, Danzig, Samhain, Misfits, that one good Anthrax record (Among the Living), Circle Jerks, the first 4 Metallica records, Megadeth, Brutal Truth, Exit 13, Brujeria (only a few things), Pennywise, Bad Religion, SOD, MOD, Daft Punk, J5, Cool Keith, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Cam, Cocksparrer, Dirt, Exodus, Dyoxen, VENOM, Guitar Wolf, Reverend Horton Heat, Lamb of God, umm Spazz, Dystopia, Discharge, Broken Bones, Battallion of Saints, Filth, SEPULTURA (with Max), Nailbomb, Subhumans, Brother Inferior, Assrash, DRI, Hirax, MANOWAR, Helloween, Testament, Motorhead, Buzzcocks, Carcass. Shameless Self Promotion!
Movies:
Daniel: Hey Mr. Miyagi, you know I've been thinking.
Mr. Miyagi: About what, Daniel-San?
Daniel: That we should come up with some kind of strategy.
Mr. Miyagi: For what?
Daniel: My future, my whole tournament career.
Mr. Miyagi: Miyagi already have one.
Daniel: Really? What is it?
Mr. Miyagi: Early retirement.
Books:
mostly of the comic variety, mostly.
Heroes:
Dave Mustaine, Tom Araya, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Lombardo, Kerry King, Danny Lilker, Billy Milano, Ron Jeremy, Lemmy Kilmister, Philthy Animal Taylor, Fast Eddie Clark, Dave Brockie, and to an intellectual degree, James Randi.
