10 Essential 1970s Progressive Rock Albums

Jethro Tull's fifth album is a pitiless spoof of a prog rock fixture: the concept album.

Based on the LP's cover, it's adapted from an epic poem written by an eight-year-old prodigy. Of course, anyone who's not as thick as a brick can figure it's really frontman Ian Anderson behind the madness.

Frustrated with the general consensus that preceding LP 'Aqualung' was a concept album, Anderson and co. decided to throw all of prog rock under a bus in 1971. At just shy of 45 minutes, 'Thick as a Brick' functions as one incredibly lengthy story over just two parts.

Chock full of running gags and satire, it's also a neat showcase of Anderson's mastery of the flute. Better yet is the versatile guitar work of Martin Barre who keeps the epic album remaining just that rather than interminable. Keyboardist John Evan seems to have the time of his life here as well as the group chug along through their ludicrous spoof of music and the British media among other things.

Of Jethro Tull's many more serious albums, none were ever quite as ambitious as this humorous marvel. Driven to give listeners something new whilst also teaching them a lesson, the boys from Blackpool reached an enviable creative peak here.