July 15th, 2021 - The Transparency Of Being Thick As A Brick

 

Good evening rockers, rollers, and hop freaks!  The Meista here tonight rocking out to the wonderful genius that is "Thick As A Brick" by Jethro Tull and a tasty The Salt Lake Tribune Beer (aka Transparency American Pale Ale) from Fisher Brewing Company!  Yes!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Jethro Tull
• Title: "Thick As A Brick"
• Recorded: December 1971 at Morgan Studios in London, England
• Release date: March 3rd, 1972 (5th studio album by Jethro Tull) 
• Record company: Chrysalis / Reprise
• Production: Terry Ellis and Ian Anderson
• Album cover art: Roy Eldridge
• Personnel: Ian Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, violin, trumpet, saxophone, and accordion), Barriemore Barlow (drums, percussion, and timpani), Martin Barre (electric guitar, lute, and flute), John Evan (piano, organ, and harpsichord), and Jeffery Hammond (bass guitar and spoken word)
• Additional musicians: Dee Palmer (orchestral arrangements)
• Musical style: Progressive rock, hard rock, folk rock
• Sound: Rather progressive, the songs on "Thick As A Brick" explore a variety of musical themes, time signature changes, and tempo shifts.  With the album, Jethro Tull further established their importance as a thoughtful, sarcastic, humorous, and incredibly talented band with this album.  
• Major themes: A concept album, Anderson stated it was a "bit of a satire about the whole concept of grand rock-based concept albums".  Although many of the lyrics on the album are whimsical and funny, there are those that are a bit more harsh with criticism of established society, capitalism, religion, and music critics.  Other themes include, heroism, death, sex, love, loss, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Thick As A Brick, Part I"
2. "Thick As A Brick, Part II"

 Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com//
• Brew: The Salt Lake Tribune Beer (aka Transparency American Pale Ale)
• Style: West Coast Pale Ale 
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0% 
• Ingredients: Simcoe and Mosaic hops
• Pour: The Salt Lake Tribune Beer pours a fairly clear, bronze hue with a bright white, 1+ finger, very frothy head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is earthy, malty, fruity, and very hoppy.  There are aromas of barley, pine resin, grapefruit rind, lemon zest, sweet berries, light onion, and soft caramel. 
• Taste: The taste of the Salt Lake Tribune Beer follows the nose with lots of hoppy, malty, and earthy flavors.  There are notes of pine, tangerine, berries, bready biscuit, light herbs, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp, yet hearty with a dry, clean, moderately bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The crushable, very drinkable tastiness of The Salt Lake Tribune Beer is perfect for a evening of rocking out to the insanely unique and brilliant music of Jethro Tull!   Those bold hop flavors are great for the biting sarcasm while the malty backbone goes great with the depth of musicianship and inventiveness.   'Nuff said!

Cheers!!