Aqualung (album)

Aqualung
Studio album by Jethro Tull
Released	19 March 1971
Recorded	April 1970 – February 1971[1]
Studio	Island Studios, London Morgan Studios, London
Genre	Hard rock folk rock progressive rock
Length	42:55
Label	Chrysalis/Island (Europe) Reprise (America, Japan and Oceania)
Producer	Ian Anderson, Terry Ellis
Jethro Tull chronology
Benefit (1970) Aqualung (1971) Thick as a Brick (1972)
Singles from Aqualung
"Locomotive Breath" Released: March 1971[2] "Hymn 43" Released: June 1971[3]

Aqualung, released in March 1971 by Chrysalis Records, is the fourth studio album by the rock band Jethro Tull. Though it is generally regarded as a concept album, featuring a central theme of "the distinction between religion and God", the band have said there was no intention to make a concept album, and that only a few songs have a unifying theme.^[4] Aqualung's success signalled a turning point in the career of the band, who went on to become a major radio and touring act.

Recorded at Island Records' new recording studio in Basing Street, London, it was their first album with keyboardist John Evan as a full-time member, their first with new bassist Jeffrey Hammond, and last album featuring Clive Bunker on drums, who left the band shortly after the release of the album. The album utilises more acoustic material than previous releases; and—inspired by photographs of homeless people on the Thames Embankment taken by singer Ian Anderson's wife Jennie Franks—contains a number of recurring themes, addressing religion along with Anderson's own personal experiences.

Aqualung is Jethro Tull's best-selling album, selling more than seven million units worldwide. It was generally well-received critically and has been included on several music magazine best-of lists. The album spawned two singles, "Hymn 43" and "Locomotive Breath".^[5]