 In retrospective reviews the album is generally lauded and viewed as a classic . AllMusic 's Bruce Eder called Aqualung " a bold statement " and " extremely profound " . In a review of the album 's 40th anniversary re @-@ release , Sean Murphy of PopMatters said that Aqualung " is , to be certain , a cornerstone of the then @-@ nascent prog @-@ rock canon , but it did — and does — exist wholly on its own terms as a great rock album , period " . Murphy also praised the additional material featured on the release , finding that the new content was " where a great album gets even better " . Steve Harris , the bass player for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden , has called Aqualung " a classic album " , lauding its " fantastic playing , fantastic songs , attitude [ and ] vibe " . Iron Maiden would go on to cover " Cross @-@ Eyed Mary " as the B @-@ side of their 1983 single " The Trooper " . 
