<P> Jethro Tull 's frontman and songwriter Ian Anderson was surprised when critics called the band 's previous album , Aqualung ( 1971 ) , a `` concept album '' . He rejected this , thinking it was simply a collection of songs , so in response decided to `` come up with something that really is the mother of all concept albums '' . Taking the surreal English humor of Monty Python as an influence , he began to write a piece that would combine complex music with a sense of humour , with the idea it would poke light - hearted fun at the band , the audience , and the music critics . He also intended to satirise the progressive rock genre that was popular at the time . </P>
<P> Jethro Tull 's frontman and songwriter Ian Anderson was surprised when critics called the band 's previous album , Aqualung ( 1971 ) , a `` concept album '' . He rejected this , thinking it was simply a collection of songs , so in response decided to `` come up with something that really is the mother of all concept albums '' . Taking the surreal English humor of Monty Python as an influence , he began to write a piece that would combine complex music with a sense of humour , with the idea it would poke light - hearted fun at the band , the audience , and the music critics . He also intended to satirise the progressive rock genre that was popular at the time . </P>
who wrote the lyrics to thick as a brick
who wrote the lyrics to thick as a brick
Jethro Tull 's frontman and songwriter Ian Anderson
Jethro Tull 's frontman and songwriter Ian Anderson