Lot of love for the first 4 albums here and that's because they are the best albums they recorded. Benefit Aqualung Stand Up
Can I count 20 Years of Jethro Tull as three albums? If not, then I guess Aqualung, Benefit, and Thick as a Brick, in no particular order.
It amazes me that SFTW and HH are not mentioned more often. To me they sound so "mature" and well balanced. In my opinion on these albums (as on Aqualung, my no. 1) there realy is no song out of place. They all fit in and strengthen the whole album. I don't mean to say I dislike the other Tull albums, as they are all close runners up. That is, the albums before HH...
TAAB Broadsword & the Beast (the album that introduced me to them) Stormwatch Closely followed by Aqualung, Songs from the Wood and Crest of a Knave
No question Minstrel Songs Heavy I often question if I need any more of their albums maybe Stand Up and Aqualung (I do have more, though!)
In order of preference: 1 -- "Benefit" 2 -- "Thick as a Brick" 3 -- "Stand Up" Having now read through the thread, I'm well-chuffed (and surprised) by the massive love for "Benefit". I've long thought that it never got the props it deserves.
1. Thick as a Brick 2. Songs From the Wood 3. A Passion Play But it's a tough pick really. Man, I love Jethro Tull.
The OP asked for the top three. I really struggled to narrow the choices down. The next two choices for me would be Songs From the Wood, and Heavy Horses. That still puts them in the top 5, and Tull has a massive catalog.
From what I listened to... I don't think there's a good answer to this. I'd go with Minstrel the opener and Black Satin Dancer - Martin's guitar tone was VERY metal here.
