A Passion Play

A Passion Play is the sixth studio album by British progressive rock band Jethro Tull, released in July 1973 on Chrysalis Records. Following in the same style as the band's previous album Thick as a Brick (1972), A Passion Play is a concept album comprising individual songs arranged into a single continuous piece of music (which was split into two parts across the original vinyl release's two sides). The album's concept follows the spiritual journey of a recently deceased man in the afterlife, exploring themes of morality, religion and good and evil. The album's accompanying tour was considered the high water mark of Jethro Tull's elaborate stage productions, involving a full performance of the album accompanied by physical props, sketches and projected video. A Passion Play was negatively received by critics upon its initial release. However the album was a commercial success, becoming Jethro Tull's second number one album in the United States. The album has since received a more positive critical reassessment, and has become a cult favorite among some fans of the band.