An Album You Should Own - 10/10/08

The Who - Quadrophenia

It is a widely held opinion that "Tommy" is an overrated album and that "Quadrophenia", while well-regarded, is equally underrated.

Over the years, I have come to agree.

The album was the band's attempt to examine the birth of itself in the heyday of mod culture. For all its good, the album is a complex piece of work that might have just been too complex for its intended audience. Pete Townshend attempted to create a narrative about a confused, young mod named Jimmy. His personality was meant to reflect that of the four conflicting personalities at work in the band.

Aside from that, the album is a monumental triumph on many levels. It's production is almost flawless and the band plays each song with absolute abandon. The album also features some of the best use of synthesizer on record, too. At its core, the album features an amazing coming-of-age story. Many of the compositions are the most honest and reflective that Townshend has ever written.

The songs are some of the most enduring in The Who's catalogue. "The Real Me", "The Punk Meets the Godfather," "I'm One," "5:15", "Bell Boy," and "Love, Reign o'er Me" are direct and powerful, even in their quietest moments. In fact, the music was so complex that the band struggled for years trying to reproduce the songs live. Roger Daltrey and Townshend actually came to blows during a soundcheck where Townshend was left unconscious.

To this day, when I hear "The Real Me" it sounds like a locomotive that builds enough speed and power to bore a hole in the earth. I never, ever grow tired of hearing it. It's one of those songs that actually make me sweat when I hear it. When I listen to it, I actually remember why I wanted to be a musician in the first place. It is raw and undeniable.

With Quadrophenia, The Who was at the peak of their powers.
It's absolutely an album you should own.

Further listening: "The Who Sell Out", "Tommy", "Live At Leeds", "Who's Next"