Quadraphenia

Quadraphenia
The Who
Released in 1971






    What can be said about the Who? That they are the greatest live act of all time? That they have the best live album of all time (Live at Leeds)? That they produced 2 incredible rock operas? (And almost a third, Lifehouse!) All this can be said, and while I was pulled in by "Tommy", Quadraphenia kept me here to stay!

    Why is this album so great? It features a storyline that is very engaging! (enough so that a feature-film was actually produced after the album!). The story revolves around Jimmy, a teenager cought up in the war between Mods, and Rockers. What? You have no idea what I'm talking about? Well, that is one of 2 major problems that hinder (just barely) an otherwise perfect album. The storyline is VERY British, and the Who knew it, they had to explain most of the songs during the US tour for the album. The second problem is a small one. THE LENGTH. How could this be a problem? Well, the album is more than an hour long! This is both good and bad, but if you are like me (running around all day) you might need to plan time to listen to the whole thing.

   Now the good (summarized since I could go on forever!)
THE SONGS are incredible, featuring one of the greatest songs of the 70's "Love Reign O'er Me" and two of my personal favorites "The Real Me" and "Quadraphenia". The songs are also "Fuller" than Tommy's and really feel much more... Powerful or "Live-Oriented". But honestly, I could go on forever about the songs.
The story is very engaging and really gives an incentive to listen all the way through (an almost impossible feat at once, clocking in at over an hour!). Overall, give this album a listen!

Recommended Listens!

• Love Reign O'er Me
• The Real Me
• Quadraphenia
• The Punk and the Godfather
• Cut My Hair

**** and a half out of 5 stars!