QUADROPHENIA

A very underrated album by the general public, but thankfully not on here. "Quadrophenia" is one of my all-time favourite albums, and my favourite Who album by quite a long shot. I've never really been a fan of The Who and I'm still not, but this is just incredible. It maintains the powerful heavy rock feel heard on "Who's Next", but introduces lots of progressive elements as well. A double concept album about an alienated doubly schizophrenic mod - how much more prog could you get?!

The album starts with "I Am The Sea", the only ambient song I've ever really heard that is as loud as the rest of the albums, and audible when travelling on the train or wherever. The Who being The Who, they chose not to make a subtle overture but just put the outright statements of each side to Jimmy (the mod)'s personality in the background of the sea. "The Real Me" then pounds in with some excellent bass playing and horns by Entwistle (heard throughout the album). Great lyrics and very powerful vocals by Daltrey, so much to say about it but I won't get ahead of myself. The title track "Quadrophenia" is really the overture, but it allows more room for Townshend's songwriting genius to put it lightly :P Great guitar playing and musicianship, and really sets the atmosphere on here. "Cut My Hair", arguably the first real song, then comes in, describing Jimmy's difficulties with being a mod, and educating the modern generations (such as me) and Americans on what it was like. More brilliant vocals, lyrics, effects/soundscapes, musicianship, just a very consistent masterpiece.

"The Punk And The Godfather" jumps right back into the loud Who spirit, possibly the most prominent song on the album with more excellent lyrics. Really struggling to find anything bad about any of these songs now! "I'm One" continues the country styles from Townshend heard on their previous album, a great inclusion and not made as such a big fuss unlike the other album. Very sensitive and great lyrics/guitar writing and playing. Another great song follows! "The Dirty Jobs" describes Jimmy not getting along with his parents. Again, I adore the lyrics and how much you can relate to the chorus when you're feeling a bit sad. "Helpless Dancer" is very strong lyrically and vocally - Daltrey puts across a great performance here, and very bold piano chords just striking you like fists. Very subtly angry for a Who song, should be more appreciated. Also, I love the end of the song, as you hear the band harmonising one of their typical sort of 60's mod songs. "Is It In My Head": finally I can complain on something! The chorus is weak both lyrically (especially the rhymes) and musically, drags along a bit, but nevertheless another good song. Probably the worst on the album though, just showing the incredible standard they've upheld on here! "I've Had Enough" again shows Jimmy's frustration with the world around him, again very relatable at times, and an excellent way to finish Side 1 (2 on vinyl). The train noise sets you up very well for the next song...

"5:15" is one of my favourites (although I've listened to it way too many times now). Great for travelling on a train by the way! It starts off with a reappearance of the "Cut My Hair" melody and jumps straight into a much more rocking/rolling piece. Excellent harmonies, horn parts, guitar playing on here. All of the instruments really complement each other, and the chords work very well. Great risque lyrics too! "Sea And Sand" is a little weak vocally, but the lyrics are great: "My dad couldn't stand on two feet as he lectured about morality" just emphasises Jimmy's frustration furthermore with everything going on around him, and his reluctance to stay in his head more to escape reality in a way. "Drowned" is another great song (better than "Sea And Sand"). Very well written by Townshend (the whole album was by the way, in case you didn't know!) Lyrics and melody are also delivered excellently by Daltrey once again!

"Bell Boy", as I'm sure you know, is the part where Jimmy meets the "Ace Face" (leader of his mod group) who has become more of a part of what they were fighting against in the mod group, so Jimmy feels understandably even more betrayed. Keith Moon adds a little comedy onto the album (which I don't think Townshend was too happy about, but it definitely works!) Gets a bit tiresome on the whole, but a great idea and inclusion on the album. More excellent musicianship (running out of synonyms now :P) "Doctor Jimmy" again contains very powerful lyrics and is probably the most destructive song sung by Jimmy's character ("What is it, I'll take it. Who is she, I'll rape it). Shows his rebelliousness and youthful nature more than ever here, just before he becomes a man on the final track. Also, some great use of strings, with those violins cutting like knives right at you. An astounding track!

"The Rock" is the most detailed in the picture booklet. It shows Jimmy stealing (?) a boat and riding out to sea. I love the fact it is made as an instrumental, really lets you concentrate on the excellent music behind it. Again, lots of themes reappear on here before the thunderous rain and the strike of the first piano chord of the following song: "Love Reign O'er Me" is an undeniable classic and a great finishing song. Great chord progressions, lyrics, musicianship from all of the band, but Roger's delivery is just astonishing (although I didn't really like the gentle verses - should have had a couple more takes perhaps? A little shaky). "LOVE!!!!", Roger bellows and a final climatic outro lasting for almost a minute of raging instruments, including Keith Moon's incredible drumming. I really don't know how he does it! :P

A+: An underrated masterpiece by the general public. Outstanding from start to finish and such a consistent work. The Who's magnum opus.

I Am The Sea: **** The Real Me: ***** Quadrophenia: ***** Cut My Hair: ***** The Punk And The Godfather: ***** I'm One: ***** The Dirty Jobs: ***** Helpless Dancer: ***** Is It In My Head?: *** I've Had Enough: **** 5:15: ***** Sea And Sand: **** Drowned: ***** Bell Boy: **** Doctor Jimmy: ***** The Rock: **** Love, Reign O'er Me: *****