QUADROPHENIA

Quadrophenia is what I would consider as the last great album from The Who. I purchased it in 1973 at the time of release and I was not disappointed. Expectations were high, but they were met.

Some might argue, another "Tommy"? Well, maybe.

But when a band is able to produce another masterpiece of ROCK music the one after the other (remember that in the meantime "Who's Next" was also released) one is really confronted to a high profile group of very talented lads (of course dominated by Pete's songwritting which is just magnificent here).

Without going into too many details, you'll get the four themes developped into the whole of "Quadrophenia" during the first track of the "opera" : "I Am The Sea" ("Helpless Dancer", "Is It me For A Moment", "Bell Boy", and "Love Reign O'er Me"). The latter being the most recurring theme and I really like it.

The whole of "Quadrophenia" flows perfectly and pleasantly during the whole of the work. The first LP or CD is really strong. There are absolutely no weak track at all. On the contrary, each piece is extremely well written and performed. "Helpless Dancer" is maybe a bit weaker. This is what is the most remarkable in this work. When you compare it with other concept albums which are filled with "transition tracks" (usually very short pieces of music but not only), you have to agree that "Quadrophenia" stands out by its unity and its regularity. In most (double) concept albums, there is also almost always one CD which is seriously weaker than the other ("The Wall", "The Lamb" to name a few).

The second CD has a rockier orientation ("5'15", "Sea And Sand" and "Drowned"). The later is one of my fave (but there are so many on this album). Fantastic drumming here again, and superb bass playing as well. The closing number of the original third side "Bell Boy" (associated with Keith Moon) features some weird vocals during the chorus. Drumming is also very strong during this number.

Side four of the original "Quadrophenia" opens brilliantly on "Doctor Jim" (Is it me for a moment?). It is a marvel of a melody and a track full of emotion (you know that I like emotions, right ?). Another (out of many) highlights of the album. Probably the more "stratospheric" number of all (whatever this may mean). "The Rock" is the second instrumental of the album and features an interesting Spanish acousitc guitar part. It is really a bombastic number. The closing number contains the recurrent theme of the whole story. A wonderful way to close this great album. I really can't tell if it's the best one. But it is a superb song in which Roger shows all his vocal talents.

The work of Keith Moon is as fantastic as in "Who's Next" throughout the whole of "Quadrophenia". RIP Keith.

The mood and the story of Quadrophenia have nothing to do with prog (being related or proto). Still, it is a masterpiece of ROCK music. I guess that any rock lover should get it. I can only recommend you to listen to this wonderful piece of music. I was lucky to see the live representation of "Quadrophenia" in the early nineties. A great moment which is now available on DVD (but not yet ready fo reviewing). Five stars.

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