QUADROPHENIA

After the safe, but very successful Who's Next, The Who return again with yet another bold concept album in Quadrophenia. Like Tommy, Quadrophenia has the same dramatic, theatric, and adventurous music and lyrical delivery, but still has all the energy and heaviness The Who is known for.

The musicianship and songwriting creativity is on the same level as the previous album, and the progressive elements are much more readily noticeable here. Instrumental sections are extended, and keyboards and brass are used extensively to give it a highly symphonic feel.

Songwise, it's hard to pick out highlights, as the whole album is consistently good from beginning to end, not to mention the repetitions of themes and lyrics throughout gives this a cohesive sound such that it works as a continuous piece of music. As mentioned, most of the songs have a more symphonic edge along with the uptempo rock they usually play, though quitter moments can usually be found periodically within tracks.

Quadrophenia is, without a doubt, The Who at their finest. Unfortunately they would never reach this sort of creative capability in future albums. Regardless, Quadrophenia is a great close to one of the best three album runs, and is certainly one of the best art-rock albums of all time.

8/10