TOMMY

An album with many songs that conjure up many experiences from my middle school years as our school's music teacher used this album (as well as many other contemporary releases) to help teach his subject. The film version that came out a few years later somewhat tinged or diluted the Tommy experience for me as the visuals defined the songs in ways to which I had been hitherto clueless (my brain does not process words sung from lyrics into meaning; I have to study the printed versions in order to 'hear' the words--but even that does not guarantee that I'll find understanding or meaning in the words.) But there is undeniably some beautiful, magical music contained in this rock opera--not the least of which is the famous "Pinball Wizard" (10/10) with my first realization of what a stunningly talented guitar player Pete Townsend was. Yet, there are enough boring or misses on this album to help me back off from claiming "masterpiece" for the whole. Many masterful songs, a wonderfully adventurous project, and some socially relevant messaging, but, like so many of The Who efforts, not always my cup of tea.