The Who - Quadrophenia Reissued Review
Released last month, the new reissue of the album contains the original 1973 album, two cd’s worth of demos, a 5.1 surround DVD mix, a poster and a hardback book.
Tommy came first the 1969 rock opera from The Who centered on a blind, dumb and deaf kid who was exceptionally good at playing pinball. However, in 1973 The Who released Quadrophenia, an album with superior songwriting and a stronger story. It was based on Pete Townshends own experience of growing up as an angry mod in the early Sixties. The album centres on the character Jimmy, an angry, discontented young man. It deals with adolescent coming of age issues as the protagonist fails to fit in and is dependent on pills. Jimmy is a composite of four different personalities in The Who. Released last month, the new reissue of the album contains the original 1973 album, two cds worth of demos, a 5.1 surround DVD mix, a poster and a hardback book. For those with not quite so much cash, theres a cheaper 2- disc set, featuring the original album and a disc of demos. My review is based on the 2 disc set. Quadrophenia is very much Pete Townshends masterpiece, in fact he has described as being the best album that he has ever written. It features more of his vocals than any other album by The Who. This is not to say that the others dont excel; on the contrary, Keith Moon as always, plays like theres no tomorrow. John Entwhistles bass playing is fantastic and his brass arrangements fit in really well, and of course Daltreys voice is superb, especially on The Dirty Jobs. Convesely, when the album was being produced Roger Daltrey said that his vocals were too low in the mix. In this latest reissue, when he sings the Out of my brain chorus over Keith Moons fantastic rolls around the drum kit and John Entwhistles driving bass in 5.15, Daltrey delivers with sheer power. Onto the demos then listening to the demos youre struck by how well produced they are considering that all the instruments are played by Pete Townshend. He plays guitar, bass, drums, violin, accordion, piano and synths. The disc of demos is basically Townshends first solo album, because of how he prepared the songs how he wanted them, then presented them to the other members for them to interpret. Its fascinating to see that the songs are vitually fully developed in terms of arrangement even though theyre only demos. This really reflects how Townshend was at the peak of his songwriting abilities during the making of Quadrophenia. This new reissue isnt the first remastered version of the album the 1996 remaster was remixed. It palbum where waves crash against the shore it feels like youre standing there on Brighton beach with Jimmy. Townshend edited Quadrophenia much like a film director does, hence the two CDs of his original demos included in the box set. Both the box set and the 2-disc set come with a booklet full of writings from Townshend. He describes plans for a sequel to the famous 1979 film; production will start at the end of next year. He also mentions the possibility of a tour by The Who in 2010 where Quadrophenia will be played in its entirety. If you already own the 1996 version and are unsure of getting the new reissue, or own the original album on a 38-year-old LP, then dont think twice this is easily the best issue out there.