Tommy
by The Who

The opera-rock label has made this album huge in the past but makes people lift up an eyebrow today.
It was ambitious and stepforward when it came out but to judge it for what it was THEN is just as unfair as judge it from the POV of "hey other people made more coherent rock opera after that" as if all that matters about an album would be some sort of plot.
I like to judge it for the music itself. How it sounds today and how it sounds in the context of what was being made at that time. And I find this to be a hell of a good album.
Who's next and Quadrophenia could arguably be better in performance and sound but here we got superb riffs, a very powerful backsection and Roger Daltrey finally finding his voice as a frontman and singer. A lot of subtle electronica and imaginative use of studio possibilities too (just listen to "amazing journey" for example).
As with any double album there are some fillers, interludes and songs that are not up there with the best ones. Anyway it works very well in one sitting.

Overall an outstanding record. (Edited)

From teague TOP 100 COMMENTER 07/01/2020 06:04 | #254879 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Tommy sounds extremely dated, not to mention it plays to zero of The Who's strengths, save a track here and there. The last thing I want to hear from The Who is a rock opera. I want some hard rocking bangers! Not a fucking song about Christmas! Like what the hell were they even thinking? Pete Townshend must have had the biggest ego in the world if he thought he could pull this off. And everyone seems to have fed his ego back in the day, with stage adaptations coming out every other second. To be fair, a lot of the music is fine, but it's definitely taking a backseat to the story. Which is definitely the least interesting aspect of this album. Time has not been kind to this album. Oh well, at least they influenced other bands to attempt the same thing. Gotta give it up for Pinball Wizard though, song kicks some serious ass. Unfortunately, every single other track I could easily skip and not lose a wink of sleep.

From Decurso TOP 100 COMMENTER 06/15/2014 03:00 | #114501 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Not only does it succeed as a rock opera, but the majority of the songs on the album stand quite well on their own and do not necessarily have to be taken in context to be appreciated. Pete's finest hour as a songwriter.

It's so cool when an entire album is dedicated to telling one cohesive story. (Edited)

From Fischman TOP 100 COMMENTER 01/12/2017 00:34 | #182323 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This album was a revelation when I first heard it and I still find it compelling today. Pet proves he's more than just a rocker right from the get-go by writing a magnificent overture. Interestingly, I find the one big hit, Pinball Wizard, a bit overrated and definitely overplayed. (Edited)