Quadrangle
Overall Album Score: 9.6 out of 10 QUADROPHENIA! This is undoubtedly one of the most grandiose undertakings of all rock-and-roll, and this is rightfully considered one of the greatest art-rock albums ever released. Likewise, this album is fully deserving of all the praise that it gets (and I will be giving it quite a lot of that), as well as it deserves all the popularity and affection that it receives from many people. I am able to recognize Quadrophenia for everything it has. An intriguing concept (that's much less confusing than Tommy), utterly breathtaking dramatics, and most of all, strong musicianship. However, there is one thing that I personally haven't yet been able to give Quadrophenia. And that is affection. Given that Quadrophenia is a VERY difficult album to even find the time to sit down and listen to. I sat down and listened to this multiple times over this past week, and I've grown to like it (heck ... I liked it upon the first listen). I just haven't grown to *love* it. I do know that an album such as this, I need to give more than a week to grow affection for it! (It's like an arranged marriage!) Just the same, I recognize Quadrophenia's artistic integrity. The overall story line of this album is rather simple. (Specifics, you're going to have to work out yourself ... I'm not going to dogmatically lay down what I think happens in this album! ...mostly because I'm not sure myself... This is something that will be most effective if you sit down and try to figure something out. Such is the most alluring property of good rock albums, anyway.) This is a GOOD album by all definitions of that word. This one is totally recommended for all rock fans! If nothing else, it's because the music is great! Overall Album Score: 9.6 out of 10 (As for one of the most impressive rock-and-roll albums on the planet, it gets this distinction for a very good reason! Am I personally able to connect with it ... well, no ... but there are MANY who do. And I can even respect it for its artistic value, integrity, and some mightily good songs.) Average Song Score: 9.4 (Great songs!!!!!! There's not a weak one in the bunch!!!!!) Album Tilt: 9.5 (This is one hefty album! I haven't yet let it take to my heart, unfortunately. If it ever does, I will probably raise this score to a 10. But not yet.) Artist Rating: 10 (Really, Quadrophenia deserves nothing less than this score here. This was a highly impressive undertaking, and it turned out to be so danged good. It probably even overwhelmed The Who themselves!) Track Reviews I Am the Sea 8.5/10 I Am the Sea By Michael Lawrence I am the sea, says you
Seeee??? I can be prancy and artistic, too! Just like the Who! (Oh ... this song is just a weird introduction thing with ocean noises and some other, miscellaneous stuff. This isn't really a song. It's just prancy artistic stuff.) The Real Me 8.5/10 If it wasn't for "I am the Sea," this would be the first song on this album. It's a pretty good song! Surprisingly, though, this isn't incredibly tuneful or memorable (other than it being the first -- second -- thing on here). It also has a wonderfully spirited vocal performance -- I guess that's a pretty noteworthy aspect! It's performed professionally, etc. ... but it fails to rouse me! (Unless you can't stand the classical music stuff in here, and this rock-and-roll song is the only thing that could possibly excite you.) Quadrophenia 10/10 This one is a rather longwinded but terribly entertaining instrumental (with significant classical-music ties ... there's hardly a rock-and-roll bone in its beautiful body). This song is utterly brilliant! The arrangements ... the songwriting ... brilliant. It's dramatic and superbly done ... beautifully played and all that. This is a classic within this classic. Cut My Hair 9.5/10 This is a rather beautiful song that encompasses all this weird teenager angst stuff that this album is famous for. I'm not a huge fan of the chorus (although I still like it). I *am* a fan of all the other stuff. This is a good art song! (Yay!) The Punk and the Godfather 10/10 This is a good song! The melody is written remarkably well ... it has multiple parts to it and every single one of 'em has plenty of hooks and is pleasant to listen to. Oh yes. The Who. Masters of their art. Hooah. I'm One 9/10 ...Hey! We have something in common with each other! I'm one, too! This is another good song! It's a well-done, mid-tempoed rock-and-roll song that'll make you happy that you paid $40 on this album. (Or if you were more enterprising, you'd be listening to this on a subscription music service like me. But I suppose, then, you won't appreciate this song as much. Oh well. It's not one of the highlights.) The Dirty Jobs 10/10 WONDERFUL melody! Frankly, I'm surprised that this one doesn't get much more attention. Yes ... this melody is WONDERFUL. And I really like those violins ... and the synths ... I like everything about this song. Why doesn't this one get more attention??? ... It's splenderiffico! Helpless Dancer 9/10 Good piano! (I like the pie-ano.) People who complain that Quadrophenia is full of show tunes might just have this song in mind. It's operatic ... but it's tuneful and brilliant. (Keep in mind that I grew up with show tunes, so I'm probably rating this a lot higher than those who despise them. That might also be why I really like "The Dirty Jobs," too, although that one isn't obviously show tuney.) Is It in My Head? 9/10 For some weird reason, I put this song in one of my mix CD's sometime back without having listened to any of the other songs from this album. The central theme I had for that mix CD was insanity, and I was probably drawn into it by the title. Anyway, I've had a long and lasting relationship with this song ... and why not? It has a wonderfully written melody ... it's played extraordinarily well ... it's a typical Who song! And what on earth could be better than a typical Who song, I ask you? I've Had Enough 8.5/10 ...I've had enough, too. I'm going to stop reviewing this album 'cause it's too long. Well, this is actually a pretty good song! ... It has many, many different parts to it. Most of it is dramatic and intense in some respect ... but each part has a different feel to it. Some bits are more loud ... others are quieter (and kind of ironic). We also get parts of "Love Reign O'er Me" in here. I can't help feeling, though, that it was a bit too unfocused. Nevertheless, it was extremely well done and all that. 5:15 9.5/10 This song is loud ... dramatic ... and DANGED solid. It's such an intense song that ... wow! I'm not willing to sacrifice my firstborn to this song, but ... it's of the gods. (The beginning and end of it has the same tune as "Cut My Hair.") Sea and Sand 9.5/10 SEAGULLS!!!!!!!! Well, this is a rather gorgeous and breathtaking song at times. Yikes ... these songs are so danged immaculate that it's hard for me to figure out things to say about it. But it's good! I promise! Drowned 9/10 Lah lah laaaaaah! Hey look! It's another wonderful song from The Who! It's suicidal, but ... surprisingly upbeat! I like suicidal but upbeat songs! (Yikes!) Bell Boy 9.5/10 I really dig that really funny vocal performance that's in here! ....... And the rest of the song is pretty good, too. ... Some parts are better than others, but, yes, I enjoy the whole thing. Doctor Jimmy 10/10 HOLY COW!!! WHAT IS WITH THIS ALBUM???!???!??? It's such an immaculate bugger! This song in particular. It's just so ... SOLID ... and so ... PERFECT ... and MAN ... it discourages me from ever producing a great opera of my own! (Not that I was really ever thinking of making an opera of my own ... but listening to this ... it can hardly be topped!) I just love the lush instrumentation here. Creativeness abounds! It's also 8:30 minutes and completely engaging throughout. Another wonder! The Rock 9.5/10 THE ROCK!!! The star of THE SCORPION KING!!! The BUFF loverrrrr of WOMEN ... yet, his biceps are NO MATCH for MY MONSTER TRUCK!!!!! I WILL SMASH THE ROCK WITH NO MERCYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! Crap! This album is so danged long, my mind starts to wander! This is a fairly inspired instrumental that's kinda intense and dramatic. If you're seriously into this album, I bet you already have an interpretation of this. Me, I just enjoy the muuusik!! Love Reign O'er Me 10/10 I can't think of a nicer song to close this monumental album with! This is a super dramatic, super intense, and super super song that'll probably grab your soul and stab it with this teenaged guy's pain. (Yeah ... this album has a story to it ... and it's about some teenaged guy ... doing something ...) Boy ... what a closer. Whoahiothoieoieroi! The Quadrophenia say, e-mail me a comment about this album here, and you will find tranquility. geosochi@yahoo.com (George Freedman) received July 7, 2004 Since you seem open-minded about suggestion, maybe you could listen to "The Real Me" some more and reconsider your grade.... Personally I think it's the best song on the album, or at least right up there with "Love Reign O'er Me". The rhythm section is unbelievable.... play special attention to what John and Keith do there. I definitely agree with you on Roger's yet another excellent vocal performance... You do seem to be a huge fan of the album, much bigger than me, but I think you've underestimated that one particular track. Don Ignacio Responds: I've relistened to this track ... and for the love of all things that are lovely and green ... I cannot garner much of an affection for it! slb23@shaw.ca (Simon B.) received August 17, 2004 I first listened to QUADROPHENIA in January of 2000. My
Uncle lent it to me on vinyl, so I taped it. Unfortunetly, later on, the
tape wasn't in the best shape after about three years of playing it, so I
finally bought the double CD. [Note: the whole thing can fit on one CD
if "I am the Sea" is ommited]. This is, IMO, one of the best double
concept albums of the 70's: a great portrayal of adolescent angst,
alienation, and bitterness at the surrounding world. I think every teenager
who feels left out of the goings-on of life should listen to this
wonderful album.
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All reviews are copyrighted by Michael Lawrence ... That's what they say ...
