Progressive Rock: “Quadrophenia” by The Who (1973)

The Who’s third concept album and rock opera, “Quadrophenia” displays an elevated level of song-writing and composition on the part of Pete Townshend, and great technical precision of bassist John Entwistle, drummer Keith Moon, and lead singer Roger Daltry. The music on this double album stems from the progressive rock era in which it was released. Some songs even had theatrical qualities reminiscent of glam rock, as well. Horn sections, extended instrumentals, and virtuosic guitar and drum solos are but a few of the notable elements of this album that indicate such musical proficiency as stated above. What is also worth mentioning is The Who’s astute use of synthesizers and other relevant sound effects, which added to the themes of the album.

As a rock opera, this album tells a story through its songs, eloquently composed by Pete Townshend alone. The songs carry several themes throughout the entire album, such as the ocean, self-discovery, and introspection, and even samples from the finale song “Love Reign O’er Me.” The seamless transitions from one song to the next assists in the translation of these themes throughout the album. For example, the sound of falling rain at the end of “The Rock” flows right into the beginning of “Love Reign O’er Me.” At other points, it’s the gritty, but precise, vocals of Roger Daltry that express certain themes, like that of the desperate self-discovery in the song “The Real Me.” Songs like “Sea and Sand” and “Drowned” utilize the theme of the sea as a metaphor for the way life moves us with the tide, sometimes against our will.

However well the themes of this album were carried out, the narrative as a whole seemed lost in the complexity of the songs. Based on the synopsis I read, certain elements of the story didn’t appear to me. For example, I didn’t hear the part when the girlfriend of the main character, Jimmy, left him for his best friend. Maybe a live performance of the album would help to clarify the plot.