Poll, Reign O'er Me: The Who Quadrophenia Poll

Had never heard this until the movie came out. I was just the right age, 18, so I loved both. I think I'd still like the movie fine (haven't seen it in ages), and I imagine the songs would still work in that context. Less sure of the album on its own--a lot of horns, a lot of preening Daltrey.

A lot of great songs, clem.

I haven't seen the movies of either Tommy or Quadrophenia for a while, I think Quadrophenia is obviously the better of the two (there's certainly plenty of memorable moments in the Tommy movie, but on the whole I thought it kinda sucked) but if I had to choose between the movie and the LP, I'd choose the LP.

I was reading a "best Who songs list" online, and the writer said that he always skips side 2 of Quadrophenia after "I'm One". Is that a common opinion? I see that none of those songs got votes here.
"Is It In My Head?" predates the rest of the album and doesn't have anything to do with the story, and I guess I could see a Who fan put off by "Helpless Dancer". But "I've Had Enough" is the centrepiece of the story, and they're all good songs.

I've never encountered that opinion before. I agree about "Helpless Dancer" (I like it, but can definitely see how others wouldn't), but everything else on that side works. "Is It In My Head" fits perfectly, despite predating the story/concept, and "I've Had Enough" was so central that it was used for the climax of the film.

My issue with the record is how the drums were recorded (apart from "Is It In My Head" and "Love, Reign O'er Me," recorded in 1972 by Glyn Johns). The bass drums don't pop, the snare doesn't crack, and the cymbals are too prominent. I sometimes thought the issue was with Moon's performance, but on the live 1973 recordings I've heard, he's on fire, maintaining the peak he set in 1971 (and on a newly-expanded kit). His playing here is, for me, superior to his performance on the record (and arguably better-recorded):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv6bCr4K7z8

turns 50 next week

- lotta water/rain sounds huh? deep
- 'love reign o'er me' is a great song but i don't need it to be blatantly quoted/hinted at in every other song. makes 'the downward spiral' progression seem subtle
- lotta repetitive pounding piano chords eh?
- lotta that same keith moon fill but tbf it is awesome

possibly i just don't fully grasp rock operas

otm