The Who - Tommy (1969) [2012 SACD]

The full-blown rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind boy that launched the band to international superstardom, written almost entirely by Townshend. It was hailed as a breakthrough upon its release, but its critical standing has diminished somewhat in the ensuing decades, because of the occasional pretensions of the concept, and the insubstantial nature of some of the songs that functioned as little more than devices to advance the rather sketchy plot. Nonetheless, the double album has many excellent songs, including “I’m Free,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Sensation,” “Christmas,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” and the dramatic ten-minute instrumental, “Underture.” Though the album was slightly flawed, Townshend’s ability to construct a lengthy conceptual narrative brought new possibilities to rock music. Despite the complexity of the project, he and the Who never lost sight of solid pop melodies, harmonies, and forceful instrumentation, imbuing the material with a suitably powerful grace.

Tracks:

01. Overture - 05:20
02. It's A Boy - 00:39
03. 1921 - 02:49
04. Amazing Journey - 03:24
05. Sparks - 03:45
06. Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker) - 02:13
07. Christmas - 04:35
08. Cousin Kevin - 04:07
09. The Acid Queen - 03:34
10. Underture - 10:02
11. Do You Think It's Alright? - 00:25
12. Fiddle About - 01:31
13. Pinball Wizard - 03:01
14. There's A Doctor - 00:24
15. Go To The Mirror! - 03:48
16. Tommy Can You Hear Me? - 01:35
17. Smash The Mirror - 01:35
18. Sensation - 02:26
19. Miracle Cure - 00:13
20. Sally Simpson - 04:10
21. I'm Free - 02:39
22. Welcome - 04:32
23. Tommy’s Holiday Camp - 00:57
24. We’re Not Gonna Take It - 07:07