THE WHO - QUADROPHENIA

Just recently I got a whole bunch of The Who records sent to me on accident (meant for my dad). From my father's folly, and by his request I will be listening to The Who's Quadrophenia for the first time. My previous knowledge about this record is that it is a rock opera about a schizophrenic boy with four personalities.

1) I AM THE SEA: Pretty much a standard introductory track when it comes to rock opera's. You can hear the sea.
2) THE REAL ME: Roger Daltry's brassy kind of voice really shines through on this one. It fits in with the fact that Jimmy, the schizo, essentially does not have a real personality.
3) QUADROPHENIA: An instrumental track, extremely "epic" (I hate the over-use of that word) and powerful.
4) CUT MY HAIR: This song emphasizes that Jimmy's life sucks. Just lines like "my fried egg makes me sick first thing in the morning, I'm taken back there, right to the pit of my gut" kind of make you depressed, just a little. Oh and there's mention to zoot suits - which tie together the mod movement and style to The Who.
5) THE PUNK MEETS THE GODFATHER: Pretty much a conversation between a young "punk" and The Godfather". Five songs through this record and I can already tell that it's going to have it's fare share when it comes to nuggets of wisdom. When "The Godfather" says, "I have to be careful not to preach, I can't pretend that I can teach", just stays with you.
6) I'M ONE: I'm guessing that Jimmy thinks he doesn't have much going for him. BUT! At least he's one now instead of four. Has an ever so twangy guitar? I can't exactly say twangy but kind of spitting if you get what I mean.
7) THE DIRTY JOBS: About being lower-middle class. The drums in this track are beyond excellent.
8) HELPLESS DANCER: Powerful horns and piano in the beginning. The line: "If you complain you disappear, just like the lesbians and queers", is really before it's time ( or at just the right time). Just a excellent song about being helpless; as the title would oh-so-subtly hint to you.
9) IS IT IN MY HEAD?: Jimmy seeing that his "quadrophenia" might actually for to make him one? ("I see a man without a problem")
10) I'VE HAD ENOUGH: The general tempo of the song is pretty much full of piss and vinegar, and just a hint of spite. Then it goes to bongo's at the end. Either way, this Jimmy is fed up.
11) 5:15: The drums again, are just absolutely spectacular. They're really good with integrating a shit load of instruments together.
12) SEA AND SAND: This might be sacrilegeous, but some of the vocals on this track are Led zeppelin-esque. This is pretty much a song about reflection and hitting rock bottom.
13) DROWNED: Just a powerful song, the guitar on this track is kind of free-flowing, which I like.
14) BELL BOY: Keith Moon is god. That is all.
15) DOCTOR JIMMY: Showcases Jimmy's personalities. The song is just fun, for a lack of a better, more descriptive word.
16) THE ROCK: Just a masterpiece.
17) LOVE, REIGN O'ER ME: POWERFUL...and angsty as hell. A great way to end an album.

THE VERDICT? I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.