Matt Wilson wrote:Townshend was really the only guy who could pull of this idea of the "rock opera." Both this and Tommy qualify. The lyrics tell a story, the music's themes are repeated in various tracks, etc. Maybe Genesis with Lamb stands up, but that's not really the same thing. Ray Davies certainly didn't come close with his Preservation LPs.
agreed. tommy is more out there and all, this one is just much real to me, but they both share the same connective tissue. i do love tommy, i do. but this has the meat on the bones for me. it is just more masterfully done. that bein said, there's still a ... i dunno what to call it. a kind of 60s dream about tommy that still resonates with me