So much has been said about this album that there isn’t much left for me to say. It’s revolutionary. Its plot is convoluted and hard to understand. It’s arguably Pete Townhend’s (guitar, vocals) peak as a songwriter. Its critical praise has diminished over the years, (released in 1969) because of its thin storyline. Even if it’s true, doesn’t a take a genius to fool the critics for twenty to thirty years?

The album is brilliant musically, even excluding the concept. Most of the guitars are acoustic, and the band pretty much stays within itself (as opposed to the multitude of synthesizers that would be in albums soon following), minus the addition of a few French horns. Roger Daltry (vocals) is in top form throughout the album, showing the development that would culminate with their 70’s output. The bass lines, provided by John Entwistle, are top-notch (as always). And, of course, the legendary Keith Moon is on drums bashing away like the madman he was.

The rock opera is the story of a deaf, dumb and blind boy who proves to be a prodigy in the field of… pinball. He gains celebrity, finds a cure for his ailments, and eventually becomes more of a preacher-type celebrity. The songs are a complete body of work from the opening “Overture” to “Underture”. “1921”, “Sparks”, “Christmas” and “Eyesight to the Blind” are just a few of the highlights. The first is provided mainly to explain the cause of Tommy’s problems (he witnessed a murder and it traumatized him). “Sparks” is an intense instrumental, and “Christmas” is the first reference to religion in the opera (“…and Tommy doesn’t know what day it is, he doesn’t know who Jesus was or what praying is/how can he be saved/from the eternal grave”). “Underture” is a point of controversy. While some consider it a piece of filler to fill what needed to be a double album because of the songs that were important to the plot, some say it is a brilliant instrumental. I tend to side with the latter. On a side note, when re-mastered to CD, the album was able to fit on one CD. It’s barely over 70 minutes long, giving the “filler” theory some grounds. Finally, “Fiddle About” closes out this part of the opera. I’ll give you the title, and say it has something to do with Tommy’s Uncle Ernie. I’ll leave it at that.

On what was disc 2 of the original double-vinyl album, the songs act more as individual songs, making for more of an easy breakdown. Of course, the major hit of the album is here, “Pinball Wizard”. The plot REALLY gets moving on here. Tommy gains his social status as a great pinball player (and sort of a circus freak… I mean, who wouldn’t pay to see a deaf, dumb and blind boy kick-ass at pinball?). The song was a hit because it had a great riff, great hooks, and while containing no really deep message (other than certain lines that can be transformed into obscure hints at deep-ness), is just a damned good song. And there are also a few songs vaguely detailing (heh, how’s that for an oxymoron?) Tommy’s being cured and his eventual rise to “preacher-teacher” status. “Sally Simpson,” is the interesting (though somewhat useless unless revealing how much of a star Tommy had become) story of a Tommy fan and lengths she goes just to touch his face. The story ends when Tommy starts a “camp” for his followers, gains popularity and eventually becomes somewhat tyrannical (at least, from what I’ve heard of the broadway play).

The ending is up to some interpretation (well, maybe Townshend officially answered it in an interview, but I’ve never been a big fan of reading interviews about what songs are about). Either way, it results in a refrain of the “See Me, Feel Me” theme that is repeated throughout the album. The bombastic ending is easily the most powerful moment on the album.

So, there you have it. My view on what many call one of the greatest albums of all time. Are there flaws? Sure. Are they worth discussing? Not really, since I’m never one to consider the need for interpretation a “bad” thing, and what is and what isn’t “filler” is all up to opinion. In other words, you’ll never know your opinion unless you try it at least once.