It is controversial whether The Who's former double LP Tommy from 1969 was really the first rock opera. The Kinks and Pretty Things are said to have preceded The Who composer and guitarist Pete Townshend. But the fact is that Tommy was the first rock opera of classical proportions, with overture, leitmotifs and an in-depth libretto about the inner world of the deaf-mute and blind boy Tommy who
… becomes pinball champion (because he can see himself in the mirrored pinball balls), eventually heals and grows into Messiah. In addition, the former rhythm & blues and protopunk quartet The Who reinvented itself with this album that also has many separate hits (Pinball Wizzard, See Me, Feel Me) and the until then somewhat colorless singer Roger Daltrey, who played Tommy into eternal rock god. This remaster reminds us that, despite many strong songs, Tommy does not always remain fascinating and has some poorly worked out or downright boring moments for the sake of the story. In short, it did not quite stand the test of time. Townshend prefers to see his next opera Quadrophenia (1973) as his magnum opus. (MR)more
