Tommy

..

Ok. Not their best

Didn’t enjoy

Not terrifically grabby....

I wrote a whole thing and it got deleted. Missing narration for this to make any sense. Long and meandering.

Fav: Pinball Wizard Least Fav: Overture Ngl I expected a lot more from this album, was hoping for more songs on the same level as Pinball Wizard. Interesting concept though

I know this is a big rock opera that some people love but it doesn’t do much for me. Kind of boring and long

I was looking forwards to this album, but for a rock opera, it was just so…boring. A few good songs scattered here and there but just not much else to care about. Some songs almost had some unintentional humor with how dumb they sounded.

I appreciate this is an important, landmark, album. However, the overall story was difficult to invest in. Sure, there are some decent tracks. Most notably "The Pinball Wizard". But, it comes across as an album of self-indulgence. The importance of the album saves it from a 1 star rating.

q paja ni lo terminé imagínense

Obviously very talented musicians. The drums are a real treat. Storytelling is belabored but often unmemorable. When I’m in the middle of listening to a song I don’t mind it, but if I remember that it’s supposed to be a large cohesive work I feel like I’m suffocating.

I think there are only 2 songs by the who that I really like and this album didn't change my mind. High 2.

I'm not a fan

Well this makes me sad. I knew this album and was excited to hear it again. Listening to it back though, I realised that I MUCH prefer the soundtrack to the film than the original album. The songs are reworked, the theatrical style suits it better and despite it being a longer album it’s a much faster pace. Plus the incredible appearances from Tina Turner, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Ann Margaret, Eric Clapton, etc.) really help define and distinguish different characters. In the original version I found myself wondering about the gaps in the story. I even looked up the story afterwards and found the lyrics didn’t really align with what was supposed to be happening. It’s never explained how Tommy got introduced to pinball and how he went from being cured of his deaf dumb and blindness to being seen as a new messiah. One final thought on the lyrics - did we need the song about him being molestes by his uncle? I can’t imagine that making it on to too many playlists. Musically the songs are good but the knowledge that they weren’t the definitive versions kinda prevented me from enjoying them wholly. At times I found it a bit exhausting but the final half really picks up and some tracks still sound amazing. Overall I respect the ambition, concept, and musicianship but this wasn’t a trip down memory lane I needed.

Not their best

Did some reading of this album to better understand what exactly I was listening too. Felt I needed to after that fiddling song haha. Pinball wizard makes a lot more since now! Tis a seriously influential album! Like it became so important culturally that Jack Nicholson features in the movie they made of it…. Which I might try get round to watching! But overall the drums are awesome but the album is not quite for me…

Of all the Who albums I've listened to for this project, this is probably the one I was most excited for. But...it kinda sucks? Innovative for the time, but would be way more likable if the choruses weren't annoying af. Also, it's kind of interesting that a progressive rock opera like this would be more acoustic driven, but the production is just so flat. Did not enjoy this. 2.5/5

I'm honestly not sure about this one - it has all the trappings of a "great album", but nothing quite... clicks? If we take it as a whole, the ur-Rock Opera, then there's not much distinguishing the songs (barring the clearly-meant-to-be-a-single Pinball Wizard) and there's little context for much of the songs in the story. If we look at this as an album full of songs, then there's actually an awful lot of filler between the actually substantial stuff. The story is obtuse to the point that I only found out parts of it by reading the wikipedia article, and it's just very... Fine. Not awful, not great, just... Fine. I had honestly forgotten parts of it by the time I reached the end, which is a damning statement if ever there was one. Also, if we're listening to this in 2024, the story of a disabled kid with PTSD and severe needs being neglected, abused, then starting a cult to pass this experience on to others is Not Great. Faves (ish): Pinball Wizard, Eyesight to the Blind, Underture

Cool story song and theme about Tommy but not a big fan of the lyrics “we’re going to rape you”

I don’t know if I can do this anymore

I've been aware of this album's status all my adult life, but I've never sat down to listen to it... until now. I was taken aback by how disagreeable I found it. I'm not against the idea of a concept album, but nothing about this worked. Escruciating in places. Worst album I've come across so far on the project. I don't even like Pinball Wizard, I'm sorry. 1.6 Fav track: Sparks (the lack of vocals was a real treat here) Least fav: Do You Think It's Alright? (no)

Really dislike this album. Big disappointment as I like a few The Who songs. It was torturous to listen to them constantly repeat the same phrases in a high pitched, monotonous way. Genuinely very annoying to listen to. Playing Fiddle About on repeat for an hour would probably drive me to insanity.

I hated this. Also you gotta be absolutely shit at pinball to be beat by a deaf and blind kid.

As a musical, it's not good. As an album, it's really bad.

This album doesn't really have any musical issues but it's so long and frankly overwrought and boring. I tried but I knew in my heart- The Who stinks

Dog shit

Absolute bobbins, deserves zero stars

Awful

So incredibly bad

I thought this would be a good one since I’ve heard so much about it being a cult classic. Was totally disappointed. The music was terrible. I might have to watch the actual movie to understand. Listen again: no Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: none

This album is just a slog.

Terrible. Wish i could give it 0 stars. Liked Pinball Wizard though

I HATE The Who. The only rock band from that golden time I cannot stand. And this pretentious so called "rock opera" is sh*te and overrated. So first of all we're talking about a boy who not only witnessed a traumatizing event, but also has been severely abused and tortured by faimly members, which leaves significant psychological repercussions as it happens in real life, but this album, instead of having an arc about this situtation, it makes absoluteley no stand at all. Tommy is no hero, Tommy is a villain, and the writers do not intend to make this a tale of caution, maybe they even relate with Tommy? Or is it semi autobiographical? After having the LSD trip, he manages to break the trance and becomes conscious, he starts gathering some following and becomes a messiah, but Tommy is not healed at all, he's traumatized and wounded inside. He's no spiritual leader, he's ready to inflict what was inflicted to him. On the final part we see that Uncle Ernie, the abuser, is in the camp, welcoming the disciples. "Here comes Uncle Ernie to guide you to your very own machine". The disciples revolt and Tommy retreats to his inner self again. But Tommy didn't learn anything, he's just sad his disciples weren't fully submissive, so he's probably gonna do it all over again; start another camp/religion, but better this time. He still has those delusions of grandeur and of being worshipped: "following you, I climb the mountain, I get excitement at your feet". So what's the moral of the story? None. Is there at least one good song out of this mess? No.

I really like the who but judging this as an album it wasn’t for me. Wayyy too long. Tim said it’s a ‘rock opera’ which I Fournier a bit cringe. I wonder if other ‘musicals’ make the list

Second worst thing Pete Townshend ever did Automatic one star for any album that I can't get the whole way through. The Who have done some great stuff. This isn't it.

Horrendous!!

Don’t really know what to expect from this one, but I’ve got another car journey coming up, so here goes! OK, that was certainly an experience. For such an iconic soundtrack, I expected a lot more. Even the songs everybody knows seemed quite flat. Won’t be listening to it again.

R Kelly did it better.

STELLAR. I absolutely love stories told through music and this does that perfectly. 5/5, 10/10, 100/100. Perfect.

Super creative, sounds great, has a narrative, and critical of religion? Say less

Another member of the raided my parents record collection club. Started as "hey that's the one with pinball wizard on it", and ended up on quite a different adventure. Its a shameless 5 for personal nostalgia, but it's admittedly a pretty out there venture by The Who to include discovering context around the story that I had previously missed when I was younger.

amazing

This is an album I don't even need to listen to anymore, as all of the melodies are imprinted in my mind. I first bought this album at 15, and I couldn't stop listening to it. The story is silly and often dumb, but there's a lot of profound lyrical moments. However, it was the guitar work that really grabbed me. Townsend doesn't get enough credit as a acoustic guitar player, let alone a composer. Here, he managed to write maybe 5 or 6 melodies and chord transitions, and beautifully embellish them throughout the whole piece. Similar to classical music or jazz, these slight variations are what get me, especially when they suddenly return throughout the piece. As someone with synesthesia, I constantly associate musical pieces with shapes and sometimes colors. This album for me is played in the void, with notes and melodies making up lines searching for light. The fact that Tommy is completely devoid of senses, other than tactile ones, made a big influence on me on how we need to "feel" music, or art in general, from a primal point of view, to tap into new emotions. Maybe none of this makes sense, but it's one of the only albums that I can think about and immediately get goosebumps. It's so massive, so melodic, and cohesive. I don't even care if it fails as a concept. I would have loved to have seen this live. The best album the Who ever made, hands down. No rock opera has come close, not even Born to Run or The Wall (both albums that I LOVE, by the way). By the way, for those shocked with the content, such as "Uncle Ernie" - Townsend has said that he was sexually abused as a child. I feel that this album was a way for him to work with his emotions as well as give a voice to those that cannot express themselves when dealing with trauma and horror. It's bleak content but so is the world. Finding beauty and restoring justice in it is the solution.

Masterpiece

The Who!! Now we are talking..

I love the album, I named the project "Becoming wise in simplicity" after this very album and the first thing I'm recommended is freaking Tommy. Also I am gay Don't share your personal link, anyone can get in Yeah, its not a great idea I don't think I'm supposed to be here Hey everybody, have a nice day! Oh nice, we're doing this now? Hey guys!

My first time hearing ‘Pinball Wizard’ was Elton John in a pair of giant Doc Marten stilt boots, playing a piano that was built into a pinball machine. Just to get that out in front of anything else. My first encounter with *Tommy* was, weirdly enough, someone’s t-shirt while standing in line at Disney World. Not that I had any idea what I was looking at, or what Tommy was, it was just a very striking shirt advertising the Broadway musical. I don’t know why that stuck in my head. Sticks in my head still. Blame my autism or something. The next time I encountered it was a couple of years later. I had a day where I was home from school or something, I know for sure that there weren’t any family members around with me, and I was flipping channels, and caught Encore just as they were about to start playing the film, “Tommy”. The t-shirt flashed into my mind, and I decided to leave it there and watch. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I hadn’t seen anything quite like it before, and that’s leaving aside the whole Acid Queen sequence. My only real exposure to Elton John before that had been seeing his episode of The Muppet Show, but even so, he ended up being the one face I actually recognized in the whole thing. And all of those images I was unprepared for lodged in my head. So that’s where I’m coming from on this. I’ve seen the film a number of times, I’ve become more of a fan of The Who, but somehow I just never came around to actually listen to the album itself. I think this is the first rock album I’ve ever listened to that had a proper overture. That was a surprise, hearing the whole album in miniature within the first few minutes, similar to what I knew but also different. That same thing applies to the whole album, in fact; all these songs that are *like* what I’m familiar with, and yet different. So how do you rate something that occupies a position like that? This album has existed at a weird disconnect from my experience for over three decades. I can’t disconnect it from the images that have been lodged in my head since my youth. The Who sings Acid Queen and I see Tina Turner and that bizarro mirrored sarcophagus box with the syringes, even though I know it’s not actually there, that it’s from one of the film’s most fever-dream sequences. The Who sings Pinball Wizard and Elton John tromps around in meter-high stilt boots. It’s impossible to untangle. I can’t judge this on its own merits simply because I’m too familiar with the alternate version of it I encountered in my youth. 9/10, rounded up to 5/5 stars. I’m absolutely going to listen to this again, even if I can’t take it as its own separate document from my previous experience with the songs. It’s not quite as virtuosic as I would want from a 10/10… I’ll need to listen to a live version, though, since I’ve heard that those are where the album really shines. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play some pinball.

Exceptional album. Peak creativity for Mr Townshend (imo). The live version at Woodstock is phenomenal! Watch it right now!

Ну хто ж не знає цей альбом?

Why select the 3+ hour Super Deluxe version? I guess I'll find out. The album itself is just incredibly even though the story line is disturbing. It is a great example of rock opera, maybe not the first but one of the earliest best ones. The live performances surprisingly wasn't just a track by track replay but more of a living evolution of the album. I enjoyed it even though I generally don't like live recordings. The demos I thought would be a rehash of the album itself but nope. It was more of a raw and honest representation of the album. Kind of cool to hear it and surprising how well it played.

A modern day masterpice. Storytelling at its best. I always liked it but this time around I really got into it and think its a must for everyone

A favourite of mine from the turn of the century, very appealing mix of intimate folk and groovy melodic pop. The faux lofi is charming and effective. Indirectly songs are strong but best absorbed as an entire album. 4.5

This album is very special and dear to me. I used to love it in my young teenage years before stopping to listen to it for a few years. A few years ago I listen to it again and fell in love again. The concept of the opera was the thing that thrilled me back than, and today it totally the music and the absolutely insane songwriting. Pete Townsend, who celebrated his birthday yesterday by the way, his in his lyrical and composition best. The narratives come so effortlessly and while the subject is pretty grim, the album is incredibly joyful, youthful, and enjoyable to listen from frant to back. I cannot name a favorite track. It's all about the journey, and every stop here is great to be in. One of the albums of my life. A 5

Maybe the first big rock opera, Tommy was so successful it was made into concerts, broadway shows, and a movie. The original release was a double album with 24 tracks, which is the version I listened to (not disc three, which are the live recordings). I like how the familiar riffs pop up throughout the album, which helps tie things together. Several radio hits from this record.

Do you think it's alright to leave the boy with Uncle Ernie? Do you think it's alright, he’s had a few too many tonight. Do you think it's alright? I think it's alright, cause he got five Stars for this genius Album.

Wie absolut geil the who Konzerte 69 gewesen sein müssen, wenn sie das gesamte Album performen...

Amazing, really cool to hear the roots of later rock operas

One again I am biased, because this is one of those albums I devoured growing up. I love everything about this album. The overture is iconic. The songs rock. Roger Daltrey is a great singer. It was a blast to listen to the album in its entirety again. To be fair, this is one of those albums that need to be listened to in its entirety.

Ya voy por el cuarto álbum de The Who en esta lista, y de nuevo viene Pete con su necesidad de hacer una obra magna. En esta ocasión le sale bastante mejor que en "Sell Out". El hecho de contar una historia (bastante truculenta, todo hay que decirlo) le da la oportunidad de narrar con más acierto esta ópera rock que tuvo tanta repercusión que dio para una pelicula, un musical y una versión orquestal. El álbum está muy bien cohesionado, tiene. momentos brillantes ("Pinball Wizard", "Sparks", "Go To The Mirror!" y un magníifco final "We're Not Gonna Take It". Ya se nota un dominio de la profesión que en sus primeros álbumes todavía estaba por controlar.

This album was utter genius when it first came out. It stands up to the test of time. Its brilliant!

This is my favourite album of all time. Literally changed my life. 6 stars.

Bueno... vaya que tengo cosas que decir.... No tenía nada de contexto del album así que empecé a escucharlo y leí la descripción de wikipedia lo que me dejo intrigada por que decía que era la historia justo de un niño que queda sordo/ciego/mudo por ver a sus padres cometer un homicidio y yo quede tipo: wait what...? Bueno little did I know que era solo la punta del iceberg & que la actividad de escuchar discos nuevos de fondo mientras trabajo con este disco se convertiría en lo más absorta que he estado con un disco ever... que cosa... La verdad estuve apunto de darle 4 estrellas por que la canción de Kevin & el tio me dio una repulsión que bueno... nada agradable... sin embargo si disfrute mucho el lore overall del disco y después encontré que también hay un film del disco! lo cuál verdaderamente me voló mi peluquita. Obviamente también fui a verlo el mismo día y terminé durmiendo a las 2am por que había muchísimo que masticar... still creo que no terminé de procesar todo & aún estoy un poco con pensamientos constantes del disco. A mi me gusta ver los reviews que otros escuchadores le dan a los discos para ver si de repente me encuentro uno que otro facto por ahí o simplemente para saber si alguien coincide conmigo o si me puedo recargar en la opinión de alguien & la verdad en esta ocasión me sorprendió que mucha gente le daba 1 o 2 estrellas D: no se, supongo que ya esta muy choteado o musicalmente no es arriesgado. Overall a mi me pareció increíble lo que me hizo sentir este día, desde repulsión hasta una curiosidad extrema que hace mucho no sentía por un disco tbh, independientemente de la parte técnica músical (por que yo no se mucho de eso) me mamo bastante. aun que no creo que lo pueda volver a escuchar en un buen rato haha

music is love

Solidly in my top 3 Albums; this rock opera's musicality, story and drama has long been in my "best of". 5+

Un clásico

Concept albums and rock operas have always drawn me in. This is no exception, The Who take you on a wild ride through the life of Tommy and pinball wizardry. Just be careful, the film version can be a bit freaky, We’ll watch it together one day, I hope.

Epic tour de force rock opera. 5/5

Monumental

Excited at the prospect...

Their fourth album. Rock / Rock Opera. The original Rock Opera. Beautiful Rock. Grand. Epic. Loud. The 60s metaphorically summed up in an album. Trigger being questioned by Slater.. "Nah, you're deaf, dumb and blind these days Trig, I bet you're a wizard on the pinball machine"... what's not to like. A fantastic piece of art !

I would be a follower of Tommy Walker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Highlights: "Its A Boy" "Christmas

The Who are a tough band. They bounce around between kitschy novelty songs (no shade to 'Boris the Spider'), rock anthems and pretensions of Floyd-ness. This is one of the few albums where it all comes together for them. Don't get it twisted: Entwhistle and Moon are one of the most talented rhythmic partnerships in the history of popular music. I'd pay good money to watch them battle it out with Bootsy Collins and any of his drum partners. Roger Daltry is a solid example of what male vocalists in this genre sound like. The problem is that Pete Townshend's reach often exceeds his grasp. A good guitar player but not remotely the equal of Page, May, Clapton, Hendrix or probably even Paul Kossoff from Free (had to look him up), his songwriting is also good but begs for collaboration much of the time. However: it all hits on Tommy. It's a profoundly strange rock opera, one that could hardly be said to be about anything beyond its deliberately bizarre premise, but it contains all of the drama and focus that The Who's near-misses lack. This is a band you can best experience through its singles. But Dimery's right about this: you must listen to Tommy. This may be what best exemplifies the rock opera period of album rock. It is profoundly creative and it is nonetheless compelling. This is The Who's best work and Pete Townshend's most effective songwriting. Start here. I'm not even going to break it down song-by-song. The whole record is working in service to a greater goal (their other albums seem to usually be in service of selling records; they fall into the trap of becoming brilliant technicians going through the motions) and it shows. 5/5, this is an album that countless bands have tried to emulate and few have succeeded in doing so. The Who make it look easy. It's not.

One of, if not the greatest rock concept albums of all time.

Tommy can you hear me?

One of my life highlights was playing lead guitar for a production of Tommy in 2005. I'll always choose it over Quadrophenia, though I love both. Cousin Kevin is so hard to replicate live they only played it live once or twice. Anyway long live The Who. This record contains the entirety of human experience and rocks. How could that not be 5 stars?

The enlightenment of a false prophet or just self-realization?

So great. I Love it!

Probably wont listen to it again

There are albums that are best listened to in their entirety, there are those that should be listened to in their entirety, and then there are those that must be listened to in their entirety. Tommy falls into the latter category. One of the first (or second, depending on your perspective) rock operas, it was written almost entirely by the band's guitarist, Pete Townshend. It's a seventy-five-minute classic rock epic, where the songs, like chapters in a book, flow into each other almost seamlessly — from half-minute interludes to long overtures. The plot isn't exactly easy to follow. It's clear that it's about a deaf, dumb and blind man who eventually becomes a religious guru, but the record benefited greatly from Townshend himself describing the entire ten-page script in an interview with Rolling Stone before its release. The album's main drawback is that it could have been about fifteen minutes shorter. However, that's not a huge deal.

One iconic classic rock tune, put in at a key moment to give you partial relief from a VERY dark story. IT's not a bad album, just... there's no veiling of the darkness here. And the fact that Tommy starts a cult as an adult doesn't make it any better, because the same adults are still abusing him. Yes, you need to hear this album. Just be forewarned that it's dark. My Rating: 5/5

Mixed with some filler, but then again what opera isn't. Talented group and this is one of their best.

This album has a special place in my heart. Firstly it is one of only two that I can remember clearly buying (the other one being Led Zeppelin 4) I bought Tommy on the day of release from a record shop in Halifax during a lunch break. I walked back to where I was then working and sat on a grass banking at the side of Halifax Minster to marvel at the artwork. It has a tri fold out sleeve. That alone had an effect upon me. I’d never seen the likes of that album cover before and every time I go past that same grass banking Tommy comes into my mind and usually a tune from the album. I was largely attracted to Tommy due to it being a concept album and as I was very much into Prog it was a must have album. Not that The Who were considered Prog but I was willing to overlook this. As regards the music I do recollect that initially I was a tad disappointed. It was an album that I did have to invest a lot of time on but I was motivated to do this given that as a double album it had cost me, in those days, nearly a weeks wages. I do now know the album note for note and really didn’t have to listen to again as it is a regular album choice. What I haven’t done in a while is to pull the same album cover out of its protective sleeve again to relive those first moments I became connected with it. Only my very best and cherished albums get the protective sleeve treatment. So glad I did it with this one as it is still immaculate and means just as much as it did to that young boy sat in awe on the grass on that warm spring day. 5/5 10/3/26

treat!!!!!!! top tier, this album will just always remind me of dad, just classic, so fun to listen to and sing along with there has to be a twist!!!!!

The first time I listen this record, now Undertstand why it's one of the most influential rock records ever. Ground breaking for the time. Even now few would dare to make a conceptual record like this

WHAT A ALBUM. I forget about The Who but man are they such a great band. Never had heard this album by them by it hit.

When to listen: Feel like I'm 16 and performing in the choir of Tommy at a high school in New Jersey over the summer. The concept is weird and brilliant, the music is wonderful and interesting. Damn I just love The Who

I may be biased but this album, for the most part, still stands up well. Not really the first rock opera but the first one that counted. I love Quadrophenia more but this album is iconic in ways few other albums ever reach.

Great

Legendary

Another one I didn't feel like I needed to listen to because it was such a part of my adolescence. Unbelievable album.

5 stars all the way. Normally I wpild be skeptical of a 'delux' version that contains various outakes. Quite often this makes the album less enjoyable by adding songs not good enough to make the original cut. But the live section on discs 3&4 are possibly better than the original as it captures the Who at their very best.

For me it's a near perfect album. I like the journey it takes me.

Very long, but it’s so good that I don’t mind

Masterpiece

Sonically one of my favorites but have always found some of the subject matter to be pretty distracting. Lotta pedo talk! I love the musical themes weaving in and out of the album, particularly the climax/coda (See Me, Feel Me etc.), but the story itself is pretty dumb. Why does Tommy invite his pedo uncle to the Camp at the end? Is he mad at the world for his fucked up situation? Why are there two molestation songs? This time through the amount of Pete on vocals stood out. Good on Rog to stick it out. Highlights are Amazing Journey/Sparks, Pinball Wizard, Smash the Mirror, We're Not Going to Take It. Live version "See Me, Feel Me" the last track at Woodstock, is very sick.

Still brilliant after all these years.

wait dzaan momewonaa tan 23 maiss gamoushves

Stunning album, took me a couple of listens to appreciate it but then Spotify listed a live version and it blows the doors off showing what a band they were

Excellent!

This album is magnificent, such a great concept album that seems more of an opera than an actual rock record, with its overture, some long instrumental parts and the narration of a story. It has a very classic narrative style, and it's great how it evolves. I've loved listening to it, it is as interesting as great, and there are magnificent songs there. Christmas is one example of them, so greatly constructed and with such great taste. Of course, there are songs that are not that great, and it's hard to keep such a high level in all songs for an album that long, but they help the overall, they don't feel out of place or like filler. Instead, the songs are very well structured to function as a whole. And that whole is one masterpiece of an album.

Classic

The greatest rock opera with the weirdest subject matter.

One of the first rock operas

Really glad I got this album. While genre wise it’s not really my daily cup of tea, and there’s some grating sounds, and good lord is Fiddle About the most uncomfortable 90 seconds of music… but this album paved the way for some of my favorite albums, and bands, of all time. I will forever respect Tommy, even if it’s not a frequent spin for me.

Fantastic!

Tommy has a great vibe, and a true opera structure, can't think of a reason why I wouldn't give it a 5.

etched into my brain at 16. the stupidest masterpiece in the history of rock music? these boys stuck to the concept.

An all time classic.

Awesome The who is such a great band The who? The what? Huh?

For a rock opera, this record is pretty much what set the standard. Very interesting theme and the music is very good.

Sååå himla bra. Älskar!!! The Acid queen, Christmas, Pinball Wizard

Really a masterpiece. The build up in the first half is brilliant, and when the refrains start landing in the second half it's pure eargasm. As far as complete albums go it's hard to top this one, with the story of abuse, revelation, and redemption wrapped in the silly story of a pinball wizard (the story of "why pinball?" is a fun one for any trivia nerds).

Dit maar eens even serieus aangepakt. Na beluistering van de plaat uit 1969 de film uit 1975 maar eens gekeken. Vervolgens de dubbel-LP van de film (in Duitsland langs de weg gevonden) weer eens gedraaid. En daarna opnieuw de originele plaat. De film zorgt in ieder geval voor wat context voor waar dit allemaal in vredesnaam over gaat. Niet dat het heel diepgravend of wereldschokkend is, het verhaal is eigenlijk nogal puberaal. Jongetje met jeugdtrauma wordt flipperkastkampioen (iets waar je kennelijk schathemelrijk van kunt worden) en krijgt een messiascomplex, wat vervolgens helemaal misloopt. De film biedt in ieder geval wel veel visueel spektakel, het is in feite een twee uur lange videoclip. Niet met de minsten: Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John en zelfs Jack Nicholson (!) zingen mee. Dat zorgt voor muzikaal wat meer afwisseling en power dan de originele plaat, waarop we alleen The Who horen. Nu nog een cijfer. Zonder kennis van het verhaal is het een verzameling geinige, soms rare popsongs, die moeiteloos vier plaatkanten vullen (en dat is al een prestatie op zich, weten we inmiddels), al is de 'Underture' pure vulling, wat de heren zelf ook al toegaven. Maar ik wil het pionierswerk van het succesvol opzetten van de eerste 'rock opera' wel belonen, al blijft de muziek wat mank gaan als je geen idee hebt van het verhaal. Uiteindelijk is het muzikaal ook behoorlijk strak en aanstekelijk gedaan. En de ouverture levert al jaren een fijne bijdrage aan de sfeer bij de Top-2000, dat mag ook wel eens gezegd.

This is a classic album for a reason!

Goosebumps, check

It’s the greatest concept record ever made… Commercially, it was a smash hit, critically, it was acclaimed. It was adapted into an orchestral version, a ballet, a movie and a Broadway musical. Each song can and does stand on its own outside of the storyline, a rare feat for a concept record. This is a seminal and important work in modern music and easily one of the greatest records ever made. A true masterpiece.

A definitve master piece!

Classic album

This established the band as Rock Gods. Hard to believe 4 guys made that much music. And this album definitely showed they were not just another British Invasion band. The beginning sets the scene for the Opera and from Pinball Wizard to the finale they rule! See me, Feel me, Touch me, Heal me! Turn it up!

overture : im not normally big on instrumentals but this one was interesting and fun- I didn't feel like I was waiting for the lyrics to kick in or anything. 1921 : i like the ballad style - normally a lot of music from the 60s kinda feels very beatles but this felt queen-esque with the chorusy singing Eyesight to the blind: the drum sounds so cool- like its hitting paper or something, I feel like all the instruments I've never heard anything like this ngl. Pinball Wizard : fun yeah. Ive heard before "sure plays a mean pinball" has a nice melody to it Sally simpson : felt very 60s rock n roll but I liked it lol. The whole TOMMY narrative is cool and I like that the whole abum has a story. We're not gonna take it : I LOVE that the story element continues with a summary of the whole album so far. I like the little riff after he whispers we're not gonna take it the first couple times.

In the Broadway production, the song order is tweaked slightly, and Tommy’s character is portrayed in a more positive, less cynically manipulative way. Those changes improve the story, but the music on this version is exceptional. The Overture in particular has a way of staying with me all day.

A well-crafted concept album from beginning to end. Just the overture is worth the price of admission, but whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

I did not listen to this because I owned it in 3 formats over the years, saw all the video adaptations, and am pretty worn out on the songs afret decades of radio play. It's brilliant in all aspects, writing, vocals, music, execution.

Extraneous “opera” bits don’t diminish the ambition or the number of matchless bangers.

The first time ever the acoustic guitar was good and necessary. Mesmerizing. Don't understand the hate from the other reviewers lol

It's the Who's Tommy. Nuff said.

While I personally prefer the movie soundtrack version (hot take!!), this album still holds such a special place in my heart. Just a fun time with some WEIRD moments that make it even more endearing. A deserved classic.

Even among all the great albums that came out in 1969 The Who's Tommy stands out. The Beatles are my favorite band but in 1969 The Who managed to release a better album than The Beatles THAT is how on fire The Who were in 1969. Insanely good. I have had few more pleasurable experiences in life than blasting Tommy and/or hearing Tommy through headphones. Try it NOW! What an amazing journey!

I mean, this album basically invented the rock opera, and changed the idea what rock music can be, and proved rock music can be theatrical and long form. I'm not sure if other musicians would've been able to be as accepted if it wasn't for Tommy, artists like Bowie, Pink Floyd, Meatloaf. I'm not sure would have had the same reception if The Who hadn't set a precedent. The album as a whole is amazing, some songs get fairly disturbing, but thats OK, it's part of the story.

Love it. Own it.

A classic album for a reason. A terrific listen throughout. Yes, the instrumentation sounds kinda same-y as the album trucks along, but it keeps it contained and direct in the story. Arguably the first rock opera, so its influence alone could nail it at 5 stars. But it's also a great album in a vacuum. "Overture" and "Underture" are fantastic, "Christmas" has been one of my favourite The Who songs for a long time, and "Pinball Wizard" is a quintessential classic rock track. The short minute-long story driving songs make the album roll along well and tell a great story, and there's still quality rock songs in between. An ambitious story performed incredibly well.

оч круто, раньше такое не слушала. в стиле своего времени но с изюминкой

très très cool, toujours cette voix pas hyper assurée

I have listened to this probably more than any other album ever. Don't listen much anymore because of that and it's not my top Who album, but still 5 stars!

Fantastic album and show. Not many of this length can keep my attention. Didn’t really need the third disk of the super deluxe version, but it didn’t take away from anything. Impressive that this was composed by PT when he was only 23 years old! And it still holds up today.

The rare example of a concept that actually works. Yes, The Who was sick of making radio-friendly singles and wanted to achieve something more, but this still feels like a rock album and not a half-baked experiment.

Classic

This is my favorite. Who album ever I've spent so much time in the car listening to this album front to back all of it is great

The quintessential (and, I believe, first) rock opera. Tommy is the story of a boy who witnesses a murder and loses his senses as a result. His life is filled with abuse and torture before miraculously regaining his senses and becoming a cult leader. It’s a twisty turvy story that will break your heart. The Who’s style may not be for everyone, and this album is firmly placed in the psychedelic rock era of the late 60s/70s, but the story is something everyone should hear at least once. And, for an added bonus, go watch the old movie that brought the album to the screen. It’s a trip!

Tämä levy löytyy omasta hyllystä ja on tullut kuunneltua tätä jo 40 vuotta. Tämä on yksi The Who:n parhaista levyistä. Osaan tämän etu- ja takaperin ulkoa.

super

Great to relisten to after may years. Still slays.

Idk if Tommy can hear but I can 😊

Are you kidding? This is a masterpiece.

Now this is an album you should not die before hearing. The theme is strong and the sounds are varied.

Still the standard by which all rock operas are judged. Only Pink Floyd has come close with The Wall.

Hell yes!!!!

this right here is the who's crowning jewel, a big musical work of fiction about the life and times of tommy, an enigmatic, truth-seeking and possibly disabled child, trying to get through the world with traumatic events and people who idolize him. it's one of the earliest examples of a rock opera, and it's very good at what it does, from the dramatic rock instrumentals to the sometimes abstract or subjective meanings to the tales being told. it's a must listen for anyone who likes rock music and compelling drama.

It will take you a while to get to the songs you most recognize - Pinball Wizard, I’m Free, and We’re Not Gonna Take It. Enjoy the journey This entire (double) album sounds so good, is filled with intriguing characters, and some childhood trauma. Keith Moon on drums keeps each song interesting, energetic, and engaging. Favorite deep cut: Christmas

Tommy is an ambitious album, and it is fabulous to see how the entire band leans into Townshend's personal epic to produce this opus. I am not quite sure how well it holds together as a narrative, but I was in on every track! The familiar tracks are awesome, but all of the surrounding tracks work well. I must remember to revisit this album during Christmas because that track is so great. It doesn't sound like the traditional holiday, but it rings true in so many interesting ways. And the backing vocals are indecipherably delightful! And for Christmas, I am asking for a analogue pinball machine... wizard or not.

I think I like the movie OST better but still an excellent rock opera.

Masterpiece. One of my Dad's faves, Mike and I heard this a billion times as kids - with our Dad blasting it and 'conducting' from his recliner - I love that memory!

Stunning creativity, musically, conceptually, lyrically. Just a masterpiece from Pete’s incredible mind brought to life. Much of his personal past and trauma imbues the story. This is timeless and will endure like all great classical works.

A landmark. Plain and simple. No notes.

Purely epic! The OG rock opera, that is musically and literarily phenomenal!

Great album.

This would be a 10 if I could! Such a formative record for me on my lifelong WHO fandom! Heading to Philly Wednesday to see their final North American Tour!

To be fair, the only way I’d join a cult is if it was led by a blind deaf kid who played pinball

Not what I expected but an amazing storytelling experience

I love this album. First one to come up that I own on vinyl. That was fun. I love the whole thing. Love the concept album. I like the story. I love the music. It is great.

classic, extraordinaire

One of my top ten.

5/5 - this was a fun album! Everything flowed so well and I really like that it had a storyline throughout every song, it led to a greater connection to every song and really got me invested in it! I just really liked this album! Really good!!!

Clear 5

Listening to this again brought the whole movie flooding back into my mind - tbh the two go perfectly together and the album makes more sense. THE rock opera/musical that sets the standards need to reach - a very enjoyable listen. "Pinball Wizard" is the 'obvious' song from the album but "Go To The Mirror!" was always my fav.

Meu primeiro contato com a obra foi a trilha sonora para o filme de Ken Russel (1975) e ao ouvir o disco original depois, me causou certa estranheza. Mas fui me familiarizando e me encantando a cada audição e hoje prefiro esta. Um disco que continua soando muito bem. Uma maneira fluida de contar uma história com a competência de um gênio criativo - Townshend - que sabe muito bem usar a banda, a seu serviço e da obra. Excelente álbum!

Loved it.

Awesome

Confesión: jamás había escuchado Tommy. Por supuesto conocía y amaba Pinball Wizard desde antes, incluso fui al concierto de The Who la última vez que estuvieron en México, pero jamás había escuchado esta, una de sus más emblemáticas obras. Y me pareció increíble. Creo, como también lo creo de The Wall, que no es un disco para escucharse una vez. Tiene muchas capas que pelarle y secretos aguardando ser descubiertos. Así que hoy inicio mi era Tommy, lo escucharé varias veces y veré la película.

It's absolutely mad from start to finish and fair play for them for doing it, it helped created a fun sub-genre. Pinball Wizard is iconic, yeah take my 5*

Classic album, but I really struggled with how to rate it. It’s not my favorite Who album, or even my favorite rock opera by The Who, but in the end it’s hard to deny how important this album became in pop culture and to the development of the band. Not all the tracks are bangers but they all hold together as an album flawlessly. The success of the weird concept album in and of itself warrants 5 stars.

I didn’t anticipate it being this good honestly.

The original rock opera

Dit is een interessante. Voor het eerste (grote) rock opera krijgt het al een 5, en het is ook gewoon heel goed, maar ik heb toch steeds de neiging om het te vergelijken met The Wall en daardoor voelt het gewoon minder bijzonder. Wat er gebeurt wordt vrijwel woord voor woord verteld en dat haalt wat magie weg. Ook is het muzikaal niet heel geweldig en is het het verhaal dat dit album echt bijzonder maakt. Al met al nog steeds een 5, maar Pink Floyd heeft dit deels geruïneerd

Classic album. I grew up listening to this. Great from beginning to end though I can see how a couple of tracks might not be loved by all due to their quirkiness given that it is basically a soundtrack.

The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, I'm Free.

Can't say enough about this album

thoughts: you could’ve played this without telling me the musical act and i would’ve known it was the who, easily. this is a fantastic storytelling concept album. also i’m just a fan of those sub-1-minute interludes they love to throw into their albums to bridge between songs. overall, this is an absolute production and it flows extremely well songs: “overture”, “christmas”, “go to the mirror!” rating: 9.0/10

Had never listened to the whole album before…. What a kickass story tied to these songs. Loved it.

This was a staple of road trips with my family for some reason that I have no regrets about because the music is phenomenal (also all the fucked up stuff went over my head). And the story is incredible.

Pick your cliché - a masterpiece, ahead of its time; say what you will about this as long as you say it’s fantastic and I’ll agree with you. That it exists as a musical creation, a cinematic creation (albeit, a bizarre one), and a theatrical creation makes me think Townsend accomplished exactly what he wanted with this story.

listened to this album many times before although i dont really listen to the who its a masterpiece concept album that i go back to on special occasions

This isn't just a rock opera, this is THE rock opera. A true classic with incredible storytelling, catchy melodies, great riffs and vocal performances (all other instruments are incredible too, it's The Who). It's mindblowing that a 20-something young man wrote all of this. It's a film in your mind, if you close your eyes. Just incredible! 5/5

Like nothing I've listened to before, so unique and high energy

Awesome

Epic. The first true peek into Pete's genius. Immortalized not by the movie or play, but by the spoof, 'Happy Jack' by Spinal Tap. Not my personal fave Who album, but so many bangers, so much influence on later bands, and such a precursor to what would become one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Worth a spin once a month or so, fer sher.

Ah, a beautiful album by The Who. Not only that but one of the first rock opera albums. Fittingly, Tommy is a truly beautiful journey, a delight on every musical front from start to end. It's an album you can get emotionally invested in.

I have never taken drugs but were I to take drugs I would want to take the drugs that Pete Townsend was on when he came up with this one.

"Tommy" by The Who... i was a very young boy, when i heard the strains of "Pinball Wizard" on WLCY here in Tampa... it was a few years later, when a friend who was older than me, had a brother who was even older... and we were Beatles fanatics, but the guy's brother told us... The Beatles were good, but they could never touch The Who... and he loaned me his copy of this Album... in another lifetime, i was a tennis coach... and on a few different occasions... my students, in a rain delay or something, would listen, mouths agape, at thier coach singing every word of every song, in order to this album... at first they would laugh... then they would listen... then they would ask me, Derek what is that you are singing? and i would say... "Tommy' by The Who... something you need to hear in your lifetime... They made a movie out of it... and the Soundtrack, while pretty decent, is nothing like the original record... Pete Townshend... card carrying GENIUS songwriter, performer.... The Ox, John Entwistle playing like the virtuoso he is... Roger Daltrey... in peak mode... and Keith Moon... the driving force... listen to it beginning to end... straight through... and the scale only goes up to five stars.... but if any record deserves six... this is the one... listening to YOU, i get the music... gazing at YOU, i get the heat... Following YOU, i climb the mountain... i get excitement at YOUR feet... Amen brother, Pete

Holds up after all these years. Epic end to the album as well

Only my 4th favorite Who album after Who’s Next, Quadrophenia, and The Who Sell Out, but still a great album. Probably didn’t get into it when it first came out, but certainly a couple of years later. A true rock opera, and even if the whole concept and story is arguably a bit hokey, the songs are bangers from start to finish. Amazing what the band can do with just 3 musicians and a singer. Fave track is Underture, an instrumental showcase that’s 10 minutes long, but wish it had been 20 or 30. A masterpiece.

J’ai quasiment donné un 5 étoile sans l’avoir réécouter depuis 2 ans, démontrant mon indéniable passion concernant cet album phare du band… qui déjà? Pour être fair avec les autres albums, je lui ai redonné une go, pis ça ne fait que confirmer le statut de Banger éternel de Tommy. J’ai même head bang sur Pinball Wizard, c’est peu dire

This is genre defining Rock Opera. And it is more or less probably in the top group of all time at that. The Who is amaze. This album... Amaze. The Who, whom I often simply "forget to mention" are literally right up there with the best of the best and I am not sure why I often forget to bring them into those conversations, I remember the music well enough! maybe because I kind of put them in the "classic rock" genre and honestly, I more often than not do overlook that style. But I am glad I was reminded of this!

A perfect Concept album..

The sheer magnitude of what Townshend is trying for here is quite amazing. This could be one of the greatest achievements of all time--without this album, do we have JCS? The Wall? The album is a surprisingly good listen and I remember Pinball Wizard as a kid who loved arcades being my Who introduction. The movie and musical are not bad either.

Genial!

Tommy walked so that The Wall could soar, an experience, 4.5 stars

Outstanding. Loved it.

Even at a distance of over 50 years Tommy is such a progression from The Who’s great but largely singles-centric output thus far, it must have blown minds in 1969. It’s an incredible achievement - a concept album but more, a ‘rock opera’ which really works, in which the songs really do carry the storyline. Yet so many of the songs stand alone, many of them comfortably sitting with the band’s greatest singles. “Pinball Wizard”, “Acid Queen”, “I’m Free”, “Amazing Journey”. I have always told myself I preferred Quadrophenia, and I consider Who’s Next one of the best albums of all time but listening to Tommy again with fresh ears, and good earphones, is incredible. I’m astonished not only by the genius of Pete Townsend’s composition and arrangements, by the production and clarity of the mix, but by the amount of acoustic guitar throughout. In the era of Hendrix, Clapton and Beck Townsend may have been forgotten to some extent. He was a different sort of player but astounding in his own right, an incredible rhythm guitarist. The other thing I realised on this listening is what a complete piece of music “Overture” is. It really does serve the same purpose as the great introductions to operas by Verdi or Puccini or Wagner, and deserves to stand alongside them. I have owned this for years but in truth have listened to live performances or the orchestral version more often, so this is the first time in a long time that I have actively listened to the original version. It really is an “Amazing Journey” and one I won’t leave leave so long again.

Few bands can make a rock opera actually sound cool and organic. The Who can, because they fucking rule. 5/5

Epic

So cool - I don't think I've ever heard a rock opera before - and it still has killer songs like pinball wizard

good

I realized, that sadly I didn't knew too much from them. This changes with this album. From now I will for sure listen more The Who!

I love rock opera, so of course I love Tommy! It hits wonderfully in the nostalgia for me as well having grown up hearing it. One of the greatest albums of all time truly!! Music that tells a story is always fun to me. Even when the story is a little strange. I can't really put my love for this into words too well. Let the stars speak for themselves

Every few years I’m reminded how excellent this album is and along comes this reminder. A Classic!

Classic

ok i thought i would not feel this way after having listened to this album a few years ago. it didnt seem to hold up well and there are some throwaway songs. But listening now i was blown away by Keith Moon's drumming and percussion throughout this album. Amazing Journey has always been a favorite just for the incredible drum fills he performs and Underture is truly a master class in percussion. Also i was struck by the unique sound of this album- really a big departure drom their earlier work. Songs like Christmas, Go to The Mirror and the amazing Overture into 1921. I like Quadrophenia better overall of we are comparing rock operas, but I have to call it: this is a stone cold classic.

The album takes you on a journey, for better or worse. Being a double album, not all the songs are great and very few stand on their own. But put it all together and it’s nearly flawless

One of the great rock album intros surely. The five minute Overture is over the top, dramatic and wonderful. By the time we get to 1921 I'm already entranced. Really good use of overdubs on the vocals and the backing piano is perfect. The tracks unfold like parts of a suite, at times blending one into the next. Melodies and piercing, layered vocals are the constant, everything supported by relentless drumming. Christmas stands out, an introspective moment enhanced by the pounding drums. The long instrumental Underture closes the second side, tension building throughout. Pinball Wizard is still as good as ever, jangly rhythm guitar and the buzzsaw-like lead. Go To The Mirro is great too. You need a bit of endurance to get through this one but the audacity of it has to earn top marks.

long but it’s good

Ich liebs!

Killer album, one of my all time favourites. My only qualm is I wish underture was shorter.

There are a number of bands that are automatically just going to get 5 stars, and all of them are absolutely worthy of said rating. The Who is one of them. This is an absolutely epic tale from start to finish. I really could have gone my entire life without knowing why the song "Pinball Wizard" happens though. I greatly look forward to listening to more of The Who and their entire catalogue. This concludes my first "week" on this website, and it's been an incredible experience so far. I look forward to finishing the fight in a few years. Give me more like this and it will be an easy feat.

Significant. A favorite of mine. I get some not digging it.

Damn this was really good. This is a concept album through and through, I really appreciate the ambition throughout this album, it tells the story effectively and makes use of the 24 tracks very nicely, I will be returning to this one in the future later on for sure. To summarize the plot without spoiling much, this is about a boy named Tommy who goes deaf, dumb, and blind from some trauma early in his life, but he finds some fame later in live after becoming a champion in a game as well as a spiritual leader. I know it sounds a little bizarre towards the end, but trust me it works nicely, highly recommend this one. Rating: Incredible (Decent ☆☆☆☆☆) Favorite Tracks: Not really one where I would pick out individual songs.

that's a fucking masterpiece

I may just be a simp but I do love this album.

Не перегруженный, выразительный, бодрый и могучий.

кайф

Álbum muito interessante. Ótimas notas e melodias. Depois de descobrir o histórico do álbum, ele ganha mais significado. Favoritas : go to the mirror, im free e tommy can you hear me?

Yay!! An excellent album. Was pleased to get to listen to this to kick off the weekend

Classic.

While neither the first nor definitively the best rock opera, Tommy stands as the first truly great one—a pivotal moment when The Who leapt forward to cement their legacy among rock's most essential bands.

Maybe you had to be there back then to know how great this is. I love this album - one of my all time favorites.

I think this album is pretty nice because I like the way his voice sounds with the beat and background music. I like how the album talks about being blind dead and dumb. I think its really cool and would reccomnend this.

Amazing soundtrack

What a treat of an album. Stand outs: Eyesight to the Blind - "You talk about your woman...you should see mine." - so good. Great song in general. Christmas - Great concept (on a CONCEPT album, no less?!). Great lyrics. Textbook Who key changes. Gorgeous harmonies in Cousin Kevin. Love the quintessential 60s ones on "You won't be much fun Being blind, deaf and dumb But I've no-one to play with today". The lyrics might render it a one-time listen, though. Go To The Mirror! - just epic. Classic Who key changes too. I'm Free - so good as we KNOW. Love that they brought the 60s whimsy with Tommy's Holiday Camp. End of We're Not Gonna Take it (See Me, Feel Me / Listening to You) is INCREDIBLE AS WE KNOW.

That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball!

10/10. What an epic rock opera!!! The story is really interesting, and the music is awesome!!! ;)

до слез

5 for the historical significance, and 4 for my personal appreciation. Tommy is a classic, the first Rock opera ever. Plus listening to the music The Who made is just unspeakably satisfying.

Great album!

I love this band's music, and Tommy. Was super psyched when I recognized Pinball Wizard and it came on. I also liked how the album felt like it had a progression, like I was at a concert or something

Brilliant rock opera/concept album I had the film soundtrack LP (cheap remaindered cut-out from Debenhams) I saw them perform this at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017, it was fantastic

BEST SHIT EVER LES GOOO

Brilliant rock and roll album

Legendary!

Epic!

Listen to this album with a candle burning and you’ll see your future

I really liked this, only know a little about The Who which is mostly just their big hits including Pinball Wizard which is from this album. I'm a sucker for a good concept album and this album telling the life of Tommy was such a fun listen. Incredible album!

good! However Disc 2 isn't avaliable in my region :/ Disc 1 and 3 are though? (Denmark). It's either a high 4 or a low 5. I might be biased since I generally like music from the 60's and 70's.

First rock opera, in a class all it’s own. I have never stopped spinning this record ❤️💪

5/5

very good, not my type but good

nothing more to say: masterpiece

Pete Townsend is an absolute genius and his Rock-Opera Tommy is proof. A concept album is one thing, but concept album / Rock-Opera was unheard of in 1969. Look no further than this concept album / rock opera / film would wind up as a successful Broadway musical. 5/5

For good or ill, "Tommy" has served as the highest example of "Rock Opera." It's flawed, for sure, but will always be one of my favorites.

There's some corniness for sure, but I love The Who and I have a thing for rock operas. I'm not deducting my one point penalty for double albums because I make the rules. Not gonna do it for The Wall when that comes up either.

What a trailblazer of an album. The first side starts of with some less memorable cuts but it does build up hype really well. Side 2 and 3 have some really memorable songs like the Acid Queen and Pinball Wizard. That is also when the amazing 'See me, feel me' chorus starts popping up. The story might be a bit wacky but the album is filled to the brim with amazing energised playing and tons of memorable riffs. 60s bloat and excess at its best, a sign of what was to come in the 70s.

This is one of my favorite albums by The Who. It is a classic that holds up well and is always fun to listen to. Moony and The Ox are amazing here and on, "Live at Leeds" if you get the full concert version which features this album. They were an incredible rhythm section. and Townshend's writing is excellent.

Amazing

Não fui capaz de entender a história da ópera. Só tem a obra-prima Pinball Wizard

How do you think Pete Townshend does it? What makes him so good?

Listened to this so much in high school and college.

I love it! This is by far my most-played album of the past year, it’s a joy to hear it yet again. My wife adores this album to the point that it now holds great nostalgic value to me. A month or two ago I had lunch in a restaurant at Jay Peak, VT, and the song Tommy Can You Hear Me? played over the radio. I took a video of it to send to her, we joked that I’d been Tommied in the wild. It’s getting the coveted 5 stars, first & foremost for sentimental reasons, but as well as that, it’s such a great jam.

Quintessential rock opera; Quadrophenia is superior, in my opinion, but the band had more time to grow before that came out. I'm a big fan of the Who so this is an easy 5/5 for me.

Lo disfruté mucho. Especialmente las canciones Amazing Journey y Sparks.

True album. Enjoyed the journey.

Hard not to give this a 5. Not even the biggest Who fan but this was so good. Easily a 4.5. Lyrics are pretty disturbing listening to the entire thing

Quite a bit more disturbing now that I'm old enough get get the cruel parts of this. So masterful.

I haven't listened to this all the way through for years. It makes much more sense if you do. It still sounds great with some excellent tracks. I don't consider it a 'concept album' or a 'rock opera' - it's a (sad) story told through a number of songs.

Hall of Fame

Listen to Tommy with a candle burning and you will see your entire future. Their star-making album. A long but rewarding listen.

Tommy js an album that I’ve been aware of for the longest time, but never got round to listening to it in full until today. I remember Pinball Wizard being a song I learned on guitar in my teens, but aside from that this whole album was new to me. I’ve said this many times, but I do love a concept album and this one tells such an interesting and heart wrenching story of a child who internalises traumas to the point of being psychosomatically dead, dumb and blind. It’s a fascinating journey, and I loved it.

i already know this one

Loved this. Didn’t have very high expectations but I thought it exuded quality from start to finish. Christmas was my highlight, but all good and a def re listen for me

i love this album, this is exactly my kind of music. rock music from this era tops it all. the storytelling is amazing, i loved "eyesight to the blind"

Tommy was a crazy concept, telling a truly insane story. Yet it worked, and paved the way for countless others. A number of the songs can't stand on their own, but as a whole it somehow works. A slightly flawed yet amazing album. I would rate this a high 4, but I am bumping it up to a 5 due to its historic significance.

10

Brilliant

IT'S A BOY MS WALKER, IT'S A BOYYYYYY! An all-timer. Probably the best album with a song about a sketchy uncle.

How am I supposed to rate a rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind pinball player as anything less than 5? Not possible!

Classic progressive rock. I love the stories these albums told.

Great album

een zeer goed album, hoewel ik de film versie nog net iets beter vind

I honestly love this. It's rock enough, that you could pull out a song and put it on the radio, but it's very clearly an album that begs to be listened to as a complete piece. I actually really like the story. Although, I'm also just a sucker for a rock opera. The only song that really doesn't really do anything for me is Tommy's Holiday Camp. Everything else about the album though, I really, really enjoyed. Favorite Song(s): Christmas, Pinball Wizard, Go to the Mirror!

Loved it LOVED IT!!!

Legendary

LP

So much love for this album.

This album is an absolutely fun journey that shows of great music and a cool rock opera story. 4.5 stars

Iconic and revolutionary for its day in a sea other iconic artists of that era Loved 1969 music and this was another great album by the Who after a string of equally great albums entered Rock Opera into the lexicon

Rock opera done right!

Eine der ersten "Rockopern". Kann man immer noch gut hören.

Essentially perfect

The movie is great too if you haven't seen it

Childhood bias for this album but I love this music so much. I used to sing these songs as a kid with my parents

The one and only rock opera that matters. The way they recorded awesome songs while maintaining the same ongoing theme during the whole album is marvelous.

Classic. Loved it for decades

You really need to pay attention while listening to this album and you will be gifted with a short and sweet story of Tommy. Well it‘s one of the most sold albums of all time, but still I‘ve never listened to it before. I loved this one and will surely listen some more times to it.

Y'know, for the longest time, QUADROPHENIA was my favorite rock opera The Who had made. Attribute that to how I first experienced deep cuts from both that album and TOMMY: I saw The Who in concert back in 2016, and I was blown the hell away by "The Rock". Back-to-back with "Love, Reign O'er Me", I became an instant fan. Meanwhile, they'd played "Amazing Journey" and "Sparks" earlier, and... Well, I recognized "Pinball Wizard" at least. I'unno, at that time they just didn't really do anything for me. Fast-forward years later. I still like QUADROPHENIA a lot, but especially after having seen the film adaptation... It just feels a little more standard than it used to? Like, "Yeah, this is how The Who typically sound." And of course, that's not a bad thing, but... Eeehhhhh. It doesn't sound as incredible to me as it used to. Meanwhile, TOMMY, having seen its film version and having spun Tenacious D's medley a million times? Oh, hell yeah. This is the weird-ass rock opera shit I wanna hear. Mrs. Walker, it's a joy. Whatever problem I had with it way back when—maybe I thought TOMMY sounded smaller than QUADROPHENIA—I don't even mind. Nor do I mind its 74 runtime. I just have a blast listening to it, whenever I do spin it in full. But even when I restrict myself to the songs in Tenacious D's medley ("Pinball Wizard", "There's A Doctor" and "Go To The Mirror!")... Well, simply: "Listening to you, I get the [good-ass] music." (WHO'S NEXT still tops, though, just to be clear. And if you've never heard Elton John's cover of "Pinball Wizard" from the movie soundtrack, do y'self a favor. Honestly, I like it even better than the original. Love me all that piano stuff, goodness.)

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. I think this was pretty damn good; it’s not perfect, and it’s admittedly probably a little closer to a 4 than it is a 5, but I respect the structure of the album and most of the songs too much to drop it down to a 4. It is a bit long, and certainly a little too loose and open at times where the clear vision of the album gets a little lost in the technicalities of the tracks. However, that’s nitpicking – it’s weird to say “the instrumentation dilutes the story,” because that’s remarkably dumb for a rock opera. You’re not necessarily listening for the story, you’re listening for the blend of both, and for one of the earliest ones, I’d say this album does a damn good job of setting up a blueprint. It’s also a pretty solid story, going from dumb, deaf and blind to basically a cult leader, only for him to realize he is indeed just as alone as he was, pinball or otherwise. At least, that’s how I interpreted it. There are some feel good moments in here, and some not very good ones (I’m stunned at the molestation, really), but that’s what any good plot should have. I just liked it a lot – again, it’s not perfect, and I do think 74 minutes is a bit self-serving, especially with a few songs that kind of do nothing other than re-iterate a plot point or two, but regardless of that, what’s here is a super good listen. At the very least, the instrumentation here is great, and while this doesn’t quite hit the superb highs of Who’s Next, there’s enough moments where everything just glides to forget about the looser parts of the album. I’m totally fine with bumping it up to a 5, but it’s certainly a lot closer to a 4.5 than it is a full 5 for me.

Funny thing that the Who were better before and then peaked with Who’s Next. So this for me, though epic and led to some great covers is in between. But no, I’ll give it a “foive” as Pete was so young and deserves nothing less.

A classic - beyond comparison!

Eins der besten Alben ever!

It will take you a while to get to the songs you most recognize - Pinball Wizard, I’m Free, and We’re Not Gonna Take It. Enjoy the journey. This entire (double) album sounds so good, and Keith Moon on drums keeps each song interesting and engaging.

Great album A jewel in sonic sound. Also music fir a great broadway musical

Put on your eye shades, put in your ear plugs, you know where to put the cork. Hey you gettin' drunk So sorry, I've got you sussed. Hey you smoking mother nature You missed the bus Hey hung up old mister normal, Don't try to gain my trust Cos you ain't gonna follow me Any of those ways Although you think you must!

Primera y espectacular opera rock. Imperdible