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Topic ClosedAnyone else think that "Tommy" is overrated?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 10:11
No, it was Keith Moon himselfWink....

Anyway, I do tend to agree with most of the other posters here. Tommy has some strong moments, but overall it is not a very cohesive effort from a musical point of view. This is why, I believe, the movie is generally better than the CD... Such a story needs visuals to really come to life, and with the help of the visual element even its musical shortcomings can be forgotten.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 10:10
Originally posted by mr.cub mr.cub wrote:

Originally posted by p0mt3 p0mt3 wrote:

Yes, yes, I know . . . along with Sgt. Pepper and Days of Future Passed, "Tommy" served as one of the first concepts albums, and I completely understand and appreciate the importance of the piece musically, BUT . . .
 
 
I don't care for it much. I think The Who went on to write far, FAR superior work, like "Who's Next", "Quadrophenia" and "Who Are You". I just don't get all the mystique that surrounds "Tommy", other than the fact that it was major step towards Prog, which I absolutely get, but musically it gets a bit draining, at least for me, and the next four albums that followed it left it in the dust.
 
Is this only my opinion?
 
YES. I cannot agree more. Even their previous album miles ahead of Tommy IMHO. My review, albeit brief, says all I have to say...
 
 
 
 
Glad someone else here shares my feelings about the whole thing. Smile
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 10:04
I really like the overture which I remember being played on the radio as a kid when the family was going to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.  I did watch the movie on video when in college and was not impressed.  Correct my memory if I'm wrong but wasn't Phil Collins the fiddle about guy?
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 09:47
Originally posted by p0mt3 p0mt3 wrote:

Yes, yes, I know . . . along with Sgt. Pepper and Days of Future Passed, "Tommy" served as one of the first concepts albums, and I completely understand and appreciate the importance of the piece musically, BUT . . .
 
 
I don't care for it much. I think The Who went on to write far, FAR superior work, like "Who's Next", "Quadrophenia" and "Who Are You". I just don't get all the mystique that surrounds "Tommy", other than the fact that it was major step towards Prog, which I absolutely get, but musically it gets a bit draining, at least for me, and the next four albums that followed it left it in the dust.
 
Is this only my opinion?
 
YES. I cannot agree more. Even their previous album miles ahead of Tommy IMHO. My review, albeit brief, says all I have to say...
 
 
 


Edited by mr.cub - April 12 2009 at 09:50

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 06:20
Originally posted by cobb2 cobb2 wrote:

Put it in historical focus and it was quite a milestone.
 
Yeah, but the Kinks had the idea first, and the screenplay too, but it just never got produced. Arthur was actually supposed to be a rock-opera thing too on TV, but the project had so many problems that it was eventually chucked. They came out with the album anyway later, but Tommy was already out (and a success) by then.
 
(spoken as a very partial Kinks fan Wink)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 06:08
Put it in historical focus and it was quite a milestone.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 05:49

I agree that they have other better stuff. But the film is always fun to watch, if only for the cast.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 01:07
Yep, I agree with your caution re 'Tommy' and think that Pete Townshend seriously overreached himself there.

The Who have produced their best work when Pete's canvas was significantly smaller i.e 'By Numbers" - Who's Next" - "Sell Out" are much stronger albums IMO

Similarly, I think 'Quadrophenia' a sprawling mess redeemed by a few great songs e.g '5:15'
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 00:03
aw c'mon who can argue with the pinball wizard?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2009 at 00:00
Everything is overrated. Everything is underrated.

I have never heard a Who album all the way through, so I can't comment beyond my Zen wisdom.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 11 2009 at 23:38

I haven't listened to that one for almost a year. I ll re listen to it tomorrow and share my thoughts.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 11 2009 at 23:35
Yes, yes, I know . . . along with Sgt. Pepper and Days of Future Passed, "Tommy" served as one of the first concepts albums, and I completely understand and appreciate the importance of the piece musically, BUT . . .
 
 
I don't care for it much. I think The Who went on to write far, FAR superior work, like "Who's Next", "Quadrophenia" and "Who Are You". I just don't get all the mystique that surrounds "Tommy", other than the fact that it was major step towards Prog, which I absolutely get, but musically it gets a bit draining, at least for me, and the next four albums that followed it left it in the dust.
 
Is this only my opinion?


Edited by p0mt3 - April 12 2009 at 00:16
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