This truly is a masterpiece. Buy it along with Who's Next, Tommy, Sell Out, and The Who Sings My Generation. You won't be disappointed.

I first acquired a copy of Quadrophenia on 8 track. Even using this crappy technology, the raw power roared from the speakers. The energy you feel from "The Real Me" through to the emotional closer "Love Reign O'er Me" is astounding. Today, you have the benefit of a digitally remastered version that is simply the best work the Who ever did. That is saying a lot - Tommy, Who's Next & Live at Leeds are three other brilliant efforts - but in Quadrophenia, every element of the Who was firing on all cylinders. Entwhistle's innovative bass playing, Moon's manic drumming, Townshends guitar and synth work alongside Daltrey's vocals work perfectly. Curiously, this album frequently gets a bum rap and is often positioned as an inferior "Tommy". Although Tommy was a brilliant effort and truly unique when released, Quadrophenia benefits from a stronger story line - a tormented youth growing up in 1960's England suffering from a multiple personality disorder (each personality loosely modelled after the personalities of the band members) - better songwriting and the band playing at their professional peak.

Quadrophenia is terrific from start to finish but there are several highlights:

The Real Me - A high energy opener (actually the second if you count the The Real Sea which contains snatches of music to come underneath the sound of waves crashing on the beach). The drums are astounding on this track.

Doctor Jimmy - Great lyrics, great guitar, great vocals....you get the idea

The Rock and Quadrophenia - Both these instrumental tracks underscore Townshends gifts as a writer and performer.

Love Reign O'er Me - Daltrey's best vocal ever ..... period.

Get a copy of this gem.

If you can follow this album from beginning to end perfectly, understanding the complete story through all its twists and turns, I salute you. The only relative concept I can find that ties this album together is water. You can hear raindrops at the beginning of several songs, and most (particularly on the second disc) mention water.
Ignoring the conceptual part, this is full of amazing music. Consider this; it's a double album, and there's only one bad song (I Am the Sea). How many other double-albums can say that? We must also consider the quality of the other music--all grade "A". For instance, take the Real Me. Or the title track. Or the Grandfather and the Punk. Or Helpless Dancer, which ends with a snippet from earlier hit the Kids Are All Right. Or I've Had Enough. Or 5:15. Or Doctor Jimmy. Or the Rock. Or the climactic finally, Love Reign O'er Me. Oh, I'm sorry... "LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! REIGN O'ER ME! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! REIGN, O'ER ME, REIGN O'ER ME..." Also take Madman Moon's thunderous drums, Pete Townshend's excellent lyrics and guitarwork, John "the Ox" Entwhistle's horns and synthesizer, and Roger Dartley's intensity, he sings like his life's depending on it...I'd say Who's Next is better by a hair, but Quadrophenia is a fine example of the Who at their best. It's certainly one of rock's greatest double-albums, and miles ahead of the overrated, filleristic Tommy!