This album is the rock of ages. When the group went through one of their live-show revivals (and, recently, even took a greying Quadrophenia on tour) the new 'mods' would turn up in force, remain still, and come to life when anything from the album was played. Now rewind 15 to 20 years before when Roger Daltrey swung the microphone, Pete Townshend belted guitar with a windmill arm-action, Keith Moon went apoplectic behind the drums while bassist John Entwistle, well, played bass. The Who were at their zenith.

Sound effects reminiscent of the Brighton seafront, riots, discos and comedowns from drug abuse lace such tracks as the ferocious opener Real Me, 5:15, The Punk And The Godfather, and the dark, foreboding Doctor Jimmy. As singles the tracks did better in the United States. As an album, the original 1973 version reached number two in the US and British charts. It remains a largely underrated classic.

The packaging of the pre-CD era vinyl version was also great value for money, complete with a photo-essay depicting Jimmy - the main protagonist of the album who suffers from a personality split four ways (hence, 'quadrophenia') - going through highs, lows and a final demise.

Ultimately, Quadrophenia out-heavied the bedraggled 'rocker' bands of the 1970s while still appealing to the sartorial mod sensibility. Behind the anger emerges a tenderness unlocked by master musicianship and songwriting.