The Who - Quadrophenia

After the worldwide success of Tommy, Pete Townshend decided to take a second stab at "rock opera" and 1973's Quadrophenia was the result. Its premise is rooted in a teenage perspective in 1964-'65, and the friction between "mods and rockers" in London and Brighton regions of the UK. The four-way split personality of the central figure "Jimmy" has been admitted by Townshend as also being based on the distinct personalities of the four band members. The legendary Glyn Johns' production is both powerful and stunning with the writing and arrangements, featuring maybe the most tasteful use of both sound effects and synthesizers in rock recording.