Quad

        I picked up the new Quad yesterday, along with A Quick One.  I used
to own the latter, but it got "lost" a few years ago, and I haven't heard
it since.  Remember when we were talking about our least favorite Who
songs?  Well, my memory was refreshened when I heard "Don't Look Away"
yesterday.  I've always hated it.  I really enjoyed the rest of the CD,
though.  I love "My Generation/Land of Hope and Glory";  I think that if
you had to prove to anyone The Who's influence on punk, you only have to
play that.
        As far as Quad is concerned, I had to do some work in the back of
my apartment, away from my stereo.  I brought my little Awia boom box with
me, so I could listen to Quad while I worked.  When I first heard Quad when
I was 13, it was on a little boom box like this, so why not?  If you're
looking for a precise analysis of the sound quality of the album, read no
further.
        The first thing I noticed when I opened the case was the booklet.
I held it to my nose and sniffed it, like when my third grade teacher would
hand out freshly rexographed test sheets.  The Quad booklet smelled just
like that--hot off the press.  I appreciated the quality of the paper, and
it was printed very nicely (was I enjoying it a little too much?)
        Overall, the album sounded great.  During "The Real Me" I was
shaking to the music, and my boyfriend impersonated Entwistle on bass,
which caused me to laugh.  I noticed the differences between the new and
the old mixes;  the new mix of "The Real Me" is missing a lot of "whoas"
and stuff.
        The thing that most disappointed me about the album, was the
rendering of "The Punk and the Godfather."  The guitar is very anemic in
parts, and the whole song somehow does not have the "kick" it once had.  I
did like, however, "I'm One" and "Dr. Jimmy."  Townshend's vocals are
brought more to the front, which is always a good thing, as far as I'm
concerned.  His vocals are also much clearer, with less of an echo, which
is a fabulous improvement.  I should have taken notes on why I thought "Dr.
Jimmy" was greatly improved, but let's just say, I like the changes.
                                                                        Stacey.