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The Who - Quadrophenia: 

Album: Quadrophenia

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Polydor (UK), MCA (USA), Polydor (Germany), Sony (Japan)

CDs (original mix) Sampled: Polydor (Germany), Polydor (Japan), MCA (USA), MCA (Canada), MFSL (USA)

CDs (remix) Sampled: Polydor (Germany), MCA (USA), Polydor (Japan)

LP Comments: The Sony (Japan) is absolutely breathtaking. For some reason what Polydor Japan didn't get right (for many of the Who LPs), Sony delivered with precision and excellence. The Polydor (Germany) and (UK) LPs sound great too, but just not quite as good as the above. Original MCA (USA) pressings are better than their reissues, but unless you just want an original copy with a book (deleted from the reissues), don't bother.

CD (original mix) comments: The Polydor (Germany) sounds great. Warm, rich, wonderful sound. In comparison, the Polydor (Japan) is slightly more detailed (better imaging of the high frequencies and cleaner bass lines). In contrast, the MCA (USA) sound completely lifeless, as if it were recorded on a clock radio. MFSL attempted to improve on the MCA, but literally fell (and sounded) "flat". While many American fans hailed it as an improvement over the MCA, it really sounds bad (but, nicely packaged). The Polydor (Germany & Japan) comes with a miniature version of the book that came with the original LPs.

In terms of choosing which is "better" between the Germany and Japan CDs, it boils down to personal preference. The German CD is very easy to like. The Japanese CD is a more detailed version of the same, but along with the detail comes "higher highs" that some people might be uncomfortable with, and other people might crave it.

Note: I've only seen one copy of the <original mix> Polydor (Japan) - and I bought it. I'm not sure why they are so scarce.

CD (remix) comments: Quadrophenia was the first reissue that the two record/CD companies (MCA & Polydor) parted ways in regards to sound quality. Up until this point (in the reissue program), all the CDs made in the USA and Germany sounded identical, with the slight exception of "Live At Leeds". Fortunately, a friend brought me a Polydor (Germany) copy from Europe and it sounded great, with a nice, warm sound. I've since spoken to Andy McKaie (VP at MCA), Andy Macpherson (who remixed the album) and Jon Astley (the album's producer) and nobody has been able to quite figure this problem out.

My "remix" of choice is the Polydor (Japan). This CD captures all the thunder and detail of Quadrophenia, without any associated harshness, as if the entire frequency spectrum was pushed right to their limits. (There is a noticeable improvement over the Polydor (Germany).)

Summary: If you like the original mix of the album, find a mint Sony (Japan) LP, Polydor (Germany) CD or Polydor (Japan) CD. If you prefer the remix, the Polydor (Japan) is a must have.

Track Listing: I Am The Sea, The Real Me, Quadrophenia, Cut My Hair, Suit, The Punk Meets The Godfather, I'm One, The Dirty Jobs, Helpless Dancer, Is It In My Head, I've Had Enough, 5:15, Sea And Sand, Drowned, Dr. Jimmy, The Rock, Love Reign O'er Me.

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