Psychoderelict

Pete Townshend - Psychoderelict. Live In New York (2005) [DVD] {Universal}
DVD9 -> 7.68 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 4:3 | Dolby AC3, 2 ch / DTS, 6 ch | ~ 168 m | ISO Image
Subs: English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 17 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2005 Universal | 0602498406021
Rock / Contemporary Rock / Hard Rock / Art Rock

Although this two hour-plus 1993 concert kicks off with Townshend's slightly croakier take on various Who classics, the bulk is given over to a theatrical show of his concept piece, Psychoderelict. Centring around an ageing rock star whose career is revitalised by a plot involving the media and an erotic photograph of a 14-year-old girl, Psychoderelict - begun in the 70s - is, with hindsight, an eerily accurate prediction of internet paedophilia and Townshend's own public troubles. Other than the Who-ish English Boy, the songs don't match the theory, although his take on Behind Blue Eyes is wonderfully self-doubting.

In 1993, Pete Townshend issued his fourth true studio solo album for Atco (not counting a live album, a couple of demo collections, and a collaboration with Ronnie Lane), entitled Psychoderelict. Perhaps best known for his conceptually based works (the Who's Tommy, Quadrophenia, etc.), Townshend did indeed thread a storyline throughout the album, which appeared to be the tale of an aging rock star. Psychoderelict includes Townshend's hardest-rocking songs since his 1980 solo album, Empty Glass, such as "English Boy" and "Let's Get Pretentious." Three instrumental tracks paying tribute to Townshend's spiritual mentor, Meher Baba, incorporate the synth loop from the Who's "Baba O'Riley," the best being "Meher Baba M4" (although strangely, the synths sound remarkably similar to the Who's 1978 hit "Who Are You").

Pete Townshend - Psychoderelict (1993) {Atlantic}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 391 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 145 Mb
Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 7 Mb
© 1993 Atlantic / Eel Pie | 7 82494-2
Rock / Art Rock / Contemporary / Rock

In the past, Pete Townshend has let his lyrics tell the story from within the music, and that has allowed much of his work to stand timeless both as individual songs and entire concept pieces. On Psychoderelict, songs and music fight the spoken word "drama" throughout. Some individual songs are interesting; many are forgettable.

The Who retired following their 1982 farewell tour but like Frank Sinatra's frequent retreats from the stage, it was not a permanent goodbye. Seven years later, the band – Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle; that is, Keith Moon's replacement Kenny Jones wasn't invited back – embarked on a reunion tour, and ever since then the band was a going concern. Perhaps not really active – they did not tour on a regular basis, they did not record outside of a version of "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" for the 1991 Elton John and Bernie Taupin tribute album Two Rooms – but they were always around, playing tribute gigs and reviving old projects, such as a mid-'90s stab at Quadrophenia, before truly reuniting as an active touring band after the turn of the century.

Pete Townshend - Live > BAM 1993 (2003) {2CD Set Eel Pie EPR017 rel 2003}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 819 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 343 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1993, 2003 Eel Pie Recording Prod. | EPR017
Rock / Contemporary Rock / Art Rock / Rock & Roll / Classic Rock

Recorded live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on August 7 1993, during the acclaimed ''Psychoderelict'' tour, this double CD set features, for the first time live, the entire ''Psychoderlict'' performance as well as a selection of hits from Pete Townshend''s extensive catalogue. The recording features Pete Townshend together with a full band and actors performing in this theatrical presentation.

Pete Townshend - Gold (2005) [2CD] {Eel Pie}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 1.06 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 354 Mb
Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 54 Mb
© 2005 Eel Pie | B0005350-02
Rock / Hard Rock / Contemporary Pop

While most of Universal's excellent GOLD collections present an artist's output in tidy chronological order, the Pete Townshend installment of the series breaks with that tradition, offering a seemingly random two-disc sampling of the Who mastermind's solo output. Given the British guitarist/vocalist's unconventional, drama-loving attitude toward rock, however, this approach works quite well, bouncing around from 1993's PSYCHODERELICT to '85's WHITE CITY to '80's EMPTY GLASS. The 34-track compilation also includes songs from Townshend's first solo outing, '72's WHO CAME FIRST, and '77's ROUGH MIX, his excellent collaborative album with former Small Faces bassist Ronnie Lane. Throughout the highly eclectic GOLD, the constants are, of course, Townshend's plaintive voice and his distinctive guitar playing, which ranges from delicate acoustic lines to bombastic Who-worthy electric leads. Although there have been numerous Townshend compilations, GOLD is the most intriguing and comprehensive.