96) Tommy : Rolling Stone

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"Rock Opera" is one way to describe the pioneering ambition in Pete Townshend's musical exploration of childhood trauma, sexual abuse, repression and spiritual release. Here's another way: the slash and thunder of "My Generation" blown wide open. Driven by the hellbent drumming of Keith Moon, the Who surge and shine, igniting the drama in Townshend's melodies ("Pinball Wizard," "We're Not Gonna Take It"). "We worked out the sociological implications, the religious implications, the rock implications," he said. "When we'd done that, we went into the studio, got smashed out of our brains and made it."

Total album sales: 2 million

Peak chart position: 2

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