Following the deluxe edition of Who's Next last year, which almost suffocated under its weight of additional material, this double-disc reissue of Tommy arrives in both SACD and conventional stereo formats, and bundles in 17 demos and outtakes that throw fresh light on the most convincing attempt yet to create a "rock opera".

Even in humble stereo, the original Tommy scrubs up a treat. Keith Moon's drums rumble around in great, cavernous spaces, acoustic guitars sound razor-sharp and the electric ones emit satisfying growling noises, while additional layers of horns or piano sparkle across the mix.

The story remains as opaque as ever, though its lurking subtext of child abuse assumes new meaning in the light of Townshend's recent experiences. The additional tracks emphasise the intimate chamber-rock approach the band adopted, in drastic contrast to the cacophonous assaults they had become famous for.

Most interesting of the lot are Pete Townshend's demos of Amazing Journey and Pinball Wizard, assembled in his home studio yet almost complete in themselves.