Released in 1993, Psychoderelict is a rock opera conceived by Townshend in 1991 as the follow-up to The Iron Man (1989), but despite having recorded several demos, a bicycle accident in September 1991 forced him to delay work on the album until his wrist was able to heal properly.

It is structured more like a radio play than the more "traditional" rock operas Townshend had recorded both with the Who (1969's Tommy, 1973's Quadrophenia and the unreleased Lifehouse album) and as a solo artist (1985's White City and The Iron Man).

The album's central character is Ray High (real name Raymond Highsmith), a '60s rock star who has dwindled and turned into an alcoholic recluse.

Ray's manager, Rastus Knight, worried at the rocker's dwindling bank account, attempts unsuccessfully to talk him into recording new material.

He and "Rosalind" exchange several letters, where Ray opens his heart about his insecurity, his life's past tragedies, and his insights into the relationships between the performers, the public, and the press.

In his last letter he talks about Ruth Streeting, calling her "symbolic of the entire establishment" and saying "her disgust is the greatest motivator of the artist in me."

The album also makes use of Townshend's earlier song "Who Are You" which is sampled on the track "Meher Baba M4 (Signal Box)".

Fan reception was divided: some felt that Townshend's ideas were too pretentious even for him, while others have embraced it as the first worthy concept since Quadrophenia.

To date, it remains the final Pete Townshend solo album of all-original material, although further compilations have surfaced.

Credited as Psychoderelict family: A performance from Townshend's first North American solo tour was broadcast live from the theatre of the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York in August 1993.

[5] The DVD included an interview with Pete Townshend conducted by Barry Barnes recorded specifically for this release in September 2005.