On a normal takeoff, a 4 engine aircraft has less excess power available than a 2 engine aircraft. Aircraft engines are sized to provide a minimum climb gradient with a single engine inoperative. A twin engine aircraft with an with an engine failure had lost 50% of its power. A quad with an engine failure is only down 25%. So the twin’s engines are oversized to compensate.

There was quite a kick when the engines spooled up. I flew mainly SFO/LAX to SYD and the few minutes of full thrust you just kind of sat back in your seat and didn't try to do anything.

More or less. I remember the first time I flew in a tri-jet (after a 747), I was a bit worried on take-off about how we were still on the ground as the end of the runway approached.

To clarify slightly, I first heard "tower of power" used to describe the Saturn V. So two icons of the late 60s.