[improviduto]

Submission courtesy of Cortez the Killer

Artist: The Who
Album: Who's Next




Much of Who's Next derives from Lifehouse, an ambitious sci-fi rock opera Pete Townshend abandoned after suffering a nervous breakdown, caused in part from working on the sequel to Tommy. There's no discernable theme behind these songs, yet this album is stronger than Tommy, falling just behind Who Sell Out as the finest record the Who ever cut. Townshend developed an infatuation with synthesizers during the recording of the album, and they're all over this album, adding texture where needed and amplifying the force, which is already at a fever pitch. Apart from Live at Leeds, the Who have never sounded as LOUD and unhinged as they do here, yet that's balanced by ballads, both lovely ("The Song Is Over") and scathing ("Behind Blue Eyes"). That's the key to Who's Next ? there's anger and sorrow, humor and regret, passion and tumult, all wrapped up in a blistering package where the rage is as affecting as the heartbreak. This is a retreat from the '60s, as Townshend declares the "Song Is Over," scorns the teenage wasteland, and bitterly declares that we "Won't Get Fooled Again." For all the sorrow and heartbreak that runs beneath the surface, this is an invigorating record, not just because Keith Moon runs rampant or because Roger Daltrey has never sung better or because John Entwistle spins out manic bass lines that are as captivating as his "My Wife" is funny. This is invigorating because it has all of that, plus Townshend laying his soul bare in ways that are funny, painful, and utterly life-affirming. That is what the Who was about, not the rock operas, and that's why Who's Next is truer than Tommy or the abandoned Lifehouse. Those were art ? this, even with its pretensions, is rock & roll.

Tracks

Baba O Reiley~Written By Pete Townshend
Bargain~Written By Pete Townshend
Love Ain't For Keeping~Written By Pete Townshend
My Wife~Written By John Entwistle
The Song Is Over~Written By Pete Townshend
Getting In Tune~Written By Pete Townshend
Going Mobile~Written By Pete Townshend
Behind Blue Eyes~Written By Pete Townshend
Won't Get Fooled Again

Sources
http://www.allmusic....l=Askdovwvva9qk

[halfmoonbay]

Cood call. 'Tis a fine album.

[pimp_vince]

great album but.... maybe tommy would have been more suitable but i LOVE the tracks on this one.

[NotComeDown]

yeh, the main reason i go to brighton beach on the last saturday of every month, they always play wont get fooled again near the end of the night, classic, just when the dance floor is starting to clear so theres plenty of space to go mad and do your towshend worshipping moves, hehe, then after that they usually play the self preservation society (italian job theme) and i go home, hehe, cue ninja!

[dorio]

Great choice. I had it on my little agenda. But you said it better than i. Won't get
fooled again is another one of those immortals. This was the crossroad of the who's
career. Life house never came around. But it's been saved by who's next.

[j03c]

I don't know how many of you have seen The Kids Are Alright, but their performance of Won't Get Fooled Again has to rank of one of the top moments in Rock N Roll history. The trademark Moon fill followed by the Daltrey scream, and Pete sliding across stage. God bless The Who.

[goober]

Moon was in fine form and Roger was singing the best he ever sang. Add that to Pete's songwriting, and its pretty hard to go wrong. From that masterpiece, it turns out my favorite track is "My Wife," written by the Ox, John Entwistle.

[Pablo-Escobar]

Teenaged Wasteland has to be the craziest song evar.

[pauliejay]

The very first time I heard the opening of Baba O Reily I stood as if in a trance. I couldn't move and the music just swept over me. It touched something deep inside of me and forged a connection between me and this album that will never be broken. It's inexplicable, and even hugely arrogant, but this is MY album!

I had the extended album version on CD (which included Pure And Easy among others) which was recently stolen with my girlfriend's car. I think I was more upset about the loss of Who's Next to be honest

[highwaystar332]

The very first time I heard the opening of Baba O Reily I stood as if in a trance. I couldn't move and the music just swept over me. It touched something deep inside of me and forged a connection between me and this album that will never be broken. It's inexplicable, and even hugely arrogant, but this is MY album!

I had the extended album version on CD (which included Pure And Easy among others) which was recently stolen with my girlfriend's car. I think I was more upset about the loss of Who's Next to be honest 

the first time I heard Baba O Riley was at that concert for NYC after the Sept 11 attacks. I had heard the Who then, except for songs like My Generation, Magic Bus, and Substitute. I basically stood there with my mouth gaping during the song, imo, one of the greatest songs ever written.

[guitarfreak111]

The very first time I heard the opening of Baba O Reily I stood as if in a trance. I couldn't move and the music just swept over me. It touched something deep inside of me and forged a connection between me and this album that will never be broken. It's inexplicable, and even hugely arrogant, but this is MY album!

I had the extended album version on CD (which included Pure And Easy among others) which was recently stolen with my girlfriend's car. I think I was more upset about the loss of Who's Next to be honest 

the first time I heard Baba O Riley was at that concert for NYC after the Sept 11 attacks. I had heard the Who then, except for songs like My Generation, Magic Bus, and Substitute. I basically stood there with my mouth gaping during the song, imo, one of the greatest songs ever written.

Yeah, I've always loved that song. It's a good tune to listen to when you're sad or pissed, it lifts you up.

[rollin2rock21]

which of the Who's albums is the best?

[itlof]

Every time I hear this album it seems to get better and better

[Bobzyk]

Teenaged Wasteland has to be the craziest song evar.

That's "Baba O'Riley" silly

[Bobzyk]

which of the Who's albums is the best?

Who's Next
Live At Leeds
The Who Sell Out
Quardophenia
Tommy
Who By Numbers
Who Are You

Rock history there!!!

[guitarfan19]

excellent album. Going Mobile, Baba O'riley and Wont Get Fooled Again are great.

This post has been edited by guitarfan19: 19 March 2005 - 10:19 PM

[metallicac/dc]

I got this album today. Great album start to finish. I will have this in my cd player for awhile.

[dweezil_zappa]

truely one of the greatest albums ever recorded; even better with all the bonus songs!

What gets me wondering, is why nobody seems to make any mention of 'A Quick One"? That album too has many good points, not to mention the title track mini opera. So very full of sixties pop/rock energy.

That's my story....

[Play It Louder]

Pete Townshend is amazing I would like to see him posted in the legends forum

[guitardude231]

One of my top 5 albums of all time. Simply amazing