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Who's for a listen!

howzat | 11/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who's Next (1971.), the Who's fifth studio album



The rock powerhouse that is the Who are rightly regarded as one of the great band's that has ever existed. From the moment that the band came on to the scene in the mid-1960's, it almost seemed pre-ordained that this band was going to be destined for great things. If the timeless classic song of 'My Generation' wasn't proof enough, the band went onto build up a number of other great songs and concept based works in the late 60's, culminating in Pete Townshend's mastermind project in 'Tommy'. With the 70's then rolling around, Pete Townshend set upon the task of putting together some more material. This came about in the shape of the 'Lifehouse' project. Sadly though, this fell apart causing problems for the band. However, from the ashes of the project, a new studio album was cut in early 1971. 'Who's Next' is regarded as a hard rock classic by many fans of the band, and perhaps as the Who's greatest album. So is it deserving of its great reputation?



'Who's Next' will always be for me, one of the greatest albums that has ever been made. I loved it when I first listened to it and I haven't tired of it ever since. This is literally an awesome album and I think that it is pathetic that this albums overall rating has dropped to 4.5 stars on this site; whoever's been giving this album a low rating to pull its average down obviously has no decent music taste at all. It is quite hard to believe some of these songs were destined for the `Lifehouse' project since the nine tracks on the album are completely unrelated rock songs; a singer-songwriter album. However, this is where `Who's Next' really succeeds, becauses each and every one of the tracks holds up on their own and are in their own right all awesome songs. The album never has a weak moment and covers dramatic scope be it from the Irish-themed rocker `Baba O'Riley' to the lyrical perferction of `Behind Blue Eyes' or to the sheer epic scale of `Won't Get Fooled Again'. Some of the Who's best work is featured on this album and for me it's the best album they made. Instrumentally, the band are also at their very best on the album, and the work is cohesive and brilliantly executed. Townshend's trademark guitar play features throughout as does the sheer power of Roger Daltrey's voice. John Entwhistle shows his diversity with fluid bass lines, French horn play and with a bit of songwriting in `My Wife' and Keith Moon's god-like drumming is probably at its best on this album; some of the beats and drum passages are simply breathtaking.



`Who's Next' is available in a number of different editions, due to occasional remasters and such. The most readily available version is the single CD bonus tracks edition. This is the version I originally purchased and it contains the original 9 album tracks plus 7 bonus tracks. Some of these extras are great songs, especially the alternative take of `Behind Blue Eyes', `Pure And Easy' and the live performance of `Water'. However, if your willing to shell out more cash on this album, the `Who's Next' deluxe edition is available. This double CD set features the original album, session out-takes and alternatives and a complete CD with a live performance from the Young Vic featuring plenty of songs from this album. All in all, you can't go wrong with either edition of this classic album, it just depends on how much your willing to spend.



So how does each song on the album measure up? `Baba O'Riley' is one hell of an opening track; one of my favourite album opening tracks of all time. The racy keyboard theme opening the album is legendary and follows into some crushing guitar chords from Townshend's guitar. Daltrey's vocals are powerful, especially his screams of `Teenage Wasteland!' and the Irish jig styled finish to the song builds to a great climax. `Bargain' is an excellent follow up; a laid back start builds into another great rock song with more vintage guitar play from Townshend. The song has plenty of intense sections, beautifully contrasted by a brief acoustic section in the middle. `Love Ain't For Keeping' is next; a short acoustic based song to break up the longer songs on the album which is a great listen. `My Wife' is the amusing follow up. This is probably the best song John Entwhistle wrote whilst in the Who. Its an amazingly catchy song with some funny lyrics and great guitar play. Entwhistle's songs, like this one especially always have that quirky aspect to them and they're always a great listen. `The Song Is Over' closes the first half of the album. Many have criticized this slow-tempo song but I personally think it's a great song. The piano harmony is beautiful and the vocals, this time sung by Townshend, are great. As the song progresses, it gets more guitar pronounced, making a good build-up.



`Getting In Tune' opens up the album's second half. Another classic rocking song with a nice piano integration. Some of Townshend's guitar play at the end of the track is very creative. The upbeat `Goin Mobile' follows, where Daltrey gives a great vocal performance singing about roaming the land without a care. More great guitar sections on this song. Then we come to two of the Who's greatest songs. First is `Behind Blue Eyes' with its beautiful opening acoustic section and yearning verse. The chorus is brilliant where the song takes a more aggressive and punchy turn and the lyrics have a harsh edge to them. Following this is my favourite Who song of all time. People don't praise `Won't Get Fooled Again' for nothing, this is the band's epic and was their classic concert close thereon. The punchy electric keyboard sounds fused with Townshend's deftly executed but loud guitar play are the perfect base for Daltrey's inspired vocals, with lyrics based on revolution. Townshend jams out some great solos throughout the song and Keith Moon plays some thrilling drumming sections, especially where the band begin a surprise heavy re-entry at the end of the track. The end of the song, were Daltrey shouts `Meet The New Boss; Same As The Old Boss!' over crunching guitars marks an emphatic finish to a great album.



`Who's Next' is one of the greatest albums of all time. With this album, the Who hit the mark totally producing a set of truly memorable and hard-rocking songs. This, on the back of a failed musical project in `Lifehouse' just shows how musically talented the band were, that they could quickly churn out this classic. No rock collection is complete without this masterpiece; it is an essential buy and definitely the perfect place for someone looking to start listening to the Who.



MY RATING: 10/10, a classic that rises above the rest"