A couple of good songs on both. White City fighting all the best cowboys and psychderelict are ace and should’ve made great who albums, but they weren’t were they?
My introduction to THE WHO came via the CD generation. It was 1986 and I was going over to a friends house to hang out. As I walked into the living room, he had WHO'S NEXT blasting from the speakers, with such clarity that I literally felt Keith Moon's bass drum thumping throughout my body. I immediately went out the next day, bought me my 1st CD player and got WHO'S NEXT too! I never looked back..........Thank you Maslov for another great video!! (p.s I read an article recently that mentioned Phil Collins was considered a replacement after the death of Keith Moon. That definetely would have changed the sound of that band had that happened.....your thoughts?)
Great vid. I've been a Who fan since I heard " I can See for Miles" at 13. It is probably no. 1 on my all time greatest song list and I've requested it be played at my funeral. Even Pete said it should have been a no. 1 hit. So many great albums; I like your top 3. For me, it was pretty much over when Moon died. The "Sell Out" box set is on my birthday list!!!
So glad "Live at Leeds" is included. I'm pretty sure I wrecked my hearing because of this album as it never seemed to be loud enough for me. I'd maybe swap out Quadrophenia and Sell Out. I probably wouldn't be as kind to Endless Wire. I agree about Tommy. My ears were blown away when I first listened to it. For me, this was the album that put them on a higher level than the average group/artist, at least for me. Great video.
Surprised that there is little love for Who by Numbers. My girlfriend (who became my wife) at the time loved it. Listened to it a couple months ago and sort of got it. Dang good LP and I love the fun of Squeeze Box. Who’s Next seems to me to be their peak! Thanks for including Live at Leeds....the best live LP all time...maybe.
Greetings from Nova Scotia, Canada! Your love of music is great man, thanks for the videos! You included Live at Leeds! HELL YES! It's the gold standard live album
Massey, I celebrate your love of the Who and your unorthodox rankings. My subjective ranking would be (not surprisingly): 1: Who's Next; 2: Quadrophenia; 3: Live at Leeds; 4: Tommy 5: Who Sell Out; 6: Who Sing My Generation; 7: By Numbers; 8: Who Are You; 9: A Quick One; 10: Face Dances; 11: Who; 12: It's Hard; 13: Endless Wire. To answer a likely question....I think Tommy performed live is incredible, far superior to the studio version. The bass on the original LP was mixed way down (as it was in Quad, but the drumming made up for it). The concept seemed forced on the studio version but somewhat the band totally transforms the music when they perform it live. It becomes more like the original Lifehouse concept; the band IS Tommy and the Audience IS his followers. Having seem them live, does this make sense to you?
Mazzy.... Thanks for the Who ratings and a tip of the hat for mentioning Thunderclap Newman. Such a underrated album in its day Still one of my fav's of the era. Even if people only bought it for the hit single...... they ended up with a one of a kind sounding album. Apparently Townshend played bass on all tracks under the name "Bijou Drains". Gotta love the track "Accidents" with it's kazoo sound that will blow your mind on headphones or a good set of speakers....... and the psyche coda fade out..... Cheers!
Love The Who and Who's Next is a perfect rock album. Every song is great and the flow of the album is spectacular. I bought it on cassette when it first came out and played it until it wore out. Keep up the good work!
Hi Norman: Nice video - I am not the greatest Who connoisseur but being born in 1955 I loved their 60's singles and then was knocked out by "Tommy" and, of course, "Live at Leeds". I got to see them at the Berkeley Community Theatre in 1970 and it was one of the most stupendous concerts I have ever been to - even up to today.
I remember hearing about that Berkeley show. Not sure why I didn't go but one if my best friends did.. I saw so many shows that that venue Cool place!!
Splendid video! I’ve been a rabid fan of The Who since the late seventies and to be honest, I’d have a rough time compiling a rankings list of their work as I love all their albums for different reasons. One record I would have included would be Odds & Sods. True; it’s not a studio album per se but rather a compilation of outtakes (released in ‘74) but it’s become such an important staple in the band’s cannon that it would be worth including. Again, splendid video!
Mazzy- Thanks for another great ranking video. The Who were my first favourite band ( way before the Stones and Beatles) and my first Who record was Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy. I was lucky enough to see them twice, once with Keith Moon and then with Kenny Jones promoting the Face Dances album. My top 5 would be (1) Who’s Next (2) Who Live at Leeds (3) Who Sell Out (4) Tommy and (5) Who Are You. Although like you the order would change from day to day, or month to month. I must say that I do think that the latest WHO album is a return to form. Thanks again for a fabulous video about a fabulous band. Cheers Bill
The original Tommy double album from 1969 is an absolute musical masterpiece. The intro to Overture alone is incredibly dynamic and cinematic. Hard to believe it came out of musical brainiac of 23 years of age. It's an album that to this day I use to set up my speakers for distance and ambiance.
Spot on! I don’t think I would change the position of any of your picks. I’m 70, so I purchased these fresh off the shelf....still have them. As a former teacher, part of the curriculum was art and music. I wrote out the lyrics to Boris the Spider for the 6th graders in my class and we would sing it together. Only able to see them live once. Brought my daughter.
Nice video Mazzy. Not a bad ranking. You really can't argue with you order too much but I would put "Who's Next" at #1 and "Tommy" at 3. I have to admit I like "It's Hard" and "Face Dances". Maybe a bit more for sentimental reasons since they were the first Who albums I bought on my own after I got my first job. Yes, they are on the weaker side but I really like some tracks like "Eminence Front", "Cry If you want", "You Better you bet", "Don't Let Go the Coat", etc. I do like the way you mention the cover art. I love the packaging of albums, the cover art, inner sleeves, posters included. A definite lost art when cd's came along.
Great video and Mazzy stories! Love the personal touches. I agree about Pete and Chinese Eyes LP - that's a great fucking record. Perfect! Another Tricky Day is a great song on Face Dances and How Many Friends is a great song on Who By Numbers. My top five Who Albums. 1. Quad. 2. Who's Next. 3. Odds & Sods. 4. Tommy 5. Who Sell Out!
I saw The Who once in '71 just before the Who's Next album came out. They seemed to be struggling with the tech of backing tapes that night and I got the vibe that "this is just some fucking hockey barn in the middle of nowhere". They were still so much larger than life. The building site eventually became the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.
Good choices Mazzy. I think my number 1 would be Who's Next, closely followed by Who Sell Out and Tommy, but not much between any of them. Personally, I would rank Faces Dances much higher because it has three of my favourites Who tracks: Another Tricky Day; Daily Records and You Better, You Bet. I would also include Odds & Sods in this list, its got some great tracks on it. Meaty Beaty was the album that got me into the Who, one of the best compilation albums ever in my view.
Hands down The Who is still and will be my favorite band on so many levels. Good insight- i beg to differ on some of the choices but great to hear different viewpoints.
Thank you for making this video. I really enjoyed it very much. The WHO are my favorite band of all time. I like your approach to every album and it was honest ranking. I agree with your thoughts on the Endless Wire album. I like the information you gave on WHO SELLS OUT.. It is my favorite album. Very cool you saw them on the Tommy tour.. Take Care Edward...
Thanks Mazzy. Always look forward to your videos. I don't have the Who Sell Out, but will definitely have to get it. Your opinion on Quadrophenia is right on; a decent album, great artwork. I would have ranked Who By Numbers higher because it was the first album I recorded to cassette for my first car cassette player. Peace
I can't believe you cited "Flamin' Groovies." Man you're taking me back. I want to plug the "Day on the Green" with The Who & The Dead... My memory tells me 1976 or so... two shows for the ages.
A great overview of their albums . Like you , I was lucky enough to see them with Keith Moon , at Maple Leaf Gardens during the '76 tour . It was a wild show. My ranking would go something like this : Who's Next Quadrophenia Tommy The Who By Numbers ( I think this album is often overlooked ) although I'm not a fan of Squeeze Box Odds & Sods The Who Sell Out My Generation Who Are You A Quick One While He's Away Cheers !!!!
Mazzy, very insightful discourse on the Who. Love Reign O'er Me, Imagine A Man are great songs that reach beyond the predilection for teenage angst. Thanks for the reviews. My Generation, indeed.
Once again I’m late to the party! But I think you’re spot on here with your ranking of the Mighty Who! God I worshipped The Who when I was in High School! I knew the words to Tommy from front to back and would drive my friends crazy by constantly singing Pinball Wizard! I think you’re right about The Who’s 80’s output and Pete T keeping the good stuff for his solo stuff He was so much more popular in the 80’s alone than with The Who MTV loved Pete! Anyway great list Mazzy! Peace ☮️✌️👽🤘☮️
I have the compilation album ‘Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy’ which is from 1971. It has incredible songs on it and is my own particular favourite album by The Who.
Half a Who. You cracked me up w/the Dr. Seuss reference. Lol 🥴 Tommy has to be Pete’s magnum opus. It deserves to be in top three. But, I gotta go with Live at Leeds and Who’s Next for the impact they had on my as a teen becoming a man. My my generation.
Nice list! I'll slip Leeds in, ranked on my level of enjoyment. Thanks for talking about my favorite Who album! 1 The Who Sell Out 2 Who's Next 3 Who Are You 4 Quadrophenia 5 My Generation 6 Face Dances 7 By Numbers 8 Live At Leeds 9 Tommy 10 Endless Wire 11 It's Hard 12 A Quick One 13 Who
Hi Norman, this band IS THE first Band of Rock in my life (1966 , EP my generation, 14 years old ,After all others Records one by one until death of Keith Moon !pour un inconditionnel du groupe comme moi ,voir ta collection amène beaucoup de nostalgie, merci pour cette magnifique vidéo, car je n'ai plus les vinyles depuis longtemps , tout en CD dorénavant.
I enjoyed your list. I am not a huge Who fan and only have Whos Next and My Generation a compilation album. Interestingly, one of my favorite Who songs is on Its Hard - Eminence Front.
Like you, I have a very diverse taste is music. My favorite bands are The Who, Rush and Little Feat. You mentioned how an album affects you depending on when you first heard it etc. Quadrophenia is my favorite Who record followed by Who Are You., for the reasons you talked about. Where I was, what was going on in my life at the time.. In 1996 I flew to NY from TX to see The Who play Quadrophenia all the way through at MSG. It was amazing. I always enjoy your videos even when you’re wrong:). Kidding of course. I especially like the videos when we don’t agrees. I enjoy different viewpoints and opinions. What fun would it be if opinions always matched? Maybe a solo Townshend rating next?
I am playing a bit of catch up with some of your earlier videos......in contrast to most folk I love Face Dances. I love Townsend's lyrics on it. I would probably put Live at Leeds at number 1 simply because of the versions of Magic Bus and Summer Time Blues. Amazing .
Hello Mas(?), great channel - I've only just caught up with it. I've been a massive Who fan since 1965, when 'Anyway...' jolted me out of the post-Beatles beat boom, which was getting reaaaally boring. That timeline probably gives away the fact that I'm in the UK. I'd sussed that there was something other than the latter type of music by hearing Chuck Berry and various tracks by the Beatles, Stones, Animals etc. which were clearly Very different - R&B, Motown, etc. The same applied to the Who. My Generation will always be my favourite album, because I was there - a 'weekend Mod', later to become a 'weekend hippy'. As you rightly say these rankings are personal to the 'ranker' (no, I said' ranker':).After MG, the rest just move up and down my faves, depending on my mood. A regret is that I've never seen them live. Keep up the good work - I'll stop rabbitting{?} now.
yo pondría The Who sings My Generation como número uno y después todo igual ¡muy buen ránking! me diste ganas de escuchar el último "Who" que ya no le dí bola, algunos temas zafan.....cuando vinieron a Argentina preferí no ir....sin Entwistle y sin Moon....¡saludos desde Buenos Aires!
YOU'RE ON A ROLL MAZZY WITH ALL YOUR GREAT VIDEOS, EVEN IF I'M NOT CATCHING THEM ALL IN THE RIGHT ORDER. (1) PETE TOWNSHEND SOLO (2) QUADROPHENIA (3) TOMMY (4) THE WHO SELL OUT (5) WHO'S NEXT (6) A QUICK ONE (7) THE WHO BY NUMBERS I TRIED HARD TO LIKE IT'S HARD.
Another great video Mazzy! Why did u omit Odds & Sods? I always wonder why this album gets left off who album ranking videos because it’s a compilation of outtakes but it really is no different than the Rolling Stones Tattoo You album which is always included? Odds & Sodds was compiled as an album by Entwistle and I always considered it a legit release. I agree with u that Townshend kept the best tracks for himself between 1980 to 1982. Empty Glass & Chinese Eyes are perfect records. Cheers!!
I agree Odds is a great collection, and a few more gems were added to the cd...I could do without Long Live Rock, but it was thoughtfully sequenced and superior to several official studio albums. The comparison to Tattoo You imo is off - much of TY originated from the previous 3 or 4 albums, but the songs were unfinished - Mick re-wrote lyrics and nailed vocals; Sonny Rollins was brought in by Charlie Watts, and finally it cohered as an album.
I saw The Who live 4 times, 3 of them kinda iconic. The first was on their first trip to the states, at the last Murray The K show. This was just before the age of Rock Concerts, when the closest thing to be had were traveling showcases like the Murray The K shows, where a dozen or so acts would do a couple of songs each for a few shows daily. The Who played Anyhow, Anywhere, Anyway and My Generation. The Cream was on the same Bill. The second time was on their next trip to the states not long after, when the birth of Rick Concerst were in full bloom at an outdoor concert at the Central Park Skating Rink on a beautiful summer evening. The third time was their first American performance of Tommy at The Fillmore East, Best sound hall Sonics in NYC at the time. They went through not only the entire opera, but another hor’s worth of older songs..... Freakin’ Fantastic❣️
Enjoyed this video immensely. My favorite is Quadrophenia followed closely by Who’s Next. I also love By Numbers. In my book, the mid-70’s Who was as good as it gets live. 19:17
Respect your list. Here are my faves in terms of desire to repeat listen Who's Next Live at Leeds The Who Sell Out / A Quick One Tommy By Numbers Quadrophenia Who Are You Like you i am a fan of Pete's vocals. Just listened to Who Came First again for first time in decades. Great solo álbum
Quad is the definitive Who album and the best record ever on teenage alienation and aggression. I love that the ending is ambiguous Is it me for a moment?
Late to the party on this one Love your selections What if Lighthouse had been released rather than Who’s Next - that would include other songs as awesome as “Relay, Pure and Easy, Put the Money Down, Naked Eye, Too Much of Anything, etc. Plus the Who’s Next songs - what a double album masterpiece that would be. Maybe PT will do one day!
Another fantastic list...and one that I feel is important for people like me who own very little of their catalog but is looking to get into them some more. One thing I can say though with certainty us that Who's Next is my favorite Who album and in my opinion their best...it's also have Who are You...don't find that as strong as Who's next. Never been into the whole Tommy or Quadrophinia material...but maybe I'll enjoy it more now. Mark Anthony K Projekt Gemineye
Hi Mazzy, I've been viewing your videos for a while now, I really enjoy them. The Who were one of my favourite bands back in the 60s/70s - I agree largely with your ranking, although I'd put Who's Next on top. Actually a lot of your musical memories ring true with my own. It would have been great to know you during our teenage years!
Interesting review and ranking. First off, I like how you identify the Who as Daltrey, Townshend, Entwistle and Moon. To me, that is the only version of the Who that counted and what really mattered. In retrospect, maybe, like Zed Zepplin did, they just should have called it quits after Moon's death. Besides an awesome drummer, Moon was a "personality" that could never be replaced. You can see someone like Kenny Jones replacing Charlie Watts (silent, steady and reliable) but not someone like the outlandish and sprawling Keith Moon. As for your rankings, your ratings for Face Dance and It's Hard are spot on. Like you said, arguably Townshend was saving his best material for his solo projects (like Empty Glass-1980) and not the Who. Also, from what I heard, It's Hard only came out because the Who would have been forced to reimburse the huge advance their record company had given had this album not been recorded. Maybe they should have just given them their money back. It is rather disappointing that the Who's prolific career ended with this dud of an album. Your reviews for the earlier albums were very interesting because you were actually around when these albums were first released (like my father was, who was also a Who fan) He had Tommy, Who's Next, Live at Leeds and Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (which I think you should have mentioned, even if it is a compilation album-it is sure better than Endless Wire) He did not have Quadrophenia though. When I asked him why, he kind of described it as "Concept Album" fatigue. I think after Tommy people in the US were a little fed up with double album theme concept albums. Moreover, we didnt have the "Mods" and "Rockers" rivalry here like they did in the UK back in the 60's, so I think that is why Quadrophenia may have kind of fallen flat when it was released here in the US. Also, because of the highly technical electronic and synthesizer work, it was very difficult to play on stage. I read that when the Who were touring to promote this album people would take the opportunity to grab a drink. I myself like Quadrophenia a lot and I think it is much better than Tommy. I bought it with my paper route money when I was 15 during the summer of 1981. To me, the themes for Quadrophenia-isolation, wanting social acceptance, peer pressure etc were more relatable than some blind deaf and dumb kid playing pinball. While Tommy really but the Who on the map (as their success was mediocre up to that point) I think it really eclipsed them as a band. I think they spent all of 1970 touring to promote this album. Also, they made the Tommy movie in 1975. Many people have criticized the Who about this, since they could have been making albums instead of focusing their resources on a film for an album that was released 6 years earlier. When you look at the Who's studio album output for the 1970's, they only released four albums for that decade (if you don't include Odds and Sods)-Who's Next, Quadrophenia, Who by Numbers and Who Are You. Compare that to Jethro Tull, which released a studio album every year from 1970-1979 As for Who's Next, you should have mentioned more about the fact that this was the remnants of Townshend's aborted Lifehouse project. From what I read, this concept about wearing a suit with buttons on it that could change reality sounds more like science fiction that rock and roll. Townsend was unable to convince his bandmates to go along with it (I'm glad they rejected his idea) and we got Who's Next instead. In my opinion, this is their best album. It's not too long and every song on it is great, even a song like "Love Ain't for Keeping" which I never heard on the radio. As for review, I would have rated Who By Numbers higher and Quadrophenia. I welcome your reply.
totally agree with your ranking. I might have Sell Out at number 1, but as you said, it's mostly a tie. Also agree with ranking of Quad. It's dense for sure. Still good though.
The dude abides.....well played and explained list of Your favorites. I almost completely agree, folks can do whatever they want with their creations, kudos to them really many sadly failed to read the entire contract. ✌🍻❤
Being the same age as you (from OK), I remember hearing the opening guitar to Pinball Wizard on the radio and saying What is this???, getting the Tommy album, quoting it in a jr high school essay, reading about The Who sell out in Circus magazine, ordering it from TG&Y and it taking months to arrive. I bought Live at Leeds one summer and loved looking through all the papers that were included ❤️
Lovely and interesting video as usual, I am just a bit astonished that Quadrophenia, which to me is not only a great record, but a true masterpiece, was ranked 6th. Well, this must prove that music lovers may think differently, I suppose! :-o
Thanks for this Mazzy. I couldn't imagine how this was going to play out but I have to say that I can agree with your ratings pretty much top to bottom, although I would have given Sell Out the nod as #1. I Can See For Miles IS the definitive Who song. Quadrophenia is great but so overloaded. Surprised that you didn't mention Kenny Jones in your bottom two albums. He was fabulous for Faces but such a bad match for the Who. It wasn't his fault but it didn't work. For me, the last album, Who, is pretty good if you only listen to side one of the album. (Can one sided albums be a theme for a future video?)
Hi there - thank you for your programmes. I really enjoy your shows down here in NZ. I find "A Quick One ......" intriguing. I bought it primarily for "A Quick One While He's Away" on the back the scintillating version on "Rock n' Roll Circus" and the Buff Medway's cover - they would always used do it once a month at the Dirty Water Club in north London in a segue with "John the Revelator" and "Punk Rock ist nicht". But I digress. I remember being somewhat underwhelmed with the original version on "A Quick One" LP. It sounds to me like the song really developed on the road to the firebrand version on "Rock n' Roll Circus". I'm sure I read the Stones were so blown away by the Who's performance in comparison with their own was one of the reasons for burying it's release. I wonder if the "A Quick One" LP had been recorded in this fashion if it might have been one of their finest?
Great video. Thanks a lot. The Who are my favourite band of all time. While I agree with all you said about the albums themselves I Have another order personally: 1) who’s next (it is a perfect album; plus sonically it was completely different to their previous productions, with the use of synths plus the sound glyn Johns got was fabulous),2) Quadrophenia (But the soundtrack and only the first album of that: the original double one is somewhat too long and also not that Well produced, the remix made it sound much better), also the album is a bombastic rock opera which deals with the mod movement which was as far as you could from the prog rock opera era 3) my generation (could be placed higher even), 4 Who are you (sonically impressive: basically the who album that came out during punk was a jazz fusion synth mix, with very personal lyrics), the who by Numbers (an acoustic album of self-doubt done at the height of their rock arena power), 5 the who sell out (great concept but since i was too Young to hear it When it came out, it does not strike me as being that great: it has a few fabulous singles: armenia etc), 6) Tommy (again i Think the production has aged But Maybe This is not for my generation ;)) 7) Then the rest I agree are not great. I also agree that Townshend’s solo stuff has somehow overshadowed his Who production, especially after Empty Glass: now that is a perfect record, i prefer it to chinese eyes. However i agree that the band is fabulous and has provided always with some quite fabulous music: making a synth Heavy metal record after Woodstock, making a prog rock opera about the minimalist mod period, producing a jazz rock album at the height of punk and an intimate intropective album as they were arena rock kings. They really have been the best band. The later stuff has been kind of meh. But your video is fabulous. Thanks again.
Love the video Mazzy, is it weird that Eminence Front is one of my favorite Who songs? That being said, I don’t own It’s Hard. I wonder if there if there’s a 12”?
Cool story about your buddy who was in the Flamin' Groovies. I like The Who By Numbers quite a bit. Never liked Squeeze Box. Your ranking is great. I'll have a go: Who's Next Tommy The Who Sell Out Live At Leeds Quadrophenia My Generation The Who By Numbers A Quick One Who Are You Face Dances It's Hard Endless Wire Who
Hi, I always like the storie behind the albums or wath they did for you in the past Same number 1 and 2 in my list. Number 3, for me, is Quadrophenia. And that's close to number 4 Who's Next.
Big fan of The Who By Numbers. It's understated and the first non-grand theme album of theirs since...well their debut. Rough Mix (Lane/Townshend's collaboration) tops EVERYTHING the band did afterward and most of PT's works as well.
Very interesting. I would definitely have had Who’s Next as my number one. Every song is solid, especially Behind Blue eyes. My Generation, a great album. Love, love, love The Kids are Alright. I get what your saying about the 80’s, that being said, I still rank Eminence Front and You Better You Bet as classic Who songs. Just my opinion.
I share your opinion of Quadrophenia. I also relisten every now and then since many Who fans seem to rank it as their favorite record. To me, Tommy is the masterpiece.
To me, The Who stop existing when Keith Moon dies. Here is my list: 9. Live At Leeds 8. The Who By Numbers 7. Who Are You 6. Quadrophenia 5. A Quick One 4. Who's Next 3. Tommy 2. My Generation 1. The Who Sell Out
My heart really bleeded when you ranked Quadrophenia so low, it's my favorite, but I can accept other peoples opinions and tastes. Interesting Ranking, nice that you took Live at Leeds in.
Mazzy, agree it's hard to like It's Hard, but it does contain the sensational Eminence Front, one of my all-time Who numbers. There's also a good live version on the CD.
Wow, now I am really envious. The Who at the Carousel? What a sweet memory that must be! I saw B.B. King & Albert King there in that era, that's one of my sweet memories.
Cool video. The Who Sell Out has always been my fave. I prefer the pre-Tommy Who compared to their 70’s epics. Always found Tommy overrated and a bit bloated with tracks like Underture that do meander and repeat previous melodies and ideas, but songs like Christmas, Pinball Wizard, We’re Not Gonna Take It, Go To The Mirror Boy and Sally Simpson are exceptional.
Well you mentioned that both Tommy & The Who Sell Out are perfect albums ( I agree) but, for me, Who's Next is somehow beyond perfect (is that possible?). From the album cover to every song on it, Who's Next is so incredible. Live At Leeds is amazing, really love the expanded version of it. I agree with Quadrophenia, while there are some amazing songs on it, I've always struggled to get into that album completely. The Kid's Are Alright movie has to be one of my all time favorites, just entertaining as hell......love the Flamin Groovies too, Shake Some Action, what a great album!
They really lacked a 2nd songwriter which is why the albums went downhill ad Pete became more into his own vision for his material. Empty Glass and White City are strong records. Who By Numbers (1974?) has the feel of a Pete solo record to me. Good stuff thanks.
1. Tommy - It hits a little too personal to comment at length but there so many great acoustic licks almost classical in its impact with such deep emotional resonance in the lyrics and those plaintive horns and thunderous drum rolls. It's a boy Mrs. Walker it's a boy, I had no reason to be over optimistic/ but sometimes when you smile I could brave bad weather. Hey you smoking Mother nature this is a bust. The use of sparseness and space leaves room to contemplate and fill in the blanks with one's imagination of those one knows in their own life who suffer from a similar fate as Tommy or his parents. 2. Who's Next 3. Live at Leeds Expanded Edition 4. Quadrophenia 5. A Quick One / Sell Out can't decide Whiskey Man and Boris are at least equal to I Cam See for Miles 7. My Generation 8.By Numbers 9. Who Are You/ 10. Face Dances Not that familiar with the rest
Have you got the latest collection "Essential The Who"? I'm trying to find out which version of "Circles" is on the album as I want the superior one that was released on the EP "Ready Steady Who".
My rankings (of all 12 studio albums......Live At Leeds would probably be at #5 or #6 if I included that): 1. Who's Next - This is a desert island album for me. An all-time top-10 album of any genre. Just love it. Hope it gets the same Super Deluxe Edition treatment that The Who Sell Out just got. (2 and 3 are essentially tied because I can't decide. One day I might prefer one over the other and the next day be flipped.) 2. Tommy - Love this album. Also almost every live version of it being performed on various live records. Even love the movie soundtrack that many people hated. 3. Quadrophenia - Again, love the album, but a couple of the songs do feel like filler, even though they are part of the story. As with Tommy, like almost every live version of it being performed on various live records. Like the soundtrack of the movie too. Pete's demos from the 2011 SDE are fantastic also. 4. The Who Sell Out - This album's rating, for me, took a huge jump in my rankings because of the new SDE that was released. Originally had this one probably ranked 3 or 4 spots lower than I do now. I always did like this album, but now I think it is fantastic after hearing the new remaster (stereo and mono mix,) the bonus tracks, non-album singles, "road to Tommy" songs, Pete's demos, etc. I never really "got" what Pete was trying to do with all the silly (I thought at the time) jingles, etc. until reading all the essays and liner notes in the SDE. I absolutely love the SDE version that was just released. I think it is the best SDE by The Who so far (Hoping Who's Next gets the same treatment.) 5. My Generation - The title track and "The Kids Are Alright" alone make this great. If you count the singles from the era that were added on to later deluxe editions, it is even better (When I listen to this album, I prefer listening to the deluxe editions because of the added bonus tracks and singles. My 2012 SHM-CD version serves its purpose with both the mono and stereo discs.) 6. A Quick One - Similarly this album is made even greater with the added singles/bonus tracks that were added to later Deluxe editions and I prefer listening to the deluxe editions of this album over the original album. The 2012 SHM-CD version is my go-to version. 7. Who - I absolutely love this album, despite being with half original members of The Who. I think every song is solid to great with a couple even being catchy. I don't think there is one weak song on the album that I would ever skip over, while listening. This album was a top 3 album for me for the year 2019 and I am still listening to this album in 2021 with it still being in my rotation. I bought the 2019 Target Deluxe Edition (with three bonus tracks) the day it was released and then a year later I bought the 2020 deluxe edition with the remix of "Beads On One String" and the bonus live acoustic disc, which was the selling point for buying it again. I made a custom playlist combining both editions, while not repeating the main album. 8. Who Are You - Catchy title track makes this album. Even though the other songs aren't as popular or as catchy/radio-friendly, they are still solid, well-written songs. 9. Endless Wire - I probably like this album more than many die-hard Who fans. I bought this the day it was released at Best Buy with the bonus Live at Lyon CD and DVD. Anyway, of the main album, I think many of the songs are good to great (some even catchy and memorable.) There are a few unremarkable/forgettable songs, though. But taken as a whole, it was a pretty solid album, and at the time, their best since Who Are You. "Mike Post Theme," "Sound Round," "Fragments," "It's Not Enough," "We Got A Hit," "Mirror Door," and "Tea & Theatre" are favorites of mine from this album. Only real big criticism from me, though, about this album is many of the songs are just too short (less than 2 minutes,) especially the songs that were part of the mini opera Wire & Glass, which is part of the Endless Wire album. 10. Who By Numbers - "Squeeze Box" and "Slip Kid" are the two memorable songs from this album. A few other songs from the album are strong, well-written songs too. The rest, though, seems like filler and not memorable at all. 11. Face Dances - "You Better, You Bet," "Don't Let Go The Coat," and "Another Tricky Day" make this album. All the other songs are just "meh" and not very memorable. 12. It's Hard - "Eminence Front," and "Athena" are the two songs from this album that are listenable. All the rest are just filler. (Again these rankings don't include Live At Leeds or any of the singles collections, Odds & Sods, Who's Missing, Two's Missing, etc.)
My list would be 13 Endless Wire, 12 Its Hard, 11 Face Dances 10 Who Are You 9 Who 8 My Generation 7 A Quick One 6 Who by Numbers 5 Live at leeds 4 Who's next 3 Who Sell Out 2 Quadrophenia 1 Tommy.
I remember my musical friend Marco said you must hear Tommy. I was late to it. When I heard it it was a revelation. My initial response to it was 'this sounds a bit like the Beach Boys'. It felt very Baroque as well and everything seems to fit so well. 'Christmas' is Baroque or Mozart at it's best. I have to say it changed me after hearing Tommy. I thought it had all been done by then...you know Sgnt Peppers....the big albums. When I heard this album it shook me to the core. It has a raw energy to it. Rest easy Pete and Roger...you and Keith and John will be here forever in this world.
'The Who Sell Out' is my favourite by far. I think 'Tommy' has some of their most incredible show-stopping moments, but there are a few tracks on it that tread water a bit, and sound-wise it's a bit lacking at times. On the other hand, the truncated live Tommy performance on the deluxe 'Live at Leeds' reissue is simply astonishing. All killer and no filler and the band on the absolute top of their game. Otherwise, I can't disagree too much with this list. I'm totally with you on 'Quadrophenia' (and Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' as well, similar thoughts on both albums -- though I enjoyed both subsequent films immensely). Thought your Kinks list was excellent as well!
Who's Next for me too! You know what? I would have included Odds & Sods, from 1974, before a lot of those later albums. I know it's a compilation of rarities and has a few tracks from "The Lighthouse Project", but it kicks the shite out of many of their studio albums. I assume you got it when it was originally released!?
Sell Out is probably my favorite Who album, but Tommy is the perfect album.. I never had the original version of Sell out, but got the 1995 remaster with bonus tracks. How did "Glittering Girl" and "Melancholia" not make the cut for the original album?? Two songs that have become two of my favorite Who songs and I didn't hear them until 30 years later. Delete "Silas Stingy" and add in "Melancholia" and "Glittering Girl" and Sell Out becomes a perfect album.
I rather like the cod-Dickensian "Silas Stingy", but I agree that the decision to leave "Glittering Girl" and "Melancholia" in the drawer is incomprehensible. I'd include the latter in any best-of compilation.
Fascinating run down! What about 'Odds and Sods'? I put it equal to 'sell out' because both albums are so eclectic and feature great humour running right through. I know 'Odds and sods' is a compilation, but it is unusual because it was mainly curated by John Entwistle, with Pete's backing. As I said, the humour and variety make these albums equal for me!
I'm not trying to appear capricious, but "It's Hard" is my favourite Who album. Strangely enough this happens to me a lot, with other band rankings. To the point that I can't be bothered anymore to watch the videos, because it's too enervating. But not with you. Love your videos. From you I can take it. :-)
From It's Hard, Athena deserves praise. Absolutely in my top five Who song list. Excellent song, very interesting lyric, and a stellar performance on the part of Daltrey. Pete wouldn't have had the same unhinged quality that makes the song light up. And Eminence Front is brilliant. Not a banger, but a solid song. With Face Dances, once again, You Better You Bet stands in my top five Who songs. I wouldn't say these records aren't good albums. I certainly wouldn't say they're bad. I also agree Detour/WHO is a great album. Really good music. It made no impact at all that I know of. A real shame. It deserved some praise. It's instances like this that I realize how damaging the fall of radio has been. If radio were still around, and they bothered to play things like Ball and Chain, I think certain songs and bands could still find relevance.
You make it sound like their first album contains My Generation and a bunch of R&B covers, ignoring the nifty concise succinctly simply put other Townsend compositions. May be partially because I was there at the time, but I have a well worn attraction to those.
From Melbourne, Australia. First concert of my life, Paul Jones (ex Manfred Mann), Small Faces (Ichikoo Park time, Steve Marriott) followed by The Who. Not bad, eh?
Did not know the info about Armenia and Speedy Keen. Very interesting. I knew Townshend produced and played bass on Thunderclap...in fact on the long solo on Accidents I think, you can hear Townshend yell something urging another solo in the background
The Who Sell Out is my No.1. Your right on with everything as far as I can see! 😆 Sell Out is loaded with melody! I was really impressed with the songwriting. I was 18 when it first came out. . Good stuff Massy!
Depends upon which Live at Leeds version is uswed. The LP had two wastes of time - Bus and "My Generation Blues", but the other side was four for four. I'd have it at #5, after Who's Next, Who Sell Out, Tommy and My Generation. But the CD expansion with the stage patter and such delights as Can't Explain, Tattoo, and Heaven and Hell might make it to #2. Who's Next is one of the best albums ever recorded.
