9) The Who: Who's Next

The Who had struck gold when they created “Who’s Next.” When I first listened to it I wondered if it was a greatest hits album, and it really has that feel. “Who’s Next” contains hit after hit and although it wasn’t a concept album like “Tommy” it easily surpassed it musically. The album opens up with the definitive rock anthem “Baba O’Reilly” and does not let up one bit from there. The album displays The Who’s amazing versatility along with their musical maturity. Following “Baba O’Reilly” is the excellent and upbeat “Bargain.” The album slows down a bit from the hard rock of the first two tracks with classics like “Love Ain’t For Keeping,” “My Wife,” and one of my person favorites the emotionally charged “Getting In Tune.” The album goes back onto the more upbeat mood that it displayed in the beginning with another The Who classic in “Going Mobile.” The album closes with two of the best songs The Who has ever written, “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” “Behind Blue Eyes” best showcases The Who’s versatility with the slow ballad like intro then turning into a heavy rocker, not only is this song one of their best musically but it also shows the great lyrics at their height. The final song “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” clocks in over eight minutes but yet it still receives heavy radio play and rightfully so. It’s a classic song that completes the album making it go in what feels like a cycle, the heavy beginning the ballad like middle and the heavy end. The Who certainly has some of the most unique and talented individuals in the world. The fantastic individual talents and personalities of the band came together perfectly to create a masterpiece which will always be regarded as one of the best albums of all time regardless of whose list it is. On an interesting note this album was supposed to be a sci-fi overly elaborate rock opera called “Lifehouse.” It is a good thing that creation was abandoned because in return the world received “Who’s Next.”

1. Baba O'Riley
2. Bargain
3. Love Ain't For Keeping
4. My Wife
5. The Song Is Over
6. Getting In Tune
7. Going Mobile
8. Behind Blue Eyes
9. Won't Get Fooled Again