summer album of the week 07/11/09
the who: who's next (released july 1971)
Cut between two rock epics - Tommy and Quadrophenia - Who’s Next was pulled from the wreckage of a third (Lifehouse) and transformed The Who from a ‘60s mod pop troupe to a worldly rock enterprise. Leading the charge was a My Generation anthem for a new generation, Won’t Get Fooled Again. Its finale lyric became one of the most sobering social verses of its day (”Meet the new boss; same as the old boss”). Baba O’Riley with its “teenage wasteland’ chorus and the savage introspection of Behind Blue Eyes made Who’s Next a staple on rock radio. Baba O’Riley and Won’t Get Fooled Again live on today as themes to two CSI series. But the neglected Pete Townshend gems The Song is Over and Getting in Tune underscore the emancipating drive of The Who’s finest hour.
I am a native Kentuckian and freelance journalist who has been writing about contemporary music for the Lexington Herald-Leader since 1980. I have not a lick of honest musical talent myself, just a pair of appreciative ears for jazz, folk, blues, bluegrass, Americana, soul, Celtic, Cajun, chamber, worldbeat, nearly every form of rock 'n' roll imaginable and, when pressed, the occasional tango and polka.