Product Description

While both THE WHO SELL OUT and TOMMY have their passionatedevotees, WHO'S NEXT is the Who's masterpiece. Originally, Pete Townshend intended these songs for an even larger-scaleproject than TOMMY, a massive multimedia extravaganza, called LIFEHOUSE, that the songwriter eventually abandoned. Townshend was initially keen to keep at least the basic structure of the story for the Who's next record, but associate producer Glyn Johns convinced him that a straightforward single disc of the project's best songs would make a stronger album. Wise counsel indeed, because WHO'S NEXT is by far the group's most focused and powerful effort.
Bracketed by "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again", two classic rock epics that did more to advance the cause of synthesizers in mainstream rock than Kraftwerk's entire career, this album is basically flawless, ranging in mood from the heartbreaking "The Song Is Over" to John Entwistle's bitterly funny "My Wife". Although nearly every song on the record, barring only thebluesy acoustic interlude "Love Ain't for Keeping", is a saturation-level FM-rock-radio mainstay, WHO'S NEXT is that rarity--an intimately familiar album that never gets tiresome.

Track Listing

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
10. Pure And Easy
11. Baby Don't You Do It - Leslie West, The Who
12. Naked Eye
13. Water
14. Too Much Of Anything - Nicky Hopkins, The Who
15. I Don't Even Know Myself
16. Behind blue eyes

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #159 in Music
• Released on: 1999-12-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 78 minutes

From Amazon.com
A mix of old favorites and buried treasures makes this edition of Who's Next a definite must. One of the defining albums of 70s hard rock from one of the 60s most successful bands, the original album includes some of The Who's best-known work, such as the anthemic "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again", the by turns sorrowful and angry "Behind Blue Eyes", and perennial favorite "My Wife". The new tracks on this album are equally worth hearing, including "Pure and Easy" (an alternate edition of which is available on Odds & Sods) and the original version of "Behind Blue Eyes". A hard rock classic, Who's Next is required listening for rock fans of all ages. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

If only all music was this good!
This is without a doubt the best album The Who ever recorded. Every track is a masterpiece, and with the bonus tracks makes this an essential cd to own for every Who fan. Don't forget to turn up the volume as the louder it is the better it sounds!

Simply an awesome album
Pete Townshend is a genius.

I'm a recent convert to The Who. Yes I knew of their iconic tracks, such as 'My Generation', but I didn't feel the need to regularly listen to and therefore own any of these.

'Who's Next', however, is a truly monumental album and goes straight into my all time top 10 albums (if not the top 5). It's a journey through Pete Townshend's creative consciousness - and what a journey. I have and will listen to this over and over again, it's that satisfying.

If you're looking to own any one album by The Who, I recommend this one.

Happy listening.

What's Next?
The Who's zenith, and probably still unsurpassed for rock musicianship, cohesion, total sound, and explosive creativity by all four musicians. And Pete Townsend singing his patented lyrical interludes in so many of the songs, bookended by Roger Daltry's raw, gut-wrenching vocals. (Are these interludes something completely unique in Rock 'n Roll? I can't think of any other band that used the technique. In any case, they are are showcase for Townsend's amazing musicality that was equalled by few others, maybe only McCartney from that era). Plus we hear the entire, amazing, and deeply spiritual "Pure and Easy", which is only quoted at the end of "The Song is Over", both in studio and live. Pete's guitar is on fire in "Best I Ever Had", and the album would be classic if it it only had any one of "Baba O'Riley", "Won't Get Fooled Again", and "Behind Blue Eyes." This one had all, and then some. The album was and still is the soundtrack of its time for many of us old timers.

Has there since been a better Rock album? I can't think of one.

Do pop musicians still create at this level? I'm not hearing it.

What's Next? If it's anything like Who's Next, I can't wait to hear it.