1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: 221. The Who – Who’s Next (1971)

 

As with the Funkadelic album last time, this one is bookended by longer tracks, and also by arguably two of The Who’s most enduring compositions. Baba O’Riley (aka Teenage Wasteland) opens the album, and it’s been used so much in popular culture, especially that iconic opening synth riff, that it’s almost become a parody of itself. But it’s a glorious track, moving from what was originally intended by Pete Townshend to be the vital signs of his guru Meher Baba run through a Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ, through the rockier middle section, to the spiralling gypsy violin crescendo, it goes all over the landacape and gets away with it. 

At the other end, the track that confused George W Bush, Won’t Get Fooled Again, is more straightforward, but tells the cautionary tale (like Animal Farm and Hunger Games) that getting rid of “the old boss” doesn’t always lead to pastures greener. It's also the source of the scream stinger used in the CSI programs.

In between are some of The Who’s more solid and complex tracks, especially The Song Is Over and the lush and wistful harmonies of Behind Blue Eyes. Townshend and Daltrey have really shown growth as songwriters on this album; even compared to the precision complexities of Tommy, the tracks on here are mature and smart. For me this is probably the best Who album so far, certainly one I’d come back to.