Your analysis is excellent in every way. In less than a half hour you said more than most people would in two hours. It's good to see By Numbers get some love. It IS a really good record. Quadrophenia would be my number one. However, Who's Next is their definitive album. It's the right choice for the top spot. Thank you, I really enjoyed this clip.
It's a toss up between Who's Next and Quadrophenia for me... Which one I regard as my absolute favourite varies from day to day, depending on my mood. I think I lean slightly more towards Who's Next, if only because it contains several of the tracks that got me hooked on the band in the first place.
My then boyfriend got us to skip lectures at Portsmouth Poly to be in the Pinball Wizard scene of Tommy. .We got fed, got to sing/ shout ‘How do you think he does it?’ And got tickets to a special Who concert at the Guildhall. Did you know that the person who gives Ann-Margaret the news at the start is a woman
Great run down. Thanks. I like the first Who’s Next expanded edition that included some more Lifehouse tunes including my favourite all time Who tune: Naked Eye. The greatest live band in the world!! Cheers😊
I'm a Who fanatic that's new to your channel. I was expecting to dismiss your analysis and get all defensive over your ridiculous opinions. Nup. Didn't happen. All very fair, informative, beautifully said in fact. I found myself nodding along to almost all of it - I'd place Quadrophenia higher than Tommy, though the battle for first place between Quad and Who's Next....I simply don't feel strongly either way. They both play on repeat inside my head and I'm just happy that they both exist.
Superb video; excellent justification of your choices. While my favorite Who album is Sell Out, I wouldn't change its ranking. And it's deluxe release is one of the few times that the bonus tracks actually enhance the original release. I understand your ranking videos apply only to studio albums, but with the Who I might argue that Live at Leeds and Odds and Sodds should be included. Live at Leeds, unlike most other live albums, is an essential album in the Who's history. And Odds & Sodds has so many outstanding "fugitive" tracks available nowhere else (at the time). I've always been intrigued by how unprolific the Who were. I think only Simon & Garfunkel, among major Sixties acts, were less prolific. But, damn, their quality is superb, at least for the albums released by the original line up.
_Who's Next,_ a deserved winner. It sounds like it was made last week. The production was off the scale. Can't believe it's 50 years old! Another great list, dude.
Awesome review, only decision I don’t agree with is putting Face Dances in last place. Though I do kinda get it. I’d personally put Endless Wire or It’s Hard in last place. Quadrophenia would be my pick for best album but I totally can agree with Who’s Next as well! Wonderful review man, keep it up!
While the medley of "My Generation" & "Land of Hope and Glory" was recorded in 1966, it was released for the first time on a 1990's expanded CD edition of "A Quick One"
Have three Who albums and they are these 'top three'. Currently having a Who re-appreciation phase. Fantastic lowdowns & analyses. So timely! Thank you.
Loved this! Totally agree. Who's Next is not just my top Who album but also easily in my top 5 albums of all time. Bargain is the absolute best. I agree with the ranking for the most part although I do have a soft spot for Who Are You. Thanks for this 🙂
As a long time Who freak, your order of the albums is almost exactly the same as mine, except perhaps the top 4, which are all so exceptional my #1 can be any one of them on a given day, usually the one I'm listening to or have most recently heard. But *Sell Out,* arguably the #1 "deep cuts" album by anyone, tends to usually occupy my top spot, for the songs, so many absolute gems, and being the most *fun* of any Who album, though it's great to see them bringing that fun back as they carry on.
The first LP I ever bought, as a teenager in 1971, was Who's Next. I still have it. Has there ever been a more dramatic and powerful finish to a song, than the conclusion of Won't Get Fooled Again? The slow build up of tension from the simple synth chords, Moon's rolling and thunderous drums, Daltrey's scream and Townshend's crashing guitar chords. Then the manic race to the finish with the energy and despair in the vocals, the power of the bass and drums underlying the final chords from Townshend. I have been fortunate to see it live twice, when they have played in Sydney in 2003 and 2009 and it is unforgettable. Having said that, I still regard Quadrophenia as their masterpiece. I agree it is a much more coherent and relatable story than Tommy and definitely in my top five, if not top three albums. I also have the original LP with the photo booklet and I'll never let it go. The growth and maturity displayed in the few short years from Tommy to Who's Next and then Quadrophenia is astonishing. There isn't a dud song on the the double album, but the fourth side is unsurpassed. It is a truly magnificent collection of songs with the rage of Dr Jimmy, the beauty and atmosphere in The Rock and as you say, the sublime Love Reign O'er Me. There has rarely been a better side of an LP than side four of Quadrophenia. A great review of the career of one of my favourite bands. Thank you.
For me the period from Live at Leeds,..Tommy,....Who's Next,.......Quadrophenia,........, and Who By Numbers was an amazing 6-year run. One can debate this,..or that, but(to me) these 5 albums define The Who.
That's a complcation of leftovers. So, it doesn't really get counted as an official studio release. I like it, tho! : ) Remember buying at a local drug store in a 99C bin :)
I sort of half-agree on Face Dances. The songwriting on FD is stronger than it is on It's Hard or Who Are You, both of which have good/great songs on them. "Another Tricky Day" and "You Better You Bet" are more sophisticated and composed better, More mature. I think it was a good start off to the 80's for The Who. I think Kenney Jones gets unfair treatment, he was filling in a huge void left by Keith Moon. I think maybe they should have gotten a "harder" drummer - NOT a Keith Moon clone, but someone who has his own style but someone who is more aggressive drumming - wise (Ginger Baker Perhaps?). In any event: Respect to Kenney Jones. I would have rated Face Dances Higher IMHO.
Ansley Dunbar would have been good, I think he was wasted in Jefferson Starship and I say that as someone who likes a fair amount of that group's output.
@@ChromeDestiny Yeah, I agree. JS had good music but it didn't lean towards virtuoso - type musicianship Like The Who. Carmine Appice would be a good choice as well (I think he was still with Rod Stewart at the time). Still: Respect to Kenney Jones.
A couple comments: Jeff Beck smashing 'his' guitar (it was a cheap import used for the filming) in Blowup was part of the script, not anger at his amp, as the movie suggests. Film maker Antonioni originally wanted the Who for the purpose of a smash-up. When Who manager Chris Stamp asked the Yardbirds' manager Simon Napier-Bell how much he should ask for a fee, the response was £10,000, a ridiculously high sum, which Napier-Bell knew would be rejected, thus creating the opportunity for him to offer the Yardbirds at a substantially lesser fee. Your mention about Moon's playing being unhinged on 'Who's Next' is a reminder that the reality was artful deception. Moon was in fact under strict orders from producer Glyn Johns to ply better time and groove versus go crazy. As a result Moon, who apparently struggled with the directive, was able to establish a greater contrast within his reange of playing, simply because when he did go crazy it was now more notably explosive than when he was constatly riffing throughout the song. 'Won't Get Fooled Again' is a fine example. Along with the Yardbirds, the Who were key progenitors of progressing pop beyond its mid 60s clichés, with the bombast of 'Anyway Anyhow Anywhere' serving notice well before the Yardbirds shook matters up with 'Shapes of Things' and 'Over Under Sideways Down', the Byrds gave us 'Eight Miles High', the Beatles released 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and Hendrix hit us with 'Purple Haze'. Indeed, the Who - who were also responsible for the creation of the Marshall Stack and high-wattage Marshall amps - were arguably the ones who transformed pop into power pop and then very quickly into rock. If you've not already done one, a ranking of albums by the Move - or possibly just an overview as there were only four plus the killer EP 'Something Else' - would be interesting. ELO fans unaware of the connection would likely find it to be a great reveal.
I totally agree with your top 3 (I prefer a bit more Tommy to Quadrophenia but both albums are great and milestones). What surprises me was your "worst" album choice - Face Dances. I see it as Who's new wave album with some really strong songs. It's easily in my top 5-6 albums. But - we all hear things different 😎
I included it at the bottom of my top four Who albums and the following spots of 5,6,7 are all interchangeable. But Who Are You is strong from start to finish.
I've long argued that "Tommy", "Who's Next", and "Quadrophenia": are one of the truly great three-album runs in rock history, right up there with "Beggars Banquet", "Let it Bleed", and Sticky Fingers". I might quibble with the relative placement of some of the middling albums, but big picture I have no problems with this listing. I do have a soft spot in my heart for "Who Are You", because it was released just as I was finishing school and embarking on a career, because it expressed where I was at the time and the title cut was all over the radio at the time.
Nice breakdown ! Let's face it, The Who were never quite the same without legendary Moon. And then when Entwhistle died, the TWO should have called it a day. My top 6 6. Who Are You. 5. Who By Numbers. 4. Who Sell Out. 3. Tommy 2. Quadrophenia. ! WHO'S NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arguably the greatest rock album in history.. I was luicky to attend the show at the Cow Palace when Keith pased out and kid from Iowa was chosen to play in his place. I llstened to Endless Wire. once.
Pretty fair review - thank you! In the Who's Next section I think you describe Moon as being 'unleashed' and 'manic' I think the genius of Moon was that he could seem wild in his playing, yet remain controlled and sensitive at the same time, particularly on Quadrophenia. Thanks again.
Long before the wall there was Tommy, pure genius. I actually have to make space to listen to Tommy, has to be the entire album and undistracted or it doesn't work, who's next is tied for my #1, depends on mood and what I'm doing at the time. Doesn't seem like the who gets the props they should, seems like they get stuck in the 2nd tier when obviously they are top shelf all the way. They got stuck between stones/Beatles and zep/sabbath, maybe its best they stood on their own. Great vid as always, thanks
I don’t think The Wall and Tommy are linked other than the fact they’re Rock Operas, because they are very different and Roger Waters definitely makes the genre his own.
@Brunkino for sure, no disagreement here. I only mentioned the wall because it seems to overshadow all the other concept albums and maybe it should but they are definitely linked in the story line. Children of war, father loss, poor mothers, both become cult figures ect.
The biggest Who fan I know always tells me Quadrophenia is the best. Who’s Next will always be #1 with me. A magic moment, a near perfect album. There are maybe 10 or so albums that I hold in this same regard. Who’s Next, Ziggy Stardust, Blonde On Blonde, Boston, Exile on Main St, and a few others. The Who’s masterpiece imo. ✨
1. Who by numbers 2. Who’s next 3. Who are you 4. Tommy 5. Quadrophenia 6. My generation 7. Who sell out 8. A quick one 9. Face dances 10. Who 11. It’s hard 12. Endless wire
Excellent appraisal. I agree entirely with the ranking. As others have said too, it's great to hear praises being sung for the wonderful 'by Numbers' album, which, while not their greatest work, is surely their most coherent (and undervalued).
You're ranking is similar to mine. I saw The Who in Toronto '82. They've always been one of my favorite rock 'n roll bands. Thanks to my older brother for turning me on to their music. Cheers!
Definitely, Who's Next. After that, it changes a lot. Right now I'd put Who By Numbers at 2, and Quadrophenia 3. I would put Face Dances a few places higher than you did.
Trouble is "Live at Leeds" is in the top 5 of all albums of all time. I haven't heard the recording of the Hull gig which apparently exceeds. "Young Man Blues" on "Live at Leeds" is arguably the best rock track ever perhaps with "I can see for miles" as a close second. No Moon? No Who. No Entwistle? No Who.
I agree w/your analysis for the most part. Your work reminded me of how great The Who is and how creative they were....going to listen to Quadrophenia (sublime bass on this album) and enjoy it as always. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.
There's a few albums here I haven't got around to buying yet, but you've inspired me to have a listen. I agree with the Top Three. All of them are magnificent. And I also agree with you that I Can See For Miles is the best single they ever put out. In my all time top 10 of records ever without a doubt. Good work.
My number 1 album is Tommy as it was the first album of The Who that I listened to and started a life long appreciation of the band. 2nd would be Quadrophenia it is such a rich, lush musical journey that engages you from the first drop of the needle. Then Who’s Next, Who are you, Sell Out, My Gen and numbers, and the rest in no particular order.
Thanks for all the work you put into that Barry and you judged it perfectly. Wouldn't argue with any of that. Lovely picture of Keith again too - what an expressive look on his face. Wonder what he was thinking ?
Great video. Who's Next would probably be my favourite Who album as well. Tommy and Quadrophenia would be number 2 and 3 I guess...although I also really like The Who Sell Out and The Who By Numbers...anyway, between 1965 and 1978 they could almost do no wrong. Live At Leeds is a fantastic live album if there ever was one.
@@klausrain111 I’ll take your somewhat camp response as a voice of descent, so I’ll explain… I listened to the film soundtrack prior the original album. Obviously, the production of the original was far more restrained. I didn’t much like that at the time.
Your Top 5 is the same as my Top 5. I haven't thought about the other 7 albums nearly as much so I'll take your word for it with regard to the ranking. 🙂 "Quadrophenia" always amazes me, especially Keith's "lead drums" (read like "lead guitar"). Good video. Well done. A+
Great review, and spot on for me with the top 3. I still listen to Quadrophenia and Who’s Next. For me, the high point of both is The Rock into Love Reign o’er Me - utter perfection 🎉🎉
Great episode….I had Who By Numbers in high school and never really got it until recently….great album! There latest is also a solid collection of tunes …..thanks for all your great posts! The Who , one of many great British bands!
Excellent video, for once, I'd probably totally agree. Who's Next is just a sublime album, easily in my top ten favourite albums, every time I listen to it, I fall in love with it a little more.
After the death of Keith Moon the band was never the same and they never surpassed the period when he was behind the drums. But my favourite song of that later period is It's Hard. It is marred only by Kenny Jones' lacklustre drumming, but the lyrics are among Pete's best, as well as Roger's vocals. Quadrophenia remains my all-time favourite of their albums. It is among those albums that there is not a bad track. In comparison to Tommy it has a stronger narrative structure. Everyone, in my opinion, were at their creative best. I envy anyone who had the opportunity to see this live when Moonie was still alive. It must have been amazing.
I think one the interesting aspects of their recording career is that every album is different, in style, theme, and musicianship. For example, Pete's guitar playing and sound changes from album to album (compare Quad and By Numbers on this point). So, I actually don't think there is a single "Who sound" on record, compared to say the Stones, all of whose albums sound like "The Stones." This was a great video--thanks!
Glad I got to see The Who in concert, this year. Actually heard a few songs I didn't know! Surround/immersive versions of Tommy and Quadrophenia are worth tracking down. And Who's Next, mixed in Atmos by Steven Wilson is scheduled for release next year! Thanks for this ranking. I'm unfamiliar with at least 1/2 The Who albums.
I love The Who and could not agree more with the final two, your description of the Lifehouse project and Petes prophesying pretty much describes what our government, using covid, did to us in NZ for quite some time. Many thanks for your fantastic work on this channel
Hmmm. The Who. A band that always raises more questions than it answers. One of the best, if not THE best British singles band of the 60's, Who's Next aside, they've never really managed to make a studio album I give a damn about. A few points, IMO of course: Faces Dances might be a bit better than you give it credit for - but that might be because it has a great single at it's centre. Pete Townshend's singing voice is bloody annoying. Even having made Who's Next, they couldn't be bothered giving it a decent album cover. Surely you were joking about Squeeze Box? The great song on Numbers is Slip Kid - it's Won't Get Fooled again in less than half the time! The good thing about what you've done here is taken the time to dwell on the small points, which had you not would have made this a mere recitation of the obvious
I agree. Empty Glass is a substantially better album than Face Dances. I remember a quote by Daltrey around that time. He complained that Pete was saving his best songs for his solo albums. I definitely thought that Roger was right.
@@phillipanderson7398 And I Moved, Gonna Get You Anyway, Jools and Jim among others. All the Best Cowboys... was a great album too. The songs were really personal statements from Pete. After Keith Moon died, I think Pete realized that an era was over. It was never going to be the same, even though The Who continued to exist. His solo career became his first musical priority.
They actually had some good material ready for Face Dances, the bonus tracks on some of the reissues bare this out but they chose a producer who was a bad fit for the band and some of the bad decisions the band themselves made as far as material and a replacement for Keith Moon did not help.
My 10 favorite songs by The Who 10. Eminence Front 9. Bargain 8. I Can See For Miles 7. Were Not Gonna Take It 6. Baba O Riley 5. Who Are You 4. Love Reign O'er Me 3. Pinball Wizard 2. Behind Blue Eyes 1. Won't Get Fooled Again
An excellent presentation and argument for the finest of the Who. I have little dispute with your top 3 and find that Who's Next is still an unparalleled achievement esp. for that time (but honestly, any time) where all cylinders were hitting flawlessly. By Numbers has earned much personal respect, where I love all the songs and it may be the album I listen too most often. I may have been tempted to elevate it but will not argue the point. Quadrophenia is still amazing and exhausting to hear and I reference it (or parts thereof) often. It is a simply stellar journey taken in its entirety. For me, that is not so with Tommy and that has always been the case. I just never bought into the theme or offerings contained therein and would be hard-pressed to hum more than two or three tracks from Tommy beyond the obvious. Admittedly and perhaps with some guilt, I lost interest in their works after Keith's passing and found little inspiration there although each effort featured a highlight or two for me (the title track, Athena and Eminence Front still stand out). Thank you for quoting from Roger's autobiography regarding these works, as I would agree with Roger's assessment of them although I do understand how they may have been necessarily cathartic for the entire band. Well done.
Imo whos next is their best album. Its 1 of the greatest albums of all time infact. I have every who album, admittedly some our better than others. However, i have to say, Endless wire is a better album than its given credit for. Some epic tracks on it. Great review btw.
Personally, I would rank Who Are You much higher, and even slide Who By Numbers up a notch. No problem with your 1 and 2 selection. Always a good discussion involving The Who. Maximum R&B, and no flim-flam.
For me, Who by Numbers is second, behind Who's Next. In that album they got back to what they do best - catchy, rocky singles, and exquisite ballads. I'd rather listen to two sides of Who's Next, than one of Tommy or Quadraphenia. Bloated. "Rock opera" rarely, rarely worked IMO. Can't think of one which did.
I rate Who Are You much higher. Maybe it was time and place, I was 22 at the time and my fire for rock and roll rebellion was white hot. Except, I didn't much care for punk. A friend of mine said that he and I couldn't play punk music because we knew more than 3 chords. And, disco did very much suck. My favorite Who album is Quadrophenia. It's a Mods blues album. Brilliant!
All reasonable choices, eloquently explained as always. I think Sell Out should make the top three, however. It actually sounds more contemporary, and was likely more influential (along with their debut), than their more commercially successful 70s output.
Great video, always loved the Who without quite digging too deep; that's being rectified these past few years though, I'm getting all the albums on vinyl, only a few to go. Probably Quad just about tops my list, and I love Face Dances' RSD release from 2021. Cheers!
I would suggest to accept the compilation "Magic Bus The Who On Tour" from 1968 as a regular The Who album, as well as their in my opinion astonishing rarities record "Odds and Sods" from 1974.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the bonus tracks on Who's Next. Like A Passion Play/Chateau D'Isaster, the material from the aborted Lifehouse project is absolutely stunning and works surprisingly well. Songs like Naked Eye, Pure and Easy, and Water eclipse even some of their later released material.
great video! For me, Quadrophenia is their greatest work. Tried listening to "The Who Sell Out" album the other day, and just couldnt get into it. Will have to give it another try
I think I agree and have very little to add except that It's Hard may rock harder but, Faces Dances is the better of the two. My two cents. It's hard to explain ("Can't Explain") but Tommy is the story of my life. Parents had big issues and I was told not to speak of any of it to pastor or at school. A teacher took me aside in Junior Year spring 1969 (Tommy's release date) and asked what was causing my caustic and disruptive behavior. I spilled my guts and watched his face go limp. Long story short, school psychologist was called in and my father, a leading surgeon in town, stated quite clearly: "No one is going to tell me what to do." A WWII Veteran and physician and guess what: in 1969 no one could tell him what to do. He wasn't really breaking any laws. I met a woman who, when I say, "saved my life", that is not an exaggeration, and I dove head long into concerts at Fillmore East and psychedelics. Those three things saved me. And Tommy. And The Who performing it live a day after its release.
The great thing about the Who is they were able to imbue comedy elements into many of their albums without them becoming trite or throwaway - this is best highlighted by Sell Out which is my go to Who album these days despite being musically inferior to Quad, Tommy, Who’s Next and even the original 6 tack version of live at Leeds
You have to admit though that although The Who released some wonderful albums, they were nevertheless a B rated band with competent musicians without being elite. You can only get away with mediocrity for so long before being exposed by the public and your fan base. It happened to Boy George and Bananarama (not to mention the The Knack)
At high school I did a music class project on the Woodstock festival and the Who were on the movie of said festival. One word sums up their set: BLAMMO!
I liked "live at Leeds" and 😂 "wire and glass" although clearly I prefer their 1973 classic. Tommy is a masterpiece as is Whos next. Let's face it, they're the best rock band ever. 20:45
The Who was a key part of my youth. I discovered Quadrophenia when I was 12 and my parents were going through a divorce. I played it over and over and at the age of 12 I found the first record that hit me spiritually. I later discovered Who's Next and Tommy. These three albums were my core Who influences though I did go on to discover and love both their early material (love Magic Bus!) everything onward. I really liked Face Dances though I admit some of the songs missed the mark. I grew to appreciate By The Numbers later in life, the album really is a bit sophisticated. The Who's Missing albums were great too.
My favorite Time is 1972 - 1979 : 1. Who by Numbers 1975 2. Quadrophenia 1973 3. Who are You 1978 4. Who‘s Next 1971 5. Face Dances 1981 My Top 5 of The Who‘s Albums From the other Albums I like only just a few Tracks ! I would prefer the Album „The Kids are Alright“ (from theFilm Documentary) or Townshends Solo Album „empty Glass“ or The Who“rarities 1970-1973“ with Single releases & B- Sides Album (Vol. 2) with some of the Best Songs „The Relay ; Let’s see Action or Join Together……“
I was not aware of the Lighthouse project. It sounds great. Arthur C.Clark explored the concept of the perfect sound, in his Tales From The White Heart. Maybe not a note, but a mantra of sound. Why does, Tomorrow Never Knows come to mind? I happen to like some of the later albums, I totally liked Face Dances, great humable upbeat tunes. You Better You Bet is a classic. I would also rank Who Are You higher. My list might look something like this 1 Quadrophenia 2 Who's Next 3 Tommy 4 Who Sell Out 5 Face Dancers 6 Who Are You 7 My Generation 8 By Numbers Not that familiar with the rest, like Live at Leads. Like Townshend's solo work, All the Best Cowboys is brilliant. ..White City. His hidden gem "Now and Then". ,
Who Sell Out (the 1995 cd version or the more recent deluxe version) is my personal fave. The pirate radio theme works very well -some of the jingles are highlights and a reprise of 'Mary Anne with the Shaky Hands' mimics radio playlist procedure. Also, with the possible exception of Who's Next, I don't think the songwriting was ever better. Great gems on this one like: Glow Girl, Glittering Girl, Jaguar, Early Morning Cold Taxi, Melancholia, Sunrise, Our Love Was, and Rael.
My favorite also. I am baffled by how Melancholia and Glittering Girl did not make the cut for the original album. Those have become two of my all time favorite Who songs.
@@jeffwilson6297 To the best of my knowledge, Melancholia was recorded later. What puzzles me most is that their stop-gap LPs between Sell out and Tommy (Magic Bus in the US and Direct Hits in the UK) had repeat songs from prior LPs when they had so much other *great* material that had not been on prior albums.
I'm with you. "Our Love Was" is the Who song I keep coming back to the most. In fact, if I were to name my top 20 Who tunes, probably half of Sell Out would be among them.
My top choices 1 Who's Next 2 The Who By Numbers 3 Quadrophenia All these are 10/10 albums 4 The Who Sell Out 9.5 5 Tommy 9 Plus Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy and The Who Live At Leeds, also both 10/10 albums. I'm much less committed to their other studio albums and none would make my top 500 albums list. A couple of their other live albums probably would.
I agree with who's next as my #1. I always thought that bringing in kenny jones as their drummer was a mistake. Not that he was a bad drummer, it's just not a good fit. I thought they should have brought in mitch mitchell, he would have added the power and unpredictability their songs needed.
Enjoy your albums ranking. Im from Sri Lanka. Can you do a Neil Diamond album ranking. I love his voice and style of singing. Got almost 30 albums vinyl records of his
Single song wise, I vote for Can't Explain! And I was even going to college in England in '67-'68 and I loved I Can See for Miles that year. (That's also the year I discovered The Move, one of my all-time favorite bands).
Hey, well thought out ranking My #1 is Quadrophenia I love the musical creativity & musician ship it took to create this album & see it though, they struggled as a band to make great albums after this ,there are moments ….2nd is Who’s Next & would be my #1 if had stayed the “Lifehouse” project …Pete who was at a creative peak ,was talked out of it due to pressure from the record company and the band not understanding the story line and being another double album… then the album was carved down to a point where the story did not make sense ….Pete suffered a nervous breakdown during this time , and self medication as well. Disappointing part is all the songs that were left off , and scattered later on compilations & greatest hits packages Left off were these great songs at the very least , there are more according to Pete.🎸 Pure & easy, naked eye, join together, the relay, let’s see action ,water,I don’t even know myself,& too much of anything . IMHO
Funny how most consider Tommy (and their sound going forward) to be the iconic Who, but their early pop sound certainly has its fans! I personally don’t care much for Sell Out but I love both MBaB and Odds & Sods which both feature songs from Sell Out funnily enough!
I was glad to see Quadrophenia rated as high as it is. It is a truly great album in every way. One of the best ever in fact in my view. Townsend really gets to the heart of that angst that informs so much of the lives of the youth of the Western world. Pete’s voice is also perfect for expressing that particular feeling.
Was Lifehouse totally abandonded, maybe as an album it was, but I remember listening to the belatedly completed Rock Opera on Radio 2 sometime during the 90's or 2000's.
I'll be honest here.....I only listen to the 5 middle albums from The Who. I've heard them all and own everything up to "It's Hard" but the others simply haven't interested me in decades. So I'll rank those 5, which range from "really good" to "all-time great". 5. Who By Numbers 4. Tommy 3. Who Are You 2. Who's Next 1. Quadrophenia Live at Leeds and The Kids are Alright are also on my extended playlist, but being live albums I didn't include them on this list. Thanks, Barry.
It's funny, even though The Who are one of my favourite bands when I listen to them it's nearly always one of their live albums (mainly Live At Leeds). The studio stuff just doesn't really have that sizzle and crunch that they had when playing live. I'm only ranking the first six albums as I haven't really listened to much past Quadrophenia. 1. Quadrophenia (where everything comes together) 2. My Generation (I love the early proto-punkish stuff) 3. Who's Next (a lot of great songs here) 4. The Who Sell Out (an interesting mix of things on this one) 5. Tommy (I love this when they play it live, but the studio album is a bit too tame for me) 6. A Quick One (some good tracks, but getting everyone to try to write songs produced very mixed results)
Your analysis is excellent in every way. In less than a half hour you said more than most people would in two hours. It's good to see By Numbers get some love. It IS a really good record. Quadrophenia would be my number one. However, Who's Next is their definitive album. It's the right choice for the top spot.
Thank you, I really enjoyed this clip.
Who by numbers is a overlooked album shame about the crapy cover
It's a toss up between Who's Next and Quadrophenia for me... Which one I regard as my absolute favourite varies from day to day, depending on my mood. I think I lean slightly more towards Who's Next, if only because it contains several of the tracks that got me hooked on the band in the first place.
@@briancox8518 Love the cover drawn by the great John Entwhistle. In fact, I bought a shirt with the cover
AGREED
My then boyfriend got us to skip lectures at Portsmouth Poly to be in the Pinball Wizard scene of Tommy. .We got fed, got to sing/ shout ‘How do you think he does it?’ And got tickets to a special Who concert at the Guildhall. Did you know that the person who gives Ann-Margaret the news at the start is a woman
Glad to see some love for By Numbers. It's raw, breezy, less controlled and claustrophobic than most Who.
Who's Next is a rock masterpiece that still influences generations! 🤘
Yes
Great run down. Thanks. I like the first Who’s Next expanded edition that included some more Lifehouse tunes including my favourite all time Who tune: Naked Eye. The greatest live band in the world!! Cheers😊
If the rock gods told me I could go back in time and be a member of a band I would pick The Who. To me they were/are the ultimate rock band.
Id join ya
Don't know about the worst but I think Who's Next is their best album! IMO... First heard it on it's release in 1971 and loved it ever since.
I'm a Who fanatic that's new to your channel. I was expecting to dismiss your analysis and get all defensive over your ridiculous opinions. Nup. Didn't happen. All very fair, informative, beautifully said in fact. I found myself nodding along to almost all of it - I'd place Quadrophenia higher than Tommy, though the battle for first place between Quad and Who's Next....I simply don't feel strongly either way. They both play on repeat inside my head and I'm just happy that they both exist.
Superb video; excellent justification of your choices. While my favorite Who album is Sell Out, I wouldn't change its ranking. And it's deluxe release is one of the few times that the bonus tracks actually enhance the original release.
I understand your ranking videos apply only to studio albums, but with the Who I might argue that Live at Leeds and Odds and Sodds should be included. Live at Leeds, unlike most other live albums, is an essential album in the Who's history. And Odds & Sodds has so many outstanding "fugitive" tracks available nowhere else (at the time).
I've always been intrigued by how unprolific the Who were. I think only Simon & Garfunkel, among major Sixties acts, were less prolific. But, damn, their quality is superb, at least for the albums released by the original line up.
_Who's Next,_ a deserved winner.
It sounds like it was made last week. The production was off the scale.
Can't believe it's 50 years old! Another great list, dude.
Awesome review, only decision I don’t agree with is putting Face Dances in last place. Though I do kinda get it. I’d personally put Endless Wire or It’s Hard in last place. Quadrophenia would be my pick for best album but I totally can agree with Who’s Next as well! Wonderful review man, keep it up!
While the medley of "My Generation" & "Land of Hope and Glory" was recorded in 1966, it was released for the first time on a 1990's expanded CD edition of "A Quick One"
Have three Who albums and they are these 'top three'. Currently having a Who re-appreciation phase. Fantastic lowdowns & analyses. So timely! Thank you.
Totally agree with the top 3. Who’s Next is a masterpiece. I also think Bargain is a fantastic song.
Loved this! Totally agree. Who's Next is not just my top Who album but also easily in my top 5 albums of all time. Bargain is the absolute best. I agree with the ranking for the most part although I do have a soft spot for Who Are You. Thanks for this 🙂
As a long time Who freak, your order of the albums is almost exactly the same as mine, except perhaps the top 4, which are all so exceptional my #1 can be any one of them on a given day, usually the one I'm listening to or have most recently heard. But *Sell Out,* arguably the #1 "deep cuts" album by anyone, tends to usually occupy my top spot, for the songs, so many absolute gems, and being the most *fun* of any Who album, though it's great to see them bringing that fun back as they carry on.
The first LP I ever bought, as a teenager in 1971, was Who's Next. I still have it.
Has there ever been a more dramatic and powerful finish to a song, than the conclusion of Won't Get Fooled Again? The slow build up of tension from the simple synth chords, Moon's rolling and thunderous drums, Daltrey's scream and Townshend's crashing guitar chords. Then the manic race to the finish with the energy and despair in the vocals, the power of the bass and drums underlying the final chords from Townshend. I have been fortunate to see it live twice, when they have played in Sydney in 2003 and 2009 and it is unforgettable.
Having said that, I still regard Quadrophenia as their masterpiece. I agree it is a much more coherent and relatable story than Tommy and definitely in my top five, if not top three albums. I also have the original LP with the photo booklet and I'll never let it go.
The growth and maturity displayed in the few short years from Tommy to Who's Next and then Quadrophenia is astonishing. There isn't a dud song on the the double album, but the fourth side is unsurpassed. It is a truly magnificent collection of songs with the rage of Dr Jimmy, the beauty and atmosphere in The Rock and as you say, the sublime Love Reign O'er Me. There has rarely been a better side of an LP than side four of Quadrophenia.
A great review of the career of one of my favourite bands. Thank you.
Love reign o’er me is a more emotional vocal than the scream in won’t get fooled again
@@craighendrickson7938Equally emotional I think, just showing two different emotions.
For me the period from Live at Leeds,..Tommy,....Who's Next,.......Quadrophenia,........, and Who By Numbers was an amazing 6-year run. One can debate this,..or that, but(to me) these 5 albums define The Who.
Excellent point. This IS their time. Live at Leeds! Love The Who by Numbers.
A bit like the Stones and Kinks run at the same time (perhaps Kinks start earlier?).
Who’s Next like Floyd’s DSOTM, and Zep’s IV, are all albums if your a certain age that you can recite in your sleep!
They're all amazing albums. I've listened to all three countless times and yet I never tire of them. Those were the days.
Odds & Sods in its original form [no extra tracks] is freakin’ awesome 🤩
That's a complcation of leftovers. So, it doesn't really get counted as an official studio release.
I like it, tho! : ) Remember buying at a local drug store in a 99C bin :)
Naked Eye is brilliant. Even better if you grab it live on YT.
I sort of half-agree on Face Dances. The songwriting on FD is stronger than it is on It's Hard or Who Are You, both of which have good/great songs on them. "Another Tricky Day" and "You Better You Bet" are more sophisticated and composed better, More mature. I think it was a good start off to the 80's for The Who. I think Kenney Jones gets unfair treatment, he was filling in a huge void left by Keith Moon. I think maybe they should have gotten a "harder" drummer - NOT a Keith Moon clone, but someone who has his own style but someone who is more aggressive drumming - wise (Ginger Baker Perhaps?). In any event: Respect to Kenney Jones. I would have rated Face Dances Higher IMHO.
Ansley Dunbar would have been good, I think he was wasted in Jefferson Starship and I say that as someone who likes a fair amount of that group's output.
@@ChromeDestiny Yeah, I agree. JS had good music but it didn't lean towards virtuoso - type musicianship Like The Who. Carmine Appice would be a good choice as well (I think he was still with Rod Stewart at the time). Still: Respect to Kenney Jones.
A couple comments:
Jeff Beck smashing 'his' guitar (it was a cheap import used for the filming) in Blowup was part of the script, not anger at his amp, as the movie suggests. Film maker Antonioni originally wanted the Who for the purpose of a smash-up. When Who manager Chris Stamp asked the Yardbirds' manager Simon Napier-Bell how much he should ask for a fee, the response was £10,000, a ridiculously high sum, which Napier-Bell knew would be rejected, thus creating the opportunity for him to offer the Yardbirds at a substantially lesser fee.
Your mention about Moon's playing being unhinged on 'Who's Next' is a reminder that the reality was artful deception. Moon was in fact under strict orders from producer Glyn Johns to ply better time and groove versus go crazy. As a result Moon, who apparently struggled with the directive, was able to establish a greater contrast within his reange of playing, simply because when he did go crazy it was now more notably explosive than when he was constatly riffing throughout the song. 'Won't Get Fooled Again' is a fine example.
Along with the Yardbirds, the Who were key progenitors of progressing pop beyond its mid 60s clichés, with the bombast of 'Anyway Anyhow Anywhere' serving notice well before the Yardbirds shook matters up with 'Shapes of Things' and 'Over Under Sideways Down', the Byrds gave us 'Eight Miles High', the Beatles released 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and Hendrix hit us with 'Purple Haze'. Indeed, the Who - who were also responsible for the creation of the Marshall Stack and high-wattage Marshall amps - were arguably the ones who transformed pop into power pop and then very quickly into rock.
If you've not already done one, a ranking of albums by the Move - or possibly just an overview as there were only four plus the killer EP 'Something Else' - would be interesting. ELO fans unaware of the connection would likely find it to be a great reveal.
Chris Stamp was Who manager not his brother Terence
@@williamhorner6080 Right you are, thank you. I should proof prior to posting. Adjustment has been made.
It's Hard and especially Who Are You are fantastic albums in my opinion. Entwistle's compositions especially shine on these two.
I totally agree with your top 3 (I prefer a bit more Tommy to Quadrophenia but both albums are great and milestones). What surprises me was your "worst" album choice - Face Dances. I see it as Who's new wave album with some really strong songs. It's easily in my top 5-6 albums. But - we all hear things different 😎
“Who Are You” should be higher if only for the iconic, legendary title track. One of their greatest achievements.
I included it at the bottom of my top four Who albums and the following spots of 5,6,7 are all interchangeable. But Who Are You is strong from start to finish.
That is a GREAT track.
it's a great album, idk why people dislike it
Who Are You lacks Moon’s energy, but it’s still among my favourites. The songs are all solid.
“Sister Disco” is guilty pleasure song. And “Had Enough” and “905” are good Entwistle songs. I have a soft spot for this album.
I've long argued that "Tommy", "Who's Next", and "Quadrophenia": are one of the truly great three-album runs in rock history, right up there with "Beggars Banquet", "Let it Bleed", and Sticky Fingers". I might quibble with the relative placement of some of the middling albums, but big picture I have no problems with this listing. I do have a soft spot in my heart for "Who Are You", because it was released just as I was finishing school and embarking on a career, because it expressed where I was at the time and the title cut was all over the radio at the time.
Queen I - Queen II - Sheer Heart Attack is an awesome three-album run too!
1.who’s next
2quandrophenia
3 tommy
Kinks Face to face thru Muswell Hillbillies for the win.
The only band ever where the rhythm section of drums and bass dominate
Nice breakdown ! Let's face it, The Who were never quite the same without legendary Moon. And then when Entwhistle died, the TWO should have called it a day. My top 6 6. Who Are You. 5. Who By Numbers. 4. Who Sell Out. 3. Tommy 2. Quadrophenia. ! WHO'S NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arguably the greatest rock album in history.. I was luicky to attend the show at the Cow Palace when Keith pased out and kid from Iowa was chosen to play in his place. I llstened to Endless Wire. once.
Pretty fair review - thank you! In the Who's Next section I think you describe Moon as being 'unleashed' and 'manic' I think the genius of Moon was that he could seem wild in his playing, yet remain controlled and sensitive at the same time, particularly on Quadrophenia. Thanks again.
Long before the wall there was Tommy, pure genius. I actually have to make space to listen to Tommy, has to be the entire album and undistracted or it doesn't work, who's next is tied for my #1, depends on mood and what I'm doing at the time. Doesn't seem like the who gets the props they should, seems like they get stuck in the 2nd tier when obviously they are top shelf all the way. They got stuck between stones/Beatles and zep/sabbath, maybe its best they stood on their own. Great vid as always, thanks
I don’t think The Wall and Tommy are linked other than the fact they’re Rock Operas, because they are very different and Roger Waters definitely makes the genre his own.
@Brunkino for sure, no disagreement here. I only mentioned the wall because it seems to overshadow all the other concept albums and maybe it should but they are definitely linked in the story line. Children of war, father loss, poor mothers, both become cult figures ect.
The biggest Who fan I know always tells me Quadrophenia is the best. Who’s Next will always be #1 with me. A magic moment, a near perfect album. There are maybe 10 or so albums that I hold in this same regard. Who’s Next, Ziggy Stardust, Blonde On Blonde, Boston, Exile on Main St, and a few others. The Who’s masterpiece imo. ✨
Quad is the best. From a who fan for almost 50 years.
I also thought Ziggy Stardust was his best work until I heard the followup - Aladdin Sane.
Tommy I like better than Quadrophenia but both are epic.
@@mikenyny755 👍 Bowie has so many great ones. I still can’t believe he’s gone.
1. Who by numbers
2. Who’s next
3. Who are you
4. Tommy
5. Quadrophenia
6. My generation
7. Who sell out
8. A quick one
9. Face dances
10. Who
11. It’s hard
12. Endless wire
Hadn't been a fan of By Numbers and The Who, but your assessment makes me want to hear them again.
Excellent appraisal. I agree entirely with the ranking. As others have said too, it's great to hear praises being sung for the wonderful 'by Numbers' album, which, while not their greatest work, is surely their most coherent (and undervalued).
You're ranking is similar to mine. I saw The Who in Toronto '82. They've always been one of my favorite rock 'n roll bands. Thanks to my older brother for turning me on to their music. Cheers!
Cool!
Definitely, Who's Next.
After that, it changes a lot. Right now I'd put Who By Numbers at 2, and Quadrophenia 3. I would put Face Dances a few places higher than you did.
In addition, my most underrated song is 905.
Trouble is "Live at Leeds" is in the top 5 of all albums of all time. I haven't heard the recording of the Hull gig which apparently exceeds. "Young Man Blues" on "Live at Leeds" is arguably the best rock track ever perhaps with "I can see for miles" as a close second. No Moon? No Who. No Entwistle? No Who.
Also recommended the "BBC Sessions".
I agree w/your analysis for the most part. Your work reminded me of how great The Who is and how creative they were....going to listen to Quadrophenia (sublime bass on this album) and enjoy it as always. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.
There's a few albums here I haven't got around to buying yet, but you've inspired me to have a listen. I agree with the Top Three. All of them are magnificent. And I also agree with you that I Can See For Miles is the best single they ever put out. In my all time top 10 of records ever without a doubt. Good work.
Always enjoyed The Who but mostly just the hits and “Who’s Next”. I guess I should dig deeper into the catalog. Thanks for the breakdown.
Try Tommy and Who Sell Out.
My number 1 album is Tommy as it was the first album of The Who that I listened to and started a life long appreciation of the band. 2nd would be Quadrophenia it is such a rich, lush musical journey that engages you from the first drop of the needle.
Then Who’s Next, Who are you, Sell Out, My Gen and numbers, and the rest in no particular order.
Thanks for all the work you put into that Barry and you judged it perfectly. Wouldn't argue with any of that. Lovely picture of Keith again too - what an expressive look on his face. Wonder what he was thinking ?
Great video. Who's Next would probably be my favourite Who album as well. Tommy and Quadrophenia would be number 2 and 3 I guess...although I also really like The Who Sell Out and The Who By Numbers...anyway, between 1965 and 1978 they could almost do no wrong. Live At Leeds is a fantastic live album if there ever was one.
Excellent, thoughtfully considered ranking. Who's Next is easily one of my 10 favorite albums of all time.
IMO, Tommy is the best by far. I should know I listened to the whole album about 100 times in the first 3 months after it came out in '69.
Don’t shoot me, but I like the film soundtrack… Elton’s vocal and piano completed Pinball Wizard.
@@FatNorthernBigot Oh puh-leeeze!
@@klausrain111 I’ll take your somewhat camp response as a voice of descent, so I’ll explain… I listened to the film soundtrack prior the original album. Obviously, the production of the original was far more restrained. I didn’t much like that at the time.
Your Top 5 is the same as my Top 5. I haven't thought about the other 7 albums nearly as much so I'll take your word for it with regard to the ranking. 🙂 "Quadrophenia" always amazes me, especially Keith's "lead drums" (read like "lead guitar"). Good video. Well done. A+
Great review, and spot on for me with the top 3. I still listen to Quadrophenia and Who’s Next. For me, the high point of both is The Rock into
Love Reign o’er Me - utter perfection 🎉🎉
Great episode….I had Who By Numbers in high school and never really got it until recently….great album! There latest is also a solid collection of tunes …..thanks for all your great posts! The Who , one of many great British bands!
Thanks for listening
Excellent video, for once, I'd probably totally agree. Who's Next is just a sublime album, easily in my top ten favourite albums, every time I listen to it, I fall in love with it a little more.
After the death of Keith Moon the band was never the same and they never surpassed the period when he was behind the drums. But my favourite song of that later period is It's Hard. It is marred only by Kenny Jones' lacklustre drumming, but the lyrics are among Pete's best, as well as Roger's vocals. Quadrophenia remains my all-time favourite of their albums. It is among those albums that there is not a bad track. In comparison to Tommy it has a stronger narrative structure. Everyone, in my opinion, were at their creative best. I envy anyone who had the opportunity to see this live when Moonie was still alive. It must have been amazing.
I think one the interesting aspects of their recording career is that every album is different, in style, theme, and musicianship. For example, Pete's guitar playing and sound changes from album to album (compare Quad and By Numbers on this point). So, I actually don't think there is a single "Who sound" on record, compared to say the Stones, all of whose albums sound like "The Stones." This was a great video--thanks!
Glad I got to see The Who in concert, this year. Actually heard a few songs I didn't know! Surround/immersive versions of Tommy and Quadrophenia are worth tracking down. And Who's Next, mixed in Atmos by Steven Wilson is scheduled for release next year! Thanks for this ranking. I'm unfamiliar with at least 1/2 The Who albums.
I love The Who and could not agree more with the final two, your description of the Lifehouse project and Petes prophesying pretty much describes what our government, using covid, did to us in NZ for quite some time. Many thanks for your fantastic work on this channel
Hmmm. The Who. A band that always raises more questions than it answers.
One of the best, if not THE best British singles band of the 60's, Who's Next aside, they've never really managed to make a studio album I give a damn about.
A few points, IMO of course:
Faces Dances might be a bit better than you give it credit for - but that might be because it has a great single at it's centre.
Pete Townshend's singing voice is bloody annoying.
Even having made Who's Next, they couldn't be bothered giving it a decent album cover.
Surely you were joking about Squeeze Box? The great song on Numbers is Slip Kid - it's Won't Get Fooled again in less than half the time!
The good thing about what you've done here is taken the time to dwell on the small points, which had you not would have made this a mere recitation of the obvious
You two are like Mutt and Jeff, Yin and Yang, Townshend and Daltrey...
When I think of British pop singles in the 60's, the Who is way down the list.
I love Slip Kid.
@@classicalbum I think your sarcasm went over his head.
Regarding that '81 Who release, I've always thought Pete's solo album from the year before was a much better record.
I agree. Empty Glass is a substantially better album than Face Dances. I remember a quote by Daltrey around that time. He complained that Pete was saving his best songs for his solo albums. I definitely thought that Roger was right.
That would be " Empty Glass", his second solo album.
Rough Boys was a great track.
@@phillipanderson7398 And I Moved, Gonna Get You Anyway, Jools and Jim among others. All the Best Cowboys... was a great album too. The songs were really personal statements from Pete. After Keith Moon died, I think Pete realized that an era was over. It was never going to be the same, even though The Who continued to exist. His solo career became his first musical priority.
They actually had some good material ready for Face Dances, the bonus tracks on some of the reissues bare this out but they chose a producer who was a bad fit for the band and some of the bad decisions the band themselves made as far as material and a replacement for Keith Moon did not help.
I just can’t imagine The Who without Keith Moon. He was the (literal) beating heart of The Who.
Yeah, they should have called it a day after he died. No surprise the post Moon albums were all so insipid.
The Who was always going to be without Keith Moon
I can't imagine anyone paying to see today's version of The Who. Glad I got to see them with John Entwistle at least.
@@bobhope3716 those bass riffs were a big part of their signature sound.
@@bobhope3716 Apparently, even Townshend hates playing live, but he needs the money for his yacht.
Great job Baz, I don't reckon I'd change any placings from yours, cheers.
My 10 favorite songs by The Who
10. Eminence Front
9. Bargain
8. I Can See For Miles
7. Were Not Gonna Take It
6. Baba O Riley
5. Who Are You
4. Love Reign O'er Me
3. Pinball Wizard
2. Behind Blue Eyes
1. Won't Get Fooled Again
Always will be Who’s Next for me.Can’t argue with 2 & 3 also.Nice to see some love for the latest album,still gets airplay in my car.
In my Car also, I don't know why I haven't played WHO as much as all there previous Albums.
An excellent presentation and argument for the finest of the Who. I have little dispute with your top 3 and find that Who's Next is still an unparalleled achievement esp. for that time (but honestly, any time) where all cylinders were hitting flawlessly. By Numbers has earned much personal respect, where I love all the songs and it may be the album I listen too most often. I may have been tempted to elevate it but will not argue the point. Quadrophenia is still amazing and exhausting to hear and I reference it (or parts thereof) often. It is a simply stellar journey taken in its entirety. For me, that is not so with Tommy and that has always been the case. I just never bought into the theme or offerings contained therein and would be hard-pressed to hum more than two or three tracks from Tommy beyond the obvious. Admittedly and perhaps with some guilt, I lost interest in their works after Keith's passing and found little inspiration there although each effort featured a highlight or two for me (the title track, Athena and Eminence Front still stand out). Thank you for quoting from Roger's autobiography regarding these works, as I would agree with Roger's assessment of them although I do understand how they may have been necessarily cathartic for the entire band. Well done.
Dear Classic Album Review Guy: Your assessment of Who's Next is a masterpiece.....
Thanks.. do check out my other videos
Imo whos next is their best album. Its 1 of the greatest albums of all time infact. I have every who album, admittedly some our better than others. However, i have to say, Endless wire is a better album than its given credit for. Some epic tracks on it. Great review btw.
Personally, I would rank Who Are You much higher, and even slide Who By Numbers up a notch. No problem with your 1 and 2 selection. Always a good discussion involving The Who. Maximum R&B, and no flim-flam.
For me, Who by Numbers is second, behind Who's Next. In that album they got back to what they do best - catchy, rocky singles, and exquisite ballads. I'd rather listen to two sides of Who's Next, than one of Tommy or Quadraphenia. Bloated. "Rock opera" rarely, rarely worked IMO. Can't think of one which did.
Extremely accurate and on key!! The top 4 Los for me could change at any time..its the one I'm loving at the time!! The OO!!!
I rate Who Are You much higher. Maybe it was time and place, I was 22 at the time and my fire for rock and roll rebellion was white hot. Except, I didn't much care for punk. A friend of mine said that he and I couldn't play punk music because we knew more than 3 chords. And, disco did very much suck. My favorite Who album is Quadrophenia. It's a Mods blues album. Brilliant!
All reasonable choices, eloquently explained as always. I think Sell Out should make the top three, however. It actually sounds more contemporary, and was likely more influential (along with their debut), than their more commercially successful 70s output.
Great video, always loved the Who without quite digging too deep; that's being rectified these past few years though, I'm getting all the albums on vinyl, only a few to go. Probably Quad just about tops my list, and I love Face Dances' RSD release from 2021. Cheers!
I would suggest to accept the compilation "Magic Bus The Who On Tour" from 1968 as a regular The Who album, as well as their in my opinion astonishing rarities record "Odds and Sods" from 1974.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the bonus tracks on Who's Next. Like A Passion Play/Chateau D'Isaster, the material from the aborted Lifehouse project is absolutely stunning and works surprisingly well. Songs like Naked Eye, Pure and Easy, and Water eclipse even some of their later released material.
Agreed 😎
I'm hoping for a boxset this year
great video! For me, Quadrophenia is their greatest work. Tried listening to "The Who Sell Out" album the other day, and just couldnt get into it. Will have to give it another try
Love ..”by Numbers” , lots of depth to the songwriting.
Saw Roger in concert doing his solo stuff last year in Southend. His voice was remarkably good.
I think I agree and have very little to add except that It's Hard may rock harder but, Faces Dances is the better of the two. My two cents.
It's hard to explain ("Can't Explain") but Tommy is the story of my life. Parents had big issues and I was told not to speak of any of it to pastor or at school. A teacher took me aside in Junior Year spring 1969 (Tommy's release date) and asked what was causing my caustic and disruptive behavior. I spilled my guts and watched his face go limp. Long story short, school psychologist was called in and my father, a leading surgeon in town, stated quite clearly: "No one is going to tell me what to do." A WWII Veteran and physician and guess what: in 1969 no one could tell him what to do. He wasn't really breaking any laws. I met a woman who, when I say, "saved my life", that is not an exaggeration, and I dove head long into concerts at Fillmore East and psychedelics. Those three things saved me. And Tommy. And The Who performing it live a day after its release.
Agree about Face Dances being better than Its Hard. Its way better than Endless Wire too, in fact both of them are.
The great thing about the Who is they were able to imbue comedy elements into many of their albums without them becoming trite or throwaway - this is best highlighted by Sell Out which is my go to Who album these days despite being musically inferior to Quad, Tommy, Who’s Next and even the original 6 tack version of live at Leeds
You have to admit though that although The Who released some wonderful albums, they were nevertheless a B rated band with competent musicians without being elite.
You can only get away with mediocrity for so long before being exposed by the public and your fan base.
It happened to Boy George and Bananarama (not to mention the The Knack)
At high school I did a music class project on the Woodstock festival and the Who were on the movie of said festival. One word sums up their set: BLAMMO!
I liked "live at Leeds" and 😂 "wire and glass" although clearly I prefer their 1973 classic. Tommy is a masterpiece as is Whos next. Let's face it, they're the best rock band ever.
20:45
The Who was a key part of my youth. I discovered Quadrophenia when I was 12 and my parents were going through a divorce. I played it over and over and at the age of 12 I found the first record that hit me spiritually. I later discovered Who's Next and Tommy. These three albums were my core Who influences though I did go on to discover and love both their early material (love Magic Bus!) everything onward. I really liked Face Dances though I admit some of the songs missed the mark. I grew to appreciate By The Numbers later in life, the album really is a bit sophisticated. The Who's Missing albums were great too.
thank you for this - another band that passed me by for some reason. I - like everyone - know their 'hits' but thank you for this info.
My favorite Time is 1972 - 1979 :
1. Who by Numbers 1975
2. Quadrophenia 1973
3. Who are You 1978
4. Who‘s Next 1971
5. Face Dances 1981
My Top 5 of The Who‘s Albums
From the other Albums I like only just a few Tracks !
I would prefer the Album „The Kids are Alright“ (from theFilm Documentary) or Townshends Solo Album „empty Glass“ or The Who“rarities 1970-1973“ with Single releases & B- Sides Album (Vol. 2) with some of the Best Songs „The Relay ; Let’s see Action or Join Together……“
I think you nailed it. Well done.
I loved the "Amazing Journey" pun. Your channel is top.
Thank you
I was not aware of the Lighthouse project. It sounds great. Arthur C.Clark explored the concept of the perfect sound, in his Tales From The White Heart. Maybe not a note, but a mantra of sound. Why does, Tomorrow Never Knows come to mind? I happen to like some of the later albums, I totally liked Face Dances, great humable upbeat tunes. You Better You Bet is a classic. I would also rank Who Are You higher. My list might look something like this
1 Quadrophenia
2 Who's Next
3 Tommy
4 Who Sell Out
5 Face Dancers
6 Who Are You
7 My Generation
8 By Numbers
Not that familiar with the rest, like Live at Leads. Like Townshend's solo work, All the Best Cowboys is brilliant. ..White City. His hidden gem "Now and Then". ,
Who Sell Out (the 1995 cd version or the more recent deluxe version) is my personal fave. The pirate radio theme works very well -some of the jingles are highlights and a reprise of 'Mary Anne with the Shaky Hands' mimics radio playlist procedure. Also, with the possible exception of Who's Next, I don't think the songwriting was ever better. Great gems on this one like: Glow Girl, Glittering Girl, Jaguar, Early Morning Cold Taxi, Melancholia, Sunrise, Our Love Was, and Rael.
My favorite also. I am baffled by how Melancholia and Glittering Girl did not make the cut for the original album. Those have become two of my all time favorite Who songs.
@@jeffwilson6297 To the best of my knowledge, Melancholia was recorded later. What puzzles me most is that their stop-gap LPs between Sell out and Tommy (Magic Bus in the US and Direct Hits in the UK) had repeat songs from prior LPs when they had so much other *great* material that had not been on prior albums.
I'm with you. "Our Love Was" is the Who song I keep coming back to the most. In fact, if I were to name my top 20 Who tunes, probably half of Sell Out would be among them.
"The Who Sell Out" ... cannot get enough of this record..
Absolutely "The Who Sell out" is brilliant. It's never out of my top 3 favourite Who albums.
Very nice Ranking of the albums of The Who !!!
Thanks for this, particulary the background on Substitute.
My top choices
1 Who's Next
2 The Who By Numbers
3 Quadrophenia
All these are 10/10 albums
4 The Who Sell Out 9.5
5 Tommy 9
Plus Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy and The Who Live At Leeds, also both 10/10 albums.
I'm much less committed to their other studio albums and none would make my top 500 albums list. A couple of their other live albums probably would.
The only time i saw them around ‘94, they did quadrophenia in entirety, took a break, and then did a bunch of their hits. Awesome
Who's Next is the greatest rock album, and Keith's drumming on Bargain simply blows me away
🤘🤠👍
I agree with who's next as my #1.
I always thought that bringing in kenny jones as their drummer was a mistake. Not that he was a bad drummer, it's just not a good fit.
I thought they should have brought in mitch mitchell, he would have added the power and unpredictability their songs needed.
Somehow I totally missed this rankings video!
Enjoy your albums ranking. Im from Sri Lanka. Can you do a Neil Diamond album ranking. I love his voice and style of singing. Got almost 30 albums vinyl records of his
Single song wise, I vote for Can't Explain! And I was even going to college in England in '67-'68 and I loved I Can See for Miles that year. (That's also the year I discovered The Move, one of my all-time favorite bands).
The Move were so great - almost a bit forgotten these days.
@@murdockreviews Cherry Blossom Clinic! And before that Fire Brigade was such a great song! I even saw the Move live! But sadly never saw the Who.
Hey, well thought out ranking
My #1 is Quadrophenia I love the musical creativity & musician ship it took to create this album & see it though, they struggled as a band to make great albums after this ,there are moments ….2nd is Who’s Next & would be my #1 if had stayed the “Lifehouse” project …Pete who was at a creative peak ,was talked out of it due to pressure from the record company and the band not understanding the story line and being another double album… then the album was carved down to a point where the story did not make sense ….Pete suffered a nervous breakdown during this time , and self medication as well.
Disappointing part is all the songs that were left off , and scattered later on compilations & greatest hits packages
Left off were these great songs at the very least , there are more according to Pete.🎸
Pure & easy, naked eye, join together, the relay, let’s see action ,water,I don’t even know myself,& too much of anything .
IMHO
The only who album I’ve ever really loved is ‘Sell Out’ which I consider to be a masterpiece.
Absolutely (closely followed by A Quick One!).
Funny how most consider Tommy (and their sound going forward) to be the iconic Who, but their early pop sound certainly has its fans! I personally don’t care much for Sell Out but I love both MBaB and Odds & Sods which both feature songs from Sell Out funnily enough!
Fantastic video mate i agree with every word.
I was glad to see Quadrophenia rated as high as it is. It is a truly great album in every way. One of the best ever in fact in my view. Townsend really gets to the heart of that angst that informs so much of the lives of the youth of the Western world. Pete’s voice is also perfect for expressing that particular feeling.
Was Lifehouse totally abandonded, maybe as an album it was, but I remember listening to the belatedly completed Rock Opera on Radio 2 sometime during the 90's or 2000's.
Who's Next and Live at Leeds are the pinnacles of Who awesomeness.
I'll be honest here.....I only listen to the 5 middle albums from The Who. I've heard them all and own everything up to "It's Hard" but the others simply haven't interested me in decades. So I'll rank those 5, which range from "really good" to "all-time great".
5. Who By Numbers
4. Tommy
3. Who Are You
2. Who's Next
1. Quadrophenia
Live at Leeds and The Kids are Alright are also on my extended playlist, but being live albums I didn't include them on this list. Thanks, Barry.
It's funny, even though The Who are one of my favourite bands when I listen to them it's nearly always one of their live albums (mainly Live At Leeds). The studio stuff just doesn't really have that sizzle and crunch that they had when playing live. I'm only ranking the first six albums as I haven't really listened to much past Quadrophenia.
1. Quadrophenia (where everything comes together)
2. My Generation (I love the early proto-punkish stuff)
3. Who's Next (a lot of great songs here)
4. The Who Sell Out (an interesting mix of things on this one)
5. Tommy (I love this when they play it live, but the studio album is a bit too tame for me)
6. A Quick One (some good tracks, but getting everyone to try to write songs produced very mixed results)