The Who heavy hitters

"Who's Next." Nearly every song is a rock epic. Even the album cover is an epic middle-finger.

Quadrophenia. More Prog than Who's Next. Both masterpieces in my book though.

Was never fully sold on Who's Next. Some great tracks on there though.

QUAD is my favorite album of all time. I could mention the complexity of composition or the phenomenal vocals, but for me, among many other factors already elaborated upon above, I believe that this is the album on which both Keith and John peaked, and for both drumming and bass--alone and together--I would stack this album up against any other in the genre.

The Quiet One wrote: Quadrophenia for me, Who's magnum opus: the musicianship is as good as in Who's Next, but the rock-opera story-line with instrumentals and all makes it by far Who's most accomplished effort alongside Tommy in my opinion. Entwistle's bass is to die for, Roger's vocals can be extremely powerful to heart-ripping, Keith as always a blast and Pete does a very fine job on the guitars.

Well said Pablo.  The repeating motifs and the room they allowed themselves really give the album a special feel that WN lacks.  Plus this album doesn't have "My Wife" on it. 

Svetonio wrote: ExittheLemming wrote: I like the economy of the shorter single album better (Who's Next) over Quadrophenia plus the former has three 24 carat Who classics on it in Baba O'Riley , Behind Blue Eyes and Won't Get Fooled Again. (the ultimate condemnation of the failure of the hippy counter culture in my book - meet the new boss, same as the old boss) Pete Townshend's concept albums and /or Rock Operas smack of overreaching ambition(although we should all be thankful he pushed open some doors in this field clearly) I've always felt his efforts in larger scale rock formats were foiled by the limitations of his collaborators. I disagree that Townshend" large scale" efforts suffered by "limitations of his collaborators", if you have in mind others from the band! JAE was  one of the greatest bass player in rock music, the best example of " musicians musician", a songwritter who did some GREAT songs, also he pushed Townshend to that "large scale" because JAE recognized Townshend as "rock operas" songwriter before Kit Lambert.. Roger wasnt opera like singer as Mercury aswell but Roger did do a great vocals in VERY demanding Townshend songs. Moonie---what to say. I love Townshend solo albums alot, very introspective and this and that, alot of great tunes, but I dont think that hes SOLO catalogue could be compared with that stuff he made with The Who. IMHO, The Who were the most succesfuly a "supergroup" of that golden age 70s in UK.    PS Also, i think that The Punk And Godfather is MILES ABOVE better track than Behind Blue Eyes...ok, this is my personal opinion only.   PSS ...or this AMAZING jamming from "underrated" Side 3

I agree that Entwistle was a very talented bass player and that his unique sound was crucial to the Who's identity. However, apart from the occasional brass parts he contributed here and there his entire repertoire consisted of just 'rock bass' The songs he wrote for the Who (even the good ones likes Success Story, My Wife and Boris the Spider) were tantamount to enjoyable gimmicky humour. I've always considered Moon a very sloppy drummer whose personality dwarfed his playing. Daltrey is an extremely accomplished singer but is often clearly uncomfortable on lyrics that were often deeply personal for Townshend (to the extent that I suspect Roger didn't understand them) It's not insignificant that the solo material from John, Roger and Keith is uniformly wretched.

BTW I really like the Who but have always felt Townshend would have been fully fledged 'prog' but for the limitations of his three colleagues. (and I think legions of Who fans would thank Roger, John and Keith for that) Similarly, I think we have Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth to thank that the Talking Heads were as enjoyable as they were before Byrne's ego cast the bass and drums couple to the periphery (from where I completely lost interest in the band's output)

lazland wrote: A really difficult poll. Who's Next is a recognised classic, one of those albums which changed the face of rock. Quadrophenia, on the other hand, tells a great story and is one hell of a barnstormer from start to finish. it also features my favourite town, brighton Quadrophenia, if only for I'm One, the greatest angst song ever written.

A really difficult poll. Who's Next is a recognised classic, one of those albums which changed the face of rock.

Quadrophenia, on the other hand, tells a great story and is one hell of a barnstormer from start to finish. it also features my favourite town, brighton

Quadrophenia, if only for I'm One, the greatest angst song ever written.

My favorite is their compilations Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy and Who's Better Who's Best.  That being said I am a long-time fan of Tommy.  I didn't get Quadrophenia until many, many years later and I haven't really gotten my head around that one yet.  Who's Next has a lot of great tunes on it that show up on the above mentioned compilations, so that is where my vote goes.

Nightfly wrote: I agree, they are their best 2 but Who's Next has the edge for me for sheer consistency. Quadrophenia just loses steam a couple of times despite being overall excellent.

Precisely.