WHO'S NEXT

Who's Next is a one true rock album classic that I, surprisingly enough, only discovered after already hearing Tommy and Quadrophenia. With this album Pete Townshend was going for another concept album but those plans fell through and what we were left with are its intro and the outro sections plus some great stand alone tracks in the middle. The highlights besides the already mentioned Baba O'Riley and Won't Get Fooled Again are My Wife, which is once again a great tune written by John Entwistle, and Behind Blue Eyes which starts off as a ballad but has a bridge section in a true The Who-fashion.

Eventually when Pete Townshend finally got back his inspiration he composed the excellent Quadrophenia. Still most of the main stream audience manage to completely ignore that grand achievement and instead award Who's Next the highest praise of being the Who's best release. This is not the case for me since I enjoy Tommy and Quadrophenia a whole lot more. Still it's undeniably the best two side album that the band has recorded.

Who's Next is an essential album for fans of rock music but the same cannot be said about its prog merits, so I'll go with an excellent addition to any rock music collection.

***** star songs: Baba O'Riley (5:08) My Wife (3:40) Behind Blue Eyes (3:41) Won't Get Fooled Again (8:32)

**** star songs: Bargain (5:32) Love Ain't For Keeping (2:10) The Song Is Over (6:13) Getting In Tune (4:50) Going Mobile (3:42)