It always amazes me how people rave about The Beatles and the Stones and how they influenced everyone and their dog, but The Who are equally – if not more – of an influence on modern rock. They actually looked and played like a rock band, plus Pete is one of rock’s great songwriters. This album is their best work beating both Tommy and Quadraphenia. It started out life as the Lifehouse project, which Pete was determined was going to surpass Tommy in its concept and execution. As we all know, that never happened and Who’s Next was the album that came from those sessions.
This is the three disc deluxe edition with the original album, plus songs that were recorded in New York for Lifehouse, and Live at the Young Vic which they played while writing and recording for both projects. Of the original album, there is not a bad moment – every song is just pure joy. It’s interesting to hear the New York recordings and how they differ from the finished songs. The Young Vic Live recordings are very warts and all, but they show what a killer Live band they were. Everyone should own this record.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
