The Who – Who’s Next

Review

Picture The Who in full flight on *Who's Next* - cocked back and ready to unleash some of the most electrifying rock of the early '70s. Frontman Roger Daltrey howls like a beast, his voice drenched in raw emotion, while guitarist Pete Townshend's frenetic six-string assault cuts through the track like a knife to the jugular. Yet it's the contributions of the rhythm section that really elevate these songs: John Entwistle's basslines are precision instruments, etched with a wicked wit and sense of humor, while drummer Keith Moon pounds the kit like it just stole his lunch money.

From the songwriting smorgasbord on *Who's Next*, "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" stand out as early synth rock classics, Townshend's innovative use of the synthesizer adding a futuristic edge to the band's signature power chords. The music veers from the quietly introspective verses of "Behind Blue Eyes" to the operatic heights of "The Song Is Over" with ease, while Entwistle's hilarious take on marital strife in "My Wife" highlighted the side-eyed humor that made him so essential to the band.

Glyn Johns' production stripped the band down to their raw essence, emphasizing the slight discordance of Moon's drumming and the slight wrongness of Townshend's guitar tone. It was an approach that simultaneously captured the energy of the band's live performances while emphasizing the subtle craftsmanship behind every track.

With its themes of disillusionment, social upheaval, and personal struggle, *Who's Next* felt like a perfect snapshot of the zeitgeist at the time. The concrete piling image on the album cover spoke to the sense of decay and alienation felt by so many in the early '70s. Yet even now, decades later, the songs still pack a punch that belies their age. *Who's Next* remains a testament to the raw power and unbridled energy that made The Who one of the most important bands of the rock era. - Raegan