2. WHO’s NEXT… the WHO

Yes, Hollywood discovered how great this record was. Yes, “Baba O” is being played to death on TV and Movies now. Doesn’t reduce this album’s magnificence one bit to me. Every song is an EVENT.

The tones of each instrument (along with Daltrey’s stellar vocals) are so aggressive, clear, and independent… you’re almost waiting for each track to fly apart in some spectacular crash. But a massive bass guitar tone holds what is really an explosion of sound together unlike any other album I know of.

"Bargain" is a love song like no other, with moon’s drum track that sends me to the stars every time I hear it. “Going Mobile” is probably the most fun ever caught on magnetic tape. "Won’t Get Fooled Again"… just never loses its power. Intense isn’t enough of a word for that song. Even the silly "My Wife" (contribution from bassist John Entwistle) works in the collection.

I cannot casually listen to this record. I have no earthly idea what Pete Townsend is talking about a least half of the time, but “meet the new boss, same as the old boss” is one of the enduring truths of the modern age. The older I get, the more profound that lyric becomes, and the raw anger, power, frustration, and beauty of the entire music track never ceases to leave me exhausted and fulfilled after listening.