Who's Next Review: Synths and Power Chords
9/10 — The Who - Who's Next (1971)
Pros
- Classic anthems
- Moon's drumming
- Pioneering synth use
Cons
- Lost concept
- A couple of filler tracks
Who’s Next grew from the abandoned Lifehouse project, with Pete Townshend using synthesisers on tracks like ‘Baba O’Riley’. It captures the band’s explosive live energy.
What works
‘Baba O’Riley’, ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ and ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ are among rock’s great songs, and Keith Moon’s drumming and Roger Daltrey’s scream give them thrilling force. Townshend’s songwriting is at its peak.
Where it falters
The album’s concept is lost, and a couple of the lesser songs are filler.
Verdict
A muscular, melodic and hugely enjoyable rock album.
