lambchops's Full Review: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: T...
It’s hard for me, a music fan, to image a person who doesn’t know more than a handful of songs by some of the most incredible rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. These are the bands that shaped music today and without them it is doubtful that many musical movements and popular acts would have ever been born. Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and The Who are the bands that are on the tip of my tongue and are to mind some of the most notable of the era. The Who separated themselves from the herd with searing guitars, spitfire performances, and a uniquely dynamic sound. Whether or not you are a fan of rock n’ roll, it is impossible to deny their talent. The Who was one of the best acts to come out of Britain in the 1960s.
Formed in 1964 by four hard working and diverse Londoners, The Who began their career as a mod band. Roger Daltrey was an fiery vocalist while Pete Townshend was known for his guitar antics, Keith Moon was a notoriously crazy drummer, and John Entwistle was a pillar of dignity and oddly aloof among his compatriots. The early mod influences morphed into something more widely palatable toward the end of the sixties. Blending together psychedelia, rock opera (this was the era of Tommy), and hard rock the band scored numerous hits. Even today their music is used in television shows, movies, and commercials. They have one of the most immediately recognizable sounds of all their musical brethren.
The Who’s successful rise to fame was cut off mid-stride with the overdose death of drummer Moon in September 1978. The remaining three members tried, in vain, to continue on without their drummer. They released three posthumous albums (including a live LP) all of which were received with mixed reviews. For all intents and purposes The Who died on the day Keith Moon did. I prefer to remember them as the wild, vibrant band that gave so many amazing hits during the 1960s and 1970s and in turn paved the way for so many other bands like AC/DC, Heart, and the Runaways to name a few.
Literally dozens of songs from The Who were hits. Let me repeat that—dozens. They were hits world-wide including in the United States and catapulted the foursome to legend status well before Moon died and the band petered out. Any compilation of hits/favorites/best songs has a daunting task ahead of it. How does one choose between such a fabulous group of songs? The best answer is “you don’t, you can’t.” However all too often for the sake of album sales companies scrape together a weakly thought-out track listing. Though not the fault of the band, the songs, or the production these albums are all too often unimpressive. Seriously folks—how can The Who be represented in the span of just ten tracks?
They can’t.
On about the turn of this millennium, some marketing person at MCA got the brilliant idea to half-heartedly cover some of the best bands, singers, and songwriters of the last century. The Who was picked to be a guinea pig and their entry in the 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection was born. There are but ten songs and many, many others have been omitted. Sure the collection is cheap (about $10 new) but I can’t help but think that most people would be better off getting a different collection. I Can’t Explain, Baba O’Riley, You Better You Bet, and Love, Reign O'er Me are personal favorites and obvious omissions. Again—this collection isn’t horrible, it’s just not complete. Looking for a cheap fix of The Who? This might be worthwhile, otherwise I would lean toward single-disc collections like My Generation: The Very Best of the Who (1996) or double-disc compilation like The Ultimate Collection (2002).
The songs included here are clearly classics—outside of the strange inclusion of the comparatively mediocre Squeeze Box. There is little to say that hasn’t been said about the excellence of the remaining nine songs. Album opener My Generation and closer Won’t Get Fooled Again are two of the band’s most popular. The former is an early song (1965) that was probably shocking in its energy and volume at the time. Today it is one of the most memorable of The Who’s career. The latter, Won’t Get Fooled Again (1971), is a wild, epic song about disbelief in the political machine and belief in oneself all at the same time. The song is a rich, wonderful nod to the disillusionment of the era. I’m always impressed at the timelessness of The Who’s message and music.
A few of my other personal favorites are also included--Behind Blue Eyes is a gorgeous, evocative, rich song that could be one of the band’s most touching songs. The words are haunting; the Daltrey’s performance is incredibly emotional. The Who never got better than Behind Blue Eyes. Who Are You, I Can See For Miles, Join Together and Pinball Wizard are also particularly notable. Unfortunately, I have problems getting past the ridiculous exclusions.
I do wholly enjoy 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection highlighting The Who. As much as I want to love the album and recommend it to others I cannot. Once again, where in bloody hell are I Can’t Explain, Baba O’Riley, You Better You Bet, and Love, Reign O'er Me?
Definitely not here.
This is an exceptionally limited compilation of songs. The Who had so much more to give to the world musically than just ten songs. It would be blasphemy for MCA to do the same thing with The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin, so why is it okay here? To my mind, it’s not—the series should be reserved for one-hit-wonders instead of having screwed with The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Kiss, and the Mamas and the Papas (among dozens of others).
Rating: 2/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. My Generation
02. Happy Jack
03. I Can See for Miles
04. Magic Bus
05. Pinball Wizard
06. Squeeze Box
07. Behind Blue Eyes
08. Who Are You
09. Join Together
10. Won’t Get Fooled Again
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