zmanbarzell's Full Review: The Who Sings My Generation by The Who
The Who were first and foremost,in the early days at least,a singles band.Pete Townshend has stated,more than once,that most,if not all,of their creative energies in the halcyon days of '66-'67 went into the creation of 3 minute blasts of pure sound,meant to cut through the muck and mire of the period's bland commercial radio playlists.L.P.'s,on the other hand,were luxuries for only the most blatant of fans.Only later,with the advent of the Rock Art and concept album movements,did The Who,and most pop groups in general,begin to take the form seriously.This album is best appreciated in this context.It was simply meant,as most pop L.P.'s of the time,to showcase a current hit single and to reflect the group's live show.If you were to expect a work on the order of "Tommy" or "Quadrophenia" you would be sorely disappointed.
Not much more could be written on the magnificence of the title track,the epochal "My Generation".Suffice it to say that if you are not familiar with this song you do not have an education in the fine art of rock 'n roll.
The other classic here is the brilliant power-pop jewel "The Kids Are Alright" which was later issued in edited form as a single in the U.K.The version on the U.S. album is also edited.The complete version is only available on the "Maximum R&B" box currently.The original L.P. ends with the totally psychotic instro "The Ox",which may well be the quintessential example of early Keith Moon drumming,as well as a showcase for one of the most earsplitting of Townshend's feedback demonstrations.Pete weighs in here also with his very first lead vocal on record,the extremely appealing amphetamine-country-blues pastiche "A Legal Matter".The other original compositions on hand ,however,are a very mixed bag,seemingly written in a hurry from the not too prolific at the time Townshend to fill in the quota for this album.The charged opener "Out In The Street" and the bluesy,swaggering "The Good's Gone"are the best of these,the pleasant but very forgettable and contrived "La La La Lies","Much Too Much" and "It's Not True" the worst.The absolute bottom of the barrel though,are the completely unnecessary and wholly unconvincing covers of James Brown's classics "I Don't Mind" and "Please Please Please" that clutter the record.The original English L.P. has a version of that moldy perennial "I'm A Man" that is very anemic as well.This was cut from the U.S. release of the album in favor of the inferior early version of Townshend's "Circles" ,itself only a middling song at best.
These criticisms aside however,the album is certainly essential for any true fan or student of the band and definitely deserves the deluxe treatment,remastering,original artwork and track lineup,bonus cuts and all,that their other albums have received.That is,if the tyrannical producer of the original recordings,Shel Talmy,ever loosens his grip on the master tapes that would make this possible.For the casual fan though,this L.P. is not a required purchase since it's major tracks are all included on the incredible "Maximum R&B" box set.To anyone reading this who does not own that,the casual and converted alike,GO BUY IT!!
Anyhow,this is an inauspicious yet not unimpressive beginning to the long-playing career of the greatest rock 'n roll band,The Who.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.