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Re[2]: Who's Next Masters Missing



>Issue No. 4:  Regarding Quadrophenia, I'd like some input here, folks, but
>I found people who weren't into the Who at all, probably had no other albums, 
>who are audiophiles and music fans of some consequence, who thing Quadrophenia 
>is the BEST ROCK ALBUM OF ALL TIME!  Of course, I can see why.  To me it was 
>the ultimate evolution of a great band, who went rapidly downhill afterwards, 
>(that comment always gets tons o'diehards frisky, but take a poll, dudes!) >but
as I have said a billion times, what they did at this point and prior >makes 
them the timeless great band they were..... OK enough of me on the little 
>wooden box....
>
>
>Jeff 
>
>
What about The Who By Numbers?  This may not have been as popular an album, 
but IMHO it is their crowning achievement.  Pete's songwritting is 
introspective and mature, Roger's singing is phenominal, and the band play 
extreamly well.  "...take two-hundred-and-seventy-six, you know it used to 
be fun"
          
Granted, Quadraphenia is a great album, but to say that the Who went rapidly 
downhill afterwards is a little bit too sweeping of a statement.  After 
Keith died, the quality of the band may have suffered, but this is again a 
matter of opinion.  Kenny Jones' drumming changed the sound of the band, one 
may like the Moon stuff better, or the Jones stuff; but ultimately the 
band's styles are different.  
          
          
          Regarding this last point about the band's styles changing, 
          IMHO the changes wrought were more a matter of Pete's 
          decision (conscious or otherwise) that he didn't need the 
          Who anymore.  I am convinced that what Townshend perceived 
          as Quadrophenia's failure to be as popular as TOMMY was the 
          catalyst.  The remainder of the Who's recorded career was 
          dedicated to presenting Pete's visions of self-pity, 
          failure, etc. (look at how similar the lyrical themes of 
          WBN, WAY, FD, IH are).  Once EMPTY GLASS was successful, 
          both commercially and critically, it was the 
          watershed--Townshend's decision was made, he just didn't 
          know exactly how to get away from the band.
          
          My thoughts
          
          --Jim