37. The Who Sings My Generation - The Who.

 There were two thoughts that came to mind after listening to this album. First, I was surprised to hear two James Brown cover songs, and second, I could not help but notice the aggressive and up front style of the bass and drums. With no offense meant to Mr. Daltrey and Mr. Townshend, the rhythm section is almost manic throughout most of the album, which is a new twist compared to what we have heard up to this point.

 The album starts off with some jangling guitar chords, and then it heads off into "Out in The Street" which is a rocking number that displays Daltrey's gritty voice. At one point Townshend  experiments with a crunchy guitar sound. The second track is the first James Brown cover, "I Don't Mind",  and it is recognizable immediately. They do a good job. As I said, I was surprised to hear this downtempo R&B tune. The pounding drums are the biggest difference, giving the tune a more in your face feel than James Brown did that night at the Apollo.

 

 The next track is " The Good's Gone". This is the first one that really sounds like a song by the Who. It has elements of psychedelic rock, with harmonies and jangling guitar, but the drums and guitar take to pounding at times. "La La La Lies" follows, a tune that says la la la quite a bit. It seems a little bit fluffy after the first three songs. The version I was listening to breaks into a seemingly live jam of "My Generation" which improves on the La La La song. It sounds like when someone pressed record in the middle of a mixed cassette; it doesn't make sense for a few seconds, but sometimes the result is a pleasant surprise. This happened to me once back in the 1990s. I found a tape in my roommate's bedroom that was labeled "The start of a really good mix". I figured that I would be the judge of that, plunked that tape into my yellow Walkman, and began my walk to work. The songs were generic nineties tunes, and weren't too bad, but as I reached a busy intersection, it broke into Frank Zappa's 'Apostrophe' album. It was an alarming change for the better. When it got to the part where the dog was talking, I had to take a knee because I was laughing so hard. As I was in front of the courthouse at quitting time, likely the throng of commuters surrounding me thought that I was on drugs. It is a favourite moment, and I still listen to that album frequently. 

 Now, the Who have more songs on the album we are supposed to be talking about here. After the la la la song, comes "Much to Much" which almost has a Dylan feel to the lyrics and structure. With pounding drums. No surprises here. This is followed by "My Generation" which is well known, and features some crazy bass runs in the middle and also the insane drumming at the end. I was going to throw in some glib comment about them dying before they got old, but have decided against it. If you feel you need one, feel free to insert it here. 

 "The Kids Are Alright" sounds like a song from that Tom Hanks movie with the band that sounds like the Beatles. It is a good song, and feels like something from 1965, with nice harmonies throughout, and an early rock feel to it. Another James Brown cover is next. "Please, Please, Please" is also aggressive soul. Daltrey does a believable James Brown imitation and the music is true to the original, even if it is a little more in your face. 

 "It's Not True" is a straight ahead tune, that is followed by "The Ox". This one is arguably a precursor to heavy metal. The drums are full on right from the beginning. It is like "Pipeline" with fuzzy distorted guitars and extremely busy and pounding piano. This track, to my ear,  is the standout on the album. It may not be the best song on the record, but it shows that these guys are willing to head into uncharted waters. At the time it must have been considered quite experimental, and likely freaked some listeners out. I like it. 

 "A Legal Matter" is back to the straightforward. I like the lyrics, I think he's leaving his wife and doesn't need to hear any more bullshit. Maybe not, but that's what I got out of it. We finish the album on a more or less psychedelic note, with "Instant Party (Circles)". There are several things going on in this one, including maybe a french horn or a trumpet playing single notes and holding for bars at a time. I thought I heard a sitar, but it may just have been guitar that sounded similar. The experimentation continues. 

 This is a good album, I knew the essential Who catalog, but some of these tunes were new to me. I have always enjoyed the Who, but never got right into them. I was surprised that they had been around since 1965, I thought that they were more of a seventies band. This shows what I know. But that is what the journey is about. There are more sonic treats out there to discover, and I can't wait to see what is next. 

 Rolling Stone placed this one at number 236 on the list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Buy it here.