If there was ever a record that deserves more than just accolades from diehards and music geeks, it is The Who's 1967 masterpiece, "The Who Sell Out." This brilliant collection of Pete Townshend tunes is barely acknowledged by the author himself and for me, someone who has unequivocally deemed this record The Who's best, that is a mystery.
Unlike the interesting but mostly misguided Stones release of the same year, "Their Satanic Majesties Request," released exactly one week prior, "The Who Sell Out" isn't just an experiment in psychedelics or a failed attempt to create the band's own "Sgt. Pepper." This album features Townshend songs that are strong and personal. It kicks your ass Who-style with "I Can See For Miles" and "Rael 1 & 2," and breaks your heart with the beautiful, adult pop of "Our Love Was" and "I Can't Reach You." Unlike so many records of the mid-sixties, this album isn't hit or miss...unless you're not in the mood for comedy bits.
I would imagine many were put off by the radio jingles interspersed throughout, which admittedly add a hokey quality. But the truth is, while these jingles might be speed bumps to some, they are actually fine bits of music with the usual stellar playing of the band.
Would "The Who Sell Out" work better without the comedy? In the age of iPods and programming, you can see for yourself with a little adjustment to your playlist. I prefer the whole experience. From the bombast of the opener, Speedy Keen's "Armenia City In The Sky," through the sweet yet sordid "Mary-Anne With The Shakey Hand," Townshend's melodies have never been stronger. And really, is there a more beautiful lyric than "Sunrise?"
"The Who Sell Out" may not have the hiwatt sounds and R&B roots of the band's earlier singles and it certainly isn't a precursor of what was to follow. "The Who Sell Out" is a singular achievement. Is it a better record than "Pet Sounds" or "Sgt. Pepper?" Maybe. Maybe, not. This is not about that as much as it's about what I enjoy more. And I enjoy "The Who Sell Out" more than both of those classic releases.
20 comments:
It's my favorite Who album alongside "Who's Next", and "Live At Leeds".
I love it too, but I've always found the production really odd. Sounds like it was recorded in a wet cardboard box. Who records always sounded so great - except this one. What gives?
Petra Haden did it better.
Uh..Anonymous...no she didn't, but thanks for saying so.
I'd listen to it before those beatles or stones albums too. As the liner notes to the expanded CD say, this was the peak of their harmony period - after this one they didn't do much 3-part at all. Great album, great cover. Love Pete's fingers...
This record, quite literally, changed my life. Certainly more than their previous releases. I'd been an 'on the fence' Who fan until the moment I first heard this album. Loved certain songs, but had not yet looked at the band as an entity unto itself. This record changed all the possibilities for me. It allowed me to embrace (via the commercial ditties) the AM radio hound within whilst still being the progressive hippie I was becoming. Suddenly, it was possible to have inner conflict and still be a whole person. That was a new concept to me at 16.
For the record, Petra Haden's cover is cute - for about 5 minutes - and little else. Still, it's telling that she chose this album as opposed to any of the thousand others she could have performed the same trained seal tricks to.
guess i should have included a smiley face by my comment to make sure everyone knew it was a joke.
what about john entwhistle's contributions to this pop classic? I love pete's writing but entwhistle great songwriting always got second fiddle...
Boris
I heard Petra's version first. For some reason I was always suspicious of the original.
This allowed me to really enjoy Petra's version, and hear The Who's from a totally different perspective. I got to hear how their version differed from hers.
And I like them both.
i can vouch that the cover art kept from listening to it as a youngster. i didn't need a reminder of the need for acne medication. and so i had no idea that it was the album with I Can See for Miles on it.
Just me, then? Odd.
Noam, I was all set to reply that I really loved the sound of the album, especially my prized UK mono vinyl and then 44 things happened. But yeah, I don't hear what you're hearing.
My favorite album period, and has been for decades.
"I Can See For Miles" never really seemed to last in the live act, did it?
As for the Beach Boys, give me Wild Honey. That just cooks!
Yeah mon! Who's best; the production is quirkily perfect and gizmo/effect-laden back when gizmos were magical...Backwards guitars!
hadnt thought of this since 'then'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2DG-cP5ir8
PEPPERMINT LUMP
I don't have this album and almost bought it used the other day... but it was the original version not "Deluxe" version. Do you the Deluxe, Sal, and if so do ye recommend spending the extra bucks on it?
(i can guess the answer...)
Still trying....
Gee you guys, I dunno. Any vintage Who is great in my book, but that said, to me, this album has always felt under-realized, as a whole. Plus can't see the stratospheric praise for any record with "Silas Stingy" on it. Just... can't... go... there...
Bruce H
The deluxe version sounds really good. My daughter liked singing along with "Silas Stingy" when she was 9.
Again, I love pretty much all Who through Who By Numbers, but to my taste they were maybe more a singles band until Tommy. Back in LP days my favorite Who "album" was Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy.
Bruce H
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