The Who Sell Out-Great Album, Overlooked.

My introduction to The Who was seeing them perform a lip synch version of My Generation on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. The windmilling Towshend, manic Moon, and explosions and instrument destruction at the end of the song will never be forgotten. That is often people's notion of the Who but before Tommy, before, Who's Next, before they became old men who performed at the Super Bowl, before they actually sold out to allow their songs to used by the CSI tv shows, the brilliant Who Sell Out was there. Let it not be forgotten that Pete Townshend Is one of the greatest song writers and minds of rock/pop music. The Who Sell Out showcases Pete's versatility as the leader and creative mind of the Who.

Sell Out is a concept album that kind of sneaks up on the listener. The concept is that it was intended to simulate a programming day of the pirate radio station, Radio London. In between the unrelated songs are commercials and public service announcements all written and/or performed by the band. The cover is a preview of the commercials with each band member hawking one of the products from the album. For those looking for that power chording, and lead vocals of Roger Daltry, this isn't the Who album to find those things in abundance. That is not to say the music doesn't stand out...it certainly does.

The Music: As I said, this music doesn't have the big rock sound people think of from the Who. There was only one single from the album. It actually is the one song on the album that features big power chords, great Moon drumming, and Daltry's lead singing all together. topping out at #9 on the U.S. singles chart, I Can See For Miles may be the only song from the album many of you know. Many of the highlights of this LP feature Pete as lead (or at least sharing the lead) singer. My favorite song is Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand. Apparently, while the other girls mentioned in the song have talents, Mary Anne's manual dexterity make her a very popular date. Other fine songs include Relax, I Can't Reach You, and Sunrise. Sunrise is really a Townshend solo song. Just him and an acoustic guitar with a un-rock-like jazz arrangement.

This is a perfect example of an Album Listening Experience. Sure there are fine songs performed by one of the best bands of the rock era but to get the full effect of the album, it should be listened to start-to-finish. Skipping around is not allowed. While there are the apropos-to-the-time radio jingles between the tunes, songs like Odorono (deodorant) and Medac (acne treatment) get are actually noted on the album track list.

The Who is my favorite band and with albums like Tommy, Quadrophenia, Who's Next, and Live At Leeds in their catalog, Sell Out gets overlooked...it shouldn't. When you listen, take the time to listen it in it's entirety.