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Here you get to hear the Who when the lads were absolute kids (Daltry was 20, Entwistle-19, Townshend-19, and Moon-18. What earthshaking kids they were! While most bands were busy writing ho-hum "same old, same old" pop tunes in 1965, the Who was already revving up its unique, hard-rocking engine, soon to be much emulated but never duplicated. The most historic piece on this album, for a number of reasons, and the one I want to discuss a bit, is the title track, My Generation. First, never before had the bass guitar assumed such a ferocious lead role in a rock song. But Johns Entwistle unleashed one of the most memorable bass solos ever on his Fender Jazz, way up in the mix, searing, heavy, bluesy, and entirely astonishing to the listener...particularly back then in the mid-60s when the bass tended to have a nearly treble-less, purely supportive bland musical presence in the band. Mr. Entwistle's solo would forever change and add to the role of the electric bass in rock: It would evolve into an instrument that provided both the heartbeat of the song, as well as many way-beyond-heartbeat palpitation-inducing contributions. Jack Bruce, John Paul Jones and many other virtuoso bassists who came to fame a bit later in that decade were no doubt listening keenly. Second, Roger Daltry's vocals in this song are pure, furious punk, complete with the stuttering, in perfect synchronization with the band. Completing the package, Pete Townshend assaults the listeners with power-chords before anyone knew what those were, and Keith Moon played his drums as if there were two of him--he seemed to be all over his kit. And it worked! It is interesting that the Who's record label, Decca, was so unused to sounds unleashed by bands like the Who (wait: there weren't any), let alone to Entwistle's devastating bass-playing, that their liner notes would make you chuckle, with the advantage of 43 years of hindsight. They do awkwardly comment on what they see as basically entertaining antics of most of the musicians (they just didn't get it), but amazingly no mention is made of Entwistle's genius incarnate in My Generation (he completely flew over their heads). No, they are merely content to describe him as "the quiet, moody one who seldom moves." Well, he didn't need to: His bass moved rock into modernity. Can you tell that I am a bassist? ;+)Read full review
Raw, energetic debut from one of R & R's greatest (along with the Kinks, Beatles & other British Invasion bands), out in late 1965, highlighted by "My Generation" & "Kids Are Alright" also "A Legal Matter", the first ever Who song to feature Pete Townshend on lead vocals, as well as rockers such as "La La La Lies", "The Ox" & a pair of James Brown covers.
This music was originally released in the mid 60's, so first off it's comperable with what was being released during this period of rock. While reading this review, understand that I am a huge "WHO" fan, having spent my teen years in the early 70's, and therefore enjoy the music of The Who. But this CD, or album, was never one of my favorites, and my only reason for purchasing it, was simply to complete my WHO collection. With respect to "My Generation", I can only say it's about average compared to later WHO.
Great music, poor sound, worth it anyway. The Who's first album captures the excitement of the early Mod movement in Great Britain. The music itself is excellent with the title tune, "The KIds Are Alright" et all but the recording is much to bright.
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