The Who Albums: Top 5 Ranked
Here at Return of Rock we present you with some of the finest The Who albums of the past half century. The tunes on this list are sure to sound crisp and bring back memories when you spin the vinyl on your record player. Here are the Top 5 The Who albums ever created.
Don’t miss out on the TIMELESS The Who Music! Click to experience Keith Moon at his finest!
5. Who Sell Out (1967)
“This one has grown on me tremendously since I first got it. I would say it took a few listens before I really appreciated it. I cannot speak as to what it meant at the time compared to other late 60’s releases as I was born in 1970 and grew up listening to 80’s heavy metal. I have a huge appreciation for the incredible late 60’s and early 70’s bands. Probably a pinnacle is music from around 1965-1975 with so much great stuff it is ridiculous, Beatles, Stones, Black Sabbath, The Who, Hendrix, on and on. This Who album contains brilliant songs with intermittent comedy jingles. I have grown to like the comedy sections but do wish they were set as separate tracks on the CD in case you wanted to delete them and listen to a straightforward album. I would rank this slightly below the all time classics such as Who’s Next, By The Numbers, Tommy, and Quadrophenia. Maybe a 4.5 rounded up. Some truly great songs on here though and a must for any Who collection. I cannot wait to hear the vinyl on headphones!”
4. My Generation (1965)
“This 5 disc box set of The Who’s 1st album is great for an obsessed fan like me. The original mono mix of the UK lp, alternate takes, exhaustive demos, & original stereo mixes! Love it! The book and extra replica posters & tickets are fun too. If you want to listen to 6 versions of “My Generation” or 4 versions of “Lubie (Come Back Home)” then this is the box set for you. The price was a bit expensive so I feel this purchase was a high ticket item, especially since I’ve bought this album twice before (on a single cd then the 2 disc deluxe version). But hey, they added in several unreleased recordings- ’cause that’s how they getcha!”
See More: Queen Albums Ranked
3. Live at Leeds (1970)
Live at Leeds is the first live album by the English rock band The Who. It was recorded at the University Refectory, University of Leeds on 14 February 1970, and is the only live album that was released while the group were still actively recording and performing with their best known line-up of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon.
See the full album review here
2. Tommy (1969)
“This is the album that propelled the Who into legend land, and Pete’s first foray into concept albums. I listen to this vinyl lp and it takes me back to a time when there was just so much great music being made. The story of Tommy ( which everyone knows ) shows the Who becoming a great band, not just top ten 45 rpm act. The music is youthful, but strong, and clearly laid the path for their next four lps-all of which were HOF lps. This is an lp that is a “must have”, then you’ll need Live at Leeds, Who’s Next and Quadrophenia!! Cheers!!!”
1.Who’s Next (1971)
“Who’s Next” is definitely The Who’s best! Released in 1971 by arguably one of the greatest bands of all time, it followed on the heels of the rock opera “Tommy,” and Pete Townshend’s abandoned “Lifehouse” project. (“Lifehouse” was originally intended as The Who’s crowning achievement – a combination science fiction film, rock opera, double album, and concert cycle, all connected to make a statement.) “Who’s Next” contains some of The Who’s most outstanding and famous songs, including the rock anthem “Baba O’Riley,” “Bargain, “My Wife,” “Gettin’ in Tune,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” all of them showing the band’s tremendous dynamism, versatility and musical maturity. Superbly intelligent lyrics, growling guitars, powerful, gritty vocals, and sizzling percussion, piano, and synthesizer, all converge to make every song on this CD a rock masterpiece.”