Classic Rock Album of the Day- The Who- The Who Sell Out- (1967)  *** 1/2

This Fascinating and semi-ground breaking LP that exemplifies and parallels the Beatle Mania Mod transition to psychadaelia.  This particular album is genius in that somewhat serves as a concept album of illustrating how music radio, even in the mid 1960's had infliltrated the music industry so badly, that Pete used the theme not only in art album, but how he beautifully manipulated the song transitions in a manner of AM radio at the time.  Ingenious, and just another example of how perfectly attuned Pete Townsend was with what would and not work on vinyl.  No this is not the greatness you would see in this band in another few years.   Think about it, the next 3 (4) efforts include Tommy, (Light House), Who's Next, and Quadrophenia. The period of the Who from 1969- 1973, was so prolific, that the many outtakes that didn;t make the cut, are now classics. 

Style wise, even though this may be their transitional album, the break from Mod was not as abrupt as with Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour.  But that isn't a bad thing.  I am very thankful that their career path didn't mimic the Beatles, as soon they will be among the greats of hard rock.  The Beatles toyed a tad toward that direction, but Townsend obviously had to see the success of Sabbath and Purple, and realized that adding an edge to the sound would give them the best of both worlds.  And in the world of Rock bands born in the early 1960's, The Who pulled off the transition, better than anyone else.  Of course it's always been a mystery to me, that as out of this world i creativity that Townsend was, why he got writer's block in the mid 1970's.  Good albums of course, but he never was able to recreate that level of consisitency of late '60's, early '70's.   Maybe Moon's death?  Who knows.  Still, I would be amiss, if I did mention that this LP does have some un-evenness to it, keeping it from 4 star or higher status.  But it doesn't matter, the upcoming stuff will be stuff of legends.

Another part of the Who persona that I love, is this is a band, no matter how talented ( Think about it....  Townsend, Moon, Entwistle) never took theirselves so seriously, that they infused enough humor, satire, and tom foollery to not only keep the product great, it added an air of humanity that the fans could relate.  Versus the Beatles, who had gotten so large, that it created an aura of prenteniousness and over analysis.  While pencil necked crtics were trying to elevate Lennon and McCartney to prophet status, bands like The Who kept ball rolling and folks rocking well into the '70's and beyond.   

And last what is endearing and kind of sad about this album is the ending of The Who as Mods.  Their next effort Tommy is so different that it is unrecogniable against "Sell Out"  The cocoon to Butterfly move is rock history.  Yes, there are some signs the end is near, but the   fact that the Who totally abandoned the genre,  pretty much shows that Townsen was always hell bent on evolving.  Which kind of hurt the band by the late 1970's.  Pete Townsend feared any critical comments about stagnation.  In the overall standing of the greatness of the Who, I think it hurt them.

Fun Fact:  Does the U.K. love their native band?  Today's album was the worst U.K. charting LP in the band's history.  No.13.  10 of their 12 studio LP's charted into their Top 10.

Side 1-
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Armenia City in the Sky- Rare out of band collaboration of Speedy Keen with Townsend.  Keen was a Thunderclap Newman member (hows that for a trivia question blast from the past).  Obviously this is  Townsend's first foray into out in out pscyadaelia.  To me, decent but feels a little to forced to be taken serious in the genre.  More experimental than from the chops.  4

Heinz Baked Beans- Satrical Ditty, that was interesting, at least in that time and reference.  12

Mary Anne and the Shaky Hand- Kind of a buzzard off tuned early like 1960's number that almost seems to diss the earlier styles-  7

Odorono- Some of the last bastions of the Who mod era.  Same metering, choral harmonies. 8

Tattoo- Light balladry that has to be included.  Not the best of their catalog in that regard- 10

Our Love Was- I consider this  their last shout out to Beatlemania.  Nicely melodically done, and some what I would call some innovative guitar at the time. Psyh guitar work at the end was a nice touch. 6

I Can See For Miles-  The by far, greatest tune on the LP.  This is the slap that gives listeners what they can expect the next 5 years.  Townsend's brain jarring guitar, and fablous percussion by the Loon?  Classic chaotic  Who at its best.  1

Side 2-
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Can't Reach You-  I see a lot of the melodic base in this one being incorporated in Tommy.  Nice choral Bolero like progressions screams '60's, but done so nicely that you can stealthly see the musical progression off that time tied mark.  3

Medac- Pointless filler  gibberish 13

Relax- Multi-phasic tune, that hits all the buttons.  Enough melodic psychadealia to keep it crisp, but not too much in dating it. Sleeper status for this LP  2

Silas Stingy- This level of story telling is kind of a precurssor to some of Tommy's lesser fodder. No thanks. 11

Sunrise- Mediocre Townsend ballad- 9

Rael- Even with this Cowsill's vibe, very innovative like airy song doesn't sound much like a Who effort.  Anyone else notice "The Sparks" Tommy redux?   5


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjcp42Q0Xgg

Quit calling Marxists, Rats.

Democrats Are Going to Get Someone Killed and They’re Perfectly Fine With It
Derek Hunter


There have always been radicals on college campuses – tenure exists to protect professors from being fired for doing pretty much anything, from espousing the virtues of violence against the United States in the name of “justice,” to screwing a new co-ed every semester. It’s the key to what is happening now on campus with the attacks on Jews and anyone else who isn’t a terrorist sympathizer, and it’s what is going to get people killed. Democrats just hope the people killed are on “their side,” as they are more than willing to sacrifice a few young people for the “greater good.”

There isn’t a location where these mutant armies are gathering that is controlled by Republicans. In fact, there isn’t even a Republican sniffing power in at least a generation. These people are evil, they aren’t dumb. At least the leaders aren’t dumb, the drones are.

Imagine being a parent struggling to help your kid get an Ivy League education because you think it will serve them well in life, only to see them repeating whatever some jackass from the theater department tells them to say? How quickly would you pull that kid out of school and save the money? You can educate away ignorance, not stupid, and anyone involved in these actions are stupid.

Well, the leadership isn’t stupid, they’re evil. The drones are stupid.

more
https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2024/04/23/democrats-are-going-to-get-someone-killed-and-theyre-perfectly-fine-with-it-n2638121

All using 1977 technology... Very amazing...

Being launched in 1977, it was most likely late 1960's technology.

Conservatives aren't going to vote for RFK because they agree with his policies.  The Kennedy box is a destination for protest votes.  I'm sure there is some nostalgia at work, as like his uncle he is capable of responding to a question without needless vituperation or incoherent rambling.