1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #90. The Who - The Who Sell Out (1967)

90. The Who - The Who Sell Out (1967)

Label – Track
Producer – Kit Lambert
Art Direction – David King and Roger Law
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 39:26

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Armenia City In The Sky
2. Heinz Baked Beans/More Music (Jingle)
3. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand/Premier Drums/Radio London (jingles)
4. Odorono/Radio London (jingle)
5. Tattoo/Radio London (Church Of Your Choice Jingle)
6. Our Love Was
7. I Can See For Miles/Charles Atlas (Jingle)
8. I Can't Reach You
9. Medac
10. Relax
11. Silas Stingy
12. Sunrise
13. Rael 1

This the Who’s third release is an interesting album and lays down the foundation of the Who as we think of them today. Pete Townshend has said that the “Who Sell Out” is a concept album paying tribute to pirate radio stations. It’s not a ‘concept piece’ as we generally think of when we thing of Townshends later works (Tommy; Quadrophenia, etc) as there is not a story being told here - but the addition of fake jingles and commercials which link the songs gives the record an overall common ‘theme’.
If you overlook those jingles (not that they are bad or anything like that) this is a great set of songs and a great record overall. "I Can See for Miles", "Armenia City in the Sky" and “Tattoo" are all just excellent tracks. To cap off the record is "Rael" which is a mini-opera, with some music themes that would reappeared as part of “Tommy”.
The album's release was not surprisingly followed by a handful of lawsuits - due to the mention of real-world products in the fake commercials - and on the album’s cover art. They were also sued by the makers of the real Radio London jingles claiming The Who used them without permission.
In 2003, the album was ranked number 113 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. While not the version reviewed here – I advise you to seek out the CD reissue of the record which adds some alternate versions as well as some unused jingles. It is recommended.


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You can purchase the CD here.

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Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is 61; Richard Tandy od Electric Light Orchestra is 61; Fran Sheehan formerly with Boston is 60; Monte Yoho of the Outlaws is 57; James Iha formerly of the Smashing Pumpkins is 41;

ON THIS DATE
1965 The Yardbirds announce their replacement for Eric Clapton: Jeff Beck
1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their “Bed-in” at the Amsterdam Hilton
1975 The Who's film "Tommy" premieres in London
2002 Former drummer for Ozzy and Motley Crue, Randy Castillo, dies at the age of 51 due to cancer
2005 Paul Newell Hester of Crowded House commits suicide in Melbourne, Australia
2008 Clint Lowery returns to Sevendust

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Friday, March 27 TODD RUNDGREN Capitol Theatre Clearwater