Pete Townshend originally planned The Who Sell Out as a concept album of sorts that would simultaneously mock and pay tribute to pirate radio stations, complete with fake jingles and commercials linking the tracks. For reasons that remain somewhat ill defined, the concept wasn't quite driven to completion, breaking down around the middle of side two (on the original vinyl configuration). Nonetheless, on strictly musical merits, it's a terrific set of songs that ultimately stands as one of the group's greatest achievements. ...
Read More
Pete Townshend originally planned The Who Sell Out as a concept album of sorts that would simultaneously mock and pay tribute to pirate radio stations, complete with fake jingles and commercials linking the tracks. For reasons that remain somewhat ill defined, the concept wasn't quite driven to completion, breaking down around the middle of side two (on the original vinyl configuration). Nonetheless, on strictly musical merits, it's a terrific set of songs that ultimately stands as one of the group's greatest achievements. "I Can See for Miles" (a Top Ten hit) is the Who at their most thunderous; tinges of psychedelia add a rush to "Armenia City in the Sky" and "Relax"; "I Can't Reach You" finds Townshend beginning to stretch himself into quasi-spiritual territory; and "Tattoo" and the acoustic "Sunrise" show introspective, vulnerable sides to the singer/songwriter that had previously been hidden. "Rael" was another mini-opera, with musical motifs that reappeared in Tommy. The album is as perfect a balance between melodic mod pop and powerful instrumentation as the Who (or any other group) would achieve; psychedelic pop was never as jubilant, not to say funny (the fake commercials and jingles interspersed between the songs are a hoot). The Who Sell Out has seen two significant expansions prior to 2021's Super Deluxe Edition. Ten outtakes were added to the 1995 reissue of the album, while the 2009 deluxe edition contained both the stereo and mono mixes along with 29 bonus tracks. Nearly all of this material is on the 2021 Super Deluxe Edition, a hefty box containing five CDs, a pair of 7" singles, a hardcover book, and a bunch of memorabilia (the reissue also had accompanying relatively bare-bones LP and CD editions, which added various outtakes to the album). Those earlier expansions did unearth the meatier unheard music from The Who Sell Out sessions, yet there are still some significant discoveries here, notably the disc of unreleased Pete Townshend demos which include the rarities "Kids! Do You Want Kids," "Inside Outside USA," and "Thinking of You All the While." There is also a disc of "Who Studio Sessions" from 1967 and 1968, which gathers alternate takes of familiar tunes and non-LP songs; nothing revelatory here, but it's all worthy. Of greater interest is the "The Road to Tommy 1968," a fourth disc which rounds up songs and singles cut between Sell Out and Tommy, including John Entwistle's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde," the surf wannabe "Call Me Lightning," the rocking "Magic Bus," and "Dogs," a flop single that pointed the way toward Brit-pop. Collectively, there is a fair amount of repetition -- within the box itself, not to mention the previous editions -- yet the whole set remains compulsively listenable as it teems with imagination. The Who seemed to keep inventing and reinventing themselves on The Who Sell Out and that process of discovery not only remains enthralling decades later, it's worthy of a comprehensive set like this. ~ Richie Unterberger & Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of The Who Sell Out[Super Deluxe 5 Cd/2 X 7" Single] to cart. $91.01, good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Geffen.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Who Sell Out to cart. $147.50, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Geffen.
Add this copy of The Who Sell Out [5 Cd + 2 7" Singles Box Set] to cart. $168.31, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Geffen.
![The Who Sell Out [Super Deluxe Edition] - The Who](https://www1.alibris-static.com/the-who-sell-out-super-deluxe-edition/cover/21962an61n_l.jpg)
![The Who Sell Out[Super Deluxe 5 Cd/2 X 7" Single]](https://www1.alibris-static.com/cover/21962an61n_t.jpg)
![The Who Sell Out [Super Deluxe Edition]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/the-who-sell-out-super-deluxe-edition/cover/21962an61n.jpg)
![The Ultimate Collection [Bonus Disc]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/the-ultimate-collection-bonus-disc/cover/v53967te2kj.jpg)
![Who's Next [180 Gram Vinyl]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/whos-next-180-gram-vinyl/cover/w91674xjpjy.jpg)
![Who's Next [Deluxe Edition]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/whos-next-deluxe-edition/cover/r32690segtz.jpg)
![La Bamba [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]](https://www1.alibris-static.com/la-bamba-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/cover/u77854ol131.jpg)
