12 '70s Hard Rock Albums All Fans Should Own

While their mod aesthetic and attitude was as ‘60s as they come, The Who evolved and only got better as they moved into the next decade. Rock opera Tommy was hugely ambitious, and they evolved that prog sound even further with 1971’s Who’s Next, piling layers of synth and gorgeous balladeering onto the usual hard rock edge and sly social commentary.

There can’t be many songs - if any - with an opening more iconic than that of Baba O’Riley, and the song serves to lay out architect Pete Townsend’s intention for the record. Who’s Next is bathed in paranoia and a weariness about the world they found themselves in as the optimistic ‘60s came to an end.

As they detail in epic closer "Won't Get Fooled Again", nothing really changes as far as society goes - but The Who had changed and developed greatly. “Behind Blue Eyes” evidences this perfectly, on the surface downbeat tune about alienation, but with something sinister under the surface. They shot for the moon with this album and scored a direct hit.