8 Underrated Albums From Your Favorite Artists

7. The Who - A Quick One (1966)

This album falls in a period where the Who were in a weird position. They were right in the middle of their Mod days and fresh off their massive success with My Generation. But they were also not quite ready for their classic period with projects like Tommy or Quadrophenia. And this album really shows that identity crisis front and center.

Perhaps in an attempt to display a more equal effort, each member submitted songs to be used on the album. What ended up coming out is the group's zaniest effort and the sound of them having fun after that initial success. Pete Townshend's songs shine bright like on album opener Run Run Run and the adorable teen heartache on So Sad About Us. Bassist John Entwistle also stepped up with dark songs Whiskey Man and Boris the Spider, the latter of which will become your new favorite Halloween song after a few listens.

Even madcap drummer Keith Moon shows his sense of humor on the circus frenzy found on the instrumental Cobwebs and Strange. But the real standout here is on the final cut, A Quick One While He's Away. This album is the precursor to the rock operas Townshend would perfect down the road. This song has multiple movements, which no doubt inspired Billie Joe Armstrong when he was coming up with the lengthier cuts for Green Day's American Idiot at the turn of the century.

For a band that was destined to be musical storytellers, this baby step towards grander ambitions is intriguing to see.

 
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