The Who: Ranking Their Albums From Worst To Best

7. A Quick One (1966)

Probably the most interesting album in The Who's back catalogue, it's certainly their most experimental. It's miles away from the more R&B sound of their debut album, instead being an almost psychedelic mix of rock pop and just plain weirdness. One reason for this is almost certainly the fact that all band members had to write two songs, which produces mixed results. Daltrey has never been known for his songwriting, and while his effort 'See My Way' is listenable, the group clearly weren't impressed as his second song never mad it onto the album. Keith's efforts are bizarre; ' I Need You' sounds like a Beach Boys song with wild drumming, while 'Cobwebs and Strange' is just unbelievably weird. The album presents a positive in that it helps Entwistle's fledgling song writing career. 'Whiskey Man' shows his flair of amusing, strange lyrics but his other effort- 'Boris the spider is rightly viewed as a classic thanks to it's cheeky lyrics and cracking bass. Pete only gets four songs but they are all pretty enjoyable. Three of them are typical of early Who; short and 'poppy' with 'So Sad About Us' being the best. The other is his first foray into rock opera territory with 'A Quick One, While He's Away. It's a funny but rude nine-minute epic, creating the wonderful character of Ivor the Engine Driver. It's a great song, although probably better live than on the album. Best Song: 'Boris the Spider'