As C.S.I. fans will vouch, there’s not much that isn’t thrilling about Won’t Get Fooled Again and Baba O’Riley, which howl and kick like they were born yesterday. Like many near-masterpieces, it wasn’t meant to turn out as it did. Pete Townshend had one of his ‘futuristic rock opera’ ideas, and recordings began on a work called Lifehouse.
It wouldn’t gel, so The Who made the most of the random songs that did. Upon release in 1971 it blew away critics and fans alike, bar a few Who diehards who thought larking around with things called synthesizers and modified keyboards were, like, selling out. Glyn Johns had replaced Kit Lambert as producer.
Still, the sleeve wasn’t exactly bland, picturing the foursome pissing on a slagheap. (Other contenders for the cover had included a group of obese naked women and a shot of Keith Moon in black lingerie. Be grateful for small mercies.) Baba O’Riley makes a spectacular opener, its hypnotic drone disrupted by power chords that are parachuted in off the backs of meteorites. Dave Arbus’ subtle then frantic viola solo raises it another gear.
There has rarely been a more durably evocative refrain than “teenage wasteland”. As ever, Daltrey’s ragged voice brings humanity to Townshend’s over-thinking. Moon is typically hyperactive: any drummer playing like this today would be ordered to rein it in. Bargain floats on the tension between acoustic guitar and the brave new synth. Like most of the album, it’s melodramatic without – as with later Who – fattening into pomposity.
The Song is Over oozes poignancy and Getting in Tune and Going Mobile are simply great songs. Behind Blue Eyes is a soul-searching ballad that bursts into belligerence, reflective then urgent. The climactic (and how) Won’t Get Fooled Again stretches itself and chews its restraints until it becomes much more than a riff and a scream.
It’s on fire. In “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss” it nailed the bleeding heart of protest-pop. Who’s Next is The Who’s best. --Chris Roberts This link will take you off in a new window.
Delivery times are specified on a per product basis and are an estimation on processing speed and warehouse demand. Please see the product overview page for an estimation. We will do our best to adhere to timescales but please allow some leeway, especially when shopping on one of our international storefronts outside of the United Kingdom.
Please take note that larger multi-item orders are can take longer to process and it may be better to split your order into smaller shipments for faster processing times.
Please note that our warehouse is closed on Bank Holidays and we do not dispatch orders on these days and are not factored into estimated delivery windows.
UNITED KINGDOM DELIVERY
All our UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail on a tracked service.
For the majority of our UK orders you will receive a timed-delivery window and rearrangement capabilities including safe-place delivery.
Standard Tracked Delivery - £2.99 (FREE over £20) - Your order would be expected to arrive within 48-72 hours after dispatch.
Next Day Express Tracked - £3.99 Some of our media catalogue and easy to ship tems are available for express delivery - any orders received by 2pm we will deliver to your door 7 days a week on an express next day service. If your order is placed after 2pm your order will be processed on the next working day.
*Please note this service is not guaranteed* but we will do our best to hit delivery aims and of course reimburse where necessary.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING OPTIONS
Europe:
If your order is being delivered within the EU, please be aware we have signed up to the EU’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS).
Since 1st July 2021, no additional VAT fees should be paid for the delivery of parcels in Europe under 150 Euros.
For orders over 150 Euros your order will be shipped DDU
DDU Incoterms payment (or delivery duty unpaid) mean the receiver/customer will be contacted by customs once their shipment arrives, and will have to settle any charges in order for customs to release the shipment and have it delivered to the customer.
Standard - From €4,95 - FREE over €49,95 (Country Dependant) - Your order would be expected to arrive 5-10 working days after dispatch. These orders are fully tracked from dispatch to delivery.
Canada:
Starting From $9.00
2023 Update: Unfortunately due to a large increase in shipping costs into Canada we have had to increase our shipping and remove our free shipping promotion. The delivery cost will differ depending on the weight of your order.
We also now offer an UPS Express delivery service. Please note that tax and duties may apply to your order before receipt of your delivery.
United States:
Standard - FREE - Your order would be expected to arrive within 10-14 working days after dispatch. Non-Tracked. We use Royal Mail for the majority of our deliveries and use DPD for larger shipments.
Japan:
Standard - ¥500 - FREE over ¥5,000 - Your order would be expected to arrive within 10-14 working days after dispatch. Non-Tracked.
PRE-ORDERS
Pre-order items are available for purchase on our website and are charged at the point of purchase.
Any orders that include a pre-order item will be dispatched once ALL items in the order are available. Please bear this in mind when placing orders containing both in-stock and pre-order items. If you would like in-stock items delivered sooner, please place a separate order for those items.
CANCELLATIONS / ORDER AMENDMENTS
You can cancel or amend any order before it is dispatched, please contact us and we will assist you further.
Let customers speak for us
Great singles from a great band
![Inspiral Carpets - The Complete Singles [VINYL]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0574/3919/1207/products/81ndkPbyhoL._AC_SL1500_250x250.jpg?v=1690540074)
Arrived on time, well packaged and items as described... so happy with the products. Thank you
great service from order to getting the kit and when arrived it was what i expected 1st class
Absolutely delighted with this extremely cute, well made little fox figurine, with his bonnie wee smiley face, he's irresistible.🦊 Great service,as always, from Yachew and good price, too. Many thanks, again, from a satisfied customer. ☺️
Expansion arrived sealed and in good condition.
Delivery was quick and the price was great.
Will certainly use again, thanks
Schleich models are very good and this one did not disappoint.
I like Schleich models because of the detail and buy them for my grandchildren to add to their collection.
Received my order in good time, in good condition
Good price.
![Lady Blackbird - Black Acid Soul [VINYL]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0574/3919/1207/products/71Ec2-UxDHL._AC_SL1500_250x250.jpg?v=1643784373)
Very cute !!! Granddaughter loves it!
The colour is so cute, and it actually looks like the queen, with the way they have done the hair. Very impressive and will look great with my others.
Brilliant shop, chuffed to bits with the purchase, excellent packaging very safe.
![Dave Brubeck - Time Out [VINYL]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0574/3919/1207/products/51E_l4-XNdL._AC__1_250x250.jpg?v=1661779765)
A really great and underrated game, and this book does a fantastic job of explaining the world and the system in an engaging and digestible way. Highly recommended.
