The Who vs. The Zep

A classic debate amongst intoxicated college students of a certain age: The Who or Zeppelin?  There can be only one and it's not just a matter of opinion.  Once you've picked, it is a metaphysical certitude requiring a lifetime pledge of fealty to the band of your choice.  There is no "changing your mind" on this.  It's like crying in baseball.  Well, only Mariano Rivera is allowed to cry in baseball.  I can't tell you how many evenings I spent, locked in debate over every nuance of each album and why anything that Zeppelin sobered up long enough to put out was better than that poseur Pete Townsend.  Daltry?  Please.  If the best you can do is to swing the mike around by its cord that's pretty weak sauce.

So, it's probably pretty obvious that I'm a Zeppelin guy.  I always thought they had very complete songs and more of them.  Page's idiotic refusal to use a second guitarist when in concert notwithstanding, I always thought Zep's music translated to the stage better as well.  It was easier to blast in the car.  It sounded better.  As far as talent goes, I think Townsend/Page is a wash, Entwistle was always a better bassist but Bonham killed Moon or whoever else the Who employed.  Singers?  C'mon.  Robert Plant still exudes more of everything you can think of than Daltry ever had.

This matter remained conveniently settled in my dormroom and a denizen of my past until recently.  As I mentioned, once you made your election in this debate there is no backtracking.  One way.  Black and White.  Whatever.

I was riding with my daughter in the car the other day and she wanted to listen to "Pinball Wizard".  Well, I didn't like the direction that was going at all!  Next thing you know, she'll be a damn democrat!  Nevertheless, I kept my cool and downloaded it from itunes.  I fired it up and let it play.  Yay.  Pinball Wizard.  I asked my daughter if she liked it?  She said it was ok.  Smug and satisfied I continued the journey.  Crisis averted.

However, there was something about that song, inside that car, that bugged me.  Now, all of you Who fanatics out there don't start celebrating yet.  I ain't rolling over on my boys.  But after listening to that song a couple of times in my car I can say that there is a nuance to The Who's music that I didn't get before.  It's not the lyrics, it's the music.  It's really well played.  There is a depth there that isn't in most Zeppelin songs.  It doesn't translate to a Who live show and it isn't even in all of their songs but there's a number that are just that good….but that number is like 4.  

Zeppelin's range and catalog still leave The Who wanting in an almost deranged way but those few songs deserve the adulation they've received over the years.  They can only really be appreciated in a tight space or in headphones but they're that good.

Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to blast "Rock & Roll" to atone for my sins.