It’s good but it ain’t Who’s Next on which every single song is a keeper like LZIV or American Beauty or Let it Bleed or Wish You Were Here or Second Helping or Abby Road (almost) or Ziggy Stardust or Aqualung.....and so on
Meaty Big and Bouncy is a compilation kind of but every song is worthwhile
Every Picture Tells a Story and Sgt Pepper
Byrd’s Sweetheart of the Radio
Most perfect big album is a toss up
Exile on Main Street versus Physical Graffiti
It could go on and on....what really made Sells Out is the title and artwork....man I remember well....at capital records downtown Jax Ms or on Ellis Ave ....folks had to see the cover....it was repelling but grabbed u
My favorite tune from Sell Out is Sunrise.
For me, music slammed the door on the 60s sensibilities when psychedelia became passé. Sell Out is a 60s album and mildly psychadelic; I Can See For Miles is the apex of Townshend's psychedelic output, and I read some quote of his that was something like "I gave up on psychedelia when I put on my Doc Martens." I would not dream of ranking it near Live At Leeds or Quadrophenia (though it's better than Who Are You).
I was but a wee Deplorable when this album came out but I got it years later as my first Ooo album. As you state, the cover and concept alone may outshine its more-than-decent musical content.
Townshend once said The Who wasn't really popular in the South. Is that true?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UYNVT4B20I4
“... it ain’t Who’s Next on which every single song is a keeper”
I never tire of Who’s Next. Every song can be listened to (and enjoyed) differently upon repeated hearing. Musically, every member (especially Keith Moon!) of The Who was at their peak on this album, and the production quality was perfect.
Please include “Live at Leeds” in your list. Maybe my favorite live recording of all time.