The Pretty Things beat The Who to the rock opera thing by a year with their fourth album in the UK, but in this game it’s a matter of timing; released a year late in the states and with no “Pinball Wizard” to deafen the charts, the sorrow belonged to them. A downbeat British look at the San Francisco hippie scene, this psych rock concept piece about the ongoing Bummer of Love was filled with great songs nonetheless. “S.F. Sorrow is Born” feels the most Who-like, “Balloon Burning” has proto-Krautrock vibes, and “Loneliest Person” cuts through the din of the effects pedals with a simple folk-y jingle. The true seal of approval? Lester Bangs hated it.