Despite what its title might suggest, “Who Came First” wasn’t a statement of ego, but of religion. And even now, more than 20 years since it was recorded, it remains a revealing portrait of the Who’s leader.

“Who Came First” (1972) was Townshend’s first solo album, basically a tribute to his spiritual guide, Meher Baba. It was also mainly an acoustic album; he was “unplugged” before his time.

Townshend’s songs had to stand on their own, without the benefit of Roger Daltrey’s powerful voice, Keith Moon’s manic drums, John Entwistle’s steady bass or Townshend’s own wall-of-sound guitar. And — surprise! — not only did they hold up, but they revealed a new depth to Townshend’s songwriting talents.

Review

Who Came First. Pete Townshend. (Rykodisc; CD and cassette). 3 stars.

The nine songs on the original release include “Pure and Easy” and “Let’s See Action,” two outstanding songs from Townshend’s abandoned “Lifehouse” film project, which was the nucleus of “Who’s Next” (though neither song was a part of that album), and “Time Is Passing.” Townshend also accompanies fellow Baba devotee and friend Ronnie Lane on his composition, “Evolution,” which Lane had released earlier as “Stone” on the Small Faces’ “First Step” album (1970).

This rerelease adds six bonus tracks, including an acoustic demo of “The Seeker” (later recorded by the Who), taken from a series of rare albums put out by Baba’s followers.

A deluxe limited edition also includes a 64-page book with rare photos and notes by journalist and Who fanatic Ira Robbins.

“Who Came First” endures because the songs weren’t smothered by the album’s religious theme, even with the often-sparse arrangements. And it showed that the leader of the rough-and-tumble Who had a softer side, which only made the group’s raucous sounds all the more amazing.