Commercial Break

After spending the ’90s as a member of sugary alt-pop bands That Dog and the Rentals, surviving a car running her down in 2000, and recently joining the Decemberists, violinist Petra Haden (one of jazz legend Charlie Haden’s triplet daughters) has come up with the ultimate artistic statement: an a cappella version of The Who Sell Out. Having already released one a cappella album in 1999 (Imaginaryland with Mike Watt), Haden was ready for Watt’s challenge: to cover the entirety of the Who’s seminal 1967 record. Anyone familiar with the original might scratch their heads, but Haden studied the music closely in order to perform all sounds — vocals and instruments — from the record (including the loopy commercials) with only her voice. Released on Bar/None, Haden’s version is a remarkable achievement not only for the music, but also her re-enactment of the screwy band photos on the infamous front and back covers.