The Who's New Album--Endless Wire

[david r]

I'm surprised there is no thread for the new Who CD. Their first new material in 24 years!

I got it for my birthday and it's very interesting. I expected a more rock-driven record, but this one has several ballads and slow tunes. And yes, a mini-opera!

Strangely, the beginning keyboards sound straight out of "Baba O'Riley". My CD also came with the excellent bonus DVD Live at Lyon. So did anyone else pick up the new Who CD?

[Jonathan Bogart]

I've listened to it. It's not at all bad, but I can't get enthused about it either.

Apparently the reason the opening synth lines sound like "Baba O'Riley" is that Townshend used the same synth-programming technique. In 1971, he punched in the Baba Yaga's vital stats to program the synth line. I don't know whose he used this time; probably his own, if the self-absorption on display over the rest of the album is any hint.

Daltrey's in fine voice; the anonymous studio guys doing the drums and bass sound like they know what's expected of them even if they never do anything interesting, and Townshend brings the melody and the bombast appropriately. He also makes several weird choices: at one point he sings exactly like Tom Waits for no apparent reason. And the rock opera, though it mines the same psychosexual territory as "Tommy" and "A Quick One, While He's Away," gets distinctly icky in light of Townshend's recent run-in with the law. (Which, yes, he was cleared of entirely. But the association is still there.)

I liked the final three songs the best, which makes me wonder if maybe it just took me that long to get used to it. I'll have to listen to it again.

[david r]

I agree, Roger Daltrey still has his vocal chops. Roger can still scream/sing with the best of them.

And yes, I noticed Townshend singing with a gravely voice. I couldn't even recognize who that singer was. An odd choice. Overall, I expected more traditional Who-era rock anthems. I think Pete Townshend wanted to experiment here. Not sure that is really what Who fans would want after 24 years.

I read this new album hit #7 on the American charts. Not bad.