bedsitter23 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bedsitter23) wrote2020-02-17 12:19 pm
bedsitter23) wrote2020-02-17 12:19 pm
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On the Shelf 204: The Who
I have to say that I came to the new Who release WHO with limited expectations. I don't remember being particularly grabbed by Endless Wire, and although the Wilko Johnson/Roger Daltrey album got rave reviews, It only had limited appeal for me.
At this point, I think we are so hungry for Daltrey and Townsend to get together, that we put aside any "are they the Who?" arguments. At least, for me, but as I said, it was going to take a bit to impress me.
It started off with a few cursory "this isn't too bad" listens to a quick feeling that they really did something special.
Like other heavyweights Queen and Led Zeppelin, the Who seem to have fallen into and out of favor over the years. That said, they were always one of my favorite bands.
It would be easy to string a strong single to some otherwise weak songs like their early 80s efforts. Instead, they really crafted a perfect album.
It sounds like the Who all the way through, but never derivative.
You feel like you could slip it in easily into their 70s output after Quadrophenia. The album reminds me a bit of that soundtrack as well as Who By Numbers and Who are You. Indeed, it is at least on par without records, if not possibly a better end to end listen than those records. With nods to the band's career throughout (a lot of nods to topics on Who Are You). "Got Nothing to Prove" dates back to 1966 and sounds like early Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy Who. "Rocking in Rage" feels like it could be easily tacked onto Quadrophenia.
Mileage may vary, of course, but it is to me, enjoyable to get one last Great Who Record. What's also interesting to me is the group behind the group.
Behind Daltrey and Townsend, it's an all star and varied cast. Zak Starkey has been the band's drummer for 25 years now. Simon Townsend (Pete's younger brother) has been around awhile now, too, and has built a strong resume now on his own.
Pino Paladino is a veteran of the band at this point as well, and brings his jazz and soul influences. He's been on a string of Top 40 hits (Clapton, Phil Collins, Don Henley, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Adele and countless more), but has also played with D'Angelo, Gary Numan, and Nine Inch Nails). You know Benmont Tench from Tom Petty, of course, and much more.
Where Zak isn't at, Joey Waronker or Carla Azar is. You likely know him from his work with REM, Beck, and Atoms for Peace. You know her as the power behind Jack White's recent work, Ednaswap and a stint in the Waterboys.
Interesting of all the guests is D Sardy. Production credits are shared with Townsend, Bob Pridden (who goes back with the band to Live at Leeds) and Dave Eringa (a recent constant collaborator with Daltrey, but also a long time producer for Manic Street Preachers). When I think of Sardy, I go back to where I first heard of him- leader of noise rockers Barkmarket. At this point, of course, he's done everything and is most known for his work for films. In any case, he seems the right pick to put the behind the boards here.
At this point, I think we are so hungry for Daltrey and Townsend to get together, that we put aside any "are they the Who?" arguments. At least, for me, but as I said, it was going to take a bit to impress me.
It started off with a few cursory "this isn't too bad" listens to a quick feeling that they really did something special.
Like other heavyweights Queen and Led Zeppelin, the Who seem to have fallen into and out of favor over the years. That said, they were always one of my favorite bands.
It would be easy to string a strong single to some otherwise weak songs like their early 80s efforts. Instead, they really crafted a perfect album.
It sounds like the Who all the way through, but never derivative.
You feel like you could slip it in easily into their 70s output after Quadrophenia. The album reminds me a bit of that soundtrack as well as Who By Numbers and Who are You. Indeed, it is at least on par without records, if not possibly a better end to end listen than those records. With nods to the band's career throughout (a lot of nods to topics on Who Are You). "Got Nothing to Prove" dates back to 1966 and sounds like early Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy Who. "Rocking in Rage" feels like it could be easily tacked onto Quadrophenia.
Mileage may vary, of course, but it is to me, enjoyable to get one last Great Who Record. What's also interesting to me is the group behind the group.
Behind Daltrey and Townsend, it's an all star and varied cast. Zak Starkey has been the band's drummer for 25 years now. Simon Townsend (Pete's younger brother) has been around awhile now, too, and has built a strong resume now on his own.
Pino Paladino is a veteran of the band at this point as well, and brings his jazz and soul influences. He's been on a string of Top 40 hits (Clapton, Phil Collins, Don Henley, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Adele and countless more), but has also played with D'Angelo, Gary Numan, and Nine Inch Nails). You know Benmont Tench from Tom Petty, of course, and much more.
Where Zak isn't at, Joey Waronker or Carla Azar is. You likely know him from his work with REM, Beck, and Atoms for Peace. You know her as the power behind Jack White's recent work, Ednaswap and a stint in the Waterboys.
Interesting of all the guests is D Sardy. Production credits are shared with Townsend, Bob Pridden (who goes back with the band to Live at Leeds) and Dave Eringa (a recent constant collaborator with Daltrey, but also a long time producer for Manic Street Preachers). When I think of Sardy, I go back to where I first heard of him- leader of noise rockers Barkmarket. At this point, of course, he's done everything and is most known for his work for films. In any case, he seems the right pick to put the behind the boards here.