Who | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 6 December 2019 [1] [2] | |||
Recorded | 3 February – August 2019 | |||
Studio | British Grove [3] and Metropolis Studios, London, England | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 45:45 57:01 (w. 3 bonus original tracks) 61:34 (w. 4 bonus original tracks) | |||
Label | Polydor, Interscope | |||
Producer | Pete Townshend and Dave Sardy, with (for Roger Daltrey's vocals only) Bob Pridden and Dave Eringa [4] [5] | |||
The Who chronology | ||||
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Singles from Who | ||||
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Who is the twelfth studio album by the English rock band The Who, released on 6 December 2019. [4] The band's first new studio album in thirteen years, and the second overall comprising the duo of vocalist Roger Daltrey and instrumentalist Pete Townshend, it comprises ballads, rock music, electronic experimentation and "classic Who-ish" songs, according to Townshend.
Promoted by three singles, including the lead single "Ball and Chain", WHO was a commercial success, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart and number two on the American Billboard 200. The album was also positively received by music critics. The Who supported the album with their Moving On! Tour.
In January 2019, The Who confirmed that they were working on their first album of new material in 13 years (since their 2006 studio album Endless Wire ), which would contain "dark ballads, heavy rock stuff, experimental electronica, sampled stuff and Who-ish tunes that began with a guitar that goes yanga-dang", as Townshend stated. [7] As with previous Who albums, vocalist Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend recorded their parts of Who separately. [8]
"Ball and Chain", released as the first single on 13 September 2019, is a re-recording of a Pete Townshend solo song called "Guantanamo", which was released on his 2015 compilation Truancy: The Very Best of Pete Townshend . A second song, "All This Music Must Fade" was released as a single on 3 October 2019 and a third, "I Don't Wanna Get Wise" received a release on Spotify and iTunes in November 2019.
The album was supported by their Moving On! Tour. [9] "Got Nothing to Prove", one of the deluxe edition bonus tracks, was initially recorded as a demo in 1966, but was ultimately discarded by their manager and producer Kit Lambert due to lack of emotional resonance in the lyrics. "Sand", another early demo from 1966, is included on the Japan edition of the album as a bonus track. [10] [11] "Got Nothing to Prove" was later offered to Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, (who supported the Who at their Marquee Club performances in 1965) who also declined it. [10] [11]
The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 album chart for the week ending 21 December 2019. [12]
On 30 October 2020, The Who released a new deluxe edition of Who featuring an updated version of "Beads on One String" newly remixed by Pete Townshend plus a bonus CD of live acoustic tracks from their only two live shows of 2020. The extra songs on the deluxe version of Who were recorded in Kingston-on-Thames on Valentines Day 2020, exactly 50 years to the day since the band's seminal show at Leeds University that resulted in the live album Live at Leeds . [13]
Conceptually, the album tackles the struggles of being an elderly rock musician, as The Guardian writer, Alexis Petridis noted. "Townshend seems more troubled than ever," Petridis stated, and this feeling overlaps into songs such as "I Don't Wanna Get Wise", which according to Petridis, "views a rock career as one of inevitable decline." [14] Musically, the album sounds like a "traditional" Who record. Senior Rolling Stone writer, Kory Grow, called WHO, "classic rock comfort food" and commented on its nostalgic feel: "Townshend and Daltrey...can still summon their inner Who-ness in their mid 70s." [15] Likewise, Ultimate Classic Rock's senior editor, Michael Gallucci, reflected on how the band's newest album sounds more like a "conventional" Who record, despite the album being thematically different from any of their previous works: "It's a throwback record for the most part, with nods all over the place to their classic work. It's not a retread, but it sounds like a Who album, which is crucial for something like this, as well as an upgrade for the 21st century." [16]
The album cover was designed by pop artist Peter Blake, whose work includes the band's Face Dances and The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album covers. It is a patchwork of 25 squares: 22 squares showing different coloured images placed around three squares forming the word "WHO" in the centre of the album cover. The 22 squares depict some of the band's influences and symbols of their career and culture:
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 79/100 [19] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [20] |
Consequence of Sound | B− [21] |
The Guardian | [22] |
The Independent | [23] |
NME | [24] |
Rolling Stone | [25] |
The Telegraph | [26] |
Tom Hull | B [27] |
Variety | (favorable) [28] |
Who has received generally positive reviews from critics. According to Metacritic scores, fans gave the album a 7.4/10 star rating, while critics gave the album a 79/100 score. [29] Praise for the band's performance also resonated with critics. In the Chicago Tribune , Pablo Gorondi complimented Daltrey for, "sing(ing) with power, sensitivity, range and conviction, just as he has done for decades", and called Townshend's voice a "highlight", while still "rip(ping) power chords and perform(ing) slinky riffs." [30] Gorondi continued his praise by stating that the dominant reasons why the album was "such a joy" were due to "Townshend's songwriting and guitar playing and Daltrey's superlative singing." [30]
Despite the praises for its 1970s rock sound and Daltrey and Townshend's performances, Who has received criticism. According to Matthew Taub of Consequence of Sound , some tracks are "not particularly well conceived", citing songs such as "Detour" and "Hero Ground Zero", as "just sit(ting) there" or "feeling more like an intermission". [31] Taub also commented that the track "Break the News", which was written by Townshend's younger brother, Simon, sounded like it was, "plucked from some kind of factory for generic acoustic pop songs — somehow like 100 other songs you’ve heard, yet none you can actually name." [31]
Another observation was the generational tone of the album. Chris Willman from Variety stated, "There are hints of mirth amid the crotchetiness. Right in the opening line, when Daltrey sings 'I don't care, I know you're gonna hate this song,' followed later by 'I don't mind other guys ripping off my song.'" [32] NME journalist, Mark Beaumont, similarly noted this theme with the track, "I Don't Wanna Get Wise": "...(it) almost reads like a 75-year-old Daltrey talking to the drunk and tardy 20-year-old who sang 'My Generation.'" [33]
All songs written by Pete Townshend except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "All This Music Must Fade" | 3:20 | |
2. | "Ball and Chain" | 4:29 | |
3. | "I Don't Wanna Get Wise" | 3:54 | |
4. | "Detour" | 3:46 | |
5. | "Beads on One String" | P. Townshend; Josh Hunsacker | 3:40 |
6. | "Hero Ground Zero" | 4:52 | |
7. | "Street Song" | 4:47 | |
8. | "I'll Be Back" | 5:01 | |
9. | "Break the News" | Simon Townshend | 4:30 |
10. | "Rockin' in Rage" | 4:04 | |
11. | "She Rocked My World" | 3:22 | |
Total length: | 45:45 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "This Gun Will Misfire" | 3:36 |
13. | "Got Nothing to Prove" | 3:38 |
14. | "Danny and My Ponies" | 4:02 |
Total length: | 57:01 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
15. | "Sand" (Demo) | 4:26 |
Total length: | 61:34 |
"Sand" is a demo Pete Townshend recorded in 1966.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
12. | "Beads on One String" (Yaggerdang Remix) | P. Townshend; Josh Hunsacker | 3:38 |
Total length: | 65:12 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | |
2. | "Substitute" | |
3. | "Squeeze Box" | |
4. | "Tattoo" | |
5. | "The Kids Are Alright" | |
6. | "Break the News" | |
7. | "She Rocked My World" | |
8. | "Won't Get Fooled Again" |
Adapted from compact disc liner notes and online liner notes.
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [58] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group's third rock opera, the previous two being the "mini-opera" song "A Quick One, While He's Away" (1966) and the album Tommy (1969). Set in London and Brighton in 1965, the story follows a young mod named Jimmy and his search for self-worth and importance. Quadrophenia is the only Who album entirely written & composed by Pete Townshend.
Who's Next is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 2 August 1971 by Track Records in the United Kingdom and Decca Records in the United States. It developed from the aborted Lifehouse project, a multi-media rock opera conceived by the group's guitarist Pete Townshend as a follow-up to the band's 1969 album Tommy. The project was cancelled owing to its complexity and to conflicts with Kit Lambert, the band's manager, but the group salvaged some of the songs, without the connecting story elements, to release as their next album. Eight of the nine songs on Who's Next were from Lifehouse, with the lone exception being the John Entwistle-penned "My Wife". Ultimately, the remaining Lifehouse tracks would all be released on other albums throughout the next decade.
A Quick One is the second studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 9 December 1966. In the United States, where the song "Happy Jack" was a top 40 hit, the album was released in April 1967 under the title Happy Jack with a slightly altered track listing.
My Generation is the debut studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 December 1965 by Brunswick Records in the United Kingdom, and Festival Records in Australia. In the United States, it was released on 25 April 1966 by Decca Records as The Who Sings My Generation, with a different cover and a slightly altered track listing. Besides the members of the Who, being Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums), the album features contributions by session musician Nicky Hopkins (piano).
The Who Sell Out is the third studio album by the English rock band the Who. It was released on 15 December 1967 by Track Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US. A concept album, The Who Sell Out is structured as a collection of unrelated songs interspersed with fake commercials and public service announcements, including the second track "Heinz Baked Beans". The album purports to be a broadcast by pirate radio station Radio London. The reference to "selling out" was an intended irony, as the Who had been making real commercials during that period of their career, some of which are included as bonus tracks on the remastered CD.
Live at Leeds is the first live album by English rock band the Who. It was recorded at the University of Leeds Refectory on 14 February 1970, and is their only live album that was released while the group were still actively recording and performing with their best-known line-up of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon.
Empty Glass is the third solo studio album by English rock musician Pete Townshend, and his first composed of original material, released on 21 April 1980 by Atco Records.
The Who by Numbers is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 October 1975 in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records, and on 6 October 1975 in the United States by MCA Records. It was named the tenth-best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.
It's Hard is the tenth studio album by English rock band the Who. Released in September 1982, it was the final Who album to feature bassist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. It was also the second and final Who studio album with drummer Kenney Jones, as well as the last to be released on Warner Bros. Records in the US. It was released on Polydor Records in the UK, peaking at No. 11, and on Warner Bros. in the US where it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. The US rights to both this album and Face Dances subsequently reverted to the band, who then licensed them to MCA Records for reissue. The album achieved gold status by the RIAA in the US in November 1982. It was their last album for over two decades until Endless Wire in 2006.
Who Are You is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 18 August 1978 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and on 21 August 1978 by MCA Records in the United States. Although the album received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the US charts and number 6 on the UK charts.
Face Dances is the ninth studio album by English rock band the Who. It was released in 1981 by Warner Bros. in the United States and on Polydor in the United Kingdom. It is one of two Who studio albums with drummer Kenney Jones, who joined the band after Keith Moon's death three years earlier.
Endless Wire is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 30 October 2006 in the UK through Polydor Records and the following day in the US by Universal Republic. It was their first new studio album of original material in 24 years following the release of It's Hard in 1982, as well as their first since the death of their founding bassist John Entwistle. It was originally due to be released in early 2005 under the working title WHO2.
Odds & Sods is an album of studio outtakes by British rock band the Who. It was released by Track Records in the UK and Track/MCA in the US in October 1974. Ten of the recordings on the original eleven-song album were previously unreleased. The album reached No. 10 on the UK charts and No. 15 in the US.
"I Can't Explain" is a song by English rock band the Who, written by Pete Townshend and produced by Shel Talmy. It was released as a single in the United States on 19 December 1964 by Decca and on 15 January 1965 in the United Kingdom by Brunswick. It was the band's second single release and first under the Who name.
"I'm Free" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the Who on the album Tommy. The song has since been released as a single, becoming one of the best known tracks from Tommy.
The Kids Are Alright is a soundtrack album by the British rock band the Who, a companion to the band's documentary film of the same name. As a compilation album, it serves as a retrospective look at the band's biggest hits throughout their career to the point it was released. Most of the tracks are live recordings, rather than the original studio versions.
Parting Should Be Painless is the fifth studio album by English singer Roger Daltrey, released in February 1984, on the label Atlantic, in the United States, and on WEA in Germany, and Japan. The album was Daltrey's first solo album since the initial break-up of rock band the Who, and the first by any member of the band since the break-up. "Walking in My Sleep", "Parting Would Be Painless", and "Would a Stranger Do" were all released as singles. Two of those singles failed to chart, while "Walking in My Sleep" was a success, peaking at No. 4 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Tommy is a soundtrack album by The Who with contributions from numerous artists. The soundtrack was used in the 1975 Tommy film that was based on the original album that was released by The Who in 1969. Pete Townshend oversaw the production of this double-LP recording that returned the music to its rock roots, and on which the unrecorded orchestral arrangements he had envisaged for the original Tommy LP were realised by the extensive use of synthesiser.
The Who Hits 50! is a compilation of singles by the English rock band the Who, released in 2014 by Polydor Records. The two-disc set contains every single released by the band in the United Kingdom, with the exceptions of: "A Legal Matter" and "La-La-La-Lies" from 1966; and "Long Live Rock" and the remake of "I'm One" from 1979. At the same time it also contains every single by the band released in the United States throughout their career, with the exceptions of: "The Real Me" from 1974; the reissue of "Substitute" from 1976; and "Long Live Rock" from 1979. A condensed single-disc standard edition appeared as well, both versions in conjunction with the band's 50th anniversary and associated tour of the same name. The album is notable for containing singles generally not included on other compilation albums, such as the band's Rolling Stones cover "The Last Time" done as an act of solidarity while Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were facing jail time, along with other lesser-known singles "Dogs" and "Call Me Lightning".
As Long as I Have You is the tenth solo studio album by the English rock singer Roger Daltrey, released on 1 June 2018 by Polydor Records.