After 24 years, The Who is back with a new album with all new songs. Well, at least Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are back with new bandmates.
Endless Wire is basically Pete Townshend's project after convincing Roger Daltrey to participate, and the album was recorded over the last few years. It has two parts. The first nine songs, beginning with "Fragments" (kicking off with a "Baba O'Riley" riff), all build on the Who's signature sound, perhaps most accurately captured with "Mike Post Theme." The rest of the album is a mini-rock opera called "Glass & Wire" (based on a weblog novella by Pete Townshend titled "The Boy Who Heard Music"). It's Townshend's philosophical musings on spirituality and current events, with short songs to drive each message home. If you can imagine The Who without Keith Moon and John Entwistle, then the songs here should be able to stand on their own. The San Diego Union-Tribune says, "Despite its flaws,
Endless Wire is a generally impressive return. At its best, what results is more moving and inspired than almost anyone - Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey included - might have hoped for or expected."
This album is accompanied by a DVD of five songs ("Mike Post Theme" plus four classics from The Who) performed live.
CD released October 31, 2006.
Articles, reviews, and interviews:
Pop Matters review
San Diego Union-Tribune review
Associated Press article
Track List:
Disc 1 (CD):
1. Fragments
2. Man in a Purple Dress
3. Mike Post Theme
4. In the Ether
5. Black Widow's Eyes
6. Two Thousand Years
7. God Speaks of Marty Robbins
8. It's Not Enough
9. You Stand by Me
10. Sound Round
11. Pick Up the Peace
12. Unholy Trinity
13. Trilby's Piano
14. Endless Wire
15. Fragments of Fragments
16. We Got a Hit
17. They Made My Dream Come True
18. Mirror Door
19. Tea & Theatre
Disc 2 (DVD):
1. Mike Post Theme
2. Won't Get Fooled Again
3. Baba O Reily
4. Behind Blue Eyes
5. Who Are You
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