by Brian D. Holland

The Who of 2006, Daltrey and Townshend, have released quite an impressive batch of songs in Endless Wire, their first studio release since 1982’s It’s Hard. Think about that; the previous release was close to 25 years ago, and the impression they purveyed back then was that they were nearing their end as a band. The mediocre atmosphere of that album followed that course as well. However, as with other great acts over the years, the end is never really known until after the fact. The love of the music, after all, is experienced by those making it as well as by those listening to it. Endless Wire, in my opinion, is a good example of just how much the two remaining members, who were always the band’s movers and shakers anyway, still love making the sort of music that made them one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

Though this new album has Pino Palladino on bass and Zak Starkey on drums, as well as other guest musicians, it’s basically a Daltrey and Townshend venture from start until finish, Townshend primarily. The opener, ‘Fragments’, by title alone is extremely descriptive of the song’s framework, regardless of actual lyrical content. It begins with a synthesized sequence, easily familiar to Who fans. Following that ‘Baba O’Reilly’ vibe, and the percussive launch that follows, the song takes flight into a powerful Townshend chordal arrangement, distorted and crunchy yet tasteful. It’s blatantly familiar as well: that ‘Townshend’ rhythm timbre. It segues nicely into Daltrey’s lyrics, complete with archetypal harmony and melody. His voice still possesses that rugged and powerful youthfulness after all these years, as well as that ‘storyteller with an attitude’ characteristic. Though the song is a fragmentation of everything ‘Who’ in essence, the atmosphere is as fresh and satisfying as anyone could hope to get from an opening song on a new Who album.

The next one, ‘A Man In A Purple Dress’, I must admit took me by surprise at first listen. I didn’t expect its sudden acoustic and folky atmosphere to follow the stimulating rocker. This anti-religious folk rocker is an amazing collaboration between the old band mates, with incredible vocal, lyrical, and six-string acoustic proficiency. Like ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ or ‘Imagine A Man’ before it, when it’s just the two of them in an acoustic and vocal setting, Daltrey and Townshend become as one. The difference here is the lack of instrumental additives. Nothing else is needed. ‘A Man In A Purple Dress’ is perfect as is, and just may be one of the best songs on the album.

‘In The Ether’ gets into an interesting pop-theatrical mode, not uncharacteristic of The Who of yesteryear either. Coarse and gruff in places, Townshend’s vocal evokes the style of John Entwistle at times, only adding to the album’s fullness. ‘God Speaks, Of Marty Robins’ is another interesting Townshend acoustic and vocal piece. Instrumentally and vocally, he’s as good as ever, maybe even better, and seems more prolific and solemn in his performance style and in his compositions. He plays a lot of acoustic guitar on the record, and his Burt Jansch influence and that of other timeless British folk music is quite evident in a few areas.

Keep in mind that most of the tracks on Endless Wire are Townshend compositions, and half of the record is his mini-opera, Wire And Glass, in its completion. It’s very much a Who album in sound, style, and even ‘presence’, as added members: John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick on keyboards and Townshend’s brother Simon on second guitar, as well as Zak and Pino, have assisted in keeping the sounds and styles of The Who intact. The music is still integral and exciting, even though two extremely important original members are absent. Daltrey and Townshend are superb throughout, and I’m certain that many of the songs within, especially over time, will be considered as memorable and as classic as much of their past material. Endless Wire is deservedly labeled an album made by The Who.

Endless Wire Track Listing
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 Robins
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

Endless Wire has also been released in bonus track and DVD limited editions.

Universal/Republic 2006

Links
The Who Tour
Purchase Endless Wire on Amazon.com