The 12th studio album by The Who is simply entitled WHO and in many ways is a poignant retrospective but also a culmination of decades of song writing craft. The Who famously refuse to be influenced by trends in music or bend to marketing mogul’s direction, and this is clear in this new album. It is refreshingly and undoubtedly The Who – not a reinvention nor an attempt to be relevant to a new audience.
Three tracks have been released ahead of the full album – 'All This Music Must Fade', Ball And Chain', and 'I Don’t Wanna Get Wise'. Lead singer, Roger Daltry’s vocals are unmistakeable and there is a slight shade of vocal maturity and gravel but it is entirely possible that this is an affect added to emphasise the elements of looking back on life that appear in the lyrics – 'What’s Mine Is Yours', the first track of the album, is firmly about attitudes towards the music of The Who over the past fifty five years. Despite their immense success, having sold over one hundred million records worldwide and performing countless tours – every year from 1961 until 1980 and at least twenty tours in the years since then, with more than one tour on offer in a year at times – The Who started their success in a period of history that did not fully accept Rock as an art form, indeed regular reviews of gigs and albums of popular music in the mainstream press did not occur until the late '60s. “I don’t care, I know you’re gonna hate this song, and that’s fair, we never really got along” starts the first verse of this track and these opening words and notes are a direct resemblance to one of their most famous tracks 'The Kids Are Alright' which will please The Who fans. The main chorus of this song tells us that the music will fade like the blade of a knife. It is a sad reflection on the fatuity of time, but it is hard to think that the music of The Who will ever fade given the sheer amount of popularity, the uniqueness and obvious effect this band has had on popular culture and other music styles. Perhaps, then, the music fading is more a reflection of the musicians themselves – of the original line-up, only Daltrey and Pete Townshend remain. Legendary musicians John Entwistle and Keith Moon have passed on in 2002 and 1978 respectively, both suffered drug related deaths. While this song possibly aims to negate criticism, it ties right in with that early '60s teenage attitude in Rock – how many teens have started an argument with the words, "I don’t care?". A second verse, which opens the piece with a fade -n on what sounds like a vocoder, states “What’s mine is yours, and what’s mine is mine”, this line, and variations of it, appear throughout the song like a mantra, perhaps this is a nod and wink to the loving audience.
Track two, 'Ball And Chain', takes a slightly different tone, with a stronger blues rock feel a la Who. It takes a step away from the band itself and is a commentary on the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. It is a pretty direct commentary on the injustice of a “breach of promise – still guilty with no charge”. Track three, 'I Don’t Wanna Get Wise' is another biographical piece reflecting on the idea that “Life teaches us well – we don’t wanna get wise” which I interpret to mean the searching, and learning in youth is more important than finally finding out – getting wise.
The soundworld of these songs contain all the typical rock vocals, drums and bass and electric guitar that we recognise as characteristic of The Who, including some familiar production techniques. The themes, harmony and structures also are familiar territory which makes this album a real treasure for stalwart The Who fans. It really goes to prove the depth of their ability as musicians and songwriters – they created an original and unique soundworld in the 1960s that has stood the test of time. The nostalgic elements in this album are purely by choice and not a consequence of the moving on of time.
Reviewer - Aaron Loughrey
on - 4/12/19
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