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The Who - Endless Wire Audio CD

A fair review of the The Who "Endless Wire" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Who reviews here, or go back to the The Who tabs.

The Who Band: The Who
Title: Endless Wire
Rating:
Release Date: 2006-10-31
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Fragments 2: A 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 Make My Dream Come True 18: Mirror Door 19: Tea & Theatre 20: We Got A Hit - Extended Version 21: Endless Wire - Extended Version 22: Intro 23: Can't Explain 24: Behind Blue Eyes 25: Mike Post Theme 26: Baba O'Riley 27: Won't Get Fooled Again

Not Good
I love the song good looking boy that they did in 2004 on a best of collection and I thought yeah they still have it. I wanted to like this I really did. Then I got this and I thought no they really don't. This is by far the worst record they have ever done. I could go on but what would be the point. Trust me save your money.


Don't throw this one away!
Firstly, the live disc is a BONUS. Before venturing an opinion, a number of issues need clarification. So, when rating this album, this should not be brought into the reckoning. Secondly, the opera is clearly entitle a MINI opera. So this should stop the winging about most tracks being only 2-3 minutes long. Thirdly, one should not keep comparing everything that The Who has subsequently done to Tommy (studio albums) and Live at Leeds (live albums). That said, Pete Townshend remains the consummate rock song writer, and the songs on Endless Wire are indeed as good as any he has ever written. The expense for this album is justified for two tracks alone, namely 'God speaks, of Marty Robins' and 'Tea & Theater'. These songs are exquisite, delicate and moving, and their vocals could not possibly be improved upon. Sure, Daltrey's here voice is far better than on the live CD, but remember - the latter is a bonus. Another thing: this album requires repeated listenings and takes time to get into, but once that has been done, the effort is truly worth the while. I presently rate it 4 stars, but suspect that after a while this may have to be turned up a notch to 5!.


Not my favourite...


"They made my dreams come true" and "Tea and Theatre" are particularly poignant given the passing of Keith and John. This isn't my favourite Who/Daltrey/Townshend album by a long shot, but there are some real gems on there. Tea and Theatre in particular makes me have to dab at my eyes. Maybe Pete isn't such a curmudgeon after all. I sometimes wonder if it pisses him off that Keith Moon, even after all these years, is held in such affection by Who fans. And to some extent, Keith is more famous than Pete, despite the fact that Pete does all the writing. Perhaps that is why he can be such a bitch on occasion.

However, back to the album. I would have preferred it if Pete hadn't programmed so much and had got real, live musicians in. But, on the plus side, Roger Daltrey's voice is still marvellous after all these years, in fact there is a gravelly maturity about it that I really like and find very comforting. And Pete's guitar playing has a beautiful delicate and light touch on songs like Tea and Theatre.

So yeah, not their best work, but certainly has things to redeem it. The Who aren't completely dead yet. It will never be how it was, Keith and John aren't with us anymore, which gives me a pang each and every time I listen to a Who album or watch a DVD. But I'm grateful that Pete and Roger are still making music in whatever form. Pete still has such a gift with words - he can excite you and move you to tears in the same song. That to me is an extremely precious gift and I thank him for sharing it with us.


I want my Who back!
After all the many years waiting for a studio album, I was very disappointed. What the heck we're they thinking with this album? Too folksy, artsy fartsy. I wanted to smash my guitar. This is what happens when half the band die.


Some Good... Some Not So Good
The "mini-opera" was a brilliant concept. First off, let me say that I really love the way this album is laid out. . . no doubts there.

Secondly, I wish this album were better! The music is pretty simplistic (for you musicians. . there is simply too much I-IV-V) and the lyrics are only slightly better (although they often resort to really "redneck" lingo and unpolished words like "crap". ) I really can't recommend this album.

That being said, "Trilby's Piano" is achingly beautiful, and "Fragments" is close to brilliant (the synth recalls the earlier days of "Yes". )

Sadly, the bulk of this album only warrants a 2 out of 5. .


You can see a complete list of all The Who discography, or go back to the The Who tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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