Product Description

By the end of the '70s, the original version of the Who wasreaching the end of its tether (Keith Moon was nearing the end of his life). WHO ARE YOU can be seen as something of a swan song for the spirit that ignited the rock & roll juggernaut that was the Who in its prime. The increased prominenceof synthesizers here (the electronic flavouring of the title track recalls "Baba O'Riley") points towards the directionthe post-Moon '80s version of the band would take. Instead of casting aspersions on socio-political ills, Townshend wascasting glances askance at current musical trends ("Sister Disco") and his own occupation ("Guitar and Pen"). Entwistle's bass still rumbles melodically through the tunes in the grand style, and Daltrey's wounded-beast roar is at its most impassioned on such songs as "Had Enough". The end of an erawas just around the corner, but the band blazed away regardless, making WHO ARE YOU the last must-have Who album.

Track Listing

1. New Song
2. Had Enough
3. 905
4. Sister Disco
5. Music Must Change
6. Trick Of The Light
7. Guitar And Pen
8. Love Is Coming Down
9. Who Are You
10. No Road Romance
11. Empty Glass
12. Guitar And Pen
13. Love Is Coming Down
14. Who Are You

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3074 in Music
• Released on: 1998-02-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 71 minutes

From Amazon.com
Posited between punk (Pete Townshend's instinctive ethos) and progressive (much of the music), Who Are You is ultimately a failed attempt to conciliate two camps that thrived on their opposition to one another. Neither the insurgent punks of Johnny Rotton's generation nor Townshend's comfortably numb peer group had the least need for one another. Townshend, on the other hand, seemed to want one thing from both forces: their contempt. It was something he could share with them. All of which led to one exceptional song (the title cut) and a handful of lesser statements (the modified minuet "Guitar and Pen," "Music Must Change," "New Song"). John Entwistle fills three song slots with the tactless "Had Enough," the slight but likable "905," and "Trick of the Light," an above-par classic-rock showcase for Roger Daltry. A generous five bonus tracks round out the reissue. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Not their best
After "Who's Next", Townshend threw himself into producing what would eventually become "Quadrophenia", and couldn't get his head around the fact that the music he had wanted to make for "Who's Next" (originally the "Lifehouse" project)was not forthcoming from his frazzled mind.

"Quadrophenia" went on to have massive success, and the rest of The Who's 70's output was widely regarded as dross until "Who Are You".
On release it was met with a genuine anticipation, and initial reaction was that it was a return to form. But, is it that good?
Ok, so it will be remembered for the fact that it was the last album The Who did before Keith Moon shuffled off this mortal coil, but it should also be remembered for a temporary return to The Who of old. The title track is what this album is all about, a huge bombastic mini-opera all of it's own.
"Who Are You" has become a staple of later-day Who shows, and rightly so as it is probably the last great song Townshen wrote. It is immediate and when Daltrey weighs in with his splendid set of pipes, it really lifts off.
Although there are a number of decent tunes on here, it kinda feels like it was cobbled together from bits and bobs...or should that be Odds n Sods? If you are looking to invest in The Who....try "Who's Next" "Tommy" and the incomparable "Live at Leeds", it's a much better bet.

Class, but little inspiration
The Who's last album to feature the original line-up arrived in 1978, at a time when disco and new wave music were the headlining styles. Some of the song titles betray Pete Townshend's preoccupation with his feelings about music, but if you're going to give opinions on the subject, your credibility depends partly on your own efforts. For once, Townshend's efforts are ineffectual. Attempts to shoe-horn in synthesizers result in them often sounding intrusive and, these days, embarrassingly dated. Ironically, their use on the earlier 'Who's Next' album doesn't suffer from this problem.

John Entwhistle's three songs, musically at least, compare favourably with Townshend's often uninspired efforts. 'Sister Disco' and 'Guitar And Pen' are a slog, while the slushy 'Love Is Coming Down' is okay, but not what you'd expect from the author of 'My Generation'. 'Music Must Change' is more ambitious, a rare success, while the technical gifts of the band shine through as ever. Having heard Townshend's 'Empty Glass' album of a couple of years later, however, I can't help thinking he may have been stockpiling some of his better songs. The inclusion here of a version of the title track as a bonus serves as a nudging reminder in that direction.

WHO ARE YOU review
OK, here we go... and let's take a look at one of the best albums the Who ever made. WHO ARE YOU was my first Who album and turned out to be a masterpiece. All of the Who's talent shine here: great singing by Roger, Pete's guitar playing is just amazing at all times, John plays excellent bass (also his 3 songs are very nice) and Keith's drumming is magnificent.
There aren't really any bad songs in the album; in my opinion the best are Had Enough, 905, Sister Disco, Who Are You (of course), Guitar and Pen, Empty Glass (one of the bonus tracks). Clever lyrics, nice melodies with great synthesizers, bass and drum parts.
I also like the included booklet with extensive liner notes and lots of astounding photos.
Well, few words can't describe how great this album is. I highly recommend it, not only to Who fans, but also to everyone who enjoys high quality music.