Iirc, it was Adam and The Ants. The song was I think Athena. I 'll have to think a bit on this.... Edit, see post below.
I don't care how little anyone cares about chart positions - that hurts!! Pete's current signing crusade would have made the difference back then
I think I'm working my way to this very conclusion. I like It's Hard and Face Dances, but to me those albums were released under the specter of "Oh no, Keith is gone," and "Does Pete still want to be in the band?" In that way those aren't "happy" albums. This one is like a rebirth; a celebration. I don't miss Moon or John at all on this album. Sure, you can say it will never be the same without the four principals together, but isn't that line getting old, cold, and annoying at this point? It certainly is for me. If this is the band's last album, they went out with a bang. I also disagree with the poster who said Dylan's Time Out Of Mind is equal to something like Highway 61 Revisited. Not in my world. Not that the former isn't a really good album, it is. I also disagree that WHO is somehow the equivalent of Bridges To Babylon. I don't remember Bridges being received this well at all, although I am a big "Saint Of Me" fan. I guess if you're a bigger Stones fan than a Who fan, you might think Bridges is the equivalent of WHO, or better.
Yes, and no. Pete has been seeking validation - even a "license" from the public since he first started writing songs, and "Who am I writing for?" seems to be one of the first questions he asks when working these days. That is not primarily a "commercial" premise, but the receivers/participants are part of the format for him. This time around he wrote for Roger, and what his perception of a contemporary Who-audience would be. He also knows that Endless Wire was generally not received well by their audience. He may on one hand say that he does what he wants to do, and doesn't care what anyone thinks, but on the other hand he clearly wants the music to resonate. He is in the "travel business", as they say. I'm sure a #1 album means more to the label than the band (bomber1 has said as much), but I'll be hard pressed not to believe that the buzz the album generates doesn't sit well with the band, and for all we know it might just inspire more Who-activity in some form or another. There is always the "consumerist"-perspective to consider when caring or even talking about sales of any product, but the amount of records sold in 2019 is so tiny compared to even 20 years ago, that we might as well have been talking about a Fugazi or Minor Threat-record going to #1. Also given the unbelievable charity work The Who have done alone since the late 70's, buying a bundle of formats when they release their second album in 13 years should not make people feel guilty.
Exactly. Pete has talked about being upset over Miles' failure (relative to prior singles) on the UK chart, and how it caused him to question whether he'd lost his ability to write a hit, resulting in him going back and digging up discarded older 1964-65 songs for new singles (Magic Bus, Call Me Lightning) because he felt he'd lost the touch.
Bingo. In the documentary Lambert & Stamp, Pete talks extensively about reflecting back to the audience what he sees in them, physically and thematically. For instance, he talks about being on stage in the early days and seeing someone in a really sharp jacket. He bought himself the same one and wore it on stage, and before long he saw more people wearing the same jacket. (I'm not sure if that really happened, or if he was just posing a hypothetical example.) Along the same lines, he's said that he tries to write as a Who fan, looking in from outside the band. Anyway, to me, songs like "Ball And Chain" and "Beads On A String" put to music concerns a lot of people (the audience) are having these days.
From the Rank Speculation and Unfounded Rumors Dept.: Whatever, if anything, Keith Richards says publicly about WHO, he's listened to the album and was inspired to call Mick and say, "Have you heard this mate? Let's kick their ass with a new one!" Then, we get a great Stones studio effort next year. Macca is also paying attention. Is "Sand" only available on the Japanese CD?
the bonus disc on EW could and should have been so much more. I think mine is a 7 track audio disc. Others had a bit more? One edition came with a dvd from the show with about 7-8 tracks? With so much video in the vault, at least from the last two decades - it would be a great value to throw a dvd/blu ray on as a bonus. Same goes for the current album. (take note, Who productions! )
I saw the Lambert and Stamp documentary for the first time a few days ago (really prompted by this album) and I found that very point was a good on in helping me understand this album. Also liked the quote from Roger in USA Today. "I’m glad we made this album, and I understand why it’s so important for Pete to have this out there. He doesn’t want to be thought of as a writer of old nostalgic hit records. He’s a man of today, we’re musicians of today. We’re not dead and (expletive) buried. And we’re not doing a pastiche of our music from the '60s." For me the track that resonated the most is "I Don't Wanna Get Wise" it's obviously a bit about him and Roger, but also surely the audience too. The first four are just tremendous openers, then the album settles down a bit but with great variety. For me the three bonus tracks are integral to the album; "This Gun Will Misfire" is just terrific one of the very best songs, particularly the instrumentation; "Got Nothing to Prove" a deliberately fun nod to the past; and "Danny and My Ponies" may be a downbeat finish but it is a really touching song.
Listened to the album last night at work and again this morning at home. This is a frickin' excellent album. Roger sounds fantastic, the songs are well-written and performed with style, with some rock & roll angst weaved throughout . Pete seems to have found his inner voice AND singing voice once again. Great news. Beyond busy (as most of us are) so a song-by-song review will have to wait. Quite possibly the best album from old (said with love and affection) 60's rockers this decade. Ron
Well put! I said earlier in this or another thread, "If it's better than Endless Wire, it's gonna be a great Christmas," and here we are. (Please feel free to substitute "Christmas" with "Holiday season," if need be.)
Digital available in Japan only on CD and download. Vinyl, 10" single bonus disc included with the double 45rpm lp.
Official Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company a live countdown on this site...we'll know in 21 hrs Go on Thewho.com - give us something great, worldwide shipping, that no one can resist
Official Albums Chart Update Top 100 | Official Charts Company is the midweek chart in case you want to see what The Who at number 1 looks like.
On topic: Impressive they moved so many physical units. Off-topic: I am shocked that not 1, but three Dean Martin Christmas comps are in the Top 100!