The Who - Endless Wire

The Who - A Big Dissapointment

After a 25 year hiatus the Who finally came back with a new studio album. The band were now down to two members after the death of bassist John Entwistle in 2002. Having seen this version of the band shortly after Entwistle's death I was still very much enthused that Townshend and Daltry could pull off another great album. "Endless Wire" was one of my most anticipated albums to come out that year, but unfortunately the results were quite a bit less than my expectations. I have given this album dozens of listens hoping that it would grow on me more, but it just never has. I don't think that it is terrible, but it is by far the weakest Who album in my collection. Much of this album is mellow and acoustic in nature which in itself is not a bad thing, but there just seems to be some fire missing in the instrumental work here. Vocally both Daltry and Townshend are not what they used to be, which again could be overlooked if the material was better. The mini-opera "Wire And Glass" is....well it just is not very good when compared to the other operas (both mini and maxi) that Townshend has done over the years. Probably the best song on the disc is Townshend's "A Man In A Purple Dress", but even it would not stand up against the Who's top older material. Being a fan of John Entwistle for me his quirky songwriting that usually contributed a couple of tunes is sorely missed. I have really really tried to like this album and it just refuses to click with me and was a huge disappointment to my ears. July 10, 2008

Who are you anyway?

To those dolts who wrote reviews condeming the Who and this CD, Who are you, anyway?! Did you think this was going to be "Who's Next vol. 2"
Pete and Roger are in thier sixties now, and doing damn good. What have you accomplished in your life time to even come close to the Who?
Did you want them to die at 32 like Moon? Pete didn't die "before he got old" he simply made solo albums and carried on, as did Daltrey. And Entwistle was ready to hit the stage again, and would be with them now, if he hadn't died. The Who is back in a different form and God bless them for doing it. Rock is not just a young man's game, it's for anyone to listen or perform if you have the ability, and by god the Who is still alive and kicking. Who are you "fans" anyway? Pete Townshend does more in his sleep than you'll ever do in your pathetic life time, so get over it. Keep going Pete and Roger, and don't give it up until you're ready. June 20, 2008

One for the aged and the ages.

This is not a recording that will go over well with younger or less experienced Who fans. It is a somber rumination on a band who's career was rife with chaos, triumph and tragedy. From the incredible power of the early sixties through the bloated productions of the 70's and into the wastelands of the years since The Who have struggled with their identity, their music and their fan base. They have seen death steal two of their best friends and band mates as well as 2 of rock and roll's greatest musicians in Moon and Entwhistle. Daltry has fought a declining voice palette for twenty years and Townshend has struggled to remain relevant to rock and his fans since Tommy. Uneven stage shows over the last 20 years and a tour marred by tragedy in Cincinnati in 1979 have also weighed on the band and its reputation. But through it all, only The Beatles can lay claim to creating music that was able to truly cut through the hype of rock and roll and reach out to the hearts of a loyal and loving fan base better than The Who. The Stones may play to more people, sell more albums, but do they really speak in a human voice that comes from the soul like The Who? No. Neither do Led Zeppelin. They are both great bands, but they have no real heart in their music. This latest work from the band is a elegiac piece that speaks in frank, human terms about age and change. The music is as beautiful as the lyrics are sad. The concept is cohesive and by the time you are ready to sit down for a cup of tea with our two old friends Roger and Pete, a tear may be ready to trickle down your cheek as the reality of what this album really means sinks in. It is over. This is the last of The Who. The last of our age of rock that we saw pass through decades stretching back to the sixties and take us back to our days as young people casting about looking for a music to call our own. The Who provided that for me, and for 46 years of incredible rock and roll moments, provided me with joy and the under-pinnings of tinnitis. June 15, 2008

The Most God-Awful Stuff I've Ever Heard!!!

What a way to go out. (or hopefully they will fade away now). The Who should have hung it up when "Moonie" died, or at least when "Ent" went out. I would say that this CD/DVD puts you to sleep, but it's even hard to sleep by, it's so bad. Not one ounce of worthiness here to be had! (And that's coming from a huge Who fan.) I'm scared to death to watch the DVD concert. Will report back later on that. June 4, 2008

Good Songwriting - Not the Who without Entwistle

Although I am a huge Who and Pete Townshend fan, I cannot give this more than 3 stars. The song writing is strong and it is nice to hear Daltrey sing Townshend's new material, but the tracks definitely lack without Entwistle. Listening to some of tracks like "Its Not Enough", you can imagine John filling all the gaps and wailing away on the bass. I can see why they continued after Moon died, and I am glad they did, but the Who is not the Who without Entwistle. Overall this is enjoyable to the casual fan, but die hard fans will not be able to get over the gapping hole left by Enwistle's absence. January 25, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...