The Who Revive a Rock 'n' Roll Heartbeat on New Album "Who"

Despite the name of their current tour, The Who seem to be doing anything but moving on. In fact, after announcing multiple UK dates set to kickoff in mid March, the British rockers have released an entirely new run of 2020 shows that will take them back to the U.S. come April.

While the band had already promised to reschedule their original Houston, Dallas and Denver dates after Roger Daltrey’s brief battle with bronchitis back in September, adding eight entirely new U.S shows to the tour is far beyond what anyone was expecting. And boy, are we pleased.

In total, eleven more Moving On! shows were booked from the end of April through mid May, including their first show in Cincinnati since the historic 1979 tragedy, as well as a six-night residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

With so much excitement in the air, what could possibly top an announcement of that caliber? Try the release of an album!

Fan Tweets About Release of 'Who'

Entitled Who, The Who’s new album is the band’s first record in thirteen years. Featuring fourteen original tracks, the deluxe album makes a fierce statement, proving the heart of rock 'n’ roll is still beating. Couple a creative mind as genius as Pete Townshend’s with the seemingly immortal powerhouse vocals of Daltrey, and you’ve found yourself at the very core of The Who’s best record since Quadrophenia (1973).

Immediately opening with a statement, “All This Music Must Fade,” leads into the album with an organ introduction before quickly reminding listeners that this is a rock album, as a heavy electric guitar cuts in. Commenting on the negativity of modern music critiques and the mortality of content, Townshend makes his opinion heard through lyrics like “I don’t care, I know you’re gonna hate this song” and “I don’t mind other guys ripping off my song,” making note of the imperfections and subjectivity of modern music and technology.

Keeping with the pure rock trend, the second track and first released single “Ball and Chain,” is one of the heavier, if not the heaviest song on the album. Capitalizing on the idea of a build-up, the piece utilizes a variety of instruments, particularly highlighting guitar and vocals. Using a catchy piano riff as a transitionary element, the song manages to grow in intensity, as do Daltrey’s vocals. A seemingly brilliant hard rock composition, the track is most reminiscent of their 1971 album Who’s Next.

The Who's "Ball and Chain" (2019)

Following the second track, much of the remaining record takes advantage of nostalgia, holding true to the classic sound of The Who, including “I Don’t Wanna Get Wise,” and “Detour.” The former introduces a prominent synth (which will make its way into many subsequent tracks), feeding us with 1980s vibes as Daltrey’s vocals purposefully overpower much of the instrumentals in general. That vocal direction continues into “Detour,” until a brassy jazz undertone breaks the intensity, ultimately influencing a calmer vocal in response. Talk about a genius evolution.

The Who's "Detour" (2019)

“Beads on One String” acts as the perfect progression from its former track, ultimately serving as one of the calmer songs off of the album with a softer vocal and simpler acoustic guitar track. Combined with a constant quiet synth backing, the song maintains a tranquil tone from start to finish.

Just as their Moving On! Tour utilizes a complementary live orchestra, a fair number of ensuing tracks do the same, beginning with “Hero Ground Zero.” As one of the few unreleased songs performed live on the 2019 tour, it is a track many fans are already familiar with. However, the live version has not done the recorded composition justice. From a more than impressive string, horn and wind arrangement to radiant piano and guitar riffs, the song maintains an authentic rock foundation, while managing to find a new identity as an entire symphonic piece.

Falling back into the 1980s vibe of its second predecessor, the seventh track, “Street Song,” boasts another synth-heavy tune that packs a lot of emotion. Townshend often describes Daltrey as an actor when it comes to his vocal understanding of songs, and that theory seems to hold true during this expressive piece. Accompanied by a cymbal-led percussion and Townshend’s backup singing/rapping, Daltrey takes the listener through a passionate narrative via his vocal sensibility alone. Let's just say... goosebumps.

The Who's "Street Song" (2019)

Not necessarily known for his vocals, Townshend unexpectedly takes lead on four tracks on the deluxe version of the album including “I’ll Be Back.” This blues-inspired piece uses a bit of an existential approach to reflection as Townshend sings about a potential afterlife. Using a harmonica to tie the arrangement together, the song adopts a slower tempo compared to its counterparts.

With a folk core full of acoustic guitar plucking, shakers and a single clean bass drum to keep time, the next track, “Break the News,” presents a comforting vibe that evokes a dire need to join in with a foot tap or two. The ninth track somehow perfectly juxtaposes its successor, “Rockin’ Rage,” a composition overwhelmed by prominent percussion and a fast-paced string section that rocks just as hard as the name would apply.

The Who's "Break the News" (2019)

Feeding into the continual genre crossover, the eleventh track entitled “She Rocked My World” displays a latin influence via Daltrey's soft vocals and a quick piano tempo that produce a romantic sensitivity throughout the orchestration.

The final three songs off of the deluxe record are led by Townshend’s lesser-known vocals. Fortunately, the sequential tracks demonstrate his flexibility in that area. Whether it be his angry tone in “This Gun Will Misfire,” a lyrical warning to political decision-making, his distorted beach-rock vocals of the 1960s-inspired “Got Nothing To Prove” which would do well on a movie soundtrack, or his cleaner, reverb-heavy chant during the folk-rock tune “Danny and My Ponies,Townshend does more than just prove his vocal chops as the album comes to a close— he tells a story.

The Who's "This Gun Will Misfire" (2019)
The Who's "Danny and My Ponies" (2019)

No matter your musical taste, Who was crafted as an album that cleverly blends the classic Who sound with a wide variety of musical influences and genres. United by complicated, yet not overwhelming orchestration, the compositional makeup of every song flows together in a seemingly flawless back-and-forth arrangement of tracks. As someone who has admitted to struggling with songwriting in recent years, Townshend sure didn’t show it here. Who really is that profound.

See a full list of The Who’s recently announced 2020 U.S. run below and check out their official website for ticketing details and more information regarding the new album.

The Who Moving On! 2020 U.S. Tour Dates:

04/21 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
04/23 — Highland Heights, KY @ BB&T Arena Northern Kentucky University
04/27 — Dallas, TX (Rescheduled) @ American Airlines Center
04/30 — Houston, TX (Rescheduled) @ Toyota Center
05/02 — Denver, CO (Rescheduled) @ Pepsi Center
05/05 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
05/07 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
05/09 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
05/12 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
05/14 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
05/16 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

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Last updated: 28 Mar 2024, 13:45 Etc/UTC