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Who (album)

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For the album by Tony! Toni! Toné!, see Who? (album).

Who
Studio album by
The Who
Released6 December 2019 (2019-12-06)[1][2]
Recorded3 February – August 2019
StudioBritish Grove[3] and Metropolis Studios, London, England
GenreRock
Length45:45
57:01 (w. 3 bonus original tracks)
61:34 (w. 4 bonus original tracks)
LabelPolydor, Interscope
ProducerPete Townshend and Dave Sardy, with (for Roger Daltrey's vocals only) Bob Pridden and Dave Eringa[4][5]
The Who chronology
Live at the Fillmore East 1968
(2018) 		Who
(2019) 		Essential The Who
(2020)
Singles from Who
  1. "Ball and Chain"
    Released: 13 September 2019
  2. "All This Music Must Fade"
    Released: 3 October 2019
  3. "I Don't Wanna Get Wise"
    Released: 22 November 2019
  4. "Beads on One String (remix)"
    Released: 6 October 2020[6]

Who is the twelfth studio album by the English rock band The Who, released on 6 December 2019.[4] The band's first new studio album in thirteen years, and the second overall comprising the duo of vocalist Roger Daltrey and instrumentalist Pete Townshend, it comprises ballads, rock music, electronic experimentation and "classic Who-ish" songs, according to Townshend.

Promoted by three singles, including the lead single "Ball and Chain", WHO was a commercial success, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart and number two on the American Billboard 200. The album was also positively received by music critics. The Who supported the album with their Moving On! Tour.

Recording and release

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In January 2019, The Who confirmed that they were working on their first album of new material in 13 years (since their 2006 studio album Endless Wire), which would contain "dark ballads, heavy rock stuff, experimental electronica, sampled stuff and Who-ish tunes that began with a guitar that goes yanga-dang", as Townshend stated.[7] As with previous Who albums, vocalist Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend recorded their parts of Who separately.[8]

"Ball and Chain", released as the first single on 13 September 2019, is a re-recording of a Pete Townshend solo song called "Guantanamo", which was released on his 2015 compilation Truancy: The Very Best of Pete Townshend. A second song, "All This Music Must Fade" was released as a single on 3 October 2019 and a third, "I Don't Wanna Get Wise" received a release on Spotify and iTunes in November 2019.

The album was supported by their Moving On! Tour.[9] "Got Nothing to Prove", one of the deluxe edition bonus tracks, was initially recorded as a demo in 1966, but was ultimately discarded by their manager and producer Kit Lambert due to lack of emotional resonance in the lyrics. "Sand", another early demo from 1966, is included on the Japan edition of the album as a bonus track.[10][11] "Got Nothing to Prove" was later offered to Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, (who supported the Who at their Marquee Club performances in 1965) who also declined it.[10][11]

The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 album chart for the week ending 21 December 2019.[12]

On 30 October 2020, The Who released a new deluxe edition of Who featuring an updated version of "Beads on One String" newly remixed by Pete Townshend plus a bonus CD of live acoustic tracks from their only two live shows of 2020. The extra songs on the deluxe version of Who were recorded in Kingston-on-Thames on Valentines Day 2020, exactly 50 years to the day since the band's seminal show at Leeds University that resulted in the live album Live at Leeds.[13]

Composition

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Conceptually, the album tackles the struggles of being an elderly rock musician, as The Guardian writer, Alexis Petridis noted. "Townshend seems more troubled than ever," Petridis stated, and this feeling overlaps into songs such as "I Don't Wanna Get Wise", which according to Petridis, "views a rock career as one of inevitable decline."[14] Musically, the album sounds like a "traditional" Who record. Senior Rolling Stone writer, Kory Grow, called WHO, "classic rock comfort food" and commented on its nostalgic feel: "Townshend and Daltrey...can still summon their inner Who-ness in their mid 70s."[15] Likewise, Ultimate Classic Rock's senior editor, Michael Gallucci, reflected on how the band's newest album sounds more like a "conventional" Who record, despite the album being thematically different from any of their previous works: "It's a throwback record for the most part, with nods all over the place to their classic work. It's not a retread, but it sounds like a Who album, which is crucial for something like this, as well as an upgrade for the 21st century."[16]

Cover artwork

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The album cover was designed by pop artist Peter Blake, whose work includes the band's Face Dances and The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album covers. It is a patchwork of 25 squares: 22 squares showing different coloured images placed around three squares forming the word "WHO" in the centre of the album cover. The 22 squares depict some of the band's influences and symbols of their career and culture:

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/100[19]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[20]
Consequence of SoundB−[21]
The Guardian[22]
The Independent[23]
NME[24]
Rolling Stone[25]
The Telegraph[26]
Tom HullB[27]
Variety(favorable)[28]

Who has received generally positive reviews from critics. According to Metacritic scores, fans gave the album a 7.4/10 star rating, while critics gave the album a 79/100 score.[29] Praise for the band's performance also resonated with critics. In the Chicago Tribune, Pablo Gorondi complimented Daltrey for, "sing(ing) with power, sensitivity, range and conviction, just as he has done for decades", and called Townshend's voice a "highlight", while still "rip(ping) power chords and perform(ing) slinky riffs."[30] Gorondi continued his praise by stating that the dominant reasons why the album was "such a joy" were due to "Townshend's songwriting and guitar playing and Daltrey's superlative singing."[30]

Despite the praises for its 1970s rock sound and Daltrey and Townshend's performances, Who has received criticism. According to Matthew Taub of Consequence of Sound, some tracks are "not particularly well conceived", citing songs such as "Detour" and "Hero Ground Zero", as "just sit(ting) there" or "feeling more like an intermission".[31] Taub also commented that the track "Break the News", which was written by Townshend's younger brother, Simon, sounded like it was, "plucked from some kind of factory for generic acoustic pop songs — somehow like 100 other songs you’ve heard, yet none you can actually name."[31]

Another observation was the generational tone of the album. Chris Willman from Variety stated, "There are hints of mirth amid the crotchetiness. Right in the opening line, when Daltrey sings 'I don't care, I know you're gonna hate this song,' followed later by 'I don't mind other guys ripping off my song.'"[32] NME journalist, Mark Beaumont, similarly noted this theme with the track, "I Don't Wanna Get Wise": "...(it) almost reads like a 75-year-old Daltrey talking to the drunk and tardy 20-year-old who sang 'My Generation.'"[33]

Track listing

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All songs written by Pete Townshend except where noted.

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."All This Music Must Fade" 3:20
2."Ball and Chain" 4:29
3."I Don't Wanna Get Wise" 3:54
4."Detour" 3:46
5."Beads on One String"P. Townshend; Josh Hunsacker3:40
6."Hero Ground Zero" 4:52
7."Street Song" 4:47
8."I'll Be Back" 5:01
9."Break the News"Simon Townshend4:30
10."Rockin' in Rage" 4:04
11."She Rocked My World" 3:22
Total length:45:45
2019 deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."This Gun Will Misfire"3:36
13."Got Nothing to Prove"3:38
14."Danny and My Ponies"4:02
Total length:57:01
2019 Japanese edition bonus track[34]
No.TitleLength
15."Sand" (Demo)4:26
Total length:61:34

"Sand" is a demo Pete Townshend recorded in 1966.

2020 deluxe edition bonus track[13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Beads on One String" (Yaggerdang Remix)P. Townshend; Josh Hunsacker3:38
Total length:65:12
2020 deluxe edition CD 2 – Live at Kingston[13]
No.TitleLength
1."Intro" 
2."Substitute" 
3."Squeeze Box" 
4."Tattoo" 
5."The Kids Are Alright" 
6."Break the News" 
7."She Rocked My World" 
8."Won't Get Fooled Again" 

Personnel

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Adapted from compact disc liner notes and online liner notes.

The Who

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  • Roger Daltrey – lead vocals (except 8, 12–14)
  • Pete Townshend – guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals (tracks 8, 12–14), harmonicas, percussion, synthesiser tracks, violin, cello, hurdy-gurdy, effects; orchestration (6)

Additional personnel

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  • Pino Palladino – bass (1–2, 4–8, 11–12)
  • Zak Starkey – drums (1–2, 4, 7)
  • Simon Townshend – backing vocals (1, 3, 5), piano (9), percussion
  • Benmont Tench – organ (1–2, 10), Mellotron (1)
  • Joey Waronker – drums (5, 8, 11–12)
  • Carla Azar – drums (3, 10)
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums (6)
  • Gus Seyffert – bass (3, 9–10)
  • Andrew Synowiec – acoustic guitar (9)
  • Gordon Giltrap – acoustic guitar (11)
  • Dave Sardy – Mellotron, synthesiser programming (5), percussion
  • Josh Tyrrell – handclaps (4)
  • Rowan McIntosh – handclaps (4)
  • Fergus Gerrand – percussion (11)
  • Martin Batchelar – programming (6), orchestration (6, 8), orchestra arrangement (8), orchestra conducting (6, 8, 13)
  • Rachel Fuller – orchestration (6)
  • Peter Rotter – orchestra fixer (6, 8, 13)
  • Bruce Dukov – orchestra leader (6, 8, 13)

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for Who
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "The Who to Release New Album 'Who' in November; 'Ball and Chain' Single Available". Blabbermouth.net. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  2. ^ "WHO". The Who. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Pete: The new Who album: Day 1 at British Grove Studios". 2 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b "The Who announce the release of their new album 'WHO' plus UK Tour dates". 13 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Pete: Day 1 – Second Who Studio Sessions". 5 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Album Beads on One String (Yaggerdang Remix), the Who | Qobuz: Download and streaming in high quality".
  7. ^ "The Who confirm first new studio album in 13 years". The Guardian. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  8. ^ Rodrick, Stephen (25 November 2019). "The Who by Fire". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  9. ^ Snapes, Laura (14 January 2019). "The Who Confirm First New Studio Album in 13 Years". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  10. ^ a b Ivie, Devon (9 December 2019). "The Grooviest Song From the Who's New Album Was Actually Recorded 50 Years Ago". Vulture. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Listen to The Who's new single I Don't Wanna Get Wise". NME. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  12. ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (15 December 2019). "Roddy Ricch Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 'Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial'". Billboard. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  13. ^ a b c "New Who Deluxe edition with live Kingston CD & 'Beads' remix". www.thewho.com. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  14. ^ Petridis, Alexis (28 November 2019). "The Who: Who review – back and still causing a big sensation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  15. ^ Grow, Kory (5 December 2019). "With a New Self-Titled Album, the Who Have Made Classic Rock Comfort Food". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  16. ^ Gallucci, Michael (3 December 2019). "The Who, 'Who' Album Review". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  17. ^ "Pete Townshend "This Guitar Has Seconds To Live" The Who Ad". www.feelnumb.com. September 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  18. ^ "The Who – Face Dances (cassette edition)". discogs.com. September 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  19. ^ "WHO". Metacritic. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  20. ^ Who at AllMusic
  21. ^ Taub, Matthew (29 November 2019). "The Who Remain Blunt as Ever on Uneven WHO". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  22. ^ Petridis, Alexis (28 November 2019). "The Who: Who review – back and still causing a big sensation". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  23. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (5 December 2019). "The Who review, Who: The fire is still burning". The Independent. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  24. ^ Beaumont, Mark (20 November 2019). "The Who – 'WHO' review: 13 years since their last album, this stands up alongside their classics". NME. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  25. ^ Grow, Kory (5 December 2019). "With a New Self-Titled Album, the Who Have Made Classic Rock Comfort Food". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  26. ^ McCormick, Neil (29 November 2019). "The Who: WHO, review: fierce and uncompromising, this is their best album in 40 years". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  27. ^ Hull, Tom (23 December 2019). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  28. ^ Willman, Chris (5 December 2019). "Album Review: The Who's 'Who'". Variety. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  29. ^ WHO by The Who, retrieved 23 May 2020
  30. ^ a b Gorondi, Pablo (6 December 2019). "Review: Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey return to The Who's rocking ways". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  31. ^ a b "Album Review: The Who Remain Blunt as Ever on Uneven WHO". Consequence of Sound. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  32. ^ Willman, Chris (6 December 2019). "Album Review: The Who's 'Who'". Variety. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  33. ^ "The Who – 'WHO' review: 13 years since their last album, this stands up alongside their classics". NME. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  34. ^ "WHO [SHM-CD][CD]" (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  35. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #555". auspOp. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  36. ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Who – Who" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  37. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Who – Who" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  38. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Who – Who" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  39. ^ "The Who Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  40. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  41. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Who – Who" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  42. ^ "The Who: Who" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  43. ^ "Lescharts.com – The Who – Who". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  44. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Who – Who" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  45. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Who". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  46. ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Who – Who". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  47. ^ "Who on Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  48. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-12-16" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  49. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  50. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – The Who – Who". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  51. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Who – Who". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  52. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Who – Who". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  53. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  54. ^ "The Who Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  55. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2020" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  57. ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  58. ^ "British album certifications – Who – Who". British Phonographic Industry.
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