The Who (Deluxe)

Nonsense. The fact that they are still producing original music at their age spits in the eye of your premise. I think that they have aged quite gracefully simply by the fact that they recognize their limitations. Roger Daltrey can't hit the high notes or belt out guttural screams like he did 50 years ago. That being said, he stays in his range and the signature sound of the Who is very much present in their new album. The Who's most recent tour included a string section. Is that because Pete can't do windm ill bashes on his guitar, play with feedback, or smash his instruments? Maybe it is because Pete doesn't want to get bored playing the same songs, the same way, with the same parlor tricks, simply to appeal to fans stuck in the 70's. The Who has evolved, maybe not to your taste, but I appreciate their originality and bands half their age dream of one day writing songs close to the caliber of what Pete creates in 2019.    

Now I am in a dilemma, I have the new Who vinyl under the Christmas tree waiting for me. While I agree they are not The Who of old, Roger Daltry said the new record is the best Who record since “The Who by Numbers” came out.  I hope I am not going to be disappointed.  

I am also of the opinion that The Who were over when Keith Moon died.  The Who are like The Beatles, replace a member and it's not the same group.

I understand that Townshend and Daltrey put out enjoyable albums and do good shows but they are not the Who.  They should perform as Townshend and Daltrey.  It's not like people wouldn't recognize their names.

I have listened to the new record a few times and really like it.  They're both in their mid 70's. I'm glad I'm not the same guy I was in my 20's and I'm OK with them maturing and not sticking to some formula to prove they're still "The Who".

Pete has severe tinnitus and hearing loss. I  give him a lot of credit that he is still recording and especially touring. 

For recent interviews Mr. Townsend had his own issues when playing with Entswitsle and Moon.  Enjoy what it is or would you rather they do a cover version of "Things I Used To Do"?

Stereo5.
Don't worry, it is an excellent album no matter what the worry warts say.
I was taken first listen and it has only improved on subsequent listening sessions.

Of course it is not The Who of old but I believe Townsend and Daltrey have earned the right to perform and release music as The Who.
Who are we to say otherwise?

I @uberwaltz, I agree especially since it is Daltrys band. I do not like the badmouthing Townsend said about their 2 deceased band members. He said Keith Moon always played at the wrong tempo, and that Entwistle couldn’t keep time to the music. True or not it is horrible to say that about people you worked with for all those years.

Personally, I think Pete May be a pedophile but he got out of it by saying he was doing research.
Regardless , I consider Live At Leeds and Who’s Next to be the pinnacle of their careers.

It’s not the Who. It’s two original members with a backing cover band. That’s the reality. Once Keith passed, it was over. None of the records with Kenny Jones sounded like the Who and, certainly, Pino Palladino is no John Entwhistle. Bottom line ... the last real Who record was "Who Are You." Everything since has been a vain and unsuccessful attempt to recapture the glory days.

Well, it looks like we have uncovered two camps here, the politically correct one and the obviously right one. I have nothing against old men playing music. I saw King Crimson a few months ago. Fripp and the gang knocked it out of the park as usual. I saw the Who the tour before last. Pete and Roger put on a great show playing their old stuff, polished, modern, not the Who. The Who could not last. Keith was on a self destruct course from the beginning and the others knew this. They desperately tried to keep him going because no one played the drums like him and probably no one ever will. He was a barely controlled explosion. 1+++ on Live at Leeds. Get the Deluxe Version!

FWIW- 

I sat next to Pete Townsend at a dinner during a reunion tour of North America in 1989. He asked if I enjoyed the concert. I said, yes, but, I preferred the rougher, more aggressive style of their earlier music. He replied, Well, I’m not that angry anymore.”

Well I hope you don’t get fooled again.

If anyone needs proof that The Who died long ago, read this article:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/who-new-album-new-tour-townshend-daltrey-913902/

And then watch the 1979 documentary, "The Kids Are Alright," not the Hollywood movie,"The Kids Are All Right."

The difference is massive.

If anyone hasn't seen "The Kids Are Alright," it is one of the best rock documentaries ever made.  A must see for any Who fan.

Long time Who fan.

I wasn't aware of a recent release, but quick research indicates supporting musicians-Zak Starkey and Pino Palladino on the album,suggest solid performance. Roger and Pete wouldn't allow hack,sub par players to participate.

I'm too nostalgic to listen my surviving R&R heroes new stuff.  I was just old enough and fortunate,to catch them touring with Kenny Jones.I missed the Who are You tour,  with KM.

My fantasy would be  to get in the way back machine, be front and center watching Roger twirling his mic, Pete in his white jumpshoot and boots, at ridiculous volume-1969-75

Now and then, I blast my period presses of Live at Leeds and Quadraphenia-good times.

So, they're not the same band from 1970? Who is? Thank goodness they've evolved some. "Hope I die before I get old..." Really not a sentiment I can embrace. Love the early stuff, still blast Live at Leeds, Quadrophenia, Who by Numbers...Like Face Dances too, it's different. Like Pete's solo stuff.

Saw them with Kenny Jones on the Face Dances tour. He's no Keith Moon, but Who IS? Saw them do the entire Quadrophenia with Zak, who is amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I don't think, "Everything since is a vain attempt to recapture the glory days". Pete and Roger probably don't care to go there.
The Who Rock, still.

Like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards they are survivors. Quite a few did not. It seems that humans are more intense when they are younger. They smooth out with age. I guess I prefer the intensity of youth when it comes to music, rock at least. 

People need to think seriously about what kind of world we’re going to leave Keith Richards.

They smooth out with age

Pretty sure it is just a case of, you know, getting old!
Trust me I know the feeling.
😇😇

Who’s Next was my first album.
And think Magic Bus from Live at Leeds the best song ever, to blast.
Can still remember most of the lyrics to Tommy.

Finally managed to see them in 2009.
All I ever really wanted to see was Pete’s windmill. Left happy. And with a 13 min ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ I was in heaven.

Quite like Endless Wire, but listening to that is a totally different experience.

Will get to this new album before the New Year.