The Who - Who Are You

Posited between punk (Pete Townshend's instinctive ethos) and progressive (much of the music), Who Are You is ultimately a failed attempt to conciliate two camps that thrived on their opposition to one another. Neither the insurgent punks of Johnny Rotton's generation nor Townshend's comfortably numb peer group had the least need for one another. Townshend, on the other hand, seemed to want one thing from both forces: their contempt. It was something he could share with them. All of which led to one exceptional song (the title cut) and a handful of lesser statements (the modified minuet "Guitar and Pen," "Music Must Change," "New Song"). John Entwistle fills three song slots with the tactless "Had Enough," the slight but likable "905," and "Trick of the Light," an above-par classic-rock showcase for Roger Daltry. A generous five bonus tracks round out the reissue. --Steven Stolder Amazon.com

 The End Of An Era For The Who
1978's "Who Are You" was not the end of The Who, but it was certainly the end of an era for the band, as their superb, madman drummer Keith Moon would sadly die from an accidental overdose right after the album's release. "Who Are You" seems to get a mixed reaction from fans---some love it, but some think The Who weren't really firing on all cylinders with this one. "Who Are You" came out at the height of both punk and disco, and it's been said that The Who were basically caught in the crossfire of both genres in 1978, and sounded on this album a little bit "confused" about their own identity, and where they fit in the musical spectrum of the day. Hence, the album title. My opinion is that, despite the changing musical landscapes of 1978---and despite both Keith Moon's and guitarist Pete Townshend's problems in their respective personal lives at the time---the band still summoned up an excellent album. I think "Who Are You" is a great Who album, with lots of great, catchy material. The title song is the signature tune on the album, and rightfully so---it's a memorable rocker that has never left the Who's concert setlist to this day. All the other songs stand up too, including "New Song," "Sister Disco" (the band's swipe at the disco craze), the opera-influenced "Guitar And Pen," the beautiful "Love Is Coming Down," the late-night vibe of "Music Must Change," and bassist John Entwistle's strong trio of numbers, "905," "Had Enough," and the dirty rocker "Trick Of The Light." All the band members are in fine form: Roger Daltrey's powerful singing voice, Townshend & Entwistle's respective songwriting, musical & vocal chops, and although Keith Moon's drumming wasn't *quite* what it used to be---he'd put on weight, and he could only play cymbals on "Music Must Change" because he simply could not get behind the song's time signature---he still drums on this album with his unique, excellent flair (and his ferocious drumming on the closing, classic title song becomes a fabulous finale for this legendary drummer). The Who would bravely soldier on after Moon's untimely death, and they would still make great music together (three more studio albums to date, and various tours), and Daltrey & Townshend are still keeping the Who flag flying after the further tragic loss of John Entwistle in 2002, but "Who Are You" represents the last stand by the classic Who line-up. The first chapter in the Who's impressive musical career comes to a close on an exceptionally high note with "Who Are You," a Who classic. April 20, 2008

 It might not be "Whos Next" or "Tommy" but its still a great effort
The Who seemes to take some flack with "Who are You" Some fans to this day still claim that they hate it, but I can't understand why. "Who are You" is a good album. Sure, it has a few bad songs, but I just dont see how any fan could label this horrid. We get a bit of a different sound with "Who are You", as alot of rock bands during this time peroid starting messing with synth sounds. Led Zepplin did it a year later with "In through the out door", Rush did it two years later with "Moving Pictures", and Yes had already been doing it for some time. Does that make it a bad thing. Not really, in fact I happen to like "The Who's" sound that they get on "Who are You" Lets face it, if you just getting into the band, and you are expecting a return of the Quadra album or Tommy, you arent going to get it with this album. YOu will get some great rock, as The Who always gave us, and even the two post moon albums are decent (I have not heard the newest release, so I cannot comment) Please add this to your collection if you are a new Who fan, and if you are an old fan that didnt like this years ago, try it again. Its still better then half the junk rock out there today. ENJOY January 31, 2008

 Who Are You - I really want to know
Great Album - I can still hear Who are You being played next to songs of the Bee Gee's How Deep is your love and other disco type material - This album saved Modern Rock in this period of Radio malaze to me - It was pretty bad after Peter Frampton Comes Alive disappeared off the charts - 1977 was half bad and half good - Disco raged like wild fire and almost burned up the Real Rockers alive - So Who Are You was a welcome addition of good Rock to the record stores to me in late 1978 - Over all a good record - There are clips of them in the studio making this record in the Kids are Alright film - I guess when you think of it the record business always had a high turn over of new artist and songs so this is a snap shot of the Who in Disco Fever Inferno - It was Hell - All that Cocaine Pomp and Millions of Dallors being made on music and Artists now in the trash bin - This alblum still holds up despite all that So buy it you won't be sorry - Who Are You Who Who Who Who I really want ot know December 25, 2007

 First Who Album I bought
I bought this back in 1980. My first Who album. I haven't listened to it in over a decade, but listening to the samples on this site now I realize now how this may have seemed like a weak album back then. It doesn't sound quite as hard edged as I remember it. Still, this should have been their final studio release . . . not Face Dances, not It's Hard, and certainly not whatever The Wire is supposed to be. November 19, 2007

 Who are You, By the Who
Great songs that will be familiar and others that you might not have heard. Check out the cut called 905. October 11, 2007

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