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  • Release Date:
Endless Wire Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

  • Summary: The legendary band's first studio album since 1982 includes a full version of their mini-opera "Wire & Glass," which was recently released (appropriately enough) as a mini-album.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. So they've got sprawl and focus issues. But this underproduced mess of an album also has an abundance of magnificent, quirkily anthemic songwriting.
  2. Mojo
    80
    No one could have predicted Endless Wire would be quite this good. [Nov 2006, p.98]
  3. Endless Wire turns out to be more effective and more coherent than it has any right to be.
  4. The album is inconsistent -- sometimes impenetrable, sometimes enlightening -- but always engaged.
  5. It's the mini-opera that moves spryly compared to the proper rock album half.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    That it doesn't fall completely flat on its face must be considered some kind of triumph. [Dec 2006, p.126]
  7. Blender
    40
    What remains is a concept that's been stewing too long and a singer who's one scream away from a hernia. [Dec 2006, p.180]

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 34
  2. Negative: 6 out of 34
  1. emilh
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    They have got a hit ! Excellent album from the two surviving members of the Who and as right for the times as Tommy was in 1969. The songs They have got a hit ! Excellent album from the two surviving members of the Who and as right for the times as Tommy was in 1969. The songs are generally very good and thoughtful, not trying to copy or revive the old Who, which does not exist anymore. Excellent. Expand
  2. BrandonC.
    Aug 2, 2007
    10
    Got to be a true fan to enjoy it so i guess i am go to see the who it's great!!
  3. HerbL
    Oct 30, 2006
    9
    great album and long overdue.
  4. FrankB
    Dec 11, 2006
    9
    There's plenty one can carp about, but I still find myself listening to it a real lot. Some good rockers and very beautiful ballads. There's plenty one can carp about, but I still find myself listening to it a real lot. Some good rockers and very beautiful ballads. People expecting the Who of 1965-75 might be disappointed, but it's completely ureasonable to expect that. On its own terms, this is a very fine album, with better songs than about 90% of what's out there (and better songs than any Who album since "By Numbers" or any Townshend album since "White City"). Good to hear Pete & Roger still have as much heart as ever. Expand
  5. MW
    Nov 4, 2006
    8
    It's a shame some reviewers concentrate on unsubstantiated allegations rather than on the actual music. The police decided there was no It's a shame some reviewers concentrate on unsubstantiated allegations rather than on the actual music. The police decided there was no cases to answer after investigation...remember innocent until proven guilty?? No, Endless Wire is not another Who's Next, it's not Tommy or Quadrophenia but again it is Pete Townshend articluating his views on society, aging, the internet etc and aren't we glad of something apart from meaningless, almost inarticulate gargling that we get from so many bands these days. It is different, it is daring and should we be the mindless fans who scream out at concerts "Play the old stuff" or should we listen to it, read the lyrics and album notes and try to understand what is going on. The hooks are there but not as easy to find as they were. Older yes, better...maybe, but interesting and thoiught provoking...yes, yes ,yes. Expand
  6. MattD.
    Nov 3, 2006
    7
    Worth buying for "Man in a Purple Dress" alone. The album is workmanlike Who - no new classic album here, but they get by on a retro vibe.
  7. JohnL
    Nov 3, 2006
    0
    This band sucked then and they suck even more as old men ,die already!

See all 34 User Reviews