• Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Oct 31, 2006
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 54
  2. Negative: 7 out of 54

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  1. Jun 15, 2015
    0
    The Who have sucked since the death of Keith Moon in 1978. The surviving members should have shut the band down in 1978 and lived off their greatness. Instead, Pete Townshend decided to grab as much money as he could before he dies.
  2. ToddW
    Oct 30, 2006
    2
    The Who fooled us once after losing the greatest rock drummer to ever sling the sticks. We should have also known their artistic jig was up when Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry treated John Entwistle's cocaine-induced heart attack death prior to a recent comeback tour as just another bump in their road to the nearest bank. But like those ever-present rock-n-roll has-beens currently The Who fooled us once after losing the greatest rock drummer to ever sling the sticks. We should have also known their artistic jig was up when Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry treated John Entwistle's cocaine-induced heart attack death prior to a recent comeback tour as just another bump in their road to the nearest bank. But like those ever-present rock-n-roll has-beens currently appearing at your local county fair, these guys really have no shame. If Townshend isn't endlessly ripping off The Pretty Things or "researching" little children on his computer, he's windmilling an acoustic guitar in hapless homage to his halcyon days, but with his ever-present ear plugs at the ready. Seems to me we're the ones being abused here as we need the ear plugs to listen to this endless mess. Time for the bus to the bingo hall boys. Your future is long past in your rear view mirror. Expand
  3. JHouse
    Nov 17, 2006
    1
    Tired retreaded Who tunes match up nicely with tired, misguided Townshend philosphy to make for a lame disc. Really really really bad.
  4. ChrisF
    Nov 28, 2006
    3
    Pete Townsend's lyrics have gotten more and more self-absorbed over the years. I'm just not that interested in his inner turmoil, mostly when he's being indignant about his recent legal troubles. But beyond the lyrics are mostly polished demos that he allowed Roger to sing. After reading great reviews about Mr. Starkey's drumming, I was bummed he only played on one Pete Townsend's lyrics have gotten more and more self-absorbed over the years. I'm just not that interested in his inner turmoil, mostly when he's being indignant about his recent legal troubles. But beyond the lyrics are mostly polished demos that he allowed Roger to sing. After reading great reviews about Mr. Starkey's drumming, I was bummed he only played on one track - though listed as a "principal" musician. Townsend is now talking about his group using classical music terms. Even the liner notes are self aggrandizing. Expand
  5. JohnL
    Nov 3, 2006
    0
    This band sucked then and they suck even more as old men ,die already!
  6. MichaelC
    Jan 28, 2007
    3
    I am stunned by the accolades. I, too, am a (more than) 30 year Who fanatic. I was jazzed to get the new CD. But after listening through, I thought it was a practical joke. Then, to be fair, I listened two more times. Sorry, folks. It is downright awful. The melodies are boring and tiresome; Daltry's singing forced and shallow and the instrument playing and sounds truly uninspired. I am stunned by the accolades. I, too, am a (more than) 30 year Who fanatic. I was jazzed to get the new CD. But after listening through, I thought it was a practical joke. Then, to be fair, I listened two more times. Sorry, folks. It is downright awful. The melodies are boring and tiresome; Daltry's singing forced and shallow and the instrument playing and sounds truly uninspired. This is the first time that I will not download every Who song from a CD to my IPOD. If this is the best that the greatest rock band of all time can do at this point, they are done. Expand
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. No, it does not rank with the band's best work. But yes, as long as Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey walk the earth in tandem, the Who live on.
  2. Endless Wire turns out to be more effective and more coherent than it has any right to be.
  3. The nine tracks you must navigate before you get to the mini-opera seem like a trudge.