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WHO
by
WHO Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length release of new material from the British rock band in 13 years was co-produced by Pete Townshend & D. Sardy with vocal production by Dave Eringa.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Uncut
    Nov 19, 2019
    90
    It's spellbinding, shiver-down-the-spine stuff, and enough to have any self-respecting Quadropheniac dusting down their scooter for one last run down to Brighton. ... Their best since Quadrophenia, then. [Dec 2019, p.22]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Variety
    Dec 6, 2019
    85
    This album could easily be meant to stand as the band’s collective last word, even while Townshend and Daltrey sound like they’re ready to bang out 10 more closing statements where this one came from.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 25, 2019
    80
    There are only two major mis-steps – ‘Beads On One String’ is the kind of amorphous soft rock balladry that Sting used to make in the ‘90s and Townshend’s easy listening ‘I’ll be Back’ descends into a plain awful vocodered rant. ... But otherwise ‘WHO’ either recaptures the band’s root ferocity or explores new territory with style.
  4. Mojo
    Nov 19, 2019
    80
    Musicians writing and singing about being in the seventies is a rare thing in the Peter Pan world of rock--but The Who do it exceptionally well. [Dec 2019, p.92]
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  5. Clash Music
    Nov 26, 2019
    80
    It takes something to stay true to the original ‘Who-ish’ sound after 50 years in the game, but unlike so many others, this time they’ve managed to do so with impeccable form.
  6. Exclaim
    Dec 6, 2019
    80
    It's the best album the Who have released since Who Are You in 1978.
  7. Q Magazine
    Nov 19, 2019
    60
    A vigorous, if patchy comeback. [Jan 2020, p.114]
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See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. buggy_boy
    Dec 14, 2019
    10
    Great album! Not a dull song in the bunch. “Break the News” is one of the standouts.
  2. CPL953H
    Dec 19, 2019
    10
    I was expecting much, much worse, but this is surprisingly good. There are a few poor songs, the album doesn't reach the same exalted heightsI was expecting much, much worse, but this is surprisingly good. There are a few poor songs, the album doesn't reach the same exalted heights of their most celebrated work, and Entwistle and Moon will always be missed, but it's a well crafted album, and Daltrey and Townshend perform with vigor. A commendable effort.… Expand
  4. fourlambs
    Dec 6, 2019
    10
    Simply astonishing, never expected this, so diverse, reflective yet so fresh. Rock on guys.
  5. jstraszewski
    Dec 6, 2019
    9
    Back and as powerful as ever, The Who show how to make a proper rock album in 2019
  6. ACLGC
    Dec 20, 2019
    8
    This is a typical Who's album. Awkard at the beginning, but it grows in you along the time. We are unfair with The Who 'cause we are alwaysThis is a typical Who's album. Awkard at the beginning, but it grows in you along the time. We are unfair with The Who 'cause we are always expecting something great as Tommy, Who's Next or Quadrophenia, but this is not possible anymore, right? This album is pairing with Who By Numbers and Face Dances, almost as good as Who Are You. It has great and not so great tunes, but those that shine are truly good. Greats songs: Hero Ground Zero, Beads on One String, I'll Be Back and She Rocked My World. Not so greats songs: Break the News, Street Song, All This Music Must Fade and I Don't Wanna Get Wise. The rest is ok, but can grow with time... afterall, is The Who we're facing!… Expand
  7. fonzea
    Apr 20, 2020
    7
    Who knew the titular band had another strong album ahead of them, but their newest work rings well and sounds true.
  8. Hassu
    Dec 12, 2019
    0
    Could have been way better. I dont know them much and haven't listened to their previous work but this could be way way better

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2019

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