The legendary rock band The Who seems to be following in the footsteps of Tool, who recently released their first album in 13 years — and immediately topped the charts.
The Who will be releasing their first album in 13 years, too. It will be entitled WHO, and Polydor Records will be putting it out on November 22nd.
The album will have 11 tracks, including “Ball and Chain,” which is a politically-infused song that the band has already performed in live shows. Co-produced by D. Sardy and Who guitarist Pete Townshend, the album was recorded in the spring and summer of this year in both Los Angeles and London.
Roger Daltrey, who is the Who’s legendary singer, insists that the album is the band’s best effort since Quadrophenia, which came out in 1973. He was particularly effusive in praising Townshend’s work on the record. He says Townshend is “still a fabulous songwriter” and that he has “still got that cutting edge.”
Townshend also commented on the album. He says that, unlike some of their previous classics, there is no theme or concept to the new album. It’s just a collection of songs that he wrote with his brother Simon that he hopes will mesh with Daltrey’s “revived singing voice.” He also says that — because he and Daltrey are no longer young men — the songs stay away from both romance and nostalgia.
Famed artist Sir Peter Blake, who is a longtime friend of the band, created the artwork for the album, which was unveiled September 12th at New York City’s Pace gallery.
WHO is already available for preorder on the band’s website, and American fans of the ageless rockers can see them perform live this fall, with several shows scheduled in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl. Next year, they plan to tour the United Kingdom as well.
The Who’s last album was Endless Wire, which came out in 2006.