The Who
The Who By Numbers

"The Who By Numbers" is the seventh studio album by the English rock band, released in 1975. And it is definitely the most underrated album, as it was released after three absolute masterpieces such as "Tommy," "Who's Next," and "Quadrophenia." And being the successor to an album like "Quadrophenia," which I consider one of the best rock albums ever, is no simple task. And for this reason, unfortunately, the album in question starts at a disadvantage. But after several listens, you realize you have a great album in your hands. Certainly, it features the most autobiographical songs by composer and guitarist Pete Townshend. In these songs, he vents his anger toward the star system, his experience with alcohol, self-pity, and the loss of hope.

Synthesizers are eliminated, which played a significant role for iconic band songs like "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again," to favor string instruments, but mostly to avoid overly elaborate music and thus highlight the feelings and lyrics. The album opens with "Slip Kid." Surely not the most beautiful of the album or the most suitable as an opening, but I believe the purpose of having this song at the start is to immediately bring the listener into the album's perspective. And it's the most suitable song for this purpose. "However Much I Booze" is sung by guitarist Pete Townshend. It seems that singer Roger Daltrey found it too personal and thought it was more fitting for its composer to sing it. Here Townshend describes himself as an impostor, a paper clown, and gives up all hope in the main refrain that says "No matter how much I booze, there's no way out".

Then it goes from the loss of hope to the disillusionment of "How Many Friends Have" where the author indeed asks how many friends he really has that love him, want him, and accept him for who he is. "Success Story" is the only track composed by John Entwistle, the band's bassist who passed away in 2002. He contributes by providing a cynical and ruthless view of the star system. Another track definitely worth noting is "Dreaming From The Waist" which was a regular feature in live performances of that era, despite Townshend declaring years later in an interview that it was the song he liked least to play live, along with "Sister Disco" from the subsequent album "Who Are You." Among these fast-paced songs with pessimistic lyrics, two ballads of rare sweetness stand out, mostly from a musical perspective, as the lyrics remain tainted by a stain of pessimism. These are "Imagine A Man" and "They'Re All In Love". The first is subtly accompanied by the acoustic guitar and a very sweet piano, while in the chorus it is embellished by the drum roll of the legendary Keith Moon, one of the greatest drummers of all time, who passed away too soon. The drums are overall contained, given the needs of the melody, but the timbre is unmistakable. ("Imagine a past, where you would have wanted to live, full of heroes, villains, and madmen. And you'll see the end"). In the second, it is definitely the piano that plays the leading role, which softens a not-too-gentle text ("Hey goodbye all you punks, stay young and stay high. Hand me my checkbook, while I crawl off to die") perhaps the highest point of the album.

Amidst so much despair, there are a few songs that may appear somewhat in contrast with the rest of the album, like the hit "Squeeze Box" certainly the most well-known song of the entire album, with purely filler lyrics ("She plays all night, and the music's all right. Mama's got a squeeze box, Daddy never sleeps at night"). Or "Blue, Red and Gray" which goes "I Like Every Minute Of The Day". Closing the album is a fairly cheerful and carefree song in the style of the early Who; "In A Hand Or A Face" that leaves a smile at the end of the listening.

Finally, we can say that "The Who By Numbers" is an excellent album. Magnificently written by Townshend, masterfully played, and the splendid voice of Daltrey gives the final magical touch. This album also holds considerable sentimental value for me, as I bought it on a splendid day while strolling with the girl I was dating, who is now my girlfriend (but this is a personal soppy digression, I apologize). I highly recommend everyone to listen to this beautiful underrated album, despite being certified platinum in America and gold in England in 1993.

Last note: the remastered edition of the album is enriched with 3 live performances, specifically: "Squeeze Box" in which the ukulele is replaced by the electric guitar, "Behind Blue Eyes" song contained in the '71 album "Who's Next" and "Dreaming From The Waist".

Happy listening...

Until next time...