The Who
Then And Now, 1964-2004

THE REVIEW

I believe that any rock lover, if they had a time machine, would take a nice leap back into the "Swingin' London" of the late sixties, to ride around with their Triumph right in the middle of the "Mod scene." Okay, stop, no dreaming allowed.

However, if like me, you don’t have a time machine and unfortunately didn't live through the legendary years of "My Generation," don't despair. You can buy The Who's discography (money well spent, mind you), or treat yourself to "The Who, Then and Now 1964-2004" (Polydor, 2004).
The album, born from the idea of the great Townshend (in collaboration with Daltrey), collects all the greatest hits of the "guitar smashers": from I Can’t Explain to Substitute, from See Me-Feel Me to Behind Blue Eyes, through My Generation, The Kids Are Alright, I Can See For Miles, Magic Bus, Squeeze Box, Who Are You?... And many more rock gems.
Also included are the live version of Summertime Blues and the new tracks Real Good Looking Boy and Old Red Wine.

These are the components of Then And Now, especially NOW, because even today listening to The Who’s music, you are faced with real sound, raw but harmonious, strongly contemporary, simply timeless.

The album is still a collection so think of it as you will, I would recommend it both to the younger ones, who may not know much about The Who and the mod movement, or think that Behind Blue Eyes is a Limp Bizkit track (in that case I refer to the kids growing up on bread and MTV); but I would also recommend it to the most die-hard collectors, given that the booklet is very well done with photos from the era, concert posters, and band history.
A collectible also is the three-part black and white photo (inside), showing a classic double-decker on a London street where instead of people at the stop, you find the two Fenders, the amps, and the legendary drums.

Your choice!