#TBT : The Who : Who

ZRock is putting the interns in summer school with their first listens to some of our classic favorites. First up: The Who’s 2019 release “Who.” If you’ve ever been curious what the younger generation thinks, read on…

I am a 23-year-old recent graduate and I love rock music. That being said, I am not super familiar with some really popular bands like Guns n Roses or The Who – can I blame my age? I am more into Joy Division, The Smiths, or newer rock singles, so I was excited when I was assigned The Who’s album “Who” (released in 2019 on Interscope).

I thought that their sound would align more with Poison or Def Leppard (not exactly my favorite genre of rock), so I was wary, but open-minded when I started this album, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the time I had finished my first listen.

The album starts off with “I don’t care / I know you’re going to hate this song,” and whew what a mood. I am into this already, I hate being told what to do, and starting this album off like this highlights an intensity that I wasn’t expecting from this older band.
We have a standout folks! The fourth track on the album “Detour” jumps into focus with its bluesy sound and upbeat vibes. I literally could not help but bob my head along. By the end of the song, I was singing along to the catchy chorus, “oooh a detour.”
“Beads on One String,” the fifth song, was my absolute favorite on this album. I actually saved it to my personal library because I enjoyed it so much. The chorus stuck out to me the most thus far, “I just know we shame him / when we kill in his name.”
The sixth song off this project was “Street Song” and I also saved this song. It was soulful and beautiful, something that kept me captivated. When I am driving around and in my mind I am in a music video, I have found myself coming back to this song because it was so easy for me to dance and move to it.

All in all a great introductory album to the Who. I definitely will be giving more of their albums a listen and I have even recommended this album to my friends who really love rock music. What did y’all think of this album? If you have listened to it, did you have a favorite song?

I am going to be listening to a new rock album this week for commentary, so who (KIDS ARE PUNNY) do y’all think I should give a try next?

Listen to The Who : Who