Canadian import
I've said it before: I'm not much of a lyrics guy. Unfortunately for Townshend, most the reviews of this album focused on his lyrics. In issue 375, Rolling Stone hinted at the good songs here by saying "Townshend the musician is even more formidable than Townshend the word slinger" before returning the focus of the review to the lyrics. (Curiously, the RS reviewer gave the album a negative review but 4 star rating.) But the music here, while not Townshend's best, is pretty good in parts. This is a fragmented album where only one song holds up all the way through - Face Dances Part Two. Every other song might have a good verse or chorus, but the rest of the song doesn't live up to the good parts. For example, the chorus of Slit Skirts might be the best 8 bars on the album, but the verse sounds like a show tune that didn't make the cut for Tommy. As a result, I find that my mind wanders a bit at times while listening. It's not a bad album at all, but it leaves me longing for a listen to Face Dances.
For an explanation of the inane, racist album title, see Rolling Stone interview below. You'll be amused and disappointed.
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard Top 200: #26
- Billboard Rock: #7
- CashBox: #21
- Rolling Stone: #7
Tracks: In addition to Face Dances Part Two, top cuts include Prelude, Stop Hurting People, Communication, and Slit Skirts. Fittingly, I usually skip Exquisitely Bored.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When my buddy Jim first played this for me in 1982, I initially didn't give much of a chance for purely superficial reasons: the album title and that spooky, cover photo. I'm thinking the ATCO marketing people should have stepped in there.
No they don't.
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