It’s been a while since we’ve heard any significant news about legendary rock band the Who. In 2006, the group released Endless Wire, their first studio album in 23 years, to generally mediocre reviews. Since then, Townshend and Daltrey received Kennedy Center Honors at the 31st annual awards ceremony in December of last year. As Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan continue to release albums as they get on in years, Pete Townshend has decided to throw his hat in yet again.
“I am writing a new musical,” Townshend blogged. “Floss is an ambitious new project for me, in the style of Tommy and Quadrophenia. In this case the songs are interspersed with surround-sound ‘soundscapes’ featuring complex sound effects and musical montages.”
Townshend said the album is designed as an outdoor “son et lumière piece”, to be debuted in 2011. He is in talks with producers in New York but hopes to release some of the musical’s more “conventional” songs on a new Who album next year.
I’ve seen the Who twice in my lifetime. Both concerts took place at the Hollywood Bowl and were around 2003 and 2007 — I can’t remember exactly. Regardless, they were solid both times and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. The first time I saw them, John Entwhistle was still alive and was still a master bassist. The second time, Entwhistle had just died, but the band decided to continue the tour in his honor. Nevertheless, Townshend and Daltrey were energetic and engaging in each performance. While I forgot about Endless Wire after a few listens, the Who remains one of the few bands from the 60s I wouldn’t mind putting out a new album. I’ll give whatever music Townshend records a chance.
