The Who – Who Are You

★★★★

Universal

Keith Moon’s death three weeks after its release added a tragic coda to The Who’s eighth album. In truth, Pete Townshend had threatened to sack Moon during the protracted sessions for Who Are You, his booze-addled antics by then eclipsing his ability to actually do the job (see MOJO 384).

Contemporary reviews bemoaned the guitarist’s infatuation with synthesizers, but on a record frequently concerned with slipping into irrelevance – New Song, the still barnstorming title track – it’s one of the most interesting elements, elevating what might otherwise have been stodgier rockers.

Extras on the new multi-format reissue include Glyn Johns’ rejected mix (not enough Ox); 1979 live tracks with replacement Kenney Jones (not enough Moon); demos and rehearsals, including the drummer mugging through I Saw Her Standing There(possibly too much Moon); and his incendiary final live performance, recorded for 1978 film The Kids Are Alright.

The 2025 reissue of Who Are You is out October 31 on Universal.

ORDER: Amazon | Rough Trade

Tracklisting:

1LP:
1. New Song
2. Had Enough
3. 905
4. Sister Disco
5. Music Must Change
6. Trick Of The Light
7. Guitar And Pen
8. Love Is Coming Down
9. Who Are You

4LP:
1. New Song
2. Had Enough
3. 905
4. Sister Disco
5. Music Must Change
6. Trick Of The Light
7. Guitar And Pen
8. Love Is Coming Down
9. Who Are You
Live At Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI, USA 7/12/79
10. Substitute
11. I Can’t Explain
12. Baba O’Riley
13. The Punk And The Godfather
14. Boris The Spider
15. Sister Disco
16. Behind Blue Eyes
17. Music Must Change
18. Drowned
19. Who Are You
20. 5.15
21. Pinball Wizard
22. See Me, Feel Me
23. Long Live Rock
24. My Generation
25. I Can See For Miles
26. Dancing In The Street
27. Sparks
28. Won’t Get Fooled Again
29. Magic Bus
30. Summertime Blues
31. How Can You Do It Alone

2CD:
1. New Song
2. Had Enough
3. 905
4. Sister Disco
5. Music Must Change
6. Trick Of The Light
7. Guitar And Pen
8. Love Is Coming Down
9. Who Are You
10. Who Are You – Glyn Johns Mix
11. New Song – Pete Vocal
12. Had Enough – No Orchestra
13. Empty Glass – Session Outtake
14. Love Is Coming Down – Early Run Through
15. Trick Of The Light – Unused Olympic Edit
16. Guitar And Pen – Early Run Through Pete Vox
17. 905 – Entwistle Demo
18. Good Time Coming – Entwistle Demo
19. Sister Disco – Live Pontiac
20. Music Must Change – Live Pontiac
21. Who Are You – Live Pontiac

7CD & Blu-ray Boxset:
CD One: Original Remastered Album
CD Two: Alternate Versions
CD Three: Bonus Material
CD Four: Bonus Material – Shepperton Tour Rehearsal
CD Five: Bonus Material – Shepperton Tour Rehearsal
CD Six: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI, USA 7/12/79
CD Seven: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI, USA 7/12/79
Blu Ray: Atmos / 5.1 / Stereo

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