WHO

I was not alone when I thought that 'Endless Wire' was their last studio work. And when You come to know that 'the Who' is going to issue a new album it looks like a marvel. This work is better than 'Endless Wire', 'It`s Hard ' and 'Face Dances'. This is not only a surprise as a whole, but rather a package of surprises.

Many songs are like a fresh air rushing in an open window. 'All This Music Must Fade', 'Street Song' and 'Hero Ground Zero' well illustrate this feeling. The latter is sung with such young ardour that one can unwillingly doubt if Roger is a really 75-years old man.

On the contrary, bluesy 'Ball and Chain' suits the age of these 'old and tired guys'. I can say the same about 'She Rocked My World'. This number also has something that we have never heard from them before: jazz and bossa nova.

On heartwarming 'I`ll be back' Pete proves his mastery of narrative vocals. In this sence he could be in a nice company with Bob Dylan or Mark Knopfler.

Pop-folkish "Break the News" composed by Pete`s younger brother Simon brings me a soulful and carefree mood.

On "Rockin' in Rage" Roger sings verses with depth and wisdom, then the song explodes with a powerful chorus which would fit 'Who`s Next'.

Bonus pop-psychedelic track 'Got Nothing to Prove' opens a gateway to 1966/1967, a kind of feel like 'times when we were young and naive'.

In all probability we have a final album of the band and it can serve as their testament on a high note. The only thing left for us is wondering if they can perform another heroic act to make another one output. 'Who' knows ?