Two Words, One Answer.
pete_patrick
 Iron Man $9.98 This album represents two things: 1) the first new "Who" tracks (featuring Roger Daltrey/John Entwistle) to surface after their dissolution and subsequent farewell tour in 1983, and 2) the first new Pete Townshend studio release in four years (the previous one being "White City" in 1985). As such, expectations were very high for both Pete Townshend individually and the Who collectively. Fans were forced to come to grips with a number of realities with this album: 1) Pete Townshend's hearing loss had limited his output to some degree 2) Pete Townshend is sometimes whimsical with when and how he chooses to apply his artistic ability, and does not consistently bow to what is fashionable with the general populous OR what his fans have come to expect. This project falls somewhere in-between those extremes. 3) This album doesn't really qualify as a "Who" album, nor does it qualify as a "Pete Townshend: Former Member of the Who" album. 4) Pete Townshend was settling into his role as a balding, middle-aged elder statesman at this point (saying goodbye to the "Brilliant Blues" as it were). I have enormous respect for Pete Townshend as a songwriter, producer, singer and guitarist/pianist. Anyone who has ever listened to his demos (via the "Scooped" series) understands the weight of his contributions to both "The Who" in particular and popular music in general. Because I am a true fan of his work, I am open-minded to his forays into unfamiliar territory. When I listen to his recordings, I surrender myself to his musical judgment, with the hopes of discovering something new and worthwhile. It is because of this approach that I was able to truly enjoy the "Iron Man" disc, although it is an eclectic group of songs to be sure. Without putting TOO much thought into it, I would say that this collection of tunes is sort of a "Tim Rice meets Mannheim Steamroller" thing, with a couple of "Who" tracks thrown in (which stack up well against most of 1982's "It's Hard") and some moderately gritty performances from John Lee Hooker and Nina Simone. I've heard it said that the songs lack a sense of melody and are "overwrought". I think this was a conscious choice by Pete, because he was trying to create something with that ambiguous new-age-jazz feel. Many soundtracks are heavy on ambiguous-sounding mood music and interesting snippets that don't seem to go anywhere. This disc is no exception. If you can except this title on it's own terms, then you will probably grow to like it. If you are expecting to hear a follow up to Townshend's "Empty Glass", "Chinese Eyes" or "White City", then you will be disappointed. If you are expecting to hear "The Who" at their peak (1969-1973) then you will be even more disappointed. Try to relax and accept this piece of work for what it is. |
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