The Who: Face Dances: 25 Years Later

The Who: Face Dances

Released: 1981, Warner Brothers

Producer: Bill Szymczyk

I can't believe it has been 25 years since The Who released Face Dances and almost 25 years since their last studio album It's Hard. Neither of them were great albums. I think it is safe to say that Townshend's best work from that period ended up on two solo albums called Empty Glass and All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes. Both of these Townshend solo albums are beyond strong, they are exqusitely brilliant.

The task at hand here is to write a quick review of Face Dances. I am turning 35 in April, and I was merely 10 years old when this album was released back in 1981. Who can forget "You Better You Bet"? I loved that song then, and the studio version still resonates today. I never thought The Who played it very well live (seems to miss the Daltrey "razor line" in concert). "Another Tricky Day" was another popular cut from this effort. To this day, it is a powerful piece and is best played at high volume. But what about the rest of the album?

As I listened to the album again (note: I threw away the cassette and reviewed the CD!), it became clear that this album does have some nice moments. "Don't Let Go The Coat", "Cache Cache" and "Daily Records" are all decent enough Townshend songs. Not classics at all, but certainly viable.

I do think that Townshend does have a couple of hidden gems on Face Dances. "How Can You Do it Alone?" and particularly "Did You Steal My Money" are creative and interesting numbers. I would love to hear Townshend's inspiration for the ladder song's lyrics. Maybe there is a good story behind it?

The late great John Entwistle delivered two songs to this album in "You" and "The Quiet One." Entwistle always said more by saying less.

So, where does Face Dances rank in Who history? To me, it was the beginning of the Kenney Jones era and the end of the "creative" Who. That said, a mediocre Who is 100x better than any other band. We (the arrogant, demanding Who fans) have been promised a new Who album for many years, and I truly have no eagerness for it. If it comes it comes, but the Who's creative force from 1964-1978 has its secure place it Rock n' Roll history. Townshend and Daltrey are still amazing live. Most Who fans are fine with hearing "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley" for the millionth time. As for me, I would like to hear more of the hidden gems in concert, but I don't want to get too greedy.

In summary, dust off Face Dances and give it another listen. Memories of the early 80s might just flood back for you. If you are looking for Townshend's best compositions, leave this album in the CD rack. Your choice.

Review rating: 2.5 stars out of 5