By Numbers

Having to follow four monumental releases in succession, The Who By Numbers is often overlooked and unfairly overshadowed. Produced again by Glyn Johns and released in 1975, the album is a more modest, simple affair, certainly withstanding the test of time by its own merits. Probably best known for the radio-friendly ditty Squeeze Box, the set also contains patented Who in the terms of Slip Kid, Blue Red and Grey plus one of bassist John Entwistles best compositions, Success Story. London studio regular Nicky Hopkins adds keyboard fills throughout. 200 gram vinyl.

This 1975 collection excels in large part due to its modest goal. It's the Who's singer-songwriter record. Without the ostensible shield his "rock operas" provided, Pete Townshend's personal demons strut about nakedly. Not a pretty sight, but an involving spectacle nevertheless. "They Are All in Love" and "How Many Friends" are forgotten Who songs, but they've aged beautifully. John Entwistle's "Success Story" sequences nicely with the rest of the album. And "However Much I Booze," "Dreaming from the Waist," and "In a Hand or a Face" are great decade-early exercises in mid-life self-pity. There are only three bonus tracks here--live versions of "Squeeze Box," "Dreaming from the Waist," and the earlier "Behind Blue Eyes"--but By Numbers is such a cohesive collection that they're less welcome extras than annoying distractions. Still, By Numbers now stands as one of the linchpins in a great band's catalog. --Steven Stolder