Pete Townshend was my first music hero, and I do not really know what else to add to it. These are his seven solo albums, ranked.
7. The Iron Man (1989)
For years, I had been avoiding this album like plague. Slammed by critics and fans alike, it did not exactly pique my curiosity. Late eighties? A musical based on a children's story? Partially sung by people not named Pete Townshend? I cared, but I did not care enough. This time, though, I sat myself down, put my headphones on, gave it a good listen... and did not die. Mind, please, that this is a very British, heavily intoned 'fine' that will probably keep me from returning to this album in the foreseeable future. I count one great song here, the powerful and melodic "Dig" (sung by Roger Daltrey, performed by The Who), and one ridiculous embarrassment, the Nina Simone-sung "Fast Food". The rest of the LP is a listenable collection of show tunes with a watered down edge that bore and amuse and ultimately serve to remind you that Pete Townshend had not yet lost it entirely. Not by that point.
Best song: "Dig"
6. Psychoderelict (1993)
Yet another concept album, but this one is completely insane. It features twenty-one songs which are demos, odd instrumentals, fully-fledged rock songs and bits of dialogue that seem both distracting and obnoxious. But, again, Pete Townshend had not lost it, and I honestly believe that deep down (that is, underneath the dialogue whose entire purpose is to tell a story you do not care about) some of these songs are really good. "English Boy" has an addictive groove, and Pete's melodic sensibilities shine through songs like "Early Morning Dreams" and "Now And Then". If you do choose to listen to this, my advice would be to get the music-only version (which exists, and which is probably worth your while).
Best song: "Early Morning Dreams"
5. Who Came First (1972)
Pete Townshend's first solo album is half-baked, slapdash and inessential. But this is Pete Townshend in 1972, between Who's Next and Quadrophenia, so you will want to hear it. Who Came First features demo-quality songs from the notorious Lifehouse project as well as covers, a meandering spiritual folk song with lyrics by Townshend's guru Meher Baba, and even a beautiful country song from Ronnie Lane (see further). A mess, obviously, but a mess from one of the greatest ever songwriters. Highlights include an early version of "Pure And Easy", pretty ballads "Content" and "Sheraton Gibson" and the aforementioned "Evolution" by Ronnie Lane. A good album - but unfocused.
Best song: "Sheraton Gibson"
4. White City (1985)
Year being 1985, White City could be an affront to good taste. Not so. Instead, it is a very good album that easily beats contemporary efforts by the likes of Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Ray Davies, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. While not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, White City puts 80s drums and synthesizers to good use. "Give Blood" is a powerful opener, "Brilliant Blues" is a classic Pete Townshend ballad, "Crashing By Design" is seriously catchy and the title song features some great guitar playing from David Gilmour (who actually co-wrote it). Yes, "I Am Secure" is bland and nondescript, and "Come To Mama" is a bloodless closer, but this is the last essential Pete Townshend-related album. And that has to count for something.
Best song: "Brilliant Blues"
3. Rough Mix / with Ronnie Lane (1977)
A common mistake when reviewing music is to equate the quality of songs with the fun that the artists had while recording them. Rough Mix, with its stellar cast of musicians (besides Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane, you get people like Charlie Watts, Eric Clapton and John Entwistle), must have been a hoot to record. It certainly feels that way. But - how about the songs? On the face of it, nothing special: Rough Mix is a very quiet, cozy, rootsy affair. Further listens, however, reveal that it is more than that. Ronnie Lane contributes some of his prettiest folk-pop melodies ever (especially "Annie", which tugs at all my heartstrings) and Pete Townshend offers the catchy "Misunderstood", the heavily orchestrated epic "Street In The City" and the brilliant anthem "Heart To Hang Onto". Yes, there is stuff which was just fun to perform ("My Baby Gives It Away", "Catmelody", title song) - but in this particular case, it only adds to the overall charm.
Best song: "Annie"
2. All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982)
Considering that the very same year The Who released the sorry It's Hard affair, we can safely state that Pete Townshend kept his best material for himself. Apparently, All The Best Cowboys... is a concept of sorts, but following musical concepts at that point in the 20th century is completely pointless. Instead, let's focus on the songs. There are eleven of them (ten plus a very pretty interlude), and apart from the somewhat faceless "Stardom In Action" and "Somebody Saved Me" (still good), everything works. The heartfelt ballad "The Sea Refuses No Water", the insanely fast-paced rocker "Communication", the power pop classic "Slit Skirts" (surely one of Townshend's best songs ever). Even "North Country Girl", Pete's unlikely update of the folk perennial, is great.
Best song: "Slit Skirts"
1. Empty Glass (1980)
Two things I need to clarify first. Number one: I only marginally prefer Empty Glass to Chinese Cowboys. Number two: there is a long-held opinion that The Who's Face Dances from 1981 is crap, and Pete Townshend's Empty Glass is great. Not true. Both are great (as far as I'm concerned, Face Dances is one of the most unjustly maligned albums in rock music). Now on to Empty Glass, which Townshend himself recognises as a classic Who album that never came to be. While I can of course easily imagine Roger Daltrey having a good go at stuff like "Rough Boys" and "A Little Is Enough" (to say nothing of "Jools and Jim", the angry, punkish putdown of bad journalism), I am more than happy to have Pete's gentler, subtler vocal delivery. Besides the aforementioned, classics include the multi-part title song, the shamelessly poppy "Let My Love Open The Door" and the disarmingly charming "Keep On Working". In fact, only a couple of generic (if fun) and over-spiritual (if addictive) moments keep Empty Glass from being worthy of The Who's very best.
Best song: "A Little Is Enough"
