The Who - Who

LPs Sampled: Polydor (UK/Czech Republic, UK/Czech Republic (45 RPM 3 LP Version), USA), Abbey Road (UK Test Pressing With Abbey Road Mastering)

CDs Sampled: Polydor (UK, UK (Deluxe w/Live At Kingston), USA, France, Japan, Japan (Deluxe w/Live At Kingston), Poland

Non LP/CDs Sampled: Polydor (UK - HD Download, WAV 16/44 Download), Polydor (Germany) 45, Polydor (USA) MP3 Download, iTunes (USA) MPEG-4 Audio Download, Polydor (UK) CD Single (Promo), Polydor (UK - Cassette)

LP Comments: The LPs sound different than the CDs. The UK/CZ basically sounds like a bad FM broadcast (extremely flat and compressed) and the USA pressing has some fidelity to it. It isn't a huge difference, but enough of a difference to make one want to turn off the UK/CZ LP and to state that the USA LP is marginally better (at the very bottom of the acceptable range). The LPs appear to be playing at a slower speed than their digital counterparts. The "Indie" (Deluxe Edition) comes with an additional LP with "Best of" tracks. Not only is the mastering much flatter than these songs are usually heard, but there's also a distinct volume change when going from "Baba O'Riley" to "My Generation" to "Who Are You" (i.e. "My Generation" is louder than the songs on either end of it). The UK/CZ 3LP version plays back at 45 RPM and sounds slightly better than the 33 RPM version. It is the only source for "Sand" (Demo) on vinyl. Note: The LP actually has more compression than the digital versions.

Note: The Abbey Road Test Pressing is mastered by Abbey Road Studios and actually sounds better than the other LP versions. While it still has the excessive bass, the highs seem to be a bit higher. There's more detail and the distortion seems to be filtered out.

CD Comments: Like the LPs, the CDs suffer from excessive compression (but sound different than the LPs). The USA pressing (vs. UK) seems to have better fidelity (more highs and ever-so-slightly more dynamics) but the compression really screws up the bottom end providing the listener with an unpleasant listening experience. The Japan CD seems to be slightly better than the others sampled to date (and has the most new tracks of all of releases).

CD (Deluxe w/Live At Kingston) Comments: This CD is the same mix/mastering as the 2019 version, but incluses the remixed (mostly new) version of "Beads On One String" and a 2nd CD featuring the live, acoustic performance at Kingston, UK (February 12, 2020). Unfortunately, this was a blown opportunity to "fix" or to at least remaster the entire CD. The new tracks were sent to the same mastering engineer who dumped all the bass on the original version (to mask the poor mix). Instead of remastering the entire CD set, the new tracks had "extra bass" dumped into them to make them blend. The good news is, the new tracks were all mixed well and are <relatively> easier to fix (see sound samples for comparison below). The new version of "Beads On One String" is really good. Not only a sonic improvement, but the performance is more heartfelt. The live tracks are really good too (once the excessive bass is reduced). They include (2) two songs (She Rocked My World & Break The News) from this album.

Note: The 2020 CD "Deluxe" version also differs from the 2019 "Deluxe" version as it does not include the 3 (or 4 version dependent) bonus tracks: This Gun Will Misfire, Got Nothing To Prove, Danny & My Ponies, Sand (Demo). (However, This Gun Will Misfire, Got Nothing To Prove, Danny & My Ponies are included with the HD download version.)

Non LP/CDs Comments: The Germany 45 seems to have excessive bass (most likely created by the compressed mastering) but better definition than its CD counterpart. The HD version seems to have too much distortion. Mostly curiously, the MP3 download and iTunes download sound better than the other versions (but still too compressed and with elements of distortion). The WAV 16/44 download has similar characteristics as the HD download.

Other Comments: There is too much compression in the mastering of this album and it seems to have adverse effects on the various different versions. The compression, distortion and excessive bass detracts from what is an otherwise brilliant album. Imagine trying to view a piece of art in a museum, but the glass protecting the artwork has a layer of thick dust. You know there's great art underneath, but you strain to see the art because the dust is in the way. The compressed mastering is analogous to listening to a CD with ear plugs.

Most of the songs have a fresh sound to them as well as some familiar themes and elements. "Street Song" has some elements which made me feel I was listening to "Fragments" here and there. The "Deluxe Edition" bonus track, "Got Nothing To Prove" seems very similar to "Inside Outside USA", an unused demo for "The Who Sell Out". (It appears to be a circa 1967 recording that was updated with this album). The 1965 "Sand" (demo) is a bonus track on CD to the Japan "Deluxe Edition" as well as several of the LP "Deluxe Editions." However, the version on this album has clearly been updated, and you will probably like this better (compare versions below).

Note: These reviews are a work-in-process. As new versions arrive and get compared, this page will be updated accordingly.

"The sound quality is very poor. Compressed and just annoying. Wonder what a Who album would sound like with full dynamics would have been unbelievable. Really a waste."

" 'Who' is overly compressed to the point of being unlistenable. Certainly cannot be played at the volume the band deserves. A shame because the material is so good. The high-hat, cymbals and snare are are so low/clipped as to be unheard. The bass is marginal and the bass drum is missing. Everything seems to be pressed into a flat, boring mix. How could they release this?"

The above is an illustration which <unfortunately> helps articulate the sonic qualities of the new album...

Summary: The LPs, CDs and HD are all problematic and distract from the listening experience. This is extremely sad since so many people looked forward to this release only to have it spoiled by extremely compressed mastering, excessive bass and distortion. The MP3s and iTunes seem to be tailored to be played on a computer, portable, etc. and in listening to them in that fashion, seem OK sounding. However, if you intend to release music in other formats, the mastering is inappropriate. I hope that the powers to be recognize this mistake quickly and provide new masters (for each format) to the record company to use in production. [See below and on the next page for alternative solutions.]

Track Listing: All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World

Track Listing (CD Deluxe Version): All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World, This Gun Will Misfire, Got Nothing To Prove, Danny & My Ponies

Track Listing (HD Download Deluxe Version): All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World, This Gun Will Misfire, Got Nothing To Prove, Danny & My Ponies, Beads On One String (Pete Townshend Remix), Intro, Substitute, Squeeze Box, Tattoo, The Kids Are Alright, Break The News, She Rocked My World, Won't Get Fooled Again

Track Listing (2 CD Deluxe Version with Live At Kingston): All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World, Beads On One String (Pete Townshend Remix), Intro, Substitute, Squeeze Box, Tattoo, The Kids Are Alright, Break The News, She Rocked My World, Won't Get Fooled Again

Track Listing (LP Deluxe Audiophile Version - 45 RPM): All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World, Sand (Demo)

Track Listing (Japan CD Deluxe Version): All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World, This Gun Will Misfire, Got Nothing To Prove, Danny & My Ponies, Sand (Demo)

Track Listing (Indie Deluxe Version LP): All This Music Must Fade, Ball And Chain, I Don’t Wanna Get Wise, Detour, Beads On One String, Hero Ground Zero, Street Song, I’ll Be Back, Break The News, Rockin’ In Rage, She Rocked My World, Baba O'Riley, My Generation, Who Are You, Behind Blue Eyes, Pinball Wizard, Won't Get Fooled Again [Single Edit Version], The Seeker, Eminence Front

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Note: If you would like a free download copy of the Remixed & Remastered 2023 version (highlighted samples below), please email whitefang@thewho.info

The Who - Who: