The Who — Endless Wire

The Who's career in 150 words or less: Roger Daltrey sings, "Hope I die before I get old," clearly unaware of the joys of prostate exams, Rock And Roll Hal Of Fame inductions and boomer-boner-inducing reunion tours. Gradually, the meth-munching mod maniacs pick up synths and storylines and become just like Meatloaf, a forgivable transition given their output's quality. More than two decades pass. John Entwistle dies and Pete Townshend gets caught with some child pornography, which he alleges is research for an anti-children-fucking book. Obviously, the scandal could have either Jacko career effects or R. Kelly ones. But like Kelly, who followed his creepy kiddy incident with a phenomenally popular and preposterous popera similar to Tommy, Townshend and company fill their first studio album in 24 years with over-the-top theatrics, including a decent 12-song mini opera. While nostalgic middle-aged folks love the epic and admirably adventurous songs, kids say they seem kinda cheesy and insist that Daltrey sounds like Grover from Sesame Street.

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