A Rough Boy An Empty Glass And Wow
Peter Townshend Empty Glass Atco
Peter Townshend is the Godfather of rock; songwriter, guitarist and founding force of the Who, the premier rock 'n' roll band many have been worshiping for the better part of the last sixteen years.
The long-awaited Empty Glass is a more complete and intense album than Townshend's previous endeavors, Who Came First and Rough Mix, both of which produced some of his finest songs, among them "Let's See Action," "Heart to Hang Onto," "Misunderstood" and "My Baby Gives it Away."
Empty Glass is the bonafide Townshend solo l.p., with him playing all guitars, synthesizers and vocals with a light crew behind him, primarily Tony Butler (bass), Simon Phillips (drums) and Rabbit Bundrick (keyboards).
Townshend, working out of his premise that rock encompasses a wide spectrum, keeps Empty Glass moving with mostly uptempo songs loaded with fine hooks, solid musicianship and typically potent Townshend lyrics which never stoop to insult one's intelligence. For production, he enlisted Chris Thomas, of Sex Pistols fame, who provides a ballsy, driving sound.
"Rough Boys" launches the l.p. in power-chord break-neck fashion, as Townshend reaches out to the "bitter minds" of the toughs roaming England's streets, seeking compromise and understanding.
Townshend is at his confused, analytical best in "I Am an Animal," an explanation of his lonely, yet sincere existence, and "Empty Glass," a true Townshend classic whose lyrics toss and turn between the confidence and loneliness of his world. His voice has never sounded finer.
Chalk up another point for the Godfather and the old school of English rock. Love reign o'er us all...
