With the bandmembers pursuing personal interests and solo projects, Pete Townshend was left to his own devices while writing songs for the band’s next project. Unusually, though, and perhaps for the first time since the inception of the band, he lacked a specific theme for his songwriting. The net result was a batch of songs that were mostly autobiographical in nature.

In many ways, “The Who By Numbers” is a Pete Townshend solo album that happens to be performed by the Who. The lyrics consist mostly of Townshend’s critical self-analysis and observations on personal relationships, or more specifically, the lack of, with a keen awareness of his own mortality. It’s a construction that sometimes works brilliantly and in other places falls short, as it is odd, if not inappropriate, to hear Roger Daltrey belting out lyrics of such a personal nature.

For my own taste, the best bits of “Who By Numbers” are when Townshend handles his own songs. In the two years since Quadrophenia, a lot had changed for the band.

Featured tracks include:

Slip Kid

However Much I Booze

Squeeze Box

Dreaming From the Waist

Imagine a Man

Success Story

They Are All in Love

Blue, Red and Grey

How Many Friends

In a Hand or a Face