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I went ahead and got these off iTunes.

"Real Good Looking Boy" isn't a bad song -- lyrically it's fairly interesting and the chorus hook is decent -- but there's not a lot of melody in the spoken/sung verses and the arrangement doesn't breathe. It reminds me quite a bit of "Uneasy Street," the Psychoderelict outtake on the Townshend greatest hits that I refuse to type out the full name of. As an album track, it's fine -- as a much-hyped return to studio work, it's weak.

"Old Red Wine" is more melodic, more dynamic and more interesting. It's seems less fussed over than "Boy" and is the better for it. There's a bit in the second half where the band rocks out credibly. I knew they had it in them from live performances, but it's good to see they can do it in the studio. I haven't quite sussed out the lyrics quite yet. This isn't a killer track either, but it's good.

I'm really not expecting dynamite, classic singles out of Townshend and Daltrey at this stage, but these tracks aren't an embarrassment. Based on these, I'll definitely be getting the album when/if it shows up. Still, I wouldn't buy Then & Now just for these two when there's a $2 (or less ) online alternative.

Ryan

I had Then & Now in my hands this afternoon (a friend got it early), although I didn't actually pop it in the player. I did hear both tracks on the radio already, though. Not great, but not bad. Kind of in a Face Dances/It's Hard mould, I guess.

Pino plays bass on ORW, BTW - for some reason I thought Greg Lake played on both tracks.

Pino plays bass on ORW, BTW - for some reason I thought Greg Lake played on both tracks.

I was wondering about that. That's the thing about downloads -- no good info.

Ryan

lukpac wrote:Kind of in a Face Dances/It's Hard mould, I guess.

At least they weren't in the "Bob" mould.

Heh. I dunno -- I'll take the "Bob" mould over the Face Dances/It's Hard, er, "mould."

Sugar does a great cover version of "Armenia City in the Sky" as a B-Side on the "Good Idea" single. It's also on the Besides CD.

Ryan