THE WHO: Endless Wire (Polydor/Universal)

The Who's first album since 1982's It's Hard starts with what sounds like a sped-up version of Baba O'Riley's synthesiser pattern, a positive omen. Remarkably, it lives up to that omen, The Who (or The Two) delivering its strongest work since Keith Moon's demise. Pete Townshend is still writing personal stuff, but Roger Daltrey completely connects with the songs. The second half of the album is Wire & Glass, a mini-opera on Townshend's favourite themes – music, technology, isolation and universal love. Daltrey and Townshend aren't ageing quietly, they still sound passionate and even angry on A Man in a Purple Dress, Mike Post Theme and It's Not Enough.

JEFF CRAWFORD