“It’s an Eminence Front/ It’s Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit” The Who Rocks America: 1982 American Tour

Hellos and goodbyes! Over at Oxford American, I ponder The Who’s 1982 Farewell Concert and debut the title track from my band, the Paranoid Style’s new LP A Goddamn Impossible Way Of Life! I could not legally be more excited for the official album release tomorrow!

One of Pete’s great, underrated early gems is 1964’s majestic “Disguises.” 1982’s “Eminence Front,” is a louche later-day sequel that palpably doesn’t care if you hate it. Both songs are about the falseness of the world that surrounds the band, and the fraudulence of whatever scene has subsumed them. Both songs are tremendous. So much distance traveled, so little ground gained.
The band throws themselves forcefully into this unctuous bit of genius. It’s oily. Pete sings a lascivious lead. The inescapable hook, the vaulting riff.
“It’s an eminence front / it’s a put on.”
So much of the Who is carny games, minor criminals, and major frauds. The striving substitute who was born with a plastic spoon in his mouth. The long-fled lovers of “A Legal Matter” and “My Wife.” The false guru Tommy.