The follow-up to Empty Glass, 1982's All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes might very well be the strongest Pete Townshend solo album through and through. Less reliant on Who-like hard rock styles as on the previous album, this release is rich with pop grandeur, occasional forays into prog, new wave, and techno styles, but most importantly it's just a great melodic rock album, brimming with catchy songs and clever lyrics. Boasting a band that included Townshend on vocals, guitars, & keyboards, Virginia Astley on piano, Tony Butler on bass, Peter Hope-Evans on harmonica, Simon Phillips & Mark Brzezicki on drums, plus a few other musicians on percussion and additional keyboards, it's a very full sounding album that works on many levels.
As you listen to the album all the way through, there's just one strong tune after another and a myriad of rock styles being presented. Townsend's guitar playing is in fine form here, as are his often underrated vocals, on songs like the staccato frenzy of "Communication", or the addicting "Stop Hurting People". There's a great mix of charming pop and prog on "Face Dances Part Two", and some classic Who type rock on "The Sea Refuses No River", which features great vocals and guitar from Pete. Speaking og guitar, Townshend's trademark power chords are all over the catchy "Stardom In Action", a song that could have come off of Who Are You, and the bouncy "Uniforms (Corp D'esprit)" has a sort of futuristic feel, sort of like the same era Utopia material, with plenty of spacey synths and layered vocal harmonies. Of course, the most popular song here is "Slit Skirts", one of Townshend's strongest numbers from the last 25 years, featuring a fantastic chorus and Townshend's knack for an instrospective lyric.
Universal Music's remaster here sounds great, and you get a few bonus tracks ("Man Watching" is especially fun, and the hard rock piece "Dance it Away", which sounds like a leftover Who track) plus a booklet with full lyrics. This is highly recommended stuff from a legend of the rock world.
Track Listing
1. Stop Hurting People
2. The Sea Refuses No River
3. Prelude
4. Face Dances Part Two
5. Exquisitely Bored
6. Communication
7. Stardom In Action
8. Uniforms (Corp D'esprit)
9. North Country Girl
10. Somebody Saved Me
11. Slit Skirts
12. Vivienne-bonus track
13. Man Watching-bonus track
14. Dance It Away-bonus track
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