Without
Keith Moon,
the Who may have lacked the restless firepower that distinguished their earlier albums, but
Face Dances had some of
Pete Townshend's best, most incisive compositions since
Quadrophenia. "Don't Let Go the Coat" was one of his better odes to Meher Baba, "You Better You Bet" was a driving rocker, as was the rueful "Cache Cache," while "How Can You Do It Alone" was a solid ballad. While
Townshend's songs were graceful and introspective,
Roger Daltrey delivered them without any subtlety, rendering their power impotent. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Cub Koda