Released in advance of
the Who’s half-time appearance at the 2010 Superbowl, the 2009
Greatest Hits reworks the 2004 collection Then and Now: 1964-2000, retaining the basic structure of that compilation (including its then-new bonus track “Real Good Looking Boy”), trimming its 20 tracks down to 19 -- “I’m a Boy,” “See Me, Feel Me,” and “5:15” traded for “Pictures of Lily” and “Eminence Front,” the new “Old Red Wine” swapped for “It’s Not Enough” from their 2006 comeback
Endless Wire -- but otherwise not changing much about the basic character of the album. This collection remains a solid overview of
the Who’s basics, containing every one of the huge hits from “My Generation” to “Who Are You,” all sequenced chronologically. There are no surprises and no need to get this if you already own one of the many
Who collections released over the years, but if
Townshend and
Daltrey’s Superbowl set piques some interest in procuring a
Who hits album, this will surely satisfy. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine