Singer/songwriter
Simon Townshend garnered some worthy attention with his superb 1984 debut, Sweet Sound. That album, produced by his brother,
the Who guitarist
Pete Townshend, showcased the younger
Townshend's knack for anthemic, heartfelt rock songcraft that fell somewhere between
the Who's early-'80s sound and
Dire Straits' precise, guitar-driven take on new wave. Of course, comparisons to his older brother's own soulful vocals and recognizable songwriting style were inevitable, and
Simon's solo career never gained the momentum it deserved. Nonetheless, when not touring with
the Who,
Townshend has continued to release albums including 1985's Moving Target, 1997's Among Us, and 2002's Simontownshendis. Much like his debut, and all of his albums,
Townshend's 2013 effort
Looking Out Looking In is a superb mix of heartfelt singer/songwriter pop and anthemic guitar rock all centering around powerful, evocative lead vocals. ~ Matt Collar