Who's Got a New Album

So the Who is back on tour, performing its only Florida date in Sunrise. Why should we care? Well, to start with, it's the Who's first visit since original bassist John Entwistle died in 2002, some 38 years after joining the band (which is now called "the Two" by those keeping count). Also, in October, the Who released Endless Wire, its first studio album since 1982's It's Hard. And it's pretty good too, even if some of the lyrics were inspired by Mel Gibson. (Guitarist Pete Townshend wrote "A Man in a Purple Dress" after watching The Passion of the Christ. Really.) Oh yeah, and while he may be a geezer, Townshend still has more rock in his fingertips than an army of indie-rock bands. Where would all those neo-prog bands be without him? Remember, this is the guy who pioneered new modernism, equipment-smashing, and the rock opera (not to mention his own method of online research).

The Who and the Pretenders perform Monday, November 20, at BankAtlantic Center, 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $54.75 to $204.75. Call 954-523-3309, or visit www.ticketmaster.com.