The Who by Numbers functions as Pete Townshend's confessional singer/songwriter album, as he chronicles his problems with alcohol ("
However Much I Booze"), women ("
Dreaming From the Waist" and "
They Are All in Love"), and life in general. However, his introspective musings are rendered ineffective by Roger Daltrey's bluster and the cloying, lightweight filler of "
Squeeze Box". In addition, Townshend's songs tend to be underdeveloped, relying on verbosity instead of melodicism, with only the simple power of "
Slip Kid", the grace of "Blue Red and Grey", and John Entwistle's heavy rocker "
Success Story" making much of an impact. [The 1996 CD reissue adds three live tracks from a 1976 concert.]
The Who by Numbers review by allmusic.com