What makes Too Late the Hero by John Entwistle notable?

Too Late the Hero received moderate critical attention upon its release, showcasing Entwistle's songwriting prowess and unique vocal style, which contributed to a growing appreciation for his solo work. The album's title track became notable for its reflection on themes of war and heroism, resonating during a time when such discussions were prevalent in popular culture. Released in 1981, Too Late the Hero was John Entwistle's third solo album, coming after his previous work, Whistle Rhymes. At this point in his career, he was already established as The Who's bassist but sought to carve out his own identity, experimenting with different sounds and lyrical themes away from the band’s shadow.

How many songs are on Too Late the Hero?

Too Late the Hero has 9 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Too Late the Hero

John Entwistle · 1981

42 min · 9 tracks · hard rock

A blend of hard rock and power pop, infused with the cleverness of art rock and lyrical wit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Try Me — Opening the album with an upbeat, catchy melody, 'Try Me' captures Entwistle’s signature blend of wit and musicality that defines the record.
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Fallen Angel — 'Fallen Angel' features poignant lyrics exploring loss and regret, showcasing Entwistle’s ability to convey deep emotion through his music.
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Too Late the Hero — The title track stands out with its narrative-driven lyrics reflecting on war and disillusionment, making it a memorable centerpiece for the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and energetic performances but lacks lasting impact.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature prominent brass instrumentation, adding a distinct layer to the hard rock sound.
The title track closes the album with a slower tempo, creating a contrast to the preceding energetic songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Try Me 3:52
2 Talk Dirty 4:05
3 Lovebird 4:51
4 Sleepin' Man 3:54
5 I'm Coming Back 3:57
6 Dancin' Master 4:22
7 Fallen Angel 4:38
8 Love Is a Heart Attack 5:10
9 Too Late the Hero 7:25

What to play next

Listen next

The Rock

1996

Go back to

Mad Dog

1975

Full John Entwistle discography Artists like John Entwistle

art rock hard rock power pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata