What does it sound like?:
Mott the Hoople, in November 1971, were the hottest ticket on the uni/tech/civic hall circuit. They were an incendiary live band, chaotic, unrelenting and very loud. Every gig was like a battle, with no prisoners taken and no fucks given. The reason that Mick Jones followed them everywhere? Mott were punk, five years early, simple as that. And their lead singer had a huge mop of blonde, curly hair and sunglasses and shouted at me from the stage. Ian Hunter was my first gig, my first rock star, my first love.
This was all pre-Bowie, pre-hits and pre- ‘Tarp of the Parps’ – all of which I loved too. When H left, I went with him, every step, every record. He has given me some of the best gigs of my life, especially those with his wonderful Rant Band, and his run of five albums, since 2001’s Rant, has been the best run of albums by any of the ‘someone from the ’70’s’ mob, full stop. Bruce, Neil, Todd, Bob, no one come close. Hunter still writes great songs, still gets angry, still cares.
So, a new album from Ian Hunter Patterson is always keenly anticipated in this house. This bright yellow new one dropped onto the doormat on Friday, the release day. I was writing at home so it was on the stereo in ten seconds, volume up and BLAM! we’re into Slash’s chunky guitar and Defiance. Hunter has always been brilliant at pacing his albums, (bless his heart in these days of playlists, skipping and downloads,) so the fantastic run of Defiance, Bed of Roses and no Hard Feelings is perfect – Ringo lifts Bed of Roses like only he can and Jeff Beck is beautifully distinctive on the tough ‘slow one’ about Ian’s relationship with his Dad, No Hard Feelings.
Three tracks in and the stall has been set out, the Sunday market wares are on show, the smell of burgers and onions fills the air and we all know where we are. Wonderful.
Pavlov’s Dog rips the roof off the place with Robert and Dean DeLeo driving the crane and wrecking ball. The mid-paced Don’t Tread On Me has Todd-guitars all over it – you can pick his voice out on the bv’s a mile away – and is all the better for it. I Hate Hate is one of those songs which sits on a chord and a groove, hammering home it’s message like a jackhammer, until you just give in. Resistance is futile.
The three-song run to the end is, as usual, perfectly paced. Angel is one of the tracks which Taylor Hawkins graces, playing drums, guitars, piano and singing before it segues into Kiss N Make Up, with Taylor linking up with Billy Gibbons and Billy Bob Thornton to serve up the dirtiest bowl of gumbo you’ve ever eaten. The closer, This Is What I’m Here For, sums up the whole album – a song about rock ‘n roll, about playing music and about making records. “I ain’t through, I ain’t through, When I’m through I’ll notify you.” Sign on the dotted line, stamp it through and file it under Defiance.
On 3rd June, Ian Hunter will be 84 years young.
What does it all *mean*?
It means that the new album from one of my, (the,) legends of rock ‘n roll is here and, fuck my old boots, it’s a belter.
Goes well with…
A stereo that shakes the walls.
Release Date:
21/04/2023
Might suit people who like…
Little Richard and everything after.
davebigpicture says
Thanks, I’d forgotten this was coming out. He was on the Rockenteurs podcast recently, well worth a listen.
Vulpes Vulpes says
I remember the day I gave his first solo LP a spin, the week it came out. I’ve still got that LP, inner sleeve and all, and I still spin it from time to time. I’ve bought quite a few more of his CDs along the way; Schizophrenic, Shrunken Heads, Overnight, Alien Boy, Rant, Overboard, and they are all leavened with great tracks though the first one still edges it for me.
Your review tells me I need to see how this one shapes up. I have a feeling it might be right up there.
‘Allo!
Baron Harkonnen says
Great review @niallb.
I heard a few tracks from Mr Hunter’s* new record and I was impressed, very.
I didn’t realise it was out, a purchase will be soon underway although my tinnitus will prevent my hi-fi shaking the walls. Unfortunately.
*The guy is 84 in June, that is bloody astonishing. I’ve never been a fan, y’know buying the records but as I’ve said I’m very impressed by what I’ve heard. This could lead to an expensive investment in Mr Hunter’s back catalogue.
Max the Dog says
Great review, Niall. I haven’t bought an Ian Hunter album since All of the good ones are taken many years ago. I always loved Schizophrenic – one of my favourite rock albums. I might give this a go…
Tiggerlion says
Cracking review! Succinct and pithy. Exactly how I like them.