Rant

Ian Hunter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00005B7FL
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,011 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Still Love Rock and Roll

2. Wash Us Away

3. Death of a Nation

4. Morons

5. Purgatory

6. American Spy

7. Dead Man Walkin' (Eastenders)

8. Good Samaritan

9. Soap 'N' Water

10. Ripoff

11. Knees of My Heart

12. No One

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

As the mastermind behind Mott the Hoople and as a solo performer, Ian Hunter influenced bands as diverse as the Clash, Queen, Oasis, and R.E.M. An American resident since the mid-'70s, Hunter's native England weighs heavy on his mind. The elegiac Dylan-esque ballad "Death of a Nation" delivers a poignant but scathing reflection on today's Britain, but the caustic images of "Purgatory" suggest American life is also far from perfect. Hunter still combines plainspoken lyrics with theatricality, autobiographical candor ("American Spy"), and sharp historical perspectives ("Morons"). The celebratory closer "Still Love Rock & Roll" shows where his faith remains; the rewards are here for all to hear. --Gavin Martin

Product Description

Rant by Ian Hunter

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE ORIGINAL PUNK ROCKER STRIKES AGAIN!, June 7, 2001

By 

Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rant (Audio CD)

Ian Hunter makes me feel young again! What a great comeback album by this 55 year old rocker, who proves he's still got the magic touch. This cd contains his usual formula of pub style rockers and ballads. But this time the songwriting is razor sharp and his backing band is extra hot. The album starts out with that familiar Ian Hunter piano intro that goes into "STILL LOVE ROCK AND ROLL". I like when he sings "It ain't my fault that I never grew up. I got bit by the bug. I still love rock and roll". Oh yeah! Then comes another good rocker "WASH US AWAY", where Hunter displays a voice a little worn by the years, but to my ears, even more fun to listen to. Then comes the ballad "DEATH OF A NATION". This is a great little tune, but it's also a sad one where Hunter sings about the downfall of his native England. On "MORONS", Hunter does a top rate smokin' punk rocker that reminds me a lot of the music Ian Dury and the Blockheads put out in the late 70's. If you remember the song "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll" you'll know who I'm talking about. "AMERICAN SPY" has got the trademark Hunter sound and reminds me a little of his old song "Just Another Night", which was another great rocker of it's day. Another nice ballad here is "DEAD MAN WALKING". I liked the George Harrison type guitar work by Andy York on this song. He serves as a very adequate replacement for the late Mick Ronson. My favorite song off of here is "RIPOFF". A great rocker that rivals anything that his old band Mott The Hoople has ever done. It's also got some of the most biting lyrics on the album, where Hunter sings again about his native England being a "luxury not many can afford". Evidently, Hunter isn't too happy with England. But I'm happy he put out this impressive new cd. I think it's the best he's ever done, and the best rock album I've heard this year yet. It definitly gives this old grey-haired rocker something to RANT about.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Artful 'Rant', October 14, 2001

By 

Eliot Wilder "eliotwilder.com" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rant (Audio CD)

Too self-conscious and introspective for pub rock, too butt ugly and unhip for glam, Mott the Hoople was an anomaly, a band that just couldn't be pigeonholed. Its leader, Ian Hunter, brought a Dylan-esque voice and lyrical sensibility to thunderous hard rock, although it was on some of their quieter moments, such as "I Wish I Was Your Mother" from the masterful "Mott" album, that Hunter displayed real brilliance and emotional depth as a songwriter. Unfortunately, the band decompensated right after its hard-earned mid-'70s artistic and commercial peak. Hunter went on to a career that started off with a bang but became increasingly erratic. Hot on the heels of last year's well-worth-picking-up "Once Bitten Twice Shy" compilation, comes "Rant," easily the best thing he's done since his classic 1975 eponymous solo debut. The sound on "Rant" is both contemporary (employing at times exotic instruments, vocal effects and drum loops) and timeless (plenty of choppy piano and fiery Mick Ralphs-style guitar). As you might imagine from the title, Hunter takes a jaundiced look at the state of the world and his own mind - and he's not exactly pleased with what he sees. The ex-pat swipes at Britannia ("Death of a Nation," "Ripoff"), the ugliness of the beautiful people ("Purgatory") and idiots ("Morons"). But the album is not all bitterness and bile. On "Rant's" final two tracks, the tender love ballads "Knees of My Heart" and "No One," which eschew the acerbity as well as rock instrumentation, Hunter's rough-hewn cockney vocal cuts through best. Quite frisky for a no-longer-young dude past 60, Ian Hunter still knows how to rage - and rant - against the dying of the light.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His Middle Name Should Be "Dependable", April 25, 2001

By 

Clark Paull "(Sleepin' with the TV on)" (Murder City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rant (Audio CD)

Some things never change and Ian Hunter, God bless him, is one of them. Even if he had never played another note after the breakup of Mott The Hoople, his place would be assured amongst rock and roll's upper crust (for better or for worse). "Rant" continues the roll Hunter began with 1995's "Dirty Laundry" and lest you doubt where his heart is, listen to the opening track "Still Love Rock And Roll." In 2001, that seems to be getting harder and harder to say. Although the year is only four months old, this album is a cinch to make my Best of 2001 list. Get it!