Customer Reviews

Rant

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

It's always a happy thing when one of your favorite artists returns from a lengthy absence. (Ian Hunter's last album was the slightly patchy "Artful Dodger" in 1996) What's even happier in when he comes storming back with the sort of record that makes you realize why you held him in such high esteem in the first place. "Rant" is such an album. It's a triumphant return for Hunter, full of irresistibly catchy tunes and storming pop - rock. When Mott the Hoople released their first album in 1969 (with a youthful Ian Hunter as chief song writer, singer and piano player) their songs were all about girls, love, and living on the streets. There's no big change here except the songs are indebted to thirty odd years experience of the highs and lows of life. Opening song "Still Love Rock `n' Roll", says it all really, Hunters sings about his love for his profession, backed by a rock steady dance beat, barrel house piano, and some simply superb lead guitar from Andy York (borrowed from John Couger Mellencamp's band) This song Mott is sure will soon become the anthem for any "Tahitian Queen" Friday Happy Hour. But the quality of songs doesn't drop off after this, every one's a gem, and with much more of a cutting edge than recent outings, both lyrically and musically. Hunter has surrounded himself with some of his best mates, who fortunately are all extremely talented musicians. Long time cohort Tommy (Moondog) Mandel should get a special mention for his atmospheric keyboards on the wonderful "Death of a Nation". "Morons" with its Mott the Hoople "Marrionette" era sound is an undisguised swipe at the despised management of the record industry, "Morons don't matter at all. No education, No information. Morons, are ugly and small. They lower the tone. Get rid of them all". On the other side of the coin is Hunters Rant to his wife of thirty years, the beautiful Trudi, "Knees Of My Heart" a realistic look backwards at what makes a good marriage work. "Ripoff" is a well deserved uncontrolled rage against the hypocrisy of the British Government, and Hunters well stated reasons for moving to live in America. The crisp production by Andy York & Ian Hunter himself still allows, the beat to take you seamlessly from one song to the next, and what with a marvelous packaging job by Hunters new America record label "Fuel 2000" what more could you possibly want. Ian Hunter maybe in his sixties now, but his heart still pumps Rock `n' Roll. These songs are going to kill live, the driving building riff of songs like "Good Samaritan" are just going to be monsters once Hunter gets them on the stage. If you only buy one rock album in 2001, make sure it's "Rant" by "Ian Hunter". Mott the Dog.

It's hard to sort through RnR. It started out as something fairly simple. Sometimes technical skills have mattered more than being 'musical'. The 'worst' Rock (to me) is over-embellished stuff. But there have been a lot of rockers with little or nothing to say.

Hunter has always had an artists personality. He takes himself rather seriously. He writes about what he feels. Some of his songs are like emotional quicksand. What's impressive is that he has been writing and performing for 30 plus years. It's the same man. If you have followed along, it's hard not to respect that.

So, yes. He grows old, and somewhat bitterly so. But he grows, as person, and as artist. What is most pleasing about this album is that his musical skills have caught up with his emotional output. The most emotionally charged songs, especially "Dead Man Walkin'", are so haunting and skillful as pieces of music that they transcend him. So, well, I feel for him, but it isn't about him, so much. Really, he's connecting, whereas before the 'pose' was one of detachment.

Some of his darker, early solo, songs are a little too obscure. His songs are much closer to the surface now. He doesn't need to balance a 'down' with an unbridled 'up'. Going from "Whiz Kid" and "Honaloochie Boogie" to "I Wish I Was Your Mother" was covering a lot of miles.

Anyone who would give an album a title like "You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic" probably has some sense that he walks something of an emotional tightrope. When he sang about hiding in the 'back room' (behind the dark glasses), you could feel a raw edge. He's probably not living on the rear deck, now, waving at the neighbors. But maybe he's spending some time in the foyer. There may be old rockers, and bold rockers, but no old bold rockers. He's a survivor. He's still writin' rock. Not a big group, at least for serious lyricists. Neil Innes (Bonzo) is still writing. There must be others?

Why should Rock be different from any other form of music? Shouldn't 'Rockers' continue to do what they do? If it's a theatrical package, like a 'Boy Band', then no. There's no reason for Rock to be that, unless you are a record company exec. Music holds up, over time. I can listen to Mott or Hunter. His songs are his songs. So many Rock musicians died young. What did we lose? If Hunter is a rare survivor, probably a lot.

The advantage of being an old rocker is that you can write music with a lot of nuances and depth. And he still has something to say.

It took me a long time to ever hear of Mott The Hoople. I knew of songs like "All The Young Dudes", but because it sounded so much like David Bowie (a huge fan of Mott who wrote and produced it for them), I thought it was by Ziggy himself. Then I realized that Mott was one of the most underheralded bands in rock history. They were one of '70s hard rock's most original and fresh bands, yet their success with "Young Dudes" came when the band was nearing its end. When they did break up, their leader Ian Hunter went solo, having the same response as he did with Mott: more critical success than commercial. However, songs like "Once Bitten Twice Shy", "Ships," and "Cleveland Rocks" would become rock classics courtesy of versions by Great White, Barry Manilow (no lie!), and THE DREW CAREY show (by the Presidents Of The U.S.A.) respectively. Still the man behind those gems remained an unknown, and hopefully with RANT, his first American album release in several years, the now-55-year-old Hunter will get the attention he so richly deserves. Right from the opening celebration of "Still Love Rock & Roll", it's clear that Hunter is letting it be known that he's still alive and kicking after all these years. A song like that should have people wholeheartedly agreeing with him. For a golden oldie, Hunter still has plenty of rocks left in him as evidenced by "Ripoff" (a scathing criticism of his homeland of England), "Knees Of My Heart" (which displays the influence R.E.M. has had on Mr. Hunter, go ahead and scoff), "Morons" (another biting tale of the ignorance of youth), "Purgatory" (even though Ian now claims America as his home, he still finds it far from perfect), "Wash Us Away" (exactly the kind of worldly wisdom that should be coming from a rock sage like Ian Hunter) and "American Spy", which is just a good old-fashioned rock song that Mott could have done 30 years earlier. But when the ballsy rock factor isn't turned up to its highest, Hunter can slow down and be thought-provoking too. "Death Of A Nation" is a much more melancholy lament of Hunter's opinion about his old home; "Good Samaritan" is a dark rocker that Michael Stipe could have easily conjured up; "Dead Man Walking" will leave you with a heavy heart after its 6 minutes; "Soap & Water" and "No One" have Hunter sounding uncannily like John Lennon, which is no surprise, seeing as these songs could easily sound like outtakes from the IMAGINE era. The reviews for RANT have been overwhelmingly positive, and for good reason. Ian Hunter is truly one of the most intelligent and original personalities rock has ever had, and more than 30 years after he burst on the scene with Mott The Hoople, that talent hasn't flagged one iota. While you may not hear any of this music on the radio, that's actually a refreshing thought, because RANT is just simply too good to be blasted on FM radio once an hour. So while the youth of today overdose on the youth-oriented vibe that is emanating from the radio these days, those musicgoers who want a little more roughage into their musical diet will find Ian Hunter's RANT pleasing to their appetite and then some.

What can you say about Ian Hunter that has not been said before? This genius of a songwriter and lyricist has produced another album of real quality and his persistence in the music business is driven by his love of music and knocking his classics out live. I can't agree with a previous reviewer who said that his last album (Artful Dodger) was patchy because I believe that was an excellent record too. But this is a different kind of record. Less emotional and melancholic and more forceful and in your face. Rant is an apt title as our hero has a bit of a go at UK plc with 70's sounding punkish overtones to both 'Morons' and 'Ripoff'. Still, on the same theme but with an altogether different approach 'Death of a Nation' has the making of a Hunter classic in the style of 'I wish I was your mother' or 'Ships'. His beautiful tribute to his Mrs is set out stylishly in 'Knees of my Heart'. As someone too young to pick up on Ian in his Mott days, you can take it as read that you don't have to be an old hippie to enjoy the craftmanship of this man's work. Tastes do vary, but it truly does amaze me that Ian Hunter is not universally recognised for the creative talent he has displayed so consistently for over 30 years. Still, he is a treasure and long may he continue. Having seen him play some small venues in Scotland a few years back, it is a joy to see a guy who remains in the rock business, more for the love of it, than the cash. I would recommend this record strongly. But please have a few listens before you take a view on it. It's a real grower.

Still git it? Thats absurd. He's never lost it. I'm so sick and tired of everyone having to call Hunter an "aging rocker" or "old". What the hell does that got to do with his music? Why dwell on his age or past? This CD stands alone by an artist of any age. It's simply great. A great hard rocking CD that engages ANY listener to "get something" from it.
Ya wanna rock? Ya wanna learn? Give this CD a listen and I dare your feet not to start movin'!! God bless Ian Hunter.

This is what a rock and roll album should be. It is one of the best albums Ian Hunter has released in years. Ian who consistantly records great music and has yet to stray from his path has once again moved up the ladder to yet another level. The songs on rant are revealing, inventive, and have an honesty that rearely exists in todays world of heartless pop and teeny bopper music. Thanks to Ian we see that Rock is alive and well.

I would not be surprised if this album skyrockets Ian back to the center of the public eye. This album is a must for anyone who really likes great rock music and appreciated true talent.

Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople fans should be dancing in the streets over this one!

Now, I don't mean to get off on a "Rant" here but this is Mr. Hunter's best effort since "You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic," some 25 years ago! I am not sure what took so long, but his songwriting skills are once again honed to perfection and his wry observations are right on the money!

However, those who say Mr. Hunter's voice is still as strong as ever are probably listening to the CD through rose-colored ear pieces because his voice sounds like it's been worked over by an oscillating sander and then cauterized with pure grain alcohol.

But don't get me wrong... that's a good thing! I love it! Mr. Hunter's cockney growl, somewhat of cross between Dylan and Bowie, is what makes his music special. His voice is an instrument that really helps bring to life both his confrontational and confessional lyrics. It's raw and exposed and vulnerable, which makes his music accessible to both those with a heart AND a brain.

When the first track on the CD kicks in, longtime Mott the Hoople fans will have no choice but to grin from ear to ear. "Still Love Rock 'n' Roll," is more than just a lovely sentiment. Mr. Hunter means it. And this song, a rousing barrell-house piano rocker in the vein of Hoople's "All the Way to Memphis" and "Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll," is classic Ian Hunter from start to finish.

As usual, Mr. Hunter can't write a record without a few songs that take a deserved swipe at his former homeland -- England. Here, "Death of a Nation," stands out as a classic Hunter-style acoustic ballad. However, "Wash Us Away," a biting social commentary, may be one of Mr. Hunter's most poignant, yet commercial, songs in decades. Will it be played on FM rock radio? Probably not. And that, as Mr. Hunter himself often sings is ... "such a shame!"

However, Mr. Hunter does not save his lyrical jabs for just his former homeland; he makes some rather dark observations of America as well, and the song "Purgatory," just may have just become one of the most interesting and compelling songs in his entire catalog. The song combines Mr. Hunter's '60s/'70s-style of lyric writing (cynical social observations) with a modern production sensability. The song has got a funky, hip-hop beat, with loops and drum machines and a big picket fence chorus. With lyrics like this, it is certainly the most interesting, if not best, song on the CD:

I'm living in purgatory
I know what purgatory is
This ain't no sanctuary
This ain't no way to live
You gotta have a sense of humor
You gotta learn to laugh at it
I'm living in purgatory
Anything's better than this!

The album does wander a bit at the end, packed with more solemn, introspective ballads than we really need on one record. However, of these, "Knees Of My Heart," another hommage to his wife, Trudi, is probably the best.

While it's easy to say that "Rant" may be one of Ian Hunter/Mott the Hopple's best records, it's more important to note that it is one of the best rock albums released over the past 12 months.

The problem is, since radio won't play it, you don't know it. But you do now. So, there are no excuses. Buy it and rock on.