Customer Reviews

Shrunken Heads

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ian Hunter's last three solo albums have been on different labels and all are out of print. Some may conclude that Ian's career never recovered from the loss of his friend and collaborator Mick Ronson to cancer. However, Ian has never been one to deliberately seek fame and fortune, even while fronting Mott the Hoople.

Because Ian creates music for music's sake, and because he has found a simpatico collaborator in Andy York from John Mellencamp's band, Ian gives us his strongest and most consistent post-Ronson effort. The songs on Shrunken Heads reflect Ian's take on life - both personal and community. He has been one of rock's most enduring songwriters for decades and he hasn't lost his touch one bit.

Musically, the album is based on the same Dylan/Stone-ish rock that has always served Ian's vocal range very well. There are also shades of Mellencamp and Springsteen. Thematically the album is an American version of Ian's last release - Rant - which took on the state of affairs in England, Ian's homeland. Ian has been a resident of the US since 1976 (reference All American Alien Boy), and Shrunken Heads gives equal time and focus to the other side of the Atlantic.

The title track is a wonderful "rant" about political leaders (the shrunken heads) who make bad decisions that hurt common people. Soul of America is a lament for the soul-less-ness that too often pervades the American landscape. Brainwashed takes on American consumerism (and reminds me of my 15 yr. old daughter for some odd reason). How's Your House is a post-Katrina story. The media takes their lumps in Fuss About Nothin'.

The political "rants" are balanced with insightful personal songs. Words (Big Mouth) is an apology for last night's temper tantrum, characterized as the "black dog lurking in the alley way." Throughout much of the album - as is the case in much of Ian's music - is the theme of redemption, found here in the song Guiding Light. A bit of humor to help those who, like Ian, are past middle age appears in I Am What I Hated When I Was Young, brilliantly paired with a bluegrass arrangement.

The album's closer, Read 'Em and Weep, showcases Ian's strength - the ballad. The song stands with other great Hunter ballads such as Sea Diver, Rose, Rest In Peace, Irene Wilde, Ships, and his tribute to Mick Ronson, Michael Picasso.

Whether or not Shrunken Heads catapults Ian into the charts (or at least into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) probably isn't on Ian's mind. Forget about charts and legacies, and enjoy finely crafted music from a master.

Note: Pre-orders from the record label included a three-track bonus disc that included two songs that are as good if not better than anything else on the full CD. Only 1000 were pressed in the US, so seek out this rarity.

UPDATE: The three songs on the bonus disc are still available for download from the record label. I strongly recommend them.

Once upon a time, Ian Hunter was fast becoming a rock legend. Hits with Mott the Hoople and his early solo career had made him and his music easily recognizable. Then something happened. For some unexplainable reason, most people don't know who Mr. Hunter is, let alone that he is a wonderful, still relevant artist.
Mr. Hunter's latest effort, Shrunken Heads, shows he stills knows how to put together words and musics quite well, thank you. He goes forward without having to ride his catalogue of music in to the dust. His lyrics combine honesty and world weariness in a way few poets, let alone rockers, can.
In a world where more people are more concerned with Paris Hilton's latest exploit rather than Dafur, Somalia, etc., Mr. Hunter's lyrics remind us about the need to get real.
Shrunken Heads highlights are Big Mouth, When the World Was Round, Shrunken Heads, and Soul of America. Do you think the Stones would pen a song like "I Am What I Hated When I Was Young?" The album closes with a beautiful poem/song "Read 'em 'n Weep."
Miss this at your own risk.

Like many of you, we were turned on to Ian and Mott the Hoople in 1974. I will never forget it. They produced some of the most melodic rock of the years 1974-1976. We had a large group from Philadelphia at St. Joe's College that rallied around Hunter. This is indeed an extraordinary album. It is incredible to believe he is in his late sixties. I believe "Soul of America" would be an incredible smash hit for any of the top artists today. It is indeed a shame that only those of us left from that era will get to appreciate this masterpiece. Here's to all of you who realize how good "One of the Boys" was, especially as a live song. Hunter said: "this is what we're all about"... Amen!

This CD ranks up there with Hunter's best work, including his Mott The Hoople days. While other 70's artists do greatest hits tours, Hunter writes and performs new classics. This has been the only CD I have played in my car since I bought it. I may have to buy a second copy to show my support.

This guy is about as under-rated as they come. He writes great songs and still rocks out, just like a Hopple should. He swings when he wants to, balads when he needs to, and just flat out performs like any old pro should. I saw him in 76 and he has aged well, wish a lot of us could say that.

What a sad commentary of out times when our biggest popular music stars are contestants from a game show, while music of this quality will go virtually unheard. This latest from Ian Hunter deserves to be heard. In a better time songs like "When the world was round" and "Read em and weep" would deservedly be top 10 hits enjoyed by the masses. But such will sadly not be the case. Almost every song on this strong release is instantly enjoyable. Remember when hearing a great song for the first time would cause chills? Expect a few chills here. Besides the songs mentioned, other favorites include "Big Mouth", "Soul of America", and "Stretch". No filler here.... Enjoy!!

There are some things in life you can depend upon, public holiday weather, politicians fibs and television's dependancy on promoting mediocraty but amongst all the gruel that the "music industry" pumps out into a trend greedy world there are a few strong strands of quality and Ian Hunter is one of the longest running of those strong threads, In truth this album could be placed anywhere in his carefully wrung out proccesion of angst and joy, it reminds me in parts (Big Mouth, Brainwashed, How's your house) of his first solo effort and sometimes it reminds me of "All american alien boy" (Fuss about nothin' and the excellent When the world was round), but this is more to the albums credit than a critisism, it's that sharp critical, mocking set of shaded eyes that we need to see through to get the full depth of what's being pointed at, Hunter has always strove to be good and according to him been found wanting but what he does in that striving is often to find himself being great and I mean great at a genius level, the lyrical perception of "When the world was round" and "Brainwashed" is so far ahead of what passes for songwriting today that the comparison can only be made with Dylan at his best and Van Morrison at his most melancholic as to "Shrunken heads" and "Soul of America" this is beyond simple songwriting it's political journalism, it's a documentary that a fat man in a baseball cap would be proud of...too important to ignore and all too likely to pass unoticed, next time you're watching MTV and they ship out the usual mix of trendy guitar wangers and tired old "legends" ask yourself when was the last time you saw and heard something that made you smile with it's charm and think about it's content? Ian Hunter? Long may he rant!

This is sooooo much better than 'Rant' his last studio CD. With Andy York (Mellancamp's band) replacing Mick Ronson in the all important guitar/producer slot, this CD is a keeper for a number of reasons.
Well crafted songs and lyrics, production of the CD, and to me the most important, a 'looseness' to the whole thing---kinda like the old Mott LP's.
There are rockers (Stretch) and ballads (Read em and Weep) and basically everything inbetween.
I thought that Bowie was smoking at age 59/60 on his last tour of the states, but for Ian to craft this type of music at age 67!!!! He's on tour this year--catch him while you can--it's always a fun show.
See ya in Cleveland IH

Not many artists who hit their stride in the seventies are making compelling and engaging music into the 21st century. Springsteen's 'Seeger Sessions,' Tull's 'Christmas' Jeff Lynne's 'Zoom' under the ELO moniker and Ian Hunter's 2001 offering 'Rant' come immediately to mind. Hunter returned in '07 with another quality release to add to his impeccable discography [Really the only blemish being the shlocky and aptly titled 'All of the Good Ones are Taken']. Nothing new here just him staying true to form with rousing roots rockers and thoughtful ballads.

Another classic rocker w/ another great album. much better than the new bon jovi. far better than paul McCarthy's new disc. a must have for all fans of real great rock & roll