Customer Reviews

You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic

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Slip this wonderfully newly remastered version of Ian Hunters Classic album from 1979 into your player and out bursts Dam-Dah-Ram-Dam, then drums followed by guitar with keyboards, and there you are in the middle of the Schizophrenic world of Ian Hunter. The nine songs featured on this collection used to comprise five on side A and four on side B in the days of good old vinyl. The Schizophrenic title wasnt meant to be wholly serious (it was actually taken from graffiti on a New York toilet wall), however, listening to the record it soon became clear that musically it was split. Side one featured five relatively commercial songs, and side two four longer more heavy introverted pieces that dwelt on past influences on Ians life and showed the darker side of his character.

After the fire and spat of opener Just Another Night comes swaggering to a halt, it immediately merges into the bump and groove of Wild East, a mildly energetic and melodic piece with a sax-based riff concerning the crazed east side of New York City. It had an undoubted Springsteen and Dylan flavour, which is not highly surprising as joining Hunter in the studio were 3 of Springsteens E-street band in Ray Bitten (Piano), Gary Tallent (Bass) and Max Weinberg (Drums) alongside guitar ace Mick Ronson who had just come off Dylans Rolling Thunder tour.

Next up is Ian Hunters anthem to Cleveland, Cleveland Rocks (now used as the theme tune for the Drew Carey show). It opens with a spoken section from the infamous Alan Freed before Ronson fires the whole thing off with some guitar pyrotenics, now a staple of all Ian Hunters concerts.

Hunter included a touching hymn-like ballad, Ships, concerning his relationship with his father. Ships was subsequently covered by Barry Mannilow and charted as a hit single, probably earning more money in royalties for Ian Hunter then hed ever made before. Funny old world this Rock n Roll, aint it.

Closing side one was Mick Ronsons favorite track When The Daylight Comes, a light and simple song that Ian encouraged Mick to sing duel lead vocals on.

Side two opens with Life After Death, which allowed Ian to explore metaphysical issues with an all out belting rocker. Standing In My Light shifts moods and dynamics in gospel fashion. It builds up slowly and compellingly in terms of musical anger as Ian gives a stately account of a new beginning in his life.

Bastard is a powerful piece of macho-funk with a throbbing beat and percussion that recalls the Rolling Stones Black & Blue era. Built on a relentless grinding slow burn the track concerns some poor unfortunate who crossed Ian and incurred his wrath.

The Outsider closes the record in dramatic fashion, employing arresting drum and vocal echoes, topped with more scorching Ronson lead guitar.

With three months of pre-production the record produced by Mick & Ian, engineered by the notorious Bob Clearmountain, took only one week to record, a further three weeks to mix, and then went straight into the Billboard top forty and became Ian Hunters most successful solo project to this day.

Overall the album was a hard hitting surging rock record with superb studio sound.

Mott The Dog

In 1979 former Mott The Hoople lead man Ian Hunter released "You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic". The album is easily his greatest work and quite possibly the most overlooked rock n roll album ever made. There is no filler with this package. The song "Just Another Night" received decent radio airplay on most AOR radio stations which helped give Ian some long overdue recognition. This cd just rocks with tunes like "Cleveland Rocks"[His Overnight Angels album has a european version England Rocks]. I can't say enough about the quality of the songs like "Wild East", "Bastard", "Standin In My Light" and the fantastic ballad "Ships"[Barry Manilow had a big hit with it, but Ian's version blows Manilow's out of the water]. If you like well played rock n roll and have not heard any of Ian Hunter's work I guarantee this cd will turn you into one of his fans. His most recent release "Rant" proves Ian Hunter has not lost his touch.

One of Ian Hunter's best albums, YOU'RE NEVER ALONE, is a focused, thought provoking, fun and altogether delightful album. Easily Hunter's best album since MOTT(1973), this album displays all the Dylan-like quirks that have appeared since Mott the Hopple's debut. Here, though, Hunter as a solo artist finds his voice as a solo artist.

From the moment of Hunter's count-in, this he grabs the listener by the shirt and drags him/her along for the ride. "Just another night" and "Wild East" are both delightful rockers. The addition of the E Street band's Max Weinberg and Roy Bittan give the album the flavor of Springsteen's BORN TO RUN (and since Hunter has many of the same influences as the Boss, it makes for a very interesting, lively combination), mixed with Hunter's Dylanesque lyrics and delivery.

This isn't imitation--this is alchemy! Hunter and his producing partner Mick Ronson(David Bowie's ZIGGY STARDUST)distill all their classic influences(Ala! n Freed's 50's rock shows, Dylan, the Beatles, Phil Spector)and make these ifluences their own.

This album along with IAN HUNTER,( the flawed, but more ambitious) ALL AMERICAN ALIEN BOY and ARTFUL DODGER is among Hunter's best and allows one to make a strong argument for Hunter as one of the best songwriters of the 70's singer/songwriter era.

Highly recommended!

I remember being about 12 years old. Listening to the crappy Iowa radio very late at night. Then, out of the usual old classic rock or heavy metal songs came this really cool drum intro then... 'Dum-Da-Dum-Da, 1-2-3-4!'. I about fell on the floor. Intently listened to the rest of the song and imediately called the radio station to find out who this was. Of course I never heard this or any other Ian Hunter song on the radio again.
But the next day I ran out and bought the album. I was NOT disappointed about spending my allowance on this one. Song after song, lyric after lyric, guitar, piano, drums... it's all so Rock-n-Roll! The spontaneity and excitement just grabs you. It justs sounds like they were all having a great time making this record.
The only possible downers on the album could possibly be 'Ships' or 'The Outsider'. Only because they seem to slow things down which, I guess you probably need a breather.
Even though the music is absolutely spectacular and inventive, the lyrics always did it for me. He made it seem so easy!
Of course I ended up buying all his stuff and was rarely disappionted with Ian but this has got to be my favorite, just slightly edging out even his classic solo debut.
Even today, after all these years, it still sounds so fresh to me.

My expectations were high when I went to purchase this album back in '79. Afterall, this was the ex-lead singer and primary sonwriter of one of the most underated rock bands ever, Mott The Hoople. And because he brought on board for this album such great veteran musicians as Mick Ronson, Roy Bittan, and Max Weinberg. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed. When this album got it's first spin on my turntable, and Just Another Night came on, I was hooked. I no longer missed my beloved Hoople. Except for the ballad "Ships", the first side from the vinyl version just rocked! "Just Another Night" takes you right in to "Wild East", with some strong Roy Bittan piano playing, and then follows with yet another great rocker "Cleveland Rocks", which is now used as the theme song for the Drew Carey Show. My favorite song on here is "When The Daylight Comes". Nicely arranged song with some great organ playing that builds up to a cool spanish horn climax. This album got a lot of spins, and I waited in anticipation for Ian Hunter's next project, which never really came. Hunter produced bands and did a lot of side projects after this, but never did really have a solo career after this album. Maybe he thought he couldn't top this one. All I know is, this music holds up well after 20 years...Just ask Drew

I was first introduced to this album in 1979, shortly after it's release - for the past two decades it has held up as one of the most complete albums of it's era - Hunter at his best, along with some of the finest in the business - Roy Bitton, Max Weinberg and the late Mick Ronson The only downside to this release is that more people were not exposed to it. Well worth the listen.

There is no justice in a world that worships Madonna, Michael Jackson, and hip hop and ignores the heartfelt brilliance of Mr. Ian Hunter, both with Mott The Hoople and solo. With the opening salvo of "Just Another Night" and "Wild East," "You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic" was an album that stood up and shouted "Hey, pal, look at me, I'm over here!" An album that will forever remind me what it was like to be young, full of piss and vinegar, and without a care in the world, just like all great rock and roll should do. Of course, just like everthing else I cotton to, it sank with a resounding "Thud!" Just as well, I guess. Can you imagine Ian Hunter playing a "Save The Rainforest" benefit? Me neither. I'd like to buy you a drink some time Ian and tell you what your music has meant to me, but unless some miracle happens I guess this will have to suffice.

Schizophrenic will always be remembered for "Cleveland Rocks" being the theme to the Drew Carey Show, but when I bought this vinyl records back in 1979 I couldn't get enough of it. I was just a sophmore in college at the time and had owned "All The Young Dudes" for years. Mott The Hoople was big in NJ where I grew up and I even bought the out of print "Shouting and Pointing" record after Ian left the band (surprisingly good for those of you that never gave it a chance). When this record came out my world was rocked upon impact with "Just Another Night" bleeding into "Wild East" (a real sleeper on this record) which fades into "Cleveland Rocks." That was an awful strong intro to the record in my book. "When The Daylight Comes" is still a great song, albeit on the the softer side (it probably received the most air play prior to the Drew Carey show), and "Bastard" was decent, but the record sputtered a little bit after those five or I would have rated it higher. When Ian rocks he's one of my favorites. When he starts in with the ballads I lose interest rather quickly. I just bought the reissued CD, which took forever to materialize as vinyl to CD transfers go, but I just love "Just Another Night" to this day. I was instantly transported to a 19 year old playing his $8.98 new Chrysalis LP on his Technics turntable. Talk about time capsule nostalgia huh? Let the record reflect that I also bought the new She Wants Revenge the day it came out lest you think I'm stuck in some kind of time warp. Rock on.

I bought the vinyl album when it first was released. Just Another Night was all over the radio and I just had to have it. Since then, I purchased the CD (again when it was first released). I can tell you that after years of wearing the vinyl out and now playing the CD regularly, there is not a weak moment on this album. Not one course, bridge or single note. When I think of my high school years, immediately this album comes to mind. I love the way most of the songs run right into one another. No silence, leaving no time to even catch your breath. Best songs: Just Another Night, Ships, Bastard, When The Daylight Comes, Wild East and Life After Death. Just buy this and trust me. There is a hint of English new wave/punk mixed with straight ahead classic rock and roll.

Having owned the vinyl in 1979, I approached this purchase with some trepidation - sometimes distant memories are best left that way.
However, I needn't have worried. this album is as good as it ever was. 25+ years has not diminished the quality of this recording.

Great vocals by Ian Hunter backed by the stunning guitar of Mick Ronson make for memorable listening. "Bastard" was, and still is my favourite, followed closely by "Life after Death".

If you are a fan, this remains a "must have".