Label: New West Records (US), NW6167
Style: Rock
Country: Shropshire, England (June 3, 1939)
Time: 47:27
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 330 Mb
As
I ‘m writing this review about England’s most respected septuagenarian
Ian Hunter, it struck me how a musician of this age still knows how to
sound so young and enthusiastic. The former front man of legendary group
Mott the Hoople releases Man Overboard 2 years after Shrunken Heads.
Anybody below the age of let’s say 30 probably never heard of this guy
before. All the young dudes, his most memorable track was once covered
by Bruce Dickinson in the early nineties. You ask yourself if this old
man still has something to offer?
Man Overboard is larded with
experience in life and music, but what else do you expect from a man
that celebrated his 70th birthday? A career that spans nearly 6 decades,
with the accompanying rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle hasn’t affected his
health or appearance. In fact it is quite amazing how powerful he sounds
on this record. And by powerful I mean specifically the vocals. Most
singers tend to lose vocal power when they age, something that even
studio recordings can’t hide. So you won’t find hard crunching and
pounding metal on this one, so for the Slipknot and Murderdoll fans no
need to rush in headlong to the digital recordstore. There is also
little resemblance with the glam rock sound of Mott the Hoople. What is
available are songs played on acoustic guitar, mandolin and accordion.
There are only a few subtle electric guitar sounds.
The music does
remind me a bit of Bruce Springsteen, especially the title track could
have been easily on his Nebraska album. That said the E Street Band
indeed did work for Hunter back in 1979 for his You're Never Alone With A
Schizophrenic album. It probably left a mark on his music. Lyrically he
is far more cynical than the Boss, stating that they invented a lot,
but ‘they haven’t found a cure for me yet.’ The anthem like ‘Babylon
Blues’ track with the accompanying nanana’s is easily the highlight of
the album. It will do great in a live situation.
Speaking of live
shows, Mott the Hoople are re-uniting for a couple of concerts at the
Hammersmith Apollo in London. Reportedly all five of the original
members will participate. Up until then you can enjoy this great new Ian
Hunter album.
(metalrage.com/reviews/2941/ian-hunter-man-overboard.html)
01. The Great Escape (04:29)
02. Arms and Legs (04:34)
03. Up and Running (03:47)
04. Man Overboard (05:16)
05. Babylon Blues (04:54)
06. Girl from the Office (04:35)
07. Flowers (03:32)
08. These Feelings (04:01)
09. Win It All (02:24)
10. Way with Words (04:15)
11. River of Tears (05:35)
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