HUNTER,IAN - SHRUNKEN HEADS [CD NEW]

Chrysalis Records (USA)

Cherry Red Records (Japan)

Though Ian Hunter hit his popular peak in the 1970s, as the frontman for Mott the Hoople and with solo favorites such as "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Cleveland Rocks, " fans who have followed his career ever since will find him in fine form here. Co-produced by Hunter and Andy York (guitarist for John Mellencamp), the album mixes the hard-crunching rock 'n' roll, literate lyricism, bittersweet balladry, and self-deprecating humor that have long marked Hunter's best work. Musically, both "Stretch" and the piano-driven "How's Your House" have the dynamics of Mott (though the latter was inspired by the aftermath of Katrina), while "When the World Was Round" and "I Am What I Hated When I Was Young" find Hunter in older-and-wiser mode. After "Brainwashed" attacks consumer culture with a feverish immediacy, Hunter finds soul-stirring redemption in "Guiding Light." --Don McLeese

Raven ( January 01, 2009 ), Genre: Rock & Pop

Though Ian Hunter hit his popular peak in the 1970s, as the frontman for Mott the Hoople and with solo favorites such as "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Cleveland Rocks, " fans who have followed his career ever since will find him in fine form here. Co-produced by Hunter and Andy York (guitarist for John Mellencamp), the album mixes the hard-crunching rock 'n' roll, literate lyricism, bittersweet balladry, and self-deprecating humor that have long marked Hunter's best work. Musically, both "Stretch" and the piano-driven "How's Your House" have the dynamics of Mott (though the latter was inspired by the aftermath of Katrina), while "When the World Was Round" and "I Am What I Hated When I Was Young" find Hunter in older-and-wiser mode. After "Brainwashed" attacks consumer culture with a feverish immediacy, Hunter finds soul-stirring redemption in "Guiding Light." --Don McLeese

Fledg'ling

Vanguard Records (USA)

RPM (UK) ( May 13, 2008 ), Genre: Rock & Pop

New West Records, Inc.

The first 2-CD set to cover the entire career of glam-rock, proto-punk, and hard-rock pioneer Ian Hunter, from his earliest days with Mott the Hoople to his 2007 album Shrunken Heads, touching on many highlights in between. Contains detailed liner notes by music journalist Ben Edmonds. Disc 1: Mott The Hoople. Heralded by Rolling Stone as "the best band of the early '70s, " Mott The Hoople were critic's darlings until David Bowie stepped in and gave them their biggest hit, the all-time classic "All the Young Dudes, " turning them into glam superstars in the U.K. and an underground sensation on the U.S. This package contains their best Atlantic and Columbia recordings. Disc 2: Ian Hunter. Singer Ian Hunter went solo in 1975, starting a long career featuring contributions from punk rockers and classic rockers alike. Producer Mick Ronson and members of Foreigner, Frank Zappa's band, Queen, Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols all appear on this collection of his best solo material from his Columbia, Chrysalis, Mercury, Citadel and Yep Roc releases.