Genre: rock
Rating: 4 stars ****
Title:  Mott
Company: Columbia
Catalog: KC-32425
Year: 1973
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6245
Price: $15.00

1972's "All the Young Dudes" made Mott the Hoople international stars, while 1973's "Mott" reinforcing their commercial punch with top-10 sales in both the US and the UK. One of the funny things about this album is that even though it reflected a band that had finally achieved their long sought pursuit of popular success, it also reflected a band that was unhappy with the way success found them. Much of the press portrayed the band as little more than David Bowie puppets (after all Bowie had rescued them from oblivion). Hunter and company were furious with that portrayal which only served to increase growing personality clashes within the band. One quick glance at the cover was all it took to notice that they were now down to a four piece - frustrated with Ian Hunter's increasing influence on the band, long time keyboard player Verden Allen had quit before the album was recorded. Singer Ian Hunter picked up keyboard duties, Allen was subsequently replaced by Mick Bolton and Morgan Fisher. Bolton was gone within a couple of months. With Hunter again assuming prime songwriter duties the years of wear and tear and growing frustration were clear in dark and depressing autobiographical tracks like 'All the Way from Memphis', 'Whizz Kids' and 'Violence'. Hunter literally sounded like he'd had enough of it all - check out his performance on 'Ballad of Mott the Hoople - (March 26, 1970 - Zurich)'. Go figure, but all of those circumstances combined to make for one of their strongest albums with Hunter and company seldom having sounded as angry or driven. It also goes a long way to underscoring the fact they weren't a bunch of glam wannabes, rather were one of the era's tightest rock bands.

- A classic Mott song, 'All the Way from Memphis' dropped the glam trappings in favor of a straight-ahead slice of blistering '50s influenced rock and roll. Apparently based on a true touring episode where one of ralphs favorite guitars when astray, the song had an instantly memorable keyboard intro (courtesy of Hunter) and a great melody. Fantastic way to kick of the album. Roxy Music's Andy McKay provided the slashing sax solos that accompanied Ralphs down and dirty guitar. rating: **** stars
- I'll readily admit that Hunter's voice could be an acquired taste and that's clearly the case on the mid-tempo 'Whizz Kids'. The song lyric (apparently about another band groupie), was actually mildly interesting with a rolling melody and the strange kazoo (?) refrain. There was also a nice and understated synthesizer solo. Still, an 'also-ran' performance on this stellar collection. rating: *** stars
- Featuring Hunter and company at their most doleful and introspective, I've got to admit that 'Hymn for the Dude' was simply dull. The only saving grace here came in the form of Ralphs' end-of-song guitar solo. rating: ** stars
- 'Honaloochie Boogie' was another career highlight; one of the best rockers the band ever recorded. rating: **** stars
- One of the last things co-written by Hunter and Ralphs (who would quit shortly after the album was released), 'Violence' was dark and unnerving, further underscored by Graham Preskitt's squealing violin and the bar fight sound effects. The song made it clear that in spite of their glam image Mott could hang with the toughest rock bands on the street. Creeps me out every time I hear it ... rating: **** stars
- Yeah, the car sound effects were cheesy, but elsewhere 'Drivin' Sister' was one of those rarities - a song that managed to meld a pop hook with a rock and roll heart. Add to that Ralphs stunning guitar solo and you had another classic Mott tune. rating: ***** stars
- A concise autobiographical history of the band, 'Ballad of Mott the Hoople - (March 26, 1970 - Zurich)' took you up through their collective decision to call it quits (of course we know what subsequently happened - Bowie stepped in and convinced them to reform). All hyperbole aside, this quiet reflective work stands as one of the best rock and roll reflections ever recorded. Disillusionment seldom sounded as good - "rock and roll is a loser's game ...". rating: ***** stars
- Curiously, the inner sleeve liner notes omitted the songwriting credits for 'I'm a Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso' (the only omission), but I'm pretty sure Ralphs wrote both tracks. He also handled lead vocals on the first part of the medley. Most folks point to these two tracks as throwaways. I've always been a big Ralphs fan and these performance reinforced my opinion of the man. Yes, 'I'm a Cadillac' was a lightweight, but pretty slice of country-rock. Nothing to get overly excited about, but if nothing else it made for a nice change of pace from Hunter's overwhelming intensity. rating: *** stars
- Showcasing Ralphs' on multi-tracked guitar (electric and acoustic), the instrumental 'El Camino Dolo Roso' was simply gorgeous. rating: **** stars
- Overlooking the massive psychological issues associated with the song, 'I Wish I was Your Mother' was one of Hunter's prettiest and saddest compositions. It also featured Hunter doing his best Dylan impression. Ralphs' beautiful mandolin accompaniment was merely icing on the cake. rating: **** stars

The album spun off a pair of singles in the US and the UK:


- 1973's 'Honaloochie Boogie' b/w 'Rose' (CBS/Columbia catalog number 4-45882)
- 1973's 'All the Way from Memphis' b/w 'Ballad of Mott the Hoople - (March 26, 1970 - Zurich)' (CBS/Columbia catalog number 4-45920)

So if you're going to dive into their catalog (amazing how overlooked they remain), this is the place I'd start.

As mentioned, the album proved a huge seller at which point Ralphs tendered his resignation (forming Bad Company) - a blow the band never recovered from. By the time the next album was released former Spooky Tooth guitarist Luther Grosvenor (playing under the name Aerial Bender) had been recruited as a replacement.

"Mott" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) All the Way from Memphis (Ian Hunter)- 4:55
2.) Whizz Kids (Ian Hunter) - 3:05
3.) Hymn for the Dudes (Ian Hunter - Verden Allen) - 5:15
4.) Honaloochie Boogie (Ian Hunter) - 2:35
5.) Violence (Ian Hunter - Mick Ralphs) - 4:37

(side 2)
1.) Drivin' Sister (Ian Hunter - Mick Ralphs) - 4:42
2.) Ballad of Mott the Hoople - (March 26, 1970 - Zurich) (Ian Hunter - Mick Ralphs - Dale Buffin - Overend Wtts - 5:40
3.) I'm a Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso (Mick Ralphs) - 9:40
4.) I Wish I was Your Mother (Ian Hunter) - 4:41