Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter seems to have reached that point in his life and career where he feels the need
to talk to the listener directly: He begins his first solo album with a spoken "Hallo" and
toward the close of the LP takes over from the music altogether to read what sounds like a
late-night page from some haunted diary. All of this is not surprising, given Hunter's recent
sudden departure from Mott the Hoople, a concurrent nervous breakdown, the... More >

"Once Bitten Twice Shy" and "I Get So Excited" are rockers as primo as any but the greatest Mott the Hoople songs, and as a bonus the latter is about something besides rock and roll. Hunter and coproducer Mick Ronson's passion for that subject is justified by the rest of the music, even the poetry-with-rock episode. But Ian should remember that it's a mighty long way down rock and roll, because as your name gets hot your heart gets cold. Then your name gets cold. (Grade: B)