More than a one hit wonder
T. McCool | Lafayette, IN United States | 06/18/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Many people remember Mott the Hoople as a one-hit wonder with All The Young Dudes. A few more stuck around through three more brilliant albums for Columbia Records before Ian Hunter left the band and enjoyed some success of his own. But before all that, Mott the Hoople were a struggling band on Island Records (Atlantic in the US) whose albums were commercial disasters and whose live performances were legendary.
This import Best of the Island Years is a much better retrospective than Rock and Roll Queen. While the latter is great for its straight ahead rock, the former showcases the depth of the band.
There are also some great rarities that were previously available only on a vinyl release titled Two Miles From Heaven (not the same as Two Miles From Live Heaven) not available on CD anywhere else.
(EDIT - Two Miles From Heaven is now available as an import CD.)"
Ain't bleeding you, were feeding you....
Kevin Connolly | Simpson, PA United States | 01/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before the Glam. When Mott were the new thugs on the block and running out of road, threatened to be thrown off their label, they produced the rollicking "Brain Capers". Represented here on four tracks. Suffering growing pains and about to fold, yet capable of so much, as Bowie soon recognized. From the gorgeous ballad "Waterlow" to hard hitting classics like "Rock n' Roll Queen" and "Thunderbuck Ram", represents the far reach of an amazing band and how rock was not limited to one mode of expression. Punky, bluesy, mellow? Rock n' Roll? You bet."
Ain't bleedin' you, were feedin' you.....
Kevin Connolly | Simpson, PA United States | 02/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Pre Glam. A down and dirty band with unrealized potential, running out of road fast with Island. Four selections from "Brain Capers" a rollicking end to their contract with the label. Tender ballads such as "Waterlow" along with classic rockers like "Thunderbuck Ram" remind us that rock was not catagorized and pegionholed in the 70's as it is today. Punk, mellow, bluesy? Definitely rock n' roll."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1