http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hoople-r13548
"Mott was so good that the sequel, appropriately named The Hoople, has been unfairly dismissed as not living up to the group's promise. No, it doesn't compare to its predecessor, but most records don't. The bigger problem is that Mick Ralphs chose to leave during the supporting tour for Mott, leaving Ian Hunter as the undisputed leader of the group and subtly changing the character of the band's sound. Even with Hunter as the band's main songwriter, Ralphs helped shape their musical direction, so without a collaborator in hand, Hunter was left without a center. It isn't surprising that the record seems a little uneven, both in terms of songwriting and sound, but it's hardly without merit. "Roll Away the Stone," a leftover from Mott, is first-rate; "Crash Street Kidds" rocks viciously; "The Golden Age of Rock & Roll" is a pleasant spin on Bowie-esque nostalgia (think "Drive-In Saturday"); and Overend Pete Watts follows through on that theme with "Born Late '58," a perfectly credible rocker. This all makes The Hoople an entertaining listen, even if it doesn't compare to Mott's earlier masterpieces."
Allmusic actually rates this album pretty high (4.5 stars out of 5), but this little assessment of it is really pretty half-assed and lame.
It is truly an outstanding album, unique and singular, with an atmosphere, sound, and a whole very strange, decadent, nostalgic, seedy, frightening, disquieting, and -- in some ways -- very romantic outlook.
Mott the Hoople was/is a band like few others. Were they glam? Proto-punk? Pub rock? Maybe. Maybe not. Their music and songs had a maturity and a jaded feel unlike any other band or artist I can readily think of. Possibly only Roxy Music rivals their artistic achievements, but then Roxy Music was always about ART anyway, whereas Mott the Hoople had just as much interest, if not more, in "rock'n'roll" as in Capital "A" Art.
I'm hoping that, with this blog, we will be able to take a closer look at the music of Mott the Hoople, especially their two greatest albums, 1973's Mott, and its 1974 sequel, The Hoople.
stay tuned!
