The Hoople

Mott the Hopple were glam to the max; maybe not as flamboyantly or outrageously maxed as Bolan, but still pretty glam. After David Bowie resurrected their career by handing them "All the Young Dudes" and producing the album of the same name in 1972, the band enjoyed a newfound notoriety. This was short-lived however, as they soon returned to their old ways and again began the infighting and personnel changes that would ultimately lead to their dissolution. Through it all, singer and songwriter Ian Hunter maintained creative control and never ceased to amaze. The Hoople from 1974 is a fine example of their work.

Side one begins with a theatrical introduction that opens the gate to "The Golden Age of Rock and Roll." The whole affair, as you can imagine, is pretty campy. The rock though, kicks serious ass. Guitarist Ariel Bender slashes some savage, street-swaggering riffs and Hunter belts it like a true believer throughout. Piano and organ play a big role in "Alice" but the acutely piquant lick on the fade-out is sweet enough to draw a smile from even the most zorched of lude-loaded glitter kids. "Marionette" meanwhile, is overblown, complete with a blaring horn section, squealing guitar solos and dialogue interludes. "Crash Street Kidds" even has machine guns! All this mayhem is tempered with "Trudi's Song," a breezy love song with a standout solo that sounds like it came courtesy of Mick Ronson. "Through the Looking Glass" is awesomely grandiose, exploding in symphonic ecstasy that reeks of dramatic excess in the best possible way--it always reminds me of the emotional rollercoaster that is the E.T. score. "Roll Away the Stone" was the single, and rightly so; it's wholly accessible while revealing the secrets to Mott the Hoople's appeal: keen lyrics, hooky song structures and adept instrumentation. Dig it!