Search - Ian Hunter :: Man Overboard

Ian's great!

William C. Golembeskidara | 07/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of course, I'm a fan...but imagine Ian's Mad Shadows work suddenly here and now. The guy was an honest man then, and he bleeds with that honesty--even at 70 years old! "Flowers" is so perfect: a pop song with the pathos of great literature. The album isn't for everyone, but if "you are one of us"--this music will not disappoint. So three in a row: Rant, Shrunken Heads, and Man Overboard. Thanks Ian. Thanks for all the music."

Steel Fist/Velvet Glove - Hunter Delivers

John Vincent | Long Beach CA | 07/23/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 2007 Ian Hunter challenged us with ourselves in the rocking and reflective Shrunken Heads. Today Ian is back, upping the ante with Man Overboard -- wrapping his snarling lyrics in the sheep's clothing of a master craftsman at his well-produced best. The contrast of Ian's wit and wisdom, delivered wrapped-up in the comfort of that 20-year-old leather chair from your Sunday room only serves to highlight his message with the impact of a Howitzer. How this guy remains underneath the radar of fame and mass recognition continues to mystify me, just reinforcing my dismay with what sells - and what is dismissed - in a commercial media world.



In the opening "The Great Escape", Hunter tells us the story of an escape from an eminent butt-kicking for some perceived disrespect Ian delivered to "the best left hook in the business". This sets the tone for the album (be alert now) as Hunter highlights society's hair-trigger over innocuous encounters that escalate into violence ("there ain't no rhyme/there ain't no reason,/just people going over the top"). Wrap this up in a smooth tune with the story told with just enough humor from the threatened musician's viewpoint and you start understand -- this guy isn't just another songwriter but a master craftsman with an edge AND a message. Dangerous stuff, this.



To be fair, the 12-song set that comprises Man Overboard misses on a couple tracks -- always a risk when an artist refuses to play it safe -- but the 10 other songs are a tour de force from a relentlessly demanding musician who delivers on all cylinders. The title track "Man Overboard" is a story that slowly reveals that the alcohol soaked derelict constantly "drunk and disorderly" wasn't born into this but sunk there as he was "squeezed `til I came apart at the seams" as he tries to drink away the "anger that's hidden deep inside". "Babylon Blues" takes an unsympathetic look at celebrity meltdowns (ala Lindsey Lohan/ Paris Hilton/ Britney Spears); "Girl From The Office" turns the tables on the young man who actually reaches his goal, only to find that the dating the girl who he helped make the "lust object" has an unsavory down-side. "Arms & Legs" is a energetic and melodic love song, and reminds us of that love we never possessed - or never even knew we were in love with them - but haunts us still the same.



The standout in this collection of standouts may be the song "Flowers" -- a perfectly written song about our long standing human custom of giving flowers, and how we all fail to learn from the events that lead to us giving them. Lovely song, lovely melody, lovely image (flowers) that takes on a new meaning as Hunter croons in a raspy voice "every man killed is an insult to any faith, sometimes flowers ain't enough". Iron fist, velvet glove and the shock of it hitting you right between the eyes as you ask yourself , "my God, what are we doing to ourselves". But that's his point, isn't it?



I'm under no illusion that Hunter will get the credit he deserves for a lifetime of artistry, and a powerful release like Man Overboard will probably be heard by far fewer people that justice would warrant. That said, so what. We know Man Overboard is here, and Ian knows we're here. The message, music and magic are all there for anyone willing to see music as something more than just a beat and hook."

One of Ian's BEST

Jim Z | 07/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay..I'm a tad biased...been listening to Ian since the MTH debut in '69. But the guy has amazing talent ! Some of the smartest lyrics in music , and catchy melodies to boot. Man Overboard has already had 25 spins in my changer , and I imagine it will be there for months to come. Thanks Ian for another GREAT release---see you in Cleveland !"