IAN HUNTER > Man Overboard

July 22, 2009 7:11 am

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Videos by American Songwriter

IAN HUNTER

Man Overboard

(NEW WEST)

[Rating: 4 stars]

Ian Hunter has become the Clint Eastwood of rock and roll. Just like the director, Hunter exhibited an explosive early period, a middle-aged output that was a tad uneven, and a third act that has produced back-to-back classics. First, 2007’s Shrunken Heads, and now, Man Overboard. As he did last time out, Hunter, former frontman for the legendary Mott The Hoople, brings his street poetry, outraged snarl and indelible melodies, and controls them with the same grace as the seasoned filmmaker.

Whether reminiscing about running from a youthful bar fight (“especially when the other guy’s bigger than you”), on, “The Great Escape,” or cranking up on the social plaint, “Up and Running,” Hunter hasn’t forgotten how to rock. Still, it’s the lad’s ballads that really mess with your heart. How does a guy who doesn’t have a day job write a perfect character study like, “Girl From the Office”? Or talk so disarmingly about an old, haunting romance on “These Feelings”? It has to do with this songwriter’s relentless honesty. About his age, his loves, his losses. One can’t help but think something about Hunter that applies to few of his peers: You can’t wait to see what he does next.