Mad Shadows [Remaster]

Performer: Mott the Hoople
Engineer: Andy Johns
Producer: Guy Stevens
Distributor: Bayside Record Dist.

Notes: Mott The Hoople: Ian Hunter (vocals, piano); Mick Ralphs (vocals, guitar); Verden Allen (organ); Overend Watts (bass guitar); Buffin (drums). Personnel: Ian Hunter (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Mick Ralphs (vocals, guitar); Guy Stevens (piano, percussion); Verden Allen (organ, keyboards); Pete Watts (bass guitar); Dale Buffin Griffin, Terry Buffin (drums). Photographer: Gabi Nasemann. Goaded on by madman producer Guy Stevens, Mott attempted to outdo the Rolling Stones in the excess-equals-success contest with the recording of Mad Shadows. Chock full of heavy-duty Mott rockers, such as "Walkin' With a Mountain," "Thunderbuck Ram" and "No Wheels To Ride," Mad Shadows is a perfect study in rock & roll mayhem at the start of the seventies. Even Mick Jagger found himself singing along on the final moments of "Walkin' With a Mountain." A powerful document. ~ James Chrispell If Mott the Hoople's debut album cheerfully careened all over the place, their second, Mad Shadows, has one direction -- downward into dense murk. Cutting out most of their humor and ratcheting up the volume, the group turns out seven songs that alternate between thundering rockers and sludgy introspection. This all sounds good on paper, but Mad Shadows isn't a thrilling journey into the darkside, simply because the band and producer Guy Stevens are so unfocused that it barely holds together, despite such fine moments as the rampaging "Walkin' with a Mountain" and the closing ballad "When My Mind's Gone." Any record with songs as strong as these is worth hearing, and it's possible to find the confusion itself rather fascinating, but only if you're dedicated enough to delve into darkness with the band. Otherwise, this is primarily of interest as a transitional affair, with its best moments showcased on the excellent compilation, Backsliding Fearlessly. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Q (1/04, p.140) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[G]lorious MAD SHADOWS totally fulfilled mentor/producer Guy Stevens's vision of Rolling Stones rock raunch fused to sneery Dylan-esque balladry." Alternative Press (2/13/93, p.31) - 8 - Excellent - "...the legacy of one of the finest and fiercest rock & roll bands ever. Flawed but essential..."

While most rock fans remember Mott The Hoople as a thriving early-'70s glam band, they were also one of the first British bands to serve as a mouthpiece for the working class (predating both The Sex Pistols and The Clash by several years). Led by singer Ian Hunter and future Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs, Mott could rock out and pose with the best of 'em.

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