Mott The Hoople (October 3, 1973) – “Mott” Album Review - Valley Advocate

Oct 3, 1973

2 min read

This review examines Mott The Hoople's album Mott, praising the group's growing confidence and individuality following the success of All The Young Dudes. While acknowledging David Bowie's influence, the reviewer argues that the band was beginning to establish a stronger identity of its own.

Publication: Valley Advocate

Date: October 3, 1973

Country: United States

Written by Jeff Ryan, the review opens by quoting the D. H. Lawrence passage reproduced on the album sleeve, noting that both the quotation and the album itself champion the idea of revolution for fun rather than revolution through seriousness.

The reviewer admits to having been unimpressed by earlier Mott The Hoople releases, finding Ian Hunter's vocals and songwriting overly reminiscent of Bob Dylan. However, Mott is presented as a significant step forward. While David Bowie's influence remains evident on tracks such as "Whizz Kid", Ryan suggests the band has begun to move beyond imitation and develop a more distinctive personality.

Particular praise is directed toward "Violence", described as one of the strongest moments on the album. The reviewer highlights its provocative lyrical approach and energetic performance. On the second side, attention shifts to more serious material, especially "Ballad Of Mott The Hoople", which is characterised as a thoughtful reflection on stardom and audience expectations.

Another song singled out for praise is "I Wish I Was Your Mother", which the reviewer regards as one of the album's most effective compositions. The track's combination of melancholy, frustration and emotional honesty is cited as evidence of the band's increasing maturity as songwriters.

Throughout the review, Ryan argues that Mott demonstrates a broader emotional and musical range than previous albums, showing the group successfully balancing humour, aggression and introspection.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published shortly after the release of Mott, the review captures the band at a pivotal stage of its career. Having achieved commercial success with All The Young Dudes, Mott The Hoople faced the challenge of proving they could develop beyond their association with David Bowie.

The article is notable because it presents Mott as evidence that the group was becoming more self-sufficient artistically. While Bowie remained an important influence, the reviewer concludes that Mott The Hoople were increasingly capable of defining their own musical direction.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Review of the album Mott

Era: 1973 Mott The Hoople era

Tone: Analytical and positive

Photography: No artist photographs included within the review section

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Review of Mott The Hoople's album Mott

• Discussion of David Bowie's lingering influence on the band

• Praise for "Violence", "Ballad Of Mott The Hoople" and "I Wish I Was Your Mother"

• Recognition of the band's growing artistic independence

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