Defiance Part 1

Product Information

There are a lot of reasons for calling this album DEFIANCE,” says Ian Hunter. “ It’s like, people my age shouldn’t be making records, blah, blah, blah. But we’ve still got a bit left.” I know this puts people out – believe me, I know. I just hope you’ll understand. You’re great fans and I’ll always appreciate you following me – I’m not everybody’s cup of tea!! Obviously the Ranters are bummed out as is Morgan ’n’ the Great Ariel Bender, to say nothing of the crew and business people involved. Thank you, Mike and Frank for your understanding. To Hunter’s delight, the project began escalating, with a galaxy of stars clamoring to be involved. With time on their hands due the pandemic, his fellow musicians took the demos and stems that Hunter and York put together in his basement and added unforeseen power and creativity through their own trademark talents. Where do we go from here – I’ve no idea kids. I’m just hoping it gets fed up with me eventually!! Don’t feel sorry for me – it’s been a great run if, indeed, it stays with me, and I have to stop now. Maybe it will sod off at some point – I just don’t know.

Ian Hunter, ‘Defiance Part 1′: Album Review

There’s something a little E St Band-ish about “Guernica” and Joe Elliott’s harmonies are superb, while “I Hate Hate” is an example of the anger that burns. Its also what this album would have been if it had been conventional as it’s just Hunter and The Rant Band (it would have still been brilliant – and there’s another version too with Jeff Tweedy on). That’s typical of what the record does, in that it doesn’t sound like anything else here, yet Hunter is the golden thread. And that extends to the guests. Todd Rundgren is on the soul filled “Don’t Tread On Me” – a simple plea for respect – and you imagine for the stars this was a fun way to get out of comfort zones. Having spent the better part of two years on the project, Hunter isn’t done yet. As its title promises, DEFIANCE PART 1 will be followed by the arrival of DEFIANCE PART 2. The second chapter will feature an equally stunning range of special guests while projecting an entirely different thematic approach and songwriting aesthetic.

But close to the end, Hunter delivers a statement of purpose in “This Is What I’m Here For.” Even though he says, “I ain’t nothing special, an average kid,” he says “all I wanted a song I could sing, a little music and a band that could swing, these are a few of my favorite things.” Taking on the age question, he adds “when I was 30, I was over the hill/but 50 years later I still kill ‘em all, I ain’t through… I never listen to the prophets of doom/too busy turning up the volume/from the womb to the tomb… this is what I’m here for/so I might as well enjoy it.” And from all the signs, Defiance, Pt. 1, finds Hunter and his all-star collaborators having he time of their lives. Pt. 2 is promised to follow, which will similarly feature a crew of world-class special guests, says Hunter, but likely “heavier and more political.” The first part is a pretty fun record,” he says. “Not stupid or daft, just a very up record. The second one I would say is probably heavier and more political.” Songs like “I Hate Hate” and the cathartic “Guernica” – the latter of which sees Hunter manifesting the spirit of Pablo Picasso as he recalls the creation of his 1937 anti-war masterpiece – offer indisputable evidence that Hunter’s lyrical voice remains as uncompromising and provocative as ever before. Having spent the better part of two years on the project, Hunter isn’t done yet. As its title promises, the album will be followed by the arrival of Defiance Part 2. The second chapter will feature an equally stunning range of special guests while projecting an entirely different thematic approach and songwriting aesthetic.

Ian Hunter assembles historic line-up for ‘Defiance Part 1’ Ian Hunter assembles historic line-up for ‘Defiance Part 1’

I’ve been in Sun Studios a couple of times,” he adds, “and I don’t know what it does for anybody else, but it’s a great feeling being in that room, a very strange feeling. We went down there with The Rant Band and there’s all these original instruments – guitars hanging on the wall, there’s Jerry Lee’s piano, a little drum kit and stand-up bass. Before we knew what we were doing, we were all playing in Sun Studios. But it does have almost a ghostly vibe to it.”Never mind the guests, “Defiance Part 1” is one of the album’s of the year because its an Ian Hunter record and he’s a genius.