Wildlife - MOTT THE HOOPLE***

Whisky Women/Angel Of Eighth Avenue/Wrong Side Of The River/Waterlow/Lay Down/It Must Be Love/Original Mixed-Up Kid/Home Is Where I Want To Be/Keep A Knockin'

For their third album Wildlife Mott The Hoople eschewed their previous heavy rock sound to embrace some softer country style ballads. They would have to wait a while yet before developing a commercially successful identity. (UK:44)

“These numbers are better taken in small quantities depending on one's tastes. They are interesting cuts, but definitely light years away from what they would achieve on future, more assured records.”

“There is nothing dull or country about Keep A Knockin' or Whisky Women. This is progressive rock with well written tunes.”

“A ballad, country turn for Mott The Hoople. As always there are a few moments here where the lyrics are so personal it feels like I'm having a conversation with Ian Hunter. In general they seem a bit better suited to flashy, boozy glam rock than quiet, contemplative rural music.”

“After storming the scene with a couple of rockin' releases, Mott the Hoople come back with... a soft album. Who in their right mind thought that was a good idea? Perhaps Mott were trying to reach out to a larger audience with this one, as the music is much more subtle, going for a more natural and spiritual feel, hence the whole pastoral Wildlife thing. The only problem is that Mott The Hoople have created possibly the dullest album I have ever heard.”

“After recording two heavy rock albums that went largely unnoticed, the band released a folksy country-rock album. But the rock still pokes through on Whisky Women and the overly long live closing cut.”

“If you want your Mott The Hoople to rock you would be advised to hold off expectations on this one. Not that it's a bad album, in fact Wildlife has many strong points for the open minded listener. Only the opening Whisky Women and perhaps the closing Keep A Knockin’ have any elements of rock. The three songs after the opener are all ballads, but they are actually pretty good especially Wrong Side Of The River.”