Two of rock music’s elder statesmen assess the past and present on their latest respective albums. British rocker Ian Hunter has been out of commission with hearing problems for awhile, but returns with Defiance Part 1. An impressive guestlist of friends drop by to lend him a hand, including Ringo Starr, Mike Campbell, Billy Bob Thornton, Slash, Todd Rundgren, Jeff Tweedy and Billy Gibbons, along with Taylor Hawkins and Jeff Beck, turning in what must be among their last performances. The results unmistakably still sound like Ian Hunter, though, with his trademark tuneful piano and guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll wrapped around wry, observational lyrics.
“Bed on Roses” reminisces over the comradery and good times of his early club days, while “I Hate Hate” rails against the violence that is all too prevalent these days. “Defiance” may catalog times when Ian felt like a misfit, yet “That’s What I’m Here For” is his determined declaration of never giving up on rock ‘n’ roll dreams. The sweet love song “Angel,” for Ian’s wife Trudie, features a beautifully rolling piano bed, punctuated by dramatic, soaring guitars. Two other songs deliver very unique points of view, from the amusing to the thought provoking. An average working day of an airport drug sniffing dog is cleverly portrayed by incorporating just about every known canine related proverb in “Pavlov’s Dog.” “Guernica” imagines Picasso pondering the effect and meaning of his famous horrors of war painting and its relevance today.
This picture is a chamber of horrors
This picture’s a crucifixion
It’ll hang on the walls of eternity halls
It will never be forgotten
When my hands veil the truth behind images
This picture is trying to explain
Defiance Part 1 shows Ian Hunter doing what he does best, with catchy songs, astute lyrics and an everlasting love of rock ’n’ roll. It’s great to hear from this music icon once again!
John Mellencamp‘s Strictly a One-Eyed Jack was my pick for the top album of 2022. Less than a year later, Orpheus Descending arrives and may be even better. A lifetime of cigarettes has reduced Mellencamp’s voice to a Tom Waitsian croak, but this only enhances the world-weary tone of the material. Right out of the gate, “Hey God” confronts the deity asking, “So what do you really have in mind for us now? / We know you’re not on our side,” questioning the rampant shootings that seem to plague the world. Stinging slide guitar and ominous chords make the song’s appalled anger palpable. The country-tinged march of “The Eyes of Portland,” inspired by an encounter with one of the countless homeless that inhabit the streets of Portland, Oregon, pleads for action from citizens and governments, rather than only their prayers.
One element that makes Orpheus Descending special is the return of Mellencamp’s former band member Lisa Germano. Her expressive violin brings a melodic heart and soul to much of the album. The cool funk of the title tune earns a gypsyesque turn, her solo on “The Kindness of Lovers” brings drama to its hushed weariness, while some fine country fiddling highlights the loose-limbed shuffle “One More Trick.” The album also seems to concentrate on quiet meditations, such as the rough redemption piano ballad “Understated Reverence,” the hopeful acoustic strum of “Lightning and Luck” and the gentle remembrance of love amidst regret in a nearly “Perfect World.”
Orpheus Descending concludes with a breezy waltz titled “Backbone,” where Mellencamp confronts mortality, while admitting his blindness and missteps, as he refuses to leave this earth without some dignity.
Well, the truth has always been
Right here in front of my nose
Plain truth is something
That’s very hard to know
I have myself to blame
For covering my ears and my eyes
And ignoring the truth
Every time I’ve lied
Let me lean on my backbone
So I’ll still have my pride
When they lay me down
To die
Whenever his time comes, John Mellencamp need not worry about leaving without his pride intact. He has plenty to be proud of with yet another challenging album in his late career renaissance. He very well may have a few more surprises up his sleeve.
AUGUST 18, 2023
Letter to the Vatican 