ALBUM REVIEW: IAN HUNTER - ‘DEFIANCE PART 2: FICTION’
Ian Hunter, the legendary Mott The Hoople frontman and international rock’n’roll icon, is back with another gargantuan solo album. Hot off the heels of his 2023 release, Defiance Part 1, Hunter’s new record, Defiance Part 2: Fiction; which just dropped April 19th via Sun Records, is easily one of the most star-studded rock albums ever assembled. Conceived during the isolated days of the pandemic, Hunter reached out to the insanely talented group of friends he made during his storied career that ordinary mortals might know as rock stars, to help flesh out his new endeavor. While the first Defiance record aimed to inspire hope amidst the darkness of lock-down life; Defiance Part 2: Fiction addresses the chaos of post-covid, 21st-century society and takes a bit of a somber turn.
Of course, it’s hard to wallow in doom and gloom when you’ve got infectious tunes like “Precious” blasting in your ear. This, the album’s lead single and nominee for the catchiest chorus of the year is just one of the numerous jaw-dropping musical collaborations Hunter conjured for Defiance Part 2. Boasting legendary Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, Def Leppard singer Joe Elliot providing backing vocals, the late great Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins laying down one of his final performances, coupled with Hunter’s iconic voice and piano work, “Precious” is a phenomenal track that’s quite literally, the centerpiece of the entire album.
Defiance Part 2 officially begins with the ultra-upbeat ditty, “People.” Featuring three-fourths of Cheap Trick, Joe Elliot once again lays down backing vocals as well as Hunter’s longtime ally Mark Bosch of The Rant Band adding some riff work. As one might expect when you’ve got most of Cheap Trick as your backing band, “People” is one of the finest slabs of rockin’ power pop you’ll find these days. The album’s title track “Fiction” is next and is another standout track. Ian Hunter’s biting social commentary takes center stage while a masterful wave of string arrangements and piano keys burrows into the listener’s psyche. Jams like this prove that after decades in the songwriting game, crafting killer hooks and lasting melodies is practically second nature for talents like Hunter.
The late guitar icon Jeff Beck makes one of his final recorded appearances playing lead on “The 3rd Rail” alongside Johnny Depp on acoustic and rhythm guitar. “Weed” is more than a rallying cry to decriminalize marijuana, it’s also a killer Stone Temple Pilots performance; featuring the De Leo brothers on bass/guitars and drummer Eric Kretz. Taylor Hawkins puts another masterclass behind the kit on “Everybody’s Crazy But Me.” His near-constant kick drum groove accentuates the song’s twangy riffs. It provides extra gusto for Hunter’s exclamation that he’s “the last man standing as far as I can see…” before circling back to that catchy hook of “Everybody’s crazy but me.”
Defiance Part 2: Fiction wraps things up with a heartfelt ballet titled “Hope.” This track is a duet with the legendary singer Lucinda Williams and marks her second stunning appearance on Hunter’s new album. This new Defiance record has a more serious tone than its predecessor but it’s still classic Ian Hunter and oozes rock and roll swagger and profound melodies out of every pore. Even amidst the pandemonium of 21st-century life, Defiance Part 2: Fiction proves that Ian Hunter simply cannot and will not stop rocking.
Listen to Defiance Part 2: Fiction below:
