Defiance Part 1

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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). Defiance Part 1” is heralded by today’s premiere of the nostalgic first single, “Bed of Roses”, featuring guitarist Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Fleetwood Mac) and drums by Ringo Starr, available today at all DSPs and streaming services. An official video for “Bed of Roses” can be seen below.

I’ve always had him down as a kind of British Bob Dylan, and “Bed Of Roses” (Ringo Starr and Mike Campbell on this one) underlines it with its glorious rambling poetry. 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. 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.”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. It was a fluke,” Hunter says. “This was not planned. I can’t believe half the people even knew who I was. Really, I’m serious. I really couldn’t believe some of them. I mean, it’s amazing what’s happened. It’s been such a buzz.”

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. It was a fluke”, Ian Hunter says. “This was not planned. Really, I’m serious. I really couldn’t believe some of them. I mean, it’s amazing what’s happened. It’s been such a buzz”.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. There are a lot of reasons for calling this album Defiance,” says Hunter. “It’s like, people my age shouldn’t be making records, blah, blah, blah. But we’ve still got a bit left.” 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. 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.” 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.”