Most Popular

  • The Hard Lie
    How former Ticket host Greg Williams destroyed the most dynamic duo in Dallas talk radio through drugs, deceit and disaffection
  • American Girls
    Crossing between American and Egyptian cultures, he Said girls made one deadly misstep: They fell in love
  • Bless Us, Oh Lard
    Damn fajitas and health-conscious eaters. They're killing traditional Tex-Mex.
  • The Dirt Doctor
    How radio show host Howard Garrett pushed Dallas to the center of the organic gardening movement through passion, principle and molasses
  • For Whom the Bell Tolls
    Electronic monitoring may dramatically curb truancy. So why isn't DISD interested?

Recent Articles

Recent Articles by Darryl Smyers

National Features >

  • Houston Press

    A Dirty Picture

    What mainstream publishers don't want you to know about door-to-door magazine sales.

    By Craig Malisow

  • Riverfront Times

    Welcome to Cougar Heaven

    When these huntresses on are on the prowl, the prey very much wants to be caught.

    By Unreal

  • Broward-Palm Beach New Times

    Sweet Deal

    How rumored McCain veep choice Charlie Crist wants to bail out Big Sugar.

    By Bob Norman

  • SF Weekly

    All-American Girls

    Are Asian women getting their jawbones cut to look whiter?

    By Lauren Smiley

Ian Hunter

Shrunken Heads (Yep Roc)

By Darryl Smyers

Published on June 07, 2007

Approaching his 68th birthday, Ian Hunter is still the consummate rock star. With his flowing, blond locks and those ever-present sunglasses, Hunter continues to be relevant nearly four decades since he sang "All the Young Dudes." On his first studio release in six years, Hunter candidly explores the perils of society, whether that be rampant commercialism ("Brainwashed") or his own lack of self-restraint ("Words (Big Mouth)").

Shrunken Heads finds the former Mott the Hoople frontman in solid form. Featuring contributions from Jeff Tweedy, James Mastro (the Bongos), Steve Holley (Paul McCartney) and Graham Maby (Joe Jackson), songs such as "I Am What I Hated When I Was Young" and "When the World Was Round" find Hunter still musing on the themes of age, stardom and significance. His voice, that marvelous amalgamation of Dylan and Bowie, can still deliver lines such as "Well I don't follow any trend/I don't sulk for hours on end" with the same weary aplomb that made Mott such a champion for the working class.

Shrunken Heads delivers a plethora of Rolling Stone riffs (a la Exile on Main St. ) and touching piano-based ballads. "Soul of America," Hunter's examination of the post 9/11 world, is the only misstep as he tries to play both sides, referring to Bush ("And that sure ain't Geronimo running the game") and the troops ("Come hell or high water, we're rooting for you"). Otherwise, Hunter's ageless street cred remains gloriously intact.



Dallas Observer Insiders

  • Local food, music and news blasts
  • Free Stuff
Backpage.com