Mott – Shouting & Pointing
Rock Candy Records
www.rockcandyrecords.com

Rating: B- 

In 1975, Mott surprised rock fans by succeeding in creating a new band and a new album that was received in a positive light.  No one figured after Mott the Hoople the band could reform as Mott and move ahead, after losing the great guitarist Mick Ronson and their leader, Ian Hunter.  Yet they did, with much of the excitement coming from the new front man and vocalist Nigel Benjamin. A year later, they returned with their sophomore effort and fans were hopeful but poised for failure.  Once again, they were wrong; the band, as they say, did it once again.  

They had some time to get to know each other musically and learned to go with what made them the best band, which was a much harder rocking vibe.  Yet, they were not stupid; they kept some of the signature sound of their former band.  The result was a record that rocked.  “Collision Course” may be the best song on the album, as this one is loud and proud.  The title track says it all and “Hold On You’re Crazy” sums up how this band survived themselves.  They were crazy, but they were dedicated and cool and they were on a roll.   

Produced by Eddie Kramer, who also worked with a few other good bands including Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, the album is energetic. Mott is more in-yer-face than Ian Hunter would have liked.  With him gone, they did what they wanted, and while it was not as moving or important in the long-run as what Hunter could do, it was still darn good. 

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard champions Mott, even adding liner notes for the Rock Candy Record release of the album.  RCR, of course, felt compelled to give this album the reworking it deserved creating an amazing booklet to accompany the album that includes new interviews and photos.  The sound is remastered and they even threw in a bonus track.   

TRACK LISTING:
1. SHOUTING & POINTING
2. COLLISION COURSE
3. STORM
4. CAREER (NO SUCH THING AS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL)
5. HOLD ON, YOU’RE CRAZY
6. SEE YOU AGAIN
7. TOO SHORT ARMS (I DON’T CARE)
8. BROADSIDE OUTCASTS
9. GOOD TIMES
BONUS TRACK: 10. 'TOO SHORT ARMS (I DON'T CARE)’ (Remix)+ 

By Jeb Wright