5 amazingly overlooked debut albums of the 1960s

Mott The Hoople - Mott The Hoople

Mott The Hoople are perhaps the first best associated with their top-selling hit from David Bowie-written “All The Young Dudes”. But as other hits like “Roll Away The Stone” and “All The Way To Memphis” show, they are much more than a one-hit wonder. Again it's somewhat surprising to see that their debut self-titled album didn't make much impression commercially.

Released in 1969, Mott The Hoople was originally intended to allow lead singer Ian Hunter and the band to create a sound like Bob Dylan was being backed by the Rolling Stones. Quite an ambition! 

Does it come off that way? Perhaps in places. Oddly though with that premise, the album starts with a crunching guitar-focused instrumental of the Kinks’ hit “You Really Got Me”, no Dylanesque vocals and for obvious reasons more Kinks than Stones. If you listen to Hunter on tracks like “Backsliding Fearlessly”, “Laugh At Me” or “At The Crossroads” from the album there are Dylan tones in there. “Rock And Roll Queen”, is a great rock track and I’m pretty sure Messrs Jagger and Richards would be happy to take credit for it from actual writer and band member Mick Ralphs.

This is a very fine debut album from a band yet to hit their heyday. Despite great songs and sound it's another overlooked record. Barely making a mention in the Billboard 200 at a peak of number 185 and only up to number 66 in the UK album charts. Another album worth a listen to, especially if you like that late 1960s/early 1970s rock guitar sound.