Album review: Adam Ant, Adam Ant Is the BlueBlack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter (BlueBlack Hussar)

Adam Ant Is the BlueBlack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter

It's appropriate that Adam Ant should feature his name in the title of this sprawling comeback album, as many of its 16 songs are plainly autobiographical, from the affectionate paeans to Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, to the digs at psychiatry in “Shrink”.

It's a feisty, assertive affair, but let down by weak production and a lack of musical focus, Ant and co-producer Boz Boorer darting about stylistically from goth-grunge to hillbilly blues to industrial metal. The only time he really sounds passionate is “Cradle Your Hatred”. That and “Vince Taylor”, a rockabilly tribute to the British singer are the best cuts here.

Download: Vince Taylor; Cradle Your Hatred; How Can I Say I Miss You?