Wildlife

Wildlife is the third album by the British band Mott the Hoople. The album was originally released in 1971; in the UK by Island Records (catalogue number ILPS 9144) and in the US by Atlantic Records (cat. no. SD 8382). After the edgier rock of their first two albums this record has a softer feel (leading to its nickname "Mildlife" among band members). Even Ian Hunter's trio of compositions are introspective, though disarmingly beautiful. For the first (and only) time Mick Ralphs' contributions predominate, leading to an almost country-rock feel for much of the album. "Keep a Knockin'" is a shambolic live version, all that was deemed salvageable at the time from a prospective live album recorded by Mott's original producer Guy Stevens at Croydon's Fairfield Halls in 1970.