Mott The Hoople Wildlife 1971 - ILPS9144 UK Original Vinyl

Mott The Hoople Wildlife 1971 - ILPS9144 UK Original Vinyl

Visually Graded:
Cover: VG+
Inner Sleeve: 
Record: VG+
ILPS9144
We conservatively grade our records.

Mott The Hoople – Wildlife (1971, UK Original Vinyl, ILPS 9144) is the third studio album by the British rock band Mott the Hoople, showcasing a more subdued, acoustic, and folk-rock-oriented sound compared to their earlier releases. Released by Island Records, this album marked a departure from the harder rock and glam elements the band became known for, instead emphasizing introspective songwriting and mellow arrangements.

Overview:

• Title: Wildlife
• Artist: Mott The Hoople
• Release Year: 1971
• Label: Island Records (Catalog #: ILPS 9144)
• Country: UK
• Genre: Rock, Folk Rock

Notable Tracks:

1. "Whiskey Women" – An upbeat opener with a mix of rock and bluesy undertones.
2. "Original Mixed-Up Kid" – A reflective track showcasing Ian Hunter’s lyrical introspection.
3. "It Must Be Love" – A soulful ballad with rich, melodic instrumentation.
4. "Lay Down" – A heartfelt and emotional closer that highlights the band's softer side.

Album Features:

• Ian Hunter's Vocals: This album puts Ian Hunter's distinctive voice front and center, supported by Mick Ralphs’ multi-instrumental talent.
• Stylistic Shift: Wildlife emphasizes acoustic textures and introspective themes, diverging from the heavier rock sound of their prior work.
• Production: Co-produced by the band, giving it an organic, raw vibe.

Collectability:

The 1971 UK original pressing (ILPS 9144) is valued for its warm analog sound and represents a unique phase in Mott the Hoople’s career. Early UK pressings, with their superior vinyl quality and packaging, are highly sought after by collectors of classic rock.

This album is ideal for fans of British rock, acoustic-driven music, and collectors seeking a deeper dive into Mott the Hoople’s diverse catalog.

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way, likely never played, and still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): Nearly perfect. The record shows no obvious signs of wear and looks as if it was just opened. No visible marks or scratches.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of use, such as light scuffs or very minor scratches, but plays without any major deterioration in sound quality.

• Very Good (VG): Noticeable wear with some surface noise, light scratches, or groove wear, but still plays through without skipping.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The record plays but with significant surface noise, scratches, and wear. The cover may have visible damage or splits.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The record may be damaged and is barely playable. Typically used only for highly collectible records.

Cover grading: 

• Mint (M): The cover is flawless, with no signs of wear. Often still sealed with no corner dings, creases, or ring wear.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover looks almost new, with only the slightest signs of handling. There may be very minimal wear, but no significant flaws like writing, splits, or tears.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as minor scuffing, small corner creases, or slight ring wear. No major damage, but a well-cared-for album with minor imperfections.

• Very Good (VG): Moderate wear is visible, including ring wear, light edge or corner damage, small seam splits, or slight discoloration. Still presentable but clearly used.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The cover shows significant wear, such as noticeable ring wear, seam splits, heavy creasing, or writing. It may still hold together but looks heavily worn.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The cover is heavily damaged, with major seam splits, tears, extensive writing, water damage, or severe ring wear. It may barely hold together or be incomplete.