Michigan Palace - Iggy & The Stooges

Advantages: A record of energy, excitement and wah wah.
Disadvantages: For some the aural assault is all too much

...I came to this record via a backwards route. I initially bought the greatest hits of Iggy Pop and liked it so much (especially the early stuff he did with the Stooges) that I had to investigate further. I'm very glad I did. This is a powerhouse of a debut from Iggy, the Asheton brothers and Dave Alexander. 1969 ------- The mood in 1969 (when this album was released) was a hotbed of tension and experimentation. The sixties bubble was becoming bloated and unstable. Maniacs were aligning themselves with the good-time bands of the day (the Mansons reading far too much into the Beatles riddles and the Hells Angels rioting at the Stones gig in Altamont). Since 1967 the Stooges had been ploughing their own furrow alongside another Michegan band of the same ilk (the MC5). The more established MC5 regarded The Stooges as their kid brother band... Read review

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Advantages: Seminal
Disadvantages: See text below

...Probably best known for his appearance on the Trainspotting soundtrack to non-fans of punk/glam/rock ‘n’ roll/whatever he is, Iggy Pop is my ideal pissed uncle. Rather than the hairy blob that is my real life “unc”, just imagine Xmas with Mr Pop round, spitting in the pretzels, wearing cellophane trousers and spilling vodka-laced urine into your grandmother’s mouth. It’s be a blast – not for granny, but WHO CARES? Punk/glam/rock ‘n’ roll/whatever this is was BUILT to annoy, and to entertain. Raw Power is widely considered to be Iggy’s seminal release, along with his band The Stooges. This is actually their comeback (in 1973, date fans!) record, their first two releases selling worse than Ebola flavoured cola. Still, the not-really-anticipated record was beset by a further... Read review

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Advantages: Groundbreaking Rock and Roll
Disadvantages: Possible Tinnitus

..."I'm a street waking cheetah with a hide full of Napalm" alsolutley no rock and roll song has opened with a line with as much rock and roll in it as Search and Destroy the opening track from The Stoogies thrid album Raw Power. It is to this day still one of the greatest rock and roll records ever made, and way back in 1973 it was light years ahead of itself. This album was recorded in London with the stoogies line up based aroound Iggy Pop and Guitarist James Williamson and the alsolutley fantastic rythmn section of Ron and Scot Ashton. As Iggy puts it in the booklet accompanying this remastered edition that Ron's (Bass) playing was great and he couldn't help it being locked in with his brother on drums, and you only get that kind of lock with blood. What can you say about this album that hasn't been said many times before James... Read review

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