Stooges, The - Stooges (The) > Reviews > Iggy Lands!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

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

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

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
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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 and started the wheels in motion regarding getting The Stooges signed.

The Stooges didn't really take anything from The Beatles and The Stones, neither from the West Coast rock which had dominated since the middle of the decade. Situated as they were in Detroit, as the liner notes for the album say, 'shielded from it all'.

It's no suprise to find that the album was produced by the crazy, Welsh, founding member of the Velvet Underground, John Cale. Certain elements of the record ring with his touches (i.e. the insistant, squaling violin on 'We Will Fall' [an epic 10 minutes 15 seconds]).

THE BAND
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Really the band was Iggy Pop. Without him at the helm you can't see how the Stooges would have clamboured out of the half filled pits they were playing (as with most new, and challenging bands the initial reception to band and album was frosty). Having said that, without the solid foundations provided by Scott Asheton (drums), Dave Alexander (Bass) and wonderfully inventive, primal guitar from Ron Asheton, there would not have been The Stooges. You only have to listen to how all the mad elements hang together so well on 'No Fun' to realize this.

Iggy was the ultimate frontman, though one who took everything so far past the limit, that it was a surprise that he made it out of the sixties, let alone that he is still alive today (like the American equivelant of Keith Richards). He virtually invented stage diving, and would often get clobbered by the audience, who at that point were not expecting the bony, flailing singer to be landing on top of them. He smeared himself in peanut butter and generally acted like a crazy animal... Wow! It must have been a blast to see them live back then.

It is documented that Iggy wanted to be Jim Morrison (taken from the brilliant Doors bio, 'No One Gets Out Of Here Alive') and when the Doors lost their frontman, he tried out for the band. Unfortunately unsuccessful, though he would have been perfect. There's no way to bypass the drugs, he was a massive drug-fiend and ingested everything that was available. This colours the music to a certain extent, but for moralists this can be seen as a document against drug use. On the other hand, hedonists may see this as proof that records like this do not come about when people are straight.

THE MUSIC
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For anyone coming to the Stooges fresh, the best way to describe them is a mixture of metal and punk. If you like either of these genres you'll find something to like about the Stooges. This said they are accessible enough for most people to get a grip of. The music is exciting (in the main) and if you want a real wig-out there's nothing better. The Drum and Bass playing throughout the record are fluid and unremarkable (if you play either of these well you often get overlooked unfortunately). The guitar on the album is essential, Ron Asheton has a few effects pedals at his disposal and very often favours the Wah-Wah (1969 and No Fun being prime examples). The guitar herewithin can inspire young guitarists who do not possess too much technical knowledge (speaking from experience, though not so young any more). You realise that you can create great sounding music without having to be note perfect. It's all about the attitude and feeling. And with the guitar on this album you feel that Ron is really showing his emotions. Brilliant!

TRACKS ON THE ALBUM
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1) 1969
...An energetic start to the album, which sets the scene. Contains clapping and excessive use of the Wah Wah.
2) I Wanna Be Your Dog
...Should need no introduction. But for all the Stooges virgins this is possibly the essential Stooges track. Loud, insane, a joy to behold! Great drums and sleigh bells!
3) We Will Fall
...A chance for a breather, and 10 minutes of chanting, slow hand clapping and scary violin (sorry viola!) Possibly a track that is fast fowarded. But worth 10 minutes of your time, especially if you've just smoked a magic woodbine.
4) No Fun
...Possibly the essential Stooges track, part 2. If you've never heard this you should be ashamed of yourself, call yourself a music fan?
5. Real Cool Time
...Nice. Not a standout track but still retains the spirit of the album. Very good lead throughout.
6. Ann
...This reminds me of the Doors (specifically 'The Crystal Ship'). A slow one (which explodes towards the end), but nevertheless a good one.
7. Not Right
...Fast, energetic, possibly their most 'MC5'-alike record. Fast paced. Reminicent of The Jimmy Hendrix Experience (obviously without the technically brilliant guitar...though brilliant guitar in it's own right!)
8. Little Doll
...The closer. Iggy drolls his way though this ode to his squeeze. Turns into a showcase for Ron's primitive/exciting guitar playing.

IN SUMMARY
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A brilliant debut that when originally released received a muted response. Over the years people have grown to appreciate the adolescent brilliance of it. This is not some contrived, teenage boyband (As you'll see from the cover photo's the Stooges had great faces for radio).
It's not a perfect album and does have lulls and a song or two sound like carbon copies of others on the album.
Future releases from the Stooges are often rated higher but purely because this includes, 'No fun' and 'I wanna be your dog' this is an important record.
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