Iggy Pop
Extremism in Rock is no vice.
If self abuse were the sole criteria for Rock greatness, Iggy Pop would be king. If crazed, out of control performances ruled, Iggy would rule. Iggy's entire career, whether as the Stooges frontman or solo, has been a monument to the wild, fierce and deranged. He got interested in a Rock career after seeing a Doors concert. His life answered the question, "What if Jim Morrison had lived?" Actually, Iggy took up where Morrison left off but gave it a Midwest spin - a tonic of angst, fear, defeat and resentment - that charged his performances. If it was worth thinking, Iggy was up for doing it. Smearing peanut butter on himself, rolling around on broken glass or just thrashing about, Iggy was a man surging to extremes. Drugs? Sure. Maybe Iggy's just a couple genomes short of the entire DNA cocktail. Who knows? He was Punk long before the term was coined, and he in turn, inspired a generation.
After a couple decade hiatus, Iggy recorded with The Stooges, Ron and Scott Ashton (the surviving members), on the '03 release "Skull Ring." Iggy was also backed Green Day and Sum 41.
Following the success (nobody died) of the "Skull Ring" sessions, it seemed evitable that there would be another full-fledged Stooges album. The aptly titled "The Weirdness" hit in '07.
"The Stooges," ("1969" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog") "The Stooges' Fun House" and "Raw Power" (produced by David Bowie) are the essential Stooges recordings. These records came out between '69 and '72. Speed Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash, Punk - everything that would keep Rock crazed and unchained is here. A non-stop blast.
On his own hook (solo) Iggy Pop produced "Lust For Life" and "The Idiot." These are the Iggy's most fiercely Rockin' albums. "Brick By Brick" delivers a broader emotional and stylistic range. But you can get that stuff just about anywhere. Go for the full-tilt, in your face Rock.
Iggy's "Skull Ring" has a clever concept. The Stooges, namely Ron and Scott Ashton, are around long enough to provide the set's best tracks, "Skull Rings," "Little Electric Chair" ("frying up your hair in the little electric chair") and "Dead Rock Star." Rather than fall into mediocrity, the rest of the album employs the talents of Sum 41, Peaches and Green Day - all of whom owe Iggy and The Stooges for blazing the trail. Iggy and Peaches are a kick on "Rock Show" while Sum 41 checks in with the splendid "Little Know It All." Green Day's contributions "Private Hell" and "Supermarket" are also strong. Through it all, Iggy is out front growling and wailing away. Seems like old times.