Retro Reviews: Iggy Pop and the Stooges: Raw Power

 

    I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums. 

Iggy Pop and the Stooges: Raw Power (1973)

****

Producers: Iggy Pop, David Bowie

Musicians: Iggy Pop, James Wiliamson, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton

Songs: Search and Destroy, Gimmie Danger, Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell, Penetration, Raw Power, I Need Someone, Shake Appeal, Death Trip

Reviewed by Matthew Anthony Allair

    This album is about as liberating as one could expect, it is brash and fun within the darkness, New guitarist James Williamson who replaced Ron Asheton who takes over on bass, he brings a freshness and a different groove that their prior, James offers some incredible and firey lead guitar work throughout. The album opener, “Search and Destroy” is the mission statement, even if some could argue the lyrics seem nonsensical, this is glorious. The second track, “Gimmie Danger” is as close to a ballad as one can expect with some acoustic guitar and, Iggy playing a moody piano. “Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell” is another savage number and just demonstrates that the Stooges are one of those rare street bands, they always went against the grain of Hippie idealism. “Penetration” has a clever guitar hook, they aren’t just playing hard down strokes, and Iggy plays a celesta which manages to give it an additional menace.

    Side two’s “Raw Power” has some more moody piano by Iggy, one issue has to do with the mix where the drummer and bassist tend to get drowned out in the mix, and this is self-evident with certain numbers.  “I Need Somebody” is one of the more interesting cuts on the album, the other bluesy ballad with some menacing chords and a good vocal from Iggy. While new, “Shake Appeal” manages to have a retro fifties spirit in it’s vibe. “Death Trip” has a great groove for an album closer but probably runs a little long, which is my only complaint.

    David Bowie is listed as co producer, but it doesn’t feel like he had much interference here, whereas with ‘Transformer’ Bowie and Mick Ronson were very present, it sounds like Iggy and the band were given free reign here. I don’t know if this album could be considered ‘glam’ as it is heavier than what you’d expect, and the band has less restraint than would see with later period Velvet Underground. There are enough musical innovations within the writing and playing that this album feels a few years ahead of its time, but perhaps it is of its time and we just haven’t caught up yet. Recommended.