The album is a very good one, and if I were into one word summaries, it would be "energy". The record bristles with intensity and vigour, and the recording took place in as close to a live setting as possible, with the original individually isolated instrumental recordings being discarded.
I actually knew two of the tracks via cover versions; Down on the Street and Dirt by Rage Against the Machine and Depeche Mode respectively. Whilst the first is a great album opener for the Stooges, and really sets out their agenda, it is the second of these tracks that I found myself most enjoying. Chloe had the same response - it really is the stand out track on the album, with its appropriately filthy bassline and lyrical content, and some excellent solo performances. TV Eye is a very catchy tune, and 1970 has some excellent moments. LA Blues is the only track on the album that seems to lose its way a bit, and lose a bit of the vitality so prevalent elsewhere.
I've always wondered what it must be like to be in a band that transitions from being named "X" to "Lead singer and the Xs". However, from the very outset of this album it is apparent that Iggy is the star of the show. It is impossible to listen to it without picturing him prowling around the studio, frantically gyrating, screeching and stomping. This is one album that works much, much better on speakers than headphones, as the soundstage really opens up.
Overall this was a very enjoyable album, and I can see why it was so influential. I will definitely return to a few of the tracks, but it's not quite consistently engaging enough to get a higher score.
Chloe's rating: 7
Chloe favourite track: 4. Dirt
Olly's rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 4. Dirt
Next week's album is 415. Q: Are we not Men? A: We are Devo! by Devo, a band I have read a lot about in Simon Reynold's superb "Rip it up and start again".
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