Iggy Pop “The Idiot”
Iggy Pop’s The Idiot is a record that breaks a lot of rules musically. It’s sweet but classless. It’s reminiscent as well as groundbreaking. Its sound is timeless as it is dated. This album will make you as confused as the mad men who wrote it. This is classic Iggy for the main reason that it’s nothing like he’s done before. It’s immediately likable for that best of reasons: because you don’t have a clear-cut idea of why you like it.
As soon as Sister Midnight kicks in, the influences of the album’s co-author are evident. David Bowie (specifically of the Berlin Trilogy variety) touched this project. The man produced it and shares writing royalties from the first to last track, and it’s heard throughout.
This undoubtedly had a major hand in pop’s new direction, but that’s not to undermine the growth of Iggy as an artist.
This record showcases a lyrical prowess that wasn’t always expressed with The Stooges. Maybe it was the lack of the machine gun guitars, presence of the more soulful Bowie (prevalent on the trackTiny Girls) or the stay in the mental hospital that changed him, but pop music morphed.
Nightclubbing has a heartbeat intro that slowly bleeds life into the rest of the arrangement. It rises like a sedated Frankenstein and moves heavily towards Iggy’s lyrics “ which have him sounding like he’s singing in an S & M themed karaoke bar. The song, along with Funtime and Dum Dum Boys, sets the stage for the new theme of the record – Iggy’s taking his time. He’s going to sing these songs slow and steady, fused with a new baritone and an amazing grasp of minimalist songwriting. China Girl is a perfect example. Take in the lines of any of these songs at face value and they can be dismissed just as easily as they were ingested. Accept the flaws and you will be rewarded.
Some may long for the frenzied sound of Raw Power. Some may dismiss the otherworldliness that reels in Mass Production – the closing track. But deserters will miss out on a lot of what makes The Idiot such an iconic album¦the mood.
Iggy would make another record (the also brilliant Lust For Life) with Bowie at the helm the same year before moving on. Both are poignant because they accomplish a true rarity: a recording that is testament to a time when an artist had nothing to lose.
“Baby”
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James, Nicely said. Looking forward to hearing more from your later ‘pre-punk’ perspective. Thanks for contributing to therisingstorm!
Iggy Pop is, without a doubt, a legend in the rock n’ roll world. It’s not very often when a frontman like that comes along, however I’m proud to say I found one
http://www.myspace.com/programthedead
They do a great Doors cover
Thanks for your contribution…viva la rock n’ roll!!
Eighteen when this came out, I loved it from the start. The Idiot is proto-post-punk, gothic, industrial; it’s such a pivotal, significant record. I disagree with any claim that it sounds dated and the fact that it didn’t sound like Iggy didn’t bother me in the least. In fact, when Lust for LIfe came out I was bitterly disappointed it didn’t sound like The Idiot II (I’ve since gained a begrudging respect for it). Every song is a winner, the ambiance and the atmosphere are profound, Iggy is in the best voice of his career, and Bowie’s production is probably as good as it ever got. I imprinted on this record. I can’t love it enough.