Essential for anyone interested in the roots of post-punk and alternative music (The Idiot - Iggy Pop)

Member Name: mh42

Product:	The Idiot - Iggy Pop
Date:	21/01/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Features some of Iggy's most enduring solo numbers such 'Night Clubbing' and 'China Girl'

Disadvantages: None, this album is beyond criticism in my mind!

When Iggy Pop began touring for his first solo album title 'The Idiot' many critics criticized him for being a mere puppet for the artistic whims of a certain Davy Jones. Whether or not this is the case or not this is a seminal album and proved to be the inspiration for countless bands over the next 25 years.

A complete departure from his earlier work with the stooges (and indeed his last collaboration with Bowie 'Raw Power') 'The Idiot' incorporates a cold metallic European sound which is obviously indebted to bands like Krafftwerk and the Walker Brothers (with their album 'Nite Flights').

Each track follows a theme of regret and self loathing (see "Dum Dum Boys") and mechanical menace. There is indeed a stylist similarity to Bowies next album 'Low' in many of the songs which are collaborations (see "sister midnight") but the album due mostly to iggy's vocal charisma means that it is a much warmer experience than Bowies cold post cocaine depression.

Essential for anyone interested in the roots of post-punk and alternative music

Summary: Essential for anyone interested in the roots of post-punk and alternative music