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| Walhello -> Knowledge Base -> CDs -> I -> Iggy Pop New Values |
| Iggy Pop - New Values Band: Iggy Pop Tracks: - Tell Me a Story - New Values - Girls - I'm Bored - Don't Look Down - Endless Sea - Five Foot One - How Do Ya Fix a Broken Part - Angel - Curiosity - African Man - Billy Is a Runaway - Chains [*] - Pretty Flamingo [*] From Central Park To Shanty Town I just bought this CD yesterday after being overjoyed to discover that Buddha Records had released a remastered, pumped-up edition of Iggy's New Values, and boy am I Glad I did. If you buy this CD, and also track down Soldier, The Idiot, Lust for Life and Kill City (recorded in 1975 but unreleased till 1977), you've got the best of Iggy's post-Stooges albums, and New Values is easily the greatest of that bunch. Besides the fact that this is one of Iggy's greatest and funniest albums, we also now get two Strong unreleased bonus tracks, "Chains" and "Pretty Flamingo," both of which are Strong enough that they could have made the original album. New Values has been one of My Favorite records for the past ten years--now I can retire my faded tape copy and play this lovely shimmering CD version. The sound is even better than before, hardly any hiss that I can detect at the high end, amazing for a recording released in 1979 and recorded on analog equipment--Iggy jumps out of the speakers at you, as well he should! Do something a 5'1" man can do and go buy this CD... "I'd Split My Skull...All For Your Love" Let's face it, Iggy's "solo" career is patchy at best. Even longterm fans have to force themselves to be selective. If you thought "American Ceasar" was great and "Naughty Little Doggie" a toss off, we're on the same page. However, most fans would agree that NEW VALUES is a highpoint. Like the now classic, LUST FOR LIFE, NEW VALUES maintains a sense of vigor and Focus unlike his other albums in the late 70's and early 80's. Inspite of the the excesses of BLAH BLAH BLAH, it's also Iggy's most successful "Pop" album. Which is odd, considering it was produced by an ex-Stooge: James Williamson. From "Tell Me A Story" to "Curiousity" the songs, production and playing are first rate. "I'm Bored" features Iggy at his most gleefully tongue and cheek. And who doesn't Love a song about "Girls"? When he nonchalantly breaks into Gershwin's "Summertime" it makes me wonder just how much of it was off the cuff. On "Don't Look Down" and "Endless Sea" things get a little more epic. "Down" is plain haunting. And while, "Sea" gets a little too deep for it's own good, the honest to God passion behind it saves the day. Though Iggy's not really known for his romantic side, "Angel" has to be one of his best ballads since "Turn Blue". When he sings, "I'd split my skull all for your love" I want to cry. A charming sentiment and a beautiful song. It ranks as one of my favorites. Now if you're looking for more of the classic Iggy, "5 Foot 1" is still a staple in his Live shows and for good reason. But things sour a bit on "African Man". True, it's good inane fun but the whole thing comes off more like some jam session outtake and is just a cut below the rest. And I have to confess, "Billy Is A Runaway" tends to get on my nerves. Though it's grown on me over the years, it's just one of those things you have to be in the mood for. Now say what you will, a lot of reissued albums are ruined by the inclusion of bonus tracks. Though a nice fringe benefit for curious fans, there's usually a damn good reason they didn't make it on the album. I'm happy to say that "Chains" and "Pretty Pink Flamingo" are exceptions. They're both great little songs and compliment more than Disrupt the procedings. So despite a few questionable moments, 98% of this album rocks. No self-respecting fan can Live without it. The extra tracks are good ones. My favorite Iggy Pop album just got better. The two extra tracks are not clunkers, Chains would have fit alongside the rest of the tracks on the album and Pretty Flamingo is just that, an unusually pretty ballad. For over a decade I had to get by with the expensive import CD. Thankfully New Values as well as the 2 other Arista albums are now available domestically. This album has lyrics that are dark, sarcastic, ironic, and menacing while at the same time having no profanity. The music is interesting, subtle and understated, not blaring and in the red like Raw Power (which I like too) It shows the performer at the height of his talents. He had become a mature artist, and it could no longer be said that it took David Bowie's production to get a sophisticated album out of him. Warning: the Politically Correct may take offense at the African Man track. It's pretty much what you'd imagine, primitive jungle stuff done Iggy-style with broken English. Buy Iggy Pop New Values at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.comJamster - the latest ringtones for your phone! |
