Iggy & the Stooges - Raw Power
Columbia
February 7th, 1973.
Iggy and the Stooges trailblazed a raucous lane in music history. Their initial three album run of the self-titled debut, 'Fun House' and 'Raw Power' threatened to shake the foundations of the music industry, however largely went over the industries head and under the radar. That was, until time spoke up. We all know that time will eventually tell.
'Raw Power' is the perfectly titled third studio album by the band. 'Raw' being precisely what the project is, and 'Power' being the sheer force of the chaos behind the sound of the band at the time. Nothing else from around this time comes close to the unadulterated and anarchic spirit that found itself inhabiting The Stooges during the recording of this record. A lawlessness hovered at hand. A complete lack of order found itself deep within the psyche of The Stooges. On the edge of an apocalypse everything seems so sane.
James Williamson would join the band after Fun House in 1970 and step up to lead guitar and rhythm duties for Raw Power. In light of this, Ron Asheton would reluctantly take up bass. Williamson's wickedness and alarming sense of urgency ignited a speed and hunger in the bands sound - a rapacious need to gain ground and dismiss everything else. On a subliminal level, the music tends to reflect the inner state of the artist in one way or another - the scars always come to the surface. The demo-like aesthetic that Raw Power packs says a lot with regards to the turmoil and tumult at the time. The wallpaper was indeed peeling off the walls - and that wasn't just from Raw Power's playback. Screws were loose, unwinding and coming completely undone.
The thing shrieks with violence. It radiates a feeling of 'control has been lost, only mayhem remains'. And when only mayhem remains.....
Gimme danger little stranger.....
February 7th, 1973.
