Iggy Pop
Skull Ring

THE REVIEW

Class is not water

"I composed some pieces for a contemporary dance work, worked on the script for a new film, participated in a couple of feature films, and found time, between commitments, to design a new line of condoms... and I had a lot of fun.".

With these words, the rock Iguana Iggy Pop announced the release of his new CD, Skull Ring, the result of a collaboration—after thirty years of separation—with Ron and Scott Asheton (The Stooges), with whom he produced four songs ("It was not difficult to find Ron, he has had the same phone number since 1973!").

In Skull Ring, we also find his friends The Trolls, his personal band, but not only that: the indestructible Iggy wanted new forces for his new album. From the height of his thirty-year experience, he shares music with a rare (I would say unique) spirit of sharing aimed at the younger generation: to "rejuvenate" his sound, he relied on the experience of the melo-punkers Green Day and Sum41 (a highly criticized choice by purists), whose freshness and melodicity Iggy appreciates.
While with Peaches, another collaborator, the relationship is based on utmost respect; the singer has gained his favor. An exchange of tracks (two by Peaches on Iggy's album, one by Iggy on Peaches' album) solidified this alliance that feels like a divine consecration for the Canadian singer.

But enough chatter about this ineffable, vigorous, unparalleled artist. Let's get to the heart of it (!), let's move on to the new album.
Skull Ring kicks off with an energetic Little Electric Chair, and things are clear from the start: pure Stooges garage rock 'n' roll. A delight.
Perverts In The Sun and Skull Ring ("Skull ring, fast cars, hot chikies, fancy things…") follow the same exciting coordinates. '70s lysergic flavors with Superbabe, then Loser, Private Hell, Little Know It All: pure Detroit style punk: metallic, fast, immediate, sharp.
Follows Dead Rock Star, a wonderful track suited for a mescaline-infused Bowie. A scream with Rock Show and Motor Inn by and with Peaches.

In conclusion: with the Trolls, we're in the psych-seventies r 'n' r area, with Green Day and Sum41 comes a sharp, elastic, non-commercial punk-rock.
With the Stooges, well, it's already clear: this sound kicks ass! And with Peaches... forget White Stripes and all today's pseudo rock 'n' roll couples! Here we have the Real Attitude, made of blood and sweat.

In total, fourteen tracks that will silence all the young sprouts of nu-garage rock 'n' roll for a while. As Iggy himself says: "These young gentlemen today know the scores perfectly, but they don't even know what it means to vomit..." Holy words!

In conclusion: this is the record to impose on your teenage brother who dabbles with nu-metal nihilism.
It could be the right time for him to convert to the wholesome and pure punk rock 'n' roll...