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THE REVIEW
Funhouse perfectly captures the peculiar characteristics of the early '70s Stooges sound: dirty and raw sounds (despite a rock increasingly aimed toward the refinement of the same), hoarse and raucous voice, almost like the barking of a dog (totally out of place when compared to the crystalline throats of other singers of the time, see Ian Gillian) and a fundamental honesty and urgency that seeps from every groove (the attitude underlying the subsequent punk movement).
What to say about the various tracks? You could write an encyclopedia, but space is what it is. It starts with "Down on the Street" and already the Iguana debuts with his typical howls. The song unfolds obsessively and directly, supported by an obsessive rhythm. Then you dive into the heart of the album with a spine-chilling sequence.
First "Loose", with a FANTASTIC bass line and Iggy declaring his moral and physical dissoluteness. The same goes for “T.V. Eye”, (T.V. standing for “Thwart Vibe”, liberally translatable as “lustful gaze”, thus nothing to do with the cathode ray tube), which begins with a “Lord” shouted at the top of his lungs and a progression as simple as it is engaging, all interspersed with Iggy's pure vocal delirium.
"Dirt", with its 7 minutes of languid progression, seems like a macabre voodoo liturgy. We reach the album's highlight: 1970. A track with a monstrous drive that ends with a psychedelic and mad sax-based coda (?!) while Iggy keeps shouting "I feel alright!" These 5 tracks alone would suffice to define it as a masterpiece. The title track and the following “L.a. Blues”, the latter barely 5 minutes of improvisation between noise and jazz, are the seal of one of the most important and influential albums of the last 30 years.
"She got a T.V Eye on me"
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Summary by Bot
Funhouse perfectly captures the raw, urgent sound of early 70s punk rock led by Iggy Pop’s hoarse vocals. The review praises key tracks like "Loose," "T.V. Eye," and "1970" for their energy and innovation. It highlights the album's honest, unrefined sound that influenced punk music. The blend of rock and jazz elements also underscores its lasting importance. Overall, Funhouse is hailed as a masterpiece and a pivotal album in rock history.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
The Stooges
The Stooges were an American rock band formed in Michigan, widely cited as a key proto-punk act. Fronted by Iggy Pop, they became known for raw, distorted guitars, confrontational performances, and influential late-60s/early-70s albums including their 1969 debut and 1970’s Fun House. They later reunited and released The Weirdness.13 Reviews
Other reviews
By Enkriko
"This is the pure essence of rock and roll: a primitive genius coming out of the cave with his club and shouting 'BUAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH'"
"The scream of TV eye my god! This is true liberation, this is true lust!"
By vito
No other record can make me instantly forget everything around me so quickly... A cathartic explosion of innate sonic power.
We are the fucking Stooges!!!! Let the delirium begin!!!! ROCK'N'ROLL!!!!! With a capital R, not like that of Mt*.
By Rooftrampler92
"Fun House is the product of a few guys who want to separate themselves from moralism and conformism and want to show who they really are."
"'Down on the Street' is the first example of a nihilistic rock; the very title 'On the Street' is the spokesperson for a group of bastards raised on the street with distorted guitars and anger inside."
By silian87
You may starve, but at least the heart must be fed... we are still human after all.
These gentlemen are the Stooges: take or leave, hate or love, ignore or listen.
