It is so refreshing to see a long-standing artist who is not relying on his old fame. There are only a few of them who are perpetually pushing the boundaries of their self-expression. Take that, Madonna.
Iggy Pop is one of them. He still swims in the waters of rock music with strong self-confidence. He is searching for new artistic islands. This time, he has found an island in Josh Homme, the man behind Queens of the Stone Age. No man is an island but two of them might be. These fellas went together on a trip nearby Joshua Tree where Homme has a studio, and piece of highly original work emerged. We lost Bowie, but we still have Pop.
Iggy Pop likes to redefine himself as an artist. Over the past few years, he has been doing it more radical than ever before in his career. His first revolutionary turn was Preliminaires, inspired by Houellebecque’s novel Possibility of an Island. As he enjoyed singing in French, he decided to take another similar adventure and release a record called Apres. He honored Serge Gainsbourg, Edith Piaf, Georges Brassens, Henri Salvador, etc.
Now it’s time for a modern, stoner sound, the one that Homme demonstrated to us on Like Clockwork. PostPop Depression is close to being a masterpiece. Opening track Break Into Your Heart is the best indicator. Multiple vocal transitions, amplitudish character of the song and recognizable obscure guitar sound. Modern rock at its best.
Gardenia is a potential hit that reminds me of Lanegan in his light phase. Lyrics describe Pop’s experience of real America: cheap motels, cheap prostitutes, the smell of gasoline. It creates a strong mental image when you listen to it. This fabulous narrative structure continues in American Valhalla, In the Lobby and Sunday. The middle of the album is weak, but with the song Vulture everything falls back into its right place. Another pearl is Paraguay, the epic closer of this interesting effort.
Pop is telling us he is still alive. He is telling us he is still dying for art. You take your motherfucking laptop and just shove it into your goddamn foul mouth and down your shit heel gizzard.
