The Stooges – ‘The Weirdness’ (Virgin) Released 26/03/07

When rumours arose back in 2003 of a Stooges reunion, it had been 30 years since the highly influential group had broken up. Of course Iggy Pop was still touring his wrinkly ass off, dressed in his man suit, cementing himself as one of, if not the greatest rock’n’roll icon to grace a stage, but seriously…it was The Stooges getting back together to collaborate on four tracks that would appear on his solo album ‘Skull Ring’ that created a worldwide echo… “The Stooges back together!” 4 years down the line and the three remaining members minus one original Stooge Dave Alexander, release ‘The Weirdness’, their first album in 34 years.

It kind of goes without saying here that ‘The Weirdness’ is going to be firing blanks in terms of lastability and song quality, and let’s face it, it’s not like Iggy and the Asheton brothers could ever create something now that stood up to what they created back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Having said that, it’s not like they could ever tarnish their reputation or damage their respectability due to their infamous back catalogue either, so in listening to their newest offering, it’s best to take this album with a pinch of salt.

No more than a glorified poster advertising their world tour as a reformed band to some, ‘The Weirdness’ does have some decent moments. Get past the over produced qualities of this record, and it’s not a terrible album, as Steve Albini has tried to create a sense of spontaneity with his recording of the band going at it. Every track sounds as if it only took them a few minutes to write, whether it be Iggys absolutely shit lyrics about checking out chicks on ‘Trollin’ or saying everything is great living in America with ‘Free & Freaky’ or getting high with ‘I’m Fried’, or Ashetons loose and loud guitar lines, it is just an album that shows a band getting off on playing with each other again…ahem.

Of course The Stooges back in the day, only had access to rough recording qualities and minimal equipment and they sounded all the gruffer for it, nowadays its clean and crisp, with the only dirty sounds coming from Ron Ashetons Wah-Wah pedal that sounds like he’s kept it underwater for 30 years and never cleaned his amp (especially on the quite cool ‘My Idea Of Fun’), but the rest of the band, including Iggy sound too clean for comfort, as the vocals are mixed as if they aren’t part of the atmosphere Albini tried to capture as there are no trademark ‘howls’ save a few contrived yelps here and there, maybe giving the impression Mr. Pop doesn’t want to make it look like he wants to hog the limelight, or he just isn’t feeling it anymore.

All said and done ‘The Weirdness’ is worth a listen just to make sure the Asheton brothers can still play, and maybe a more accessible album to help get your little brother into influential music before you throw ‘Funhouse’ at him, just go see The Stooges live and appreciate what they did for all types of metal and punk, as this album is an elbow in the ribs that Iggy Pop ain’t planning on retiring anytime soon.