1001 Albums: The Idiot

#387

Album: The Idiot

Artist: Iggy Pop

Year: 1977

Length: 38:49

Genre: Art Rock / Post-Punk

“Things have been tough
Without the dumb dumb boys
I can’t seem to speak
The language
I remember how they
Used to stare at the ground
They looked as if they
Put the whole world
Looked as if they put
The whole world down”

Dum Dum Boys

It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve seen the likes of Iggy Pop. His band The Stooges feels like ages ago but here he is, back and this time solo. Iggy Pop has a very similar story to Bowie when he started his Berlin trilogy. Just like Bowie, Iggy Pop when off to France to kick his drug addiction and with Bowie went into the studio to start writing music again. What we get is a slight departure from his earlier work with The Stooges. The album isn’t as noisy or abrasive but it still feels just as raw, this time emotionally. It feels like a pre-cursor to the post-punk, goth rock scene that was soon to appear, creating a sort of sound and template that clearly would inspire those bands. Iggy Pop was always considered the Godfather of punk so it makes sense those sensibilities would also bleed into the post-punk scene as well.

Here we see a new side to Iggy Pop, one that seems more introspective and vulnerable. Where before he was attacking with chaos outwardly, now he’s doing it inwardly, attacking his own demons and feelings with the same energy he would the listener’s ears before. In doing so, he created an album that is more polished sounding but also seems to be fighting a deeper battle we cannot hear or see. I think it’s a fair assumption to make that Iggy Pop is the titular Idiot of the album, further supported by the song “Dum Dum Boys”, which was an ode to his old band The Stooges. He clearly misses them and has a deep admiration and love for his band, and I’m sure would have loved to have them be a part of this. He was, of course, fighting off his drug addiction when writing the music, so it makes sense that all those feelings would be boiling up inside him and the music, especially lyrically, would reflect what he was going through.

I heard some people say that they have a hard time calling this an Iggy Pop album because a vast majority of the songs and music were written and performed by David Bowie, who was Iggy Pop’s main collaborator (and clearly best friend) on this. Sure, maybe Bowie played a big part in the creation of this album but I would never call it a Bowie album. To me, it still very much feels like Iggy and a big part of that is the lyrics and performance that Iggy delivers that makes that distinction. I love Bowie, but Bowie is Bowie and could never give a performance like Iggy, who is the best Iggy there is. And, I think with the themes of the album and the overall feel of it, having his close friend who was also fighting addiction at the time and making his own albums, really supports the overall feel of the album and just adds to it thematically. Some may not like it but I think it works perfectly well. Plus, how can you complain about a Bowie and Iggy collaboration? Like come on.

I wouldn’t call it my favourite album by Iggy Pop but it’s definitely a strong output. Just the fact he was getting sober and writing new music in a therapeutic way is something I will always be fighting for and it really makes the album hit with a stronger impact to me. I mean, we all have an idiot inside us that we want to control and understand. It’s good to recognise that and allow ourselves to dissect it. Introspection doesn’t come easy to most people, so if you’re able to do it than it’s a great sense of growth on your part, constantly pushing to be the best version of yourself. I will never fault anyone who sues that and puts it into their art because its a positive outlet for these kinds of things (heck he could be doing drugs instead). Anyone who uses art to understand themselves better and express themselves will always be something I encourage and support. Even if I don’t like it or it’s not good, I will always respect it.

Favourite Song: Funtime

-Bosco

1001 Albums: Pink Flag

#380

Album: Pink Flag

Artist: Wire

Year: 1977

Length: 35:37

Genre: Punk Rock / Art Punk / Post-Punk

“Think of a number
Divide it by two
Something is nothing
Nothing is nothing

Open a box
And tear off the lid
Then think of a number
Don’t think of an answer”

Three Girl Rhumba

1! 2! 1 2 X U!!!

Another heavy hitter when it comes to my own personal listening habits. Pink Flag stands as one of my top 50 favourite albums of all time and, according to my Last.Fm statistics, sits as my second most listened to album (although those numbers are easy to rack up when you have 21 songs in your album). There was always something about Wire’s approach to music that just resonated with me. It was a lot of things I was looking for in music, short songs that stayed interesting the whole way through, and seemed to follow the same philosophy I had for when I was writing sketches, the song (or in my case sketch) only needs to be as long as it needs to be. When the song was losing steam or just didn’t feel like it needed more to it, that was it and that’s all it needed. This seems to be Wire’s minimalist approach to songwriting. Cut the fat and just use what feels absolutely needed. As Three Girl Rhumba says “Think of a number. Divide it by two.” A philosophy they used to write this album.

Dubbed a 21 song punk suite, every song here works as part of a whole and the album subverts our expectations and plays around with song structure in fun and interesting ways. Just when you think you know what they’ll do next, they throw you a curve ball with another song doing something different. A lot of people aren’t fans of how short the songs can be, but the beauty of it is that if there is a song you’re not enjoying, it’s done before you really start to dislike and a new one comes around. This is all done tongue in cheek of course, and Wire was both poking fun at the punk scene that they were surrounded by but also at the same time reinventing it into something artful and new. Post-Punk was starting to spread its wings and fly and Pink Flag is one of the first to set that foundation. A bunch of art school students taking punk into their own hands and turning it into something new and pushing ts boundaries and limits until it breaks at the seams. You’d think 21 songs would be excessive, but in the case of Pink Flag its necessary to make its statement.

When I first listened to Pink Flag years and years ago, it was jarring in the best possible way. It made me see art in a new way and how I could approach it myself. Being economical and efficient while still being effective. Say what you need to say with no excess attached to it, while also playing around with the rules and bending them to breaking point without ever actually breaking them. The band would often play their music live by standing on the stage and moving as little as possible. In a time where solos were the craze and musicians were jumping and dancing and moving all about on stage to create theatrics, Wire completely subverted that by practically being mannequins playing their instruments to sometimes confused crowds.

Is this what music could be? Is this what performance could be? The possibilities opened up and there was nothing I felt I couldn’t do on my own terms. Art didn’t have to fit into boxes and rules and regulations anymore. I could do what I felt was right and keep the integrity of my work. I could have a vision and see it through in my way and not any way others wanted me to. I could do something different and that was still a right answer.

Wire really had an impact on me and Pink Flag will always hold a special place in my heart because of it.

Favourite Song: 1 2 X U

-Bosco

P.S. I especially love the humour behind putting 1 2 X U as the last song. A song named after a count-in used to start their songs placed at the end rather than the start is quite funny to me.

Mixtape Monday: Week of December 4th

Weekly Mixtapes Based Off the Albums I Listened to in the Previous Week!

This has to be one of the heftiest mixtape weeks I’ve ever had. As December hit, the end of the year was seen over the horizon and my goal to listen to 1000 albums in the year was soon to be met. I hit album 900 just shy of the beginning of the month and realised I would have to up my listening game if I wanted to meet that goal successfully, which wasn’t aided by my low numbers through November. This week I just kicked into full gear and listened to way more than I ever did. Where I usually average about 26 albums a week, I hit 32 this one, which I couldn’t believe! Almost like I was trying to overcompensate for my low numbers in November. I’m fairly confident that I will achieve my goal before the year ends, but for now, let’s enjoy this week’s playlist that has a variety of some old favourites of mine, some new favourites, new wave, post-punk, classic rock, synths, disco, pop, celtic, metal, art rock, dance and some familiar favourites that rocked the charts.

Slint – Spiderland
Not sure what compelled me to revisit this album. I own it on vinyl and have listened to it maybe twice, not because I don’t enjoy it but mainly because I just have so many albums and so much music that I listen to that I just never got around to listening to this one again. That’s really it. It’s funny because some music communities I am a part of seem to consider this album a masterpiece of sorts and it often gets cited as a great one. I guess I can sort of see where they’re coming from but it might take me a few more listens to potentially be on the same page as these Slint lovers. Either way, still one I enjoy, so good enough, right?
The Slits – Cut
Speaking of albums I personally think are masterpieces. Cut is a solid 10/10 album for me and has always been since the first time I listened to it. There’s an alluring quality to this album that keeps calling me back to it and I often find myself craving a listen. A craving that gets so strong I always have to put it on immediately with no question. Unsure where this craving comes from, but that’s just the power this album has over me and I will never fight it, only ever listen to it.
Le Tigre – Le Tigre
This is becoming my newest album obsession, I cannot get enough of it (which you all know since it keeps appearing on these lists). Since hearing it a few months ago, I’ve become addicted to it. Its music keeps entering my brain and sucking my energy like a parasite… a very cool parasite that I love and have named Bob. It’s quickly rising the ranks as one of my favourites of all time and there’s no doubt I’ll probably listen to it a ton of more times within the next few months. I’m sorry but I just can’t help it.
Magazine – The Correct Use of Soap
Spotify’s wrapped just came around and without fail, Because You’re Frightened (the opening song on this album) was my most listened to song for the fourth year in a row. There was only one thing I could really do to celebrate that and that was to listen to the album.
The Damned – Damned Damned Damned
I got a new rose! I got her good! Guess I knew that I always would!
KISS – Rock and Roll Over
Continuing my discography listen of KISS which had me question, why KISS, why now? So many bands I could do a discography listen to and for whatever reason I’m doing KISS? Why? Because I just felt like it, that’s why. That’s the best answer you’ll get.
Meco – Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk
This album at some point came up in conversation. I hadn’t thought about it in probably over a year or so, and just hearing it had me inspired to give it a listen. I’m always down for some goofy disco music, why not have it be Star Wars disco? Funny little thing I discovered, on Spotify, is that the listening bar is actually a lightsaber! Was a fun little thing to discover as I listened!
The Cars – Shake It Up
I find myself thinking of The Cars sometimes, but never really ever going back to any of their albums, even though I basically own all of them on vinyl. I definitely think of them more than I listen to them so I felt it made sense to go back and listen to one of their albums. Their debut felt like it made sense, but it’s the one I’ve heard the most, so I diverted my course to Shake it Up, just to… shake things up a bit… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA… ha.
Crispy Ambulance – The Plateau Phase
Never heard of this band but it was suggested to me by Spotify. With a name like Crispy Ambulance, seemed like a sure-fire winner for a person like me. And I can say, I was not disappointed. Thank you, Spotufy, you really seem to understand my music tastes as a whole. I appreciate it.
Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
A personal favourite I wanted to revisit. Nothing much to say about that. I love this album. I wanted to listen to this album. I listened to it. There. That’s all. It’s a great album. Go listen to it yourself. Do it. I dare you. Now. GO!
Bratmobile – Pottymouth
Poopy, caca, doodoo, peepee.
Duran Duran – Rio
As I prepare for my next improv show where I use my albums as inspiration for improv sets, I felt I needed to actually listen to those albums again in order to A) figure out what to say about them and B) find which 30-second clip I’d go with for the show. Rio had so many great songs to choose from, but I ultimately went with the title song, although Hungry Like the Wolf almost won, Rio just had that extra edge.
Van Halen – 1984
This was the second album I was listening to for my show. I’ve always loved Van Halen and since this album was referenced at last month’s show, it only made sense to include it in the next. Another album where the selection of songs is so great that choosing a specific one was hard, but Panama has always been my favourite, so why not just go with what I love, right?
This Heat – Deceit
My parents were on the way to my place and since listening to certain kinds of music would be difficult to listen to while they’re around (mainly because they hate it), I took the opportunity to revisit this one while I still had the chance. I had only listened to it once before, so my memory of it was pretty low so it needed another listen so I could at least have a mild remembrance of it as a whole other than just I remember enjoying it.
Justice – Cross
It plays, I dance, dance is good exercise, I like to dance, this album makes you dance, it plays, I dance.
Michael Jackson – Thriller
This is a classic and basically is the proof as to why Michael Jackson is the king of pop. There’s just so many hits on this album, it’s unbelievable. This was the next album I had chosen for my show and the one I had the hardest time picking a song from because of just how many hits there are on it that people would recognise. It was a struggle but I think I made the right choice… I think… it could change… damn…
Supertramp – Breakfast in America
Final album I listened to for my show and I waited until my dad was over to listen to it since Supertramp is his favourite band and I believe this is his favourite album by them. Any time I can have those bonding moments with my parents, I will take them.
The Teardrop Explodes – Kilimanjaro
This is another album I love that I hadn’t listened to in a while and wanted to listen to again. Nothing more to that. I wanted to listen to it and so I did and now here it is. I love this album, I listen to it frequently. Thank you. *bows*
Ian Dury – New Boots and Panties!!
This reminds me… I need to buy boots for winter.
Blondie – Parallel Lines
I had the thought of how great One Way or Another would be for a villain song in a show and found myself playing that over and over in my head. Although, I was specifically thinking of the version from Hocus Pocus 2, it just meant I would come back to this album at some point from singing it so much to myself.
The Jam – All Mod Cons
I love The Jam and I feel they don’t get as much attention as they rightfully deserve. All Mod Cons was one of their critically acclaimed albums that I was the least familiar with, having spent my time listening to Sound Affects and Setting Sons way more often. Was time to give this one some love.
Frank Zappa – Ahead of Their Time
Can you believe I’m finally reaching the end of my Frank Zappa discography listen? Every year I say I’ll do it and every year I inevitably lose track of which album I left off of… not this year. I tracked them and after this one… there is only one Frank Zappa album to listen to (that is part of his discography before he died, because there’s a lot of posthumous releases). I did it… I finally did it!
Cardiacs – Sing To God
I had time at work where I could listen to an album and seeing how Cardiacs albums are not available in convenient ways for me to listen to, this was the perfect time to pop open Youtube and listen to this behemoth of an album. Any chance I get to listen to Cardiacs I will.
XTC – Black Sea
Here’s an album that is in my top 10 favourites that I rarely get to listen to mainly due to how hard it is to come by. It isn’t on Spotify sadly and seeing as I either would listen to it on Vinyl or Youtube, it doesn’t get the amount of rotations it deserves and I, disappointingly, often forget about it, despite its place as one of my top 10 favourites. Regardless, that just means when I do finally come around to listening to it again it still packs that punch that I always got from it. This album never fails to disappoint.
Adam Ant – Friend or Foe
There’s an ongoing trend with these albums this week, where I just listened to them because I was in the mood to. It’s an album i enjoy and just at that particular moment really wanted to listen to it. So I did. I listened to this album. This one right here. Adam Ant’s Friend or Foe. I almost got to see the tour where he performed it in its entirety. He was playing at a venue right across the street from where I was doing a show that I thought would run at the same time as the concert but ended up finishing before it even started… I was not happy that day. So sad.
Dexys Midnight Runners – Too Rye Ay
Come on eileen, you know what I mean, you say you dono, andyouwaaayiiionnaa. Or whatever it is he’s saying through the song… I don’t know, but damn are these tunes great.
Japan – Obscure Alternatives
Never have I ever seen a white man trying so hard to become a Japanese man than with David Sylvain. It’s that hair, dude’s tyring real hard to seem like he’s straight out of an anime and I don’t even think anime existed in the way we know it now back then… or did it? My history on anime is basically non-existent.
The Clash – The Clash
I kept telling myself I was going to listen to this album for a while, but every time I finished an album and went on to the next, I completely forgot that I told myself I was going to listen to this one next. I finally remembered and got to revisit my love for this wonderful debut album by one of the most influential punk bands of all time. Wowzeroony.
Fleetwood Mac – Tusk
I was listening to the song Tusk, which is a song I love dearly and listen to quite a lot, and just thought to myself “hmm, why don’t I just listen to the album, why not?”. There’s incredible strength in that one simple question, Why Not? The power of Why Not? Is so strong that it can get anyone to do basically anything. If faced with any situation, all you have to do is go Why Not? And it will propel you into it, hands-free, head first, without a parachute. TUSK!
They Might Be Giants – The Else
I took a break from my They Might Be Giants discography listen but this week seemed like THE week to just tackle every music listening mood I was in. I already did KISS and Frank Zappa, so why not also do They Might Be Giants (there’s that why not again!). I’m super close to getting to the end of this one, with two bands done, it will give me so much more space for other discographies to listen to! Who will it be? Who Knows! The anticipation is killing me! (but not really).
Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Let’s Face It
I didn’t know what album to listen to next, so reached out to Cristina to give me one. After she so hilariously declared the vague idea of CHRISTMAS, she eventually suggested this one after I turned it down saying I was saving Christmas albums for closer to actual Christmas (yes they are indeed coming). She had The Impression I Get stuck in her head for a bit after hearing it at her job and from there thought it’d be a good recommendation for me. Seeing as I love Ska music, yes, this was indeed a great recommendation and to this day I’m shocked I hadn’t heard it during my big Ska phase in my early 20s.
Tonio K. – Life in the Foodchain
I don’t know anyone who knows Tonio K. or has even heard of him. One guy I do know is a fan, though, is Weird Al Yankovic, who did not one but TWO style parodies of the man (his songs “Happy Birthday” and “I Was Only Kidding” are in the style of Tonio K.). That’s how I discovered this gem of an album, being a huge lover of Weird Al and his song Happy Birthday (which still gets heavy rotation on my speakers) I just had to check out the original artist, which led me to this album. It’s one of those albums I own that feel like a little treasure that I pull out to show to people and has been for the last ten years or so. Always feels like a nice treat to revisit it.
Gang of Four – Entertainment!
What better way to end the week than with the jerky aggression and leftist politics of the post-punk band Gang of Four.

-Bosco