Today the band is regarded as an early inspiration for punk rock, heavy metal and alternative rock, with an almost iconic status. But back then they didn't sell at all and the first two albums sank quickly. They had a live reputation, but the public often responded with hate and violence. Electra records saw no future for the group and dropped them in 1970. One of their early fans was David Bowie (Iggy...Ziggy...Stooges...Spiders...a coincidence? I don't think so) and he set out to save the group, picked up the remains and got them a new contract with Columbia. This LP was recorded in London CBS studios September and October 1972. Iggy himself produced and initially mixed the whole album, but the result was considered too crude and Bowie was asked to re-mix it. The Iggy mix had only used 3 channels of 24 with vocals on one, lead guitar on second and the rest of the band on third, so there wasn't much Bowie could do but altering volume on either vocals or guitar. So on this the background comes through very dense with little or non separation, while the vocals and lead guitar partly seems bright and loud in comparison. For decades I thought that was the original plan and really dug into it. Listening today, knowing the history, I don't mind if the audio is half-bad. It is a true classic and one of the rawest albums ever. Most critics liked it back then, but it didn't sell much on release, peaking at #182 at Billboard and staying away from the UK charts. First US on Columbia (KC 32111) with b/w picture inner and sticker on front. Premiere UK with label as seen here, thin matt cover and b/w picture inner. (ÅGGÅ*)
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