Originally released in February 1973, Raw Power was the third, final and most brutal record by legendary Detroit rockers the Stooges. After being dropped by Elektra in 1971 due to the poor sales of their first 2 albums, 1969's self titled debut and the 1970 follow-up Fun House, the original group had for all intents and purposes disbanded. A meeting between frontman Iggy Pop and David Bowie led to Pop signing on with Bowie's management company and heading to London with guitarist James Williamson to start writing a Pop solo album. Unable to find a suitable rhythm section, they called upon the services of Stooges members Ron and Scott Asheton, with Ron switching to bass from his previous role as guitarist. The newly renamed Iggy & the Stooges began recording in earnest in late 1972.
There is not much that can be said about this album that the title doesn't already imply. From the opener "Search & Destroy" through the finale of "Death Trip" it is a fully charged, nihilistic behemoth of slashing riffs, primal rhythms and Pop's one of a kind yelp. The new Legacy edition features a remastered version of Bowie's original mix, which is quite different from the previously reissued 1997 version that was mixed by Iggy himself. While the Iggy version brings out all of the bottom end that was lost in the Bowie mix and gives the album an overall heavier feel, which I personally like better, this version of the Bowie mix is not without it's merits. With the vocals and guitar pushed way up in the mix it has a slightly more lo-fi quality that was definitely picked up on by the early punk rockers who lay just around the corner.
Also of special interest is the bonus disc, which contains a full show from October of 1973 at Richard's in Atlanta. With Iggy in prime audience berating mode the group plows through most of Raw Power's tracks and a few until now unreleased gems. Although the playing is great throughout the show, there are hints of the troubles that would destroy the band only a few months later. It's funny to hear at one point an audience member saying "I don't think he (Iggy) likes us very much." Truer words could not have been spoken.
Comments
Sunday April 18, 2010 05:57pm
Duncan I don't think the Bowie mix is that bad. Its overstated guitar and vocals make the song weird and give it an edgy mood. Bowie could have turned the drums and bass up, but thats obviously everybody else's first move. Bowie knows.
Friday April 16, 2010 03:26pm
britches love this album. absolutely HATE the Bowie mix. why, why, why didn't they use the 1997 Iggy mix for this "deluxe" edition. the show disc is great though.
Originally released in February 1973, Raw Power was the third, final and most brutal record by legendary Detroit rockers the 
