Boasting the raw, throttling, out-of-control energy of a spastic, super-inebriated Jim Morrison fronting a punchier version of the MC5; the direct influence of Iggy and The Stooges (guitarist James Williamson, drummer Scott Asheton and bassist Ron Asheton) via this, one of the all-time filthiest sounding major musical influence ever recorded, can still be seen, felt or heard thanks to the thousands of bands who've cited or stolen from it in the 25 years since its release.
Bemoaned for its "speakers in a garbage can when it was mixed" sound, Columbia/Legacy recently commissioned Iggy to remix, remaster and otherwise repair the damage he and David Bowie inadvertently did to the album during production back in 1973.
Still sounding as if it were originally recorded in someones garage on a cheap cassette deck, Iggy's contribution to the tweaking of a classic was to intensify and increase the impact of the bass and drums on all tracks; clarify elements such as the acoustic guitar and tambourine on "Gimme Danger," the celeste on "Penetration" and the piano on the title track; add proper endings to songs that used to fade-out; and reduce the thin, fragile, tinny sound of the guitars and vocals throughout. The end result is the extreme power and sonic wallop always promised - but never quite delivered - by one of the rock-era's most important records.
Featuring a 14-page interview with the Iggster and a slew of classic Mick Rock photographs, this is the definitive version of an essential piece of work.
