Avenue B [Explicit Lyrics, Import]

Iggy Pop | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Import
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B00000K4FD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,340 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

James "Iggy" Osterberg's last album of the second millennium is at once confounding, yet immensely compelling. The Godfather of Punk once again largely eschews the anarchic sturm und drang upon which he built his legend to pick up the strangely warm (for him), often nakedly introspective thread that runs from Zombie Birdhouse through Brick by Brick. As on the latter, Iggy has entrusted his reflections to producer and hired gun to the stars Don Was. To both their credits, the result is fresh, textured, and surprising. There are no less than four soul-baring monologues on which Ig's resonant baritone is set against the sort of brooding orchestral backdrop that composer Howard Shore might provide for one of David Cronenberg's more effective nightmares. There are other quirky surprises here: the effective use of Blue Note jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood and a convincing '50s rock-crooner take on Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' chestnut "Shakin' All Over." Yet Iggy's epic, multihued sardonicism remains gratefully intact, as witnessed by the edgy hilarity of "Nazi Girlfriend," the disquieting "Miss Argentina," and the seemingly tongue-in-cheek Latin loopiness of "Ya Yo Habla Espanol." This is not solely a reflection on the break-up of his decade-long marriage, but rather a complex, uneasy meditation on aging, solitude, corruption, and one wide-eyed soul's place in the world. None of it has yet killed him, and we're all the stronger for it. If it's an album more in tune with Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours than anything Ig's godchildren have managed in a decade, just soak it up. The man's taste is impeccable. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

His 1999 album for Virgin. Out-of-print domestically.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you dare look away?, December 3, 1999

By 

Bernard Perusse - See all my reviews

This review is from: Avenue B (Audio CD)

Albums don't often come this brutally frank and some of the raw --- and graphic --- desperation makes the listener cringe. As far as the music goes, however, let's go out on a limb here: the Ig hasn't hit such a focused groove since 1979's New Values --- maybe not even since The Idiot (1977). Acoustic guitars wash over the crooning delivery and (sit down for this) arresting melodies are all over the place. When an artist takes a risk like this, there is usually a dud track or two, so you have to sit through the odd vile lyric (Nazi Girlfriend is the biggest embarrassment), a few brief spoken interludes that are strictly hit-or-miss and the strangely irritating and overlong I Felt the Luxury. In spite of all that, Pop hasn't sounded this good in a couple of decades.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Iggy, mature and introspective--an oxymoron? Hell no!, October 27, 1999

By 

William Errickson Jr. (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Avenue B (Audio CD)

What a sobering, reflective, naked album. I'm not sure how many of Ig's old fans this will appeal to, but actually I know a few people who are really thrilled he's taken some chances with this album. It's scary to listen to because he's so honest about himself, as in "She Called Me Daddy." I love the odd "Nazi Girlfriend" and "Miss Argentina." There are great tunes here, Iggy's in fine form, the production is smoky and understated, and even the cover "Shakin' All Over" has a muted, restrained feel that works. I'm glad Iggy's using his art to reflect the changes in his life; the opening lines "It was the winter of my 50th year when it hit me" are as bold and startling as anything the Stooges ever did--think about it: Iggy Pop has been with us for half of the twentieth century. Goddamn. Thanks, man. Thanks a lot.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Iggy's accessible beatnik rocknroll, December 15, 2003

By 

jj bruno "jbrunodog" (morris, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Avenue B (Audio CD)

Let's face it, Iggy's an acquired taste for most. His albums have never sold much, and therefore his following over a 35 year career is hardcore and loyal. This AVENUE B however, works on a few levels. Play it for someone who likes artists like the Stones, Dylan, U-2, Neil Young, Van Morrison, John Lennon, Doors, and who have heard of Iggy but never bought any of his work, and they'll probably like this. Long-time Stooges/Iggy fans might like some of it, but find the rest forgetable or boring. Even Iggy must find it boring however, to stick to the same musical range he's been doing since '69, and the beatnik poet side of him was probably looking for expression after passing his 50th year. The honesty of the lyrics on AVENUE B rival that of John Lennon on his 1970 PLASTIC ONO BAND album, with its stripped down sound, and overall openness. To the casual Iggy fan, I suggest this along with his BEST OF album to get a good taste of Iggy's musical range. And to his hardcore loyal following, I say cut him a break. He returned to your narrow musical fold with BEAT 'EM UP and SKULL RING, OK?