Metallic K.O. [Import, Live]

Iggy & The Stooges | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: Freud-Jungle Full
• ASIN: B000023ZC3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,540 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Metallic K.O. isn't quite as epochal as its reputation would have you believe. Time has had its way with it, diluting its original impact, not just through the natural ebb and flow of time, but in the way that historical accuracy has provided a record that might be true to the letter but betrays the myth. Most of the original bootlegs of Metallic K.O. consisted of two separate performances, both recorded toward the end of the band's run, including its very final show, legendary for Iggy's baiting of a hostile audience of drunk bikers. This bootleg was ferocious, capturing the highlights of both shows, distilling its rawest essence. Metallic 2X K.O. performs a historical service by presenting the two shows in their entirety, and while this is welcome, separating the performance does a disservice to the myth. On the original vinyl, the second half of both shows is captured, and the momentum is blinding, capturing the Stooges gleefully careening through a set of new material (including songs like "Cock in Pocket" and "I Got a Right" that didn't show up on studio albums). Here, even the final show seems more like a conventional show -- albeit a show that ends with bottles being thrown onto the stage and the singer brazenly taunting an audience that hates him. And the funny thing about this is that it seems more fun than scary, just a big prank pulled by the Stooges as they recklessly belt out their sleaziest songs and ending it all with a monumental version of "Louie Louie." Yes, the recording is an audience tape and it's nearly antiaudiophile, but music this raw and unhinged deserves nothing less. And make no mistake, in any incarnation, this is one of the best rock live albums, nothing but pure, insane energy. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Truth, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Metallic K.O. (Audio CD)

To some, like the critic above, this album can only be considered a document, because of the less than desirable sound quality. To Stooges fans, especially those who never got their hands on the "Skydog" release, this is a godsend. This live album actually takes the rage of Raw Power to the next level. Although the above critic questions whether one could call the album's material "music", I found it to be highly musical; they even add piano to nearly all tracks, and harmonica to a couple. The sound quality is different on both shows; Disc 1, the last Iggy and the Stooges show, has crisp vocals for the most part, and sludgy music, disc 2 just the opposite. Jungle made a mistake, though: During the second minute of "Raw Power", there is an annoying skipping noise that lasts for about 30 seconds. A minor flaw, yet worth mention. Iggy's sarcastic commentary is certainly one of the high points of this album. He even has the nerve to make a racial comment toward some guy, after which you can clearly hear the audience's disgust. Nearly all of the "unreleased" songs are great, particularly Heavy Liquid (I favor the disc 1 version), Head On, and (I'm not kidding) Louie Louie. The low points are the two versions of Gimme Danger: they drag on too long, and Iggy gets over-dramatic twords the end of them. To sum up my directionless review, Metallic KO is just as brutal as you've heard, but it is so much more. Please stay away from it if you are easily offended! Stooges fans, place your order.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brutal..., November 28, 2005

By 

B. Bowman "Double B" (Jersey, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Metallic K.O. 2xCD (Audio CD)

While this might not be the best live recording, it does capture one of the most furious shows ever. I personally don't think the sound quality is all that bad, but I admit it's not top notch. Besides, how good is a live punk album supposed to sound? To me, the Stooges are the epitome of punk. What other band had a singer that went on a radio show the day of their last gig and challenged the local Hell's Angels to "come down to the gig and do your worst"? The best part was that they DID show up and were probably responsible for the majority of the objects hurled at the band during the show (some of which you can hear on this album.) Iggy practically makes this into a comedy album with all his put downs of the audience. The version of "Rich Bitch" on this disc has made me laugh every time I've heard it. The Stooges really went out as punk as they could. I don't think this last show could have been topped. I'm only sorry that there isn't a film of this concert.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stooges fans only, February 22, 2006

By 

Michael Hanson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Metallic K.O. (Audio CD)

This two disc set includes both the original Metallic K.O. (the stooges last show) and the popular recording that James Williamson did of a 1973 Michigan concert. I have the vinyl version of this, and i suppose it sounds similar to the c.d. I also have the original Metallic K.O. pressing, and for some reason or other it sounds better than the version available on this. The Metallic K.O. show is a classic, even though the sound is a bit rough (it's a bad 4-track recording). The second disc, the Williamson recording, has better sound quality. A lot of listeners bash this and other Stooges' records due to the sound quality, but it must be understood that recordings such as these are intended for die-hard Stooges fans. The Williamson show is, to my knowledge, the finest sound quality available of any of the Stooges' live shows. If you love the Stooges, you should own this. If not, don't buy it and don't bash it. It's a piece of history, and like an obscure fourteenth-century latin text on medieval monasticism, it's only meant for specialists.