Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Börjar riktigt bra! Tycker att Down on the street, Loose och Dirt alla är klara fyror och TV Eye en trea. 1970 och Fun house är också treor. Hade det inte varit för LA Blues, som bara är plågsam, hade jag friat och satt en fyra. Nu blir det en stark trea.
Really intense. There are some great tracks on here that combine manic energy, screaming vocals, and an underlying groove. Its both psychedelic and punk rock, and I'm a fan. There are a few clear skips, but also some amazing songs for the playlist.
So I’ve really enjoyed this in the past, but for done reason didn’t hit this time. Still giving it a 4
Primal incantations, proto-punk, a death knell for the industrial age? Whatever you call it, pretty damn awesome.
Punk rawk
Not particularly memorable.
An interesting blend of late 60s psych and proto punk. Definitely a long way ahead of its time for 1970, but I didn't love the sound in itself.
Not the biggest fan of the stooges or iggy this wasn’t a chore it’s not an easy listen by any stretch but it’s definitely a good album to listen to.
Didn't like it
Low/mid 3, some nice moments, but sometimes the tracks just melt into each other and get a bit samey
It peaked at the first song lmao. Imagine living in this state of low vibes perpetually, no thank you.
Not at all my kind of thing. At best, it could be described as jazzy punk rock, but it seems to revel in lack of melody or harmony.
Need to relisten at some point
Quite enjoyed many of the tracks. Less so the shouty ones
A real assault on the senses but I guess that’s the point. I really liked this album and hard to believe it was made in 1970. Another great offering from Iggy and the Stooges.
The Stooges has been a real success story for me and this project. That’s 3 great albums of theirs we have had. This one packs a lot in and seems well ahead of its time.
What a great album, definitely the best of the three we’ve had of their’s on the list. I prefer the more repetitive nature of it, kind of garagey motorik in a way. It somehow raises you up on an infectious high and really keeps you there to the end.
Even without much of a punk education, it's pretty obvious that many bands that followed were heavily inspired by The Stooges & this album. The raw, energetic guitars and basslines work really well together, and the opening track is an absolute killer. I would argue that the production despite being in the 60s is painfully inconsistent throughout the album though, and there are moments where it feels like quite an exhausting listen, almost like the album is attacking your ears. Having said that, I still really enjoyed it and would listen again.
Bruyant et répétitif. J'aurais très bien pu mourir sans avoir écouté cet album. Je donne un point de plus pour le saxophone.
Gritty, sweaty, frenetic. Iggy pushes you down a 36 minute slide... and the slide is covered by sandpaper and broken glass.
It’s just seven tracks of pure coiled tension, refusing to give you a clean resolution. Like an anxious soundscape. The music captures a unique kind of nihilistic groove. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions Down on the Street Loose Dirt
My favorite Stooges album so far
It’s ok, but of the Stooges albums I’ve had it’s impressed me the least.
Extremely raw and driving but maintains a groove throughout. A tough tightrope to walk! I especially appreciate the horns on Fun House
I appreciate the energy but mostly this just sounded the same.
Fanfuckingtastic, even though I now know Iggy Pop is a complete knob IRL This is a bloody good album Got it 2nd hand on cd about 25 years ago. Those first 3 tracks are probably some of the greatest ways to open an album.
I did not like this
That was a brief album that showed glimmers of promise. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was probably way ahead of its time. I can see how this paved the way for punk. Kind of interesting how they used the saxophone though, you don't hear it played that way very often.
Biased cause I already loved this album, but easy 5/5 for me. "Down On The Street" is so so good, and I also love "Loose" "T.V. Eye" and "1970"
pretty fun punk album
I can’t remember what I’ve written about the other Stooges albums I’ve had (and I’ve not gone back to check) but I don’t remember being overly enamoured by them up to now. But this is exceptional. “L.A Blues” is filler to pad the album out at the end, but the rest is superb. Influenced possibly by Hendrix and the Stones. The guitar work is amazing. Great album. 4½
Started really strongly, fell away at the middle but came back again. Overall solid album
Cool and raw. I can appreciate chaotic up to a certain level, but the final two tracks are a little too much. 1970 is far and away the best track here
Звучит как то, что устраивает мой мозг, когда решает, что сегодня нам спать не нужно, а нужно подумать очень быстро и примерно обо всём на свете сразу. Интересно, вот как у них выглядела партитура? Как-будто красным карандашом поперёк нотного листа накалякано: вот тут пять минут хаотично визжишь просто любые слова, саксофон тоже пусть визжит. Но могу представить, как им было прикольно это записывать. Мне в детстве мама подарила дудочку. Через минут 5 всем окружающим захотелось сломать музыкальный инструмент об мою же голову. Дудочка очень быстро пропала, потому что взрослые просто не разглядели во мне подражание истокам панка и Иги Попу.
An absolute descent into madness. Starts off pretty similar to what they were doing on the debut for the first three songs and then just goes off the rails from there. I love that half the lyrics are just Iggy hootin and hollerin. Absolutely awesome!
Last time I listened to the Stooges on this album journey, I enjoyed the kinetic energy of their self-titled debut, even as the band was still finding its footing. Some time after that record, Kingsmen keyboardist Don Gallucci was put in charge of producing the Stooges' next record. The band and Don rearranged the studio to emulate their live performance sound as closely as possible. The resulting album of those sessions was Fun House, and it is with this record that I feel the Stooges made their proper introduction. From the opening notes of "Down on the Street" as Iggy Pop screeches and howls, the band's approach is already noticeably different compared to a year prior. The gritty, underseed belly of their garage rock style rears itself, as every member played well in the mix, most notably Dave Alexander with his delectable bass lines near the front. Also brought into the fold was saxophonist Steve Mackay, who cut loose in the second half with his soaring tenor notes serving as a hedonistic juxtaposition to Ron Asheton's electric guitar shredding and the beat-pounding rhythm section. All the elements coalesce into a frenetic, chaotic pairing of jazz fusion and proto-punk, the kind of unholy matrimony that would prove influential on the likes of the Minutemen and Refused. The proverbial time bomb ticks down to the roaring explosion of "L.A. Blues", as the cascading noise and Scott Asheton's manic drumming, the band wailing in desperation, embracing the destructive spirit within themselves. Simply put, Fun House kicks major ass. It's the sort of record that doesn't just kick the door open; it burns the house down.
The energy in the recording is undeniable. Definitely a recording that I think emulates the energy of a live performance the best in a studio environment. But the music itself is not my cup of tea.
These make me nostalgic for my childhood!
Super fun and energetic psych/punk that's hard to fault.
a really surprising album. I had heard of the stooges but never actually gotten around to listening to them. I especially loved the guitar’s pattern (loved that it can be found throughout the songs, a sort of “liant” declined in various degrees of “edginess”—in LA Blues it is almost “grinçant”. Favourite: Down on the Street.
“yeah man can you shriek moan and cough into the mic on this one? yeah really shriek and cough like you mean it — it’s gonna be really punk man yeah just do it yeah.. what are we gonna be doing? what do you mean we're just gonna be playing random notes? yeah like whatever compels us really yeah"
Just rock n roll Noise. I liked the introduction of the sax most of the way through though.
In the movie Almost Famous Lester Bangs (played by PSHoffman) refers to Jim Morrison as a “drunken buffoon posing as a poet”, and then is thrilled to find an Iggy Pop album. Let’s be honest, Funhouse (both song and album) sounded like The Doors during the Morrison Inn-era. LA Blues sounds like A LOT of the Doors Live cuts, such as When the Musics Over off Absolutely Live. The Stoogies just added a tenor saxophone. Luckily for me, I liked that album as I do this one. You often hear Pop referenced as a side note in punk but there are point in this album where he could be considered a founding father. There are some great songs on this album, with my favorites being Dirt (great jam session), and TV Eye. I was surprised how many of these songs were extended beyond the 5 minute mark, especially for the time that guaranteed they wouldn’t be radio friendly. Mr. Bangs, Iggy was a Buffoon too…an enjoyable one.
Random thoughts: * I was surprised how fresh this still sounds today. While some of the production quality sounds dated (drums especially) the rest of it sounds like something that might be created today. * Dirt was my favorite track. * This gives me a great sense of why Iggy Pop has been so beloved despite not really hearing much of his music over the years. * Glad that I was able to hear more of godfather of punk!
One of the GOATS of punk rock albums; so happy Iggy is still going strong to this day!
cool album, some of the songs werent for me
I see how it might be foundational, but with today’s ears it sounds a lot like harder Rolling Stones stuff. Not that exciting I guess.
Primal proto-punk.
Really good punk…post punk…idk really good album.
A good punk album has high energy, plus screaming and grumbling vocals for more than just screaming and grumbling’s sake. Most importantly, it knows when to stop. This has all the makings of a good punk album.
Sure it’s pretentious in places, but it really rocks like a live act on a Saturday night. The last song is just a bit too free form rock, but this is a solid 4+.
4+
Favorite Stooges/Iggy album so far. And I'm not quite sure why. Might need to compare with an earlier album.
Another surprise, since I was not that impressed by Iggy Pop's solo work... But this?... This is spot on. Great guitar work and a totally wild vibe going on. OK, so the final track is just a bit too crazy, but the rest of the album is solid.
Iggy has made some great albums and this is the best one. Aside from the caustic palette cleanser at close, all songs smash it. "1970" and "TV Eye" are my picks, but it's close. “Loose”’s dizzying opening drop is ecstatic, a thrilling way to introduce a riff. The saxophone’s entrance on “1970” continues to swap my eyeballs around. The cover’s sulphurous yellows and oranges set the stage: this pours out of a volcano. Almost exactly twenty years ago, 30 August 2005, I saw three quarters of this band (Mike Watt swapped in for Dave Alexander, who didn’t make it out of the first half of the ‘70s) with a friend; Andy texted me that afternoon - “it’s today!” We’d almost forgotten. Arrived in my suit, back row seated in the Hammersmith Apollo, dutiful not hyped. As soon as “Down On The Street” began the entire room stood as one and levitated for the rest of the set.
Another one I was wrong about - this is undoubtedly the best Stooges album, every track is a riot, marvelous guitar sounds and a twisted saxophone leading the charge in the back half. Fuck yeah!
Very meaningless lyrics, but very noisy songs, me likey
Nicht so meins.
I don't know much of the Stooges music other than the bigger songs like Lust for Life and I Wanna Be Your Dog. The album started off great, I really liked Down on the Street and Loose. After those two it just gets increasingly crazy, but I was along for the ride. It is easy to hear the influence this music had on other artists. I can only imagine how different this must have sounded in 1970. Great album.
An album that didn't sell well but was way ahead of its time and later became a cult classic? What a surprise. This album was crazy to me. It was like if blues decided to be raw and wild. You can definitely hear the Jim Morrison and Doors influence, so it made sense to hear that it was a Doors concert that pushed Iggy Pop to make music like this. It was gutteral and abrasive at times but overall I really loved it. I need more of this game-changing music on this site.
Wow did I really dislike this
I don’t think the Stooges pictured themselves as making commuting music but it works pretty well.
Amazing! I didn't know what I was getting myself into beforehand and this album blew me away. My only complaint is the mixing, but I can look past that for this.
Some of this went pretty hard
Ist mir zu frickelig.
Previously rated: The Stooges (2/5) Raw Power (4/5) ************************** I didn't care for their first album, especially that "We Will Fall" track. Bleck. But I did like their third album quite a bit. This one is their second album. Which will it be more like? Better than the first, but still has that one track that drags it down, L.A. Blues. It's just a noise-fest. The rest is decent stuff, just not as good as Raw Power. The list did not need three Stooges albums.
Mwah niet mijn ding
Album 906 of 1089 The Stooges - Fun House (1970) Rating : 4.5 / 5 This is one I’ve been familiar with for a while, and I was happy to give it another spin. The Stooges are at their best here, with Iggy leading the way in raw, chaotic style. They represent their genre well, and I’m always glad to listen. It’s often praised as one of the most primal and energetic rock records ever made. Tracks like “Down on the Street” and “1970” come out swinging, and the title track itself feels like the band completely unhinged, in the best way. It’s not polished, but that’s the point. Fun House is one of those albums that captures lightning in a bottle, and while not for everyone, it’s easy to see why it’s a touchstone for punk and garage rock fans.
Though highly lauded, not particularly my thing. I appreciate its innovativeness but felt quite neutral towards its sounds and felt like they lacked a musicality. A strong 4/10 and may return for a relisten to see if it grows on me.
I’ve heard some Stooges, but really nothing from this album. This could come out next week and sound fresh. The crunch on the guitars is amazing. Iggy sounds so sinister and cool. But it’s the drumming that really jumps out at me. This really stretches out and jams a lot more than I expected. Standout Track(s): TV Eye, Dirt, 1970,
Ok
Sweet short punk
Eh… it was whatever. The entire band’s sound and the singing just did nothing for me, and I pretty much tuned the album out as it played in the background while I ate breakfast. 2.5 / 5
This is absolutely fire. Love it.
Got to admit, I did not give this one my full attention, at least in part because it just wasn’t that interesting to me. I appreciate Iggy’s place in rock history, but can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed his music very much. This was ok.
I guess I just don’t get this dude or this band.
𝘍𝘶𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 is one of the rare noisy, indie-feeling records of the 70s: raw proto-punk energy colliding with garage rock and free-jazz chaos. From the primal stomp of 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 to the unhinged saxophone blasts on 𝟣𝟫𝟩𝟢 and the total meltdown of 𝘓.𝘈. 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴, it feels less like a rock album and more like a violent, glorious mess caught on tape. Wild, abrasive, and way ahead of its time.
Sang nr 1: RATM elsker den nok til at lave et cover. 🖤 Sang nr 2: Klassisk Stooges. 🖤 Sang Nr 3: RATM: Sleep Now in the Fire, men 30 år tidligere 🖤. Lukker albummet med en knap 5 minutters blues ting. Det er det eneste som trækker ned for mig. Ikke helt Raw Power.
En rå, beskidt kraftudladning. Iggy og Håndlagerne spiller blues-rocket proto-punk så hele fundamentet gungre. Dejligt repetitativt og jazzet.
This album started off strong. I don’t like punk rock at all. But this wasn’t terrible….. until it got terrible. I didn’t like the last couple songs. I got this kind of cool punk rock version of Jim Morrison vibe from Iggy Pop. Which was great. But was it enough? Some decent riffs. Some decent solos. This record is inferior to the self titled Stooges Record by far.
Not British rock/5
Super fun and engaging listen, especially for its age
Meh
What a lot of noise
This was good, but just not for me. I enjoyed some of the rhythms and drums though.
Great pre-punk addition. Can hear the influence on subsequent punk acts in every song (including the album closer LA Blues).
I might have lost my shit for this in the 60s.
Proto Punk
Huh, back to back Stooges records. Had to check just now to see if Iggy Pop had died. Anyway, another amazing record for 1969. More cohesive than their debut, not quite as all round great as Raw Power. 4.5
My ears feel like they've been chased through a junkyard by a caffeinated bass and a shirtless Iggy Pop. 4.5/5.0: Excellent
enjoyed this way more than iggys solo work
the 2nd stooges album in a row.. again i thought this album was fine :) with another unlistenable song on it but at least this one was at the end. also 1969>1970 evidently
Ok yeah, this was a Fun House.
I liked down on the street and loose the rest of the album lost me but those two songs I like
#111/1001. Lets hear it from the critics: "the worst album of the year” - Melody Maker. (The Stooges are) “so exquisitely horrible and down and out that they are the ultimate psychedelic rock band in 1970”. - Rolling Stone ”This group’s first album was nominated here as the worst record of 1969; the present one is merely lousy" - The American Record Guide "All I can hear is crude, repetitious, extremely dull material, no-talent instrumentalists and a pretentious, no-voice singer. The 10-minute ‘We Will Fall’, a constantly-repeated chant with some kind of mutterings by the lead singer (including several minutes of ‘goodbye’ at the end), is undoubtedly the worst rock track I have ever heard. In fact, I have little hesitation in nominating this as the worst album of the season."- The American Record Guide "The group has been practicing, because the instrumental playing is now a bit better than incom¬petent, but still there is not an original idea to be heard anywhere and so the tracks are uniformly monotonous." - The American Record Guide What else to add?
Good fun album. 3.5 stars.
I love Iggy, but this is early days and you can still hear it. The vocals can be grating at times, especially if you’re used to what he pulled off in later projects. What really works here is the energy, the saxophone, the looseness, the sense of fun. It’s messy but influential, and what they did for the genre can’t be overlooked. Overall, it lands at a solid 7.5/10.
Moments of greatness but always interesting
I see now why The Stooges were so influential. This album ramps up in a way that I didn't expect--the first few songs have the same feel of their debut album, but as the album progresses it also becomes more chaotic, jazzy and hypnotic. Especially when you compare this album (and The Stooges' 1969 album) to their contemporaries, it's very easy to see its importance in the music that followed it. They were psychedelic without being show-offy, they were heavy, they were as weird as it gets, but they still knew how to catch your ear with hooks and riffs that will stick in your head for days.
Too inconsistent, 2-3 songs are ok and 2-3 are painful.
Decent 3/5 rock album
Not a fan. Musically interesting. Lyrically not.
Definitely one of my favourite albums. The energy in the performances is unmatched and Iggy never disappoints with all the howling and yelping.
it was all right i guess. better than most mid punk
Segundo disco de una de las bandas más incendiarias y sexis del rock. Imposible no sentir que el deseo sexual aumenta con estos sonidos tan crudos y con la forma de cantar y de moverse de Iggy Pop. Proto-todo lo alternativo y áspero que vino después, The Stooges es una de las bandas que más hacen que conecte con mi libido. ¿Cómo no sentir eso con un disco que comienza con una canción como "Down in the street" y continúa en ése mood? Muchas gracias por la recomendación. Nos vemos mañana, con el último análisis de agosto.
eh
Very briefly, I'll say that I don't think folks like Perry Farrell could have come up so big without Iggy Pop. Iggy and The Stooges produce some of the most "out and loud" material I've heard thus far and I can only imagine how an average John/Jane Doe listener would have reacted to it in 1970. This record takes you on a ride that only goes lower and lower beginning with straight punk and ending with Eric Andre levels of music. (https://youtu.be/6SQHgEzxbBI?si=SIHB4DnKQU_5ZQPq). It's oozing with raw insanity, but that's what punk rock is all about. It's free, ferocious but true to the spirit of rock and roll. Extra shoutout to the saxophone guy for coming in randomly in the middle of 1970 as if he walked in late, and then raging that horn for the rest of the record (7/10, 4/5 on this scale) (Update: 8/10, it's fun)
I definitely enjoyed this album, I should dive deeper into Iggy & the Stooges. 4 stars, but probably would have been 5 if I gave this one time to grow.
Fabulous album - some excellent songs and a couple of really good freak outs as well. The sax actually fits in nicely. Can't go wrong with any Stooges album really.
I like the Stooges (and this album). For some reason, I don't really ever actually seek out their music -- I probably should!
Funhouse!
Fantastic. The roots of punk. Every track is a banger except the last one which reminds me a lot of late-stage Black Flag. Iggy’s screams and moans sound a lot like Rollins and the guitar freak out of Ron Asheton sounds a lot like Ginn. I’m sure this was an inspiration to both Ginn and Rollins. Rollins calls Iggy the undisputed heavyweight champ of rock n roll and on this album, that is hard to dispute.
i might have liked this more in 2020
I was already familiar with The Stooges, although I know some other albums better than this one. This album is right in line with their sound - loud and raw and proud of it. Some tracks are better than others but overall it's good. I would listen again.
I love the tighter opening tracks of this album. The later, dissolve into chaotic rambling was not my favorite.
Iggy Pop! I love the energy and edge to this album. It makes perfect sense that one of the strongest influences for punk, glam, and alternative music would be called Fun House. There is, however, a weird discontinuity between the garage performance and the tightness of the recording. I read somewhere that the outtakes of this album have almost no variation. Still, a fun listen.
A short, but decent album. It has a gritty/unpolished sound that adds to the atmosphere. I'd say there were about 4 songs that I'd revisit.
Way better than I expected! Lost me a bit at the end tbh but overall a fun and enjoyable album! 4 ⭐️
eh
stands up well, could be played today as a new record. Good
Iggy Pop and the Stooges are great, but not a big fan of 60s/70s guitar.
3/5
In general, this album is a classic of hard rock. Some of the songs are relatively easy to listen to, while others are more intense due to the screaming and tension in the vocals. Therefore, I give the album a "4" rating.
A raunchy, fun album that oozes cool. Iggy Pop's vocals are the glue keeping this madness together, and really elevates the whole performance to another level.
Started as a good album but got a bit screechy towards the end.
Yeah... I get why it's on the list. Doesn't mean I need to like it.
>>> the Beatles
Imagine walking into a club in 1969 and hearing this blasting out - what a buzz that would be. High energy and clearly influential on a lot of good music to follow.
Surprised me with this one. Expected to hate it, but it’s awesome!
Listened to this while playing Voidfall. I lost, but came closer to winning than I ever have before. My favorite part of this album was the sequencing. I haaaated the last track. All in all, the lowest of 2s for me. I know I like some Stooges songs...but this wasn't it.
Not my sort of music
Not really my vibe
-Like the guitars -Nothing really stood out to me this time -Liked the style tho
I listened to both David Bowie's and Iggy's mixes. As noted by many, including other Stooges, Bowie's mix sounds much better. Iggy's mix sounded a bit tinny/hollow. But hell, I could've mixed it and this album would've blown the doors off....If I could rate "to 11," this album would be it....11 stars!!!
Repetitive to a fault. There’s one sound they were going for on this album and they got it. There’s zero diversity here.
This is about as punk as punk gets, and it came out before punk was even punk.
Did I miss something?
Revisiting this album is always a blast. I can only imagine the impact it had on music fans back then, hearing this raw energy for the first time. While there were other heavy albums emerging at the time, like Black Sabbath’s debut, “Funhouse” stands out for its early punk aesthetics. This album was instrumental in paving the way for the proto-punk bands that would later drive the punk movement forward.
While this album has a very raw, punkish ethos that's undoubtedly infectious, I can't say I got much more out of it than noticing those things. Unfortunately a non-starter for me, listened to it all the way through, and still feel the same. Not horrible, but with having access to music that iterated on this in a much more appealing way, I won’t remember much from this one.
The opening song was great - for a moment I thought I was listening to the opener of the Cult’s Electric, Wildflower. From there the album just seemed to wane and did not hold my interest. 2/5
Sounds very ahead of its time. Great album!
Good album, interesting production - it has a live album feel even though it’s in studio. It’s like the Rolling Stones turned up a notch or two on the hardness scale. Iggy has a real Mick Jagger vibe at times. Down The Street, Loose, and Dirt are all great. All the songs are listenable, but the three mentioned above stand out to me.
Listened on August 9th.
I know it's early but this may be the worst album I've ever heard. Praise be that they only had 7 songs. Zero stars.
Not a Stooges album I have or have heard before. More consistent than some of their others, lacks some of the highs though. The sax brings side 2 to another level! 3.5 rounded up Heard before? No Owned: No. 1/1001, 1/12 (8%) Will I get? No Recommend: Sure
Reading some of the global reviews, I’m sure I’m in the minority on this one. I ran it 2X (except the last track - L.A. Blues) . I flagged “1970”, that’s a decent jam. Outside of that I was barely leaning towards a 3 but “L.A. Blues” was absolutely horrendous and made me round the other way. It played like an exaggerated live outro for a rocking track- but carried for four and a half minutes. 2.5/5
While I’ve always liked some of The Stooges material, I’m realizing that I was probably more so liking the idea of them. Their pre-punk influence on so many bands is of course important, but this album clearly does not deserve a place in the list. It was a noble effort to capture the band in their element, but I’m betting these songs presented themselves much better in a live setting with Iggy struttin’ and sluttin’ around. With only 7 songs, most of them come off as extended jams, and the last one attempting to be hip and cool just comes off as annoying.
Def a band that’s good in small doses, and maybe why I kind of liked this one from them given the run length. But better than I expected, between a 3/4 for me.
Couldn’t really get into this.
The Stooges is one of those bands I always expect to like more than I do. There is stuff on this album I enjoy, but also really annoyed that over 10% of it is in the last "song" which is complete trash. Nearly had me rounding down, but sticking with a mid-range rating since the other 90% is ok. 2.75/5
Just ok
Een vroege Iggy Pop, die met zijn vrienden ongestoord aan het raggen is. Het voelt een beetje als een op hol geslagen versie van The Doors, maar dat is zomaar een idee. Eigenlijk is het nog best aan te horen. Deze protopunk was rauw, maar niet amuzikaal.
Dit album klinkt wat beter dan het vorige dat we kregen. Toch is fit album ouder. Zoals ook al wel duidelijk was: het belabberde geluid van Raw Power was dus expres... De meeste delen van dit album komen wat muzikaler over dan Raw Power. Het vollere geluid maakt wel verschil. Maar ze moeten wel laten merken dat ze punk zijn. Dus regelmatig wordt een nummer verpest. Dan komt er bijvoorbeeld een offbeat toeteraar bij. Dan verlaagt het niveau van een vergeetbare 3, naar een oninteressante 2.
Vuig. Vies. Schmudzig. Ranzig. Typisch van die benamingen waar je aan denkt bij Iggy en zijn Stooges. Punk gemengd met rock n roll, wat je dan gaat bekijken in een concertzaaltje als the Underground in Londen ofzo, een vies bedompt donker hol onder de kroeg waar het grootste uitschot van de stad zijn laatste pinten geschonken krijgt. Iggy als een slangenmens op het podium die zich in allerlei rare posities manouvreert en uit zijn onderbuik gromt en kreunt. Het lijkt alsof hij zich niet helemaal lekker voelt, maar "I Feel Alright" zingt hij, dus het zal wel goed zijn. Het is ondertussen 80 graden in het stinkhol, dus het stinkt naar zweet en schraal bier. Maar iedereen heeft het schijnbaar wel naar zijn zin. We hebben Iggy al 2x solo mogen beluisteren en the Stooges ook al een keer met Raw Power. En ik vind het altijd dikke prima, al kan ik me ook helemaal voorstellen als je dit zwaar kut vindt. Of dit album er dan ook nog in moest, geen idee. Volgens de wiki zijn er veel artiesten die dit als hun favoriete album bestempelen. Ik mis, zoals ik vast wel vaker heb gezegd, een hitje, als een soort houvast. Het voelt meer als een soort live concert of een lange jamsessie. Ik heb het een paar keer moeten luisteren, want als je dit gewoon onder het werk aan zet, dan heb je aan het eind geen idee wat je hebt geluisterd. Er beklijft niks zeg maar. Je weet wel dat het vuig en vies was, maar er is geen melodietje dat rond blijft gaan in je hoofd. Ik neig daarom meer naar een 3 dan een 4.
WAAROM PUNKROCK??? Wederom een album waarop Iggy Pop aan het schreeuwen en krijsen is. Hoeveel van zijn albums hebben we ondertussen al gehad? Ik snap dat het invloedrijk is, en dat er absoluut iets te zeggen valt voor de woede en agressie van punk. Maar het is gewoon geen goede muziek. Eigenlijk wil ik er dan ook weinig tekst nog aan vuilmaken, gezien al hun nummers ook ultrakort zijn en de meeste punk albums hetzelfde doen: Punk. Boos. Schreeuwen. Kort. Scheurende gitaren. Meh. Volgende album. FAVO: Down on the street
That was pretty cool. 3 stars. Nothing really mind blowing. Iggy Pop was pretty cool. Pretty psychedelic sounds there.
Herrie
Pretty cool
3.5/5
If alligators could sing and play music...
Really enjoyed this album. Good classic rock.
A good album.
Down on the Street Loose T.V. Eye 1970 Fun House L.A. Blues
Nice e guitar! Grooving
3/5 dirt ахуенная
It had the whimsy most 70’s albums had. It reminds me of an album will and Jonathan from stranger things may listen to. It’s just weird enough and rock enough to make it interesting, and is kinda messy but it adds to the charm.
Cover 6.5 Started out strong-ish... then meh... and finally... stupid. Thanks Iggy! 👍
Raw. Rock. Influential.
Shocked that this album is at least 35% incomprehensible bloat and still has a 36-minute runtime. Surprisingly decent lead single, but not much else worth listening to. Would he a much better EP with all the songs shortened by at least 1-2 mins. Top tracks: Down on the Street, Dirt
-fun sounds -a little one note
Not a massive fan of The Stooges or Iggy Pop, but they're okay. "Down On The Street" is a pretty huge track. I like "Loose", it's a raw and solid track. "Dirt" is a good Blues-rock track. It's not a bad album, overall mostly enjoyable. Plenty heavy for the era.
Raw and sleazy. Album gets more chaotic as it progresses.
After 'Raw Power', I was worried this was going to be more of the same. However, this album is really saying something! Particularly for 1969. It's edgy, got plenty of attitude and the musicianship makes a statement. It also features a bit of range. Not sure how I felt about the closer. I'm not entirely into the 'soundscape of noise'. But, otherwise it was a decent listen. 4 Stars.
very fun; especially with the Free Jazz influences and raw vocals although some parts could've been structured better
This blew me away, just raw and energetic, that by the end fuses into experimental jazz. Only criticism is the mixing from song to song isn't consistent, found myself adjusting the volume from song to song, maybe that adds to the chaos in a good way. Seems ahead of its time.
This one kinda grew on me. There’s a raw power here that resonates throughout the whole album. Some of the songs could stand to be a little shorter, though.
Sounds modern same recent than it's 1970 release date. Good start to the album but loses it's easy towards the last couple of tracks.
I just don't think Iggy/The Stooges are my cup of tea. Either that or I need to revisit this at some point.
Oh man, the energy radiating off this thing. Definitely the cocaine to The Velvet Underground's heroin (although who are we kidding, it's clearly an all of the drugs situation). I was a little surprised at the 7+ minute long freakouts, which I could probably do without, but the proto-punk attitude carries the entire record. I doubt I would listen straight through again, but Down On The Street is a banger and I'm glad I checked this out. Good to know the roots of one of my favorite genres. 3.5 rounded up.
There are many arguments about what exactly is the first punk album, but it’s clear that while Funhouse doesn’t qualify as punk (the songs are too long for starters), you can trace a line from this to the New York scene and just a few years later to the UK. It’s a remarkable piece of work - raw, uncompromising, and bringing in elements of the West Coast garage sound with hard rock and a noticeable proto-motorik drum sound that anticipates Krautrock by at least a year. Iggy is on fine form with this (the coughing fit in the middle of TV Eye notwithstanding). Perfect for a freak out!
Oh yeah; if you like your music raw, chaotic, uncompromising and with no fuss, it's impossible not to like the Holy Trilogy of the Stooges. Fun House is the second album of this series and it's a great record. Full of raw energy. Full of ideas. And above all, there is this piercing sax all along the record, giving it an avant-garde jazz twist, that really takes it to the next level. Punk in the spirit even before punk was invented, avant-garde without losing itself in boring intellectual shit, this is perfect.
First impression pre listen: The proto-punk era is important in a historical perspective so hearing an album from that particular movement is always interesting. Other than that I don't really have much to say about this particular band. I've heard a few of their songs before, but none from this album. Don't have any particular expectations heading into this. Individual track notes: Down on the Street Dark and raw. Has a very simple sound to it. Explosive chorus. The bassline has some great energy to it. Great. 4.5/5 Loose Awesome bassline. I love the distorted guitar far back in the mix. Has a very dirty and bleak energy to it. Chaotic solo. Unfiltered and impactful vocals. Great. 4.5/5 T.V. Eye The sound and overall energy of this album has been very consistent so far. This is great, however it gives me very little to note down. Love this madness. Impressive vocals. Great. 4.5/5 Dirt Great bassline. Love how crisp the drums sound. Awesome guitar solo, feels smokey and natural. Primal atmosphere. Fantastic. 5/5 1970 Love the faster tempo. The audio quality on this one is a bit rougher than the previous tracks. I also feel like it's mixed a bit too low on many counts. Love the sound of the song though. Continues with the trends I've liked on this album. The experimentation with the sax over the vocals at the end works out great. Great. 4.5/5 Fun House Continues from the previous track in a very strange but satisfying manner. Love how dense and jammy this is. Experimental and weird. Crazy vocals. The ending is pure madness. Fantastic. 5/5 L.A Blues Starting with a scream is wild. Strange cacophony of noise. There's little method to the madness, just pure unfiltered noise. I kinda like it as an album closer. Feels like a cartharic climax to this dark and raw album. Good? 4/5 Final review: Pure, raw unfiltered craziness with the energy of being on fire running from some goliath monster. Just absolutely awesome from start to finish. Achieved by keeping it garagey and experimental, letting it all out exploding in an insanely noisy climax which would only feel appropriate for this kind of album. Sounds truly ahead of its time. 5/5
A blast of raw energy fueled by a dark libido.
Iggy pop was wild
These albums of the origins of punk kinda hit like early old school hip-hop, meaning they sound dated and muted compared to what it evolved into. Maybe it was jamming for its time, but I felt like it was the same sort of song playing over and over again. It wasn't that bad, just not that great. Feels like a low 3.
Wildly inconsistent mixing on here... First two tracks sound fine, but T.V. Eye sounds supper compressed. Dirt is an incredibly satisfying blues rock song. The crunchy guitar tone is fantastically supported by a clean and steady drum and bass rhythm. 1970 is a relentless ripper; only wish the mix was boosted a bit -- the saxophone is so far out in front through the back section that the rest feels muffled. Fun House is another solid, bluesy jam. Love the loosness of this whole album. Last track was absolutely demented... Really enjoyed this on a single listen. Wish the recording sounded less like shit, but the album itself is a lot of fun end to end. Solid 4 for me.
Had some pretty cool moments in this one, but was pretty middle of the road from start to finish.
Really did not need him shrieking and yelling in my ears that whole album, don't know if there was any actual signing. The rock aspects of it were pretty good but I could not cut through the yelling.
This started as a 4 and eventually ended as a 2. Gonna go with a low 3 here as the songs I liked I really liked. But really ended on a sour note with me.
I've liked the other Stooges and Iggy Pop stuff on this list, but this was pretty mediocre. Every song sounded the same and it mostly sounded like noise and yelling? I get that it's punk but it wasn't working for me.
I’ve listened to bits of Iggy Pop here and there over the years, but never really spent a lot of time with the Stooges. I always appreciated his persona as something of a wild man and he’s a consummate performer, but the Stooges were far enough before my time that it was easy to miss the proverbial boat with them. And this is why I like the idea of 1001 albums generator, because now I have the opportunity to circle back and catch some of the stuff I’ve just missed out on. There’s a lot to like about Funhouse for me. This record feels raw and energetic, and I bet their live shows were killer. It sounds simultaneously a product of its time, but also probably ahead of it too; much of this reminds me of the Doors at their most drugged-out and aggressive, but without the Ray Manzarek keyboardiness. I did appreciate the application of the saxophone in some of these songs, which is something I almost never say. That said, I probably won’t rush to circle back to it any time soon. I like this record, but I wouldn’t say I love it. I like the energy, but I wish there were some changes in tempo or song structure for me to really connect with it; melody is in short supply on this record. 3.4/5
Wasn't great.
This is like setting out for a long distance ride on your Harley Davidson. You’re excited at first but then you realise it’s a long weekend and you spend most of the time stuck in traffic. Also there is a bolt loose under your seat so you have to put up with jarring vibrations the whole way.
A bit crazy.
This is an all time classic, one of my favorites. The energy is off the charts, it's truly unique, with great songwriting.
Dirty, scuzzy, sludgy rock and roll! Love a bit of The Stooges! This was great, I’ve enjoyed both of their albums so far, and that is what this generator is all about for me!
Gritty, brassy, feels like a live album with some punk-jazz vibes. I'm not sure whether I was necessitated into it mind, but fair play to that raw energy.
I really question the selections on this list. I'm positive someone is just a big Iggy Pop / Bowie fan, and made it their mission to include everything from these two artists. This album isn't amazing, but still holds some decent tunes. And I do enjoy myself some punk. The opening track "Down on the Street" was the most enjoyable for me and will be heading to the 1001 playlist. The album, just a middle of the road 3 stars here.
This was a good listen. It somehow appeals to the Monster Magnet fan in me, and that's not to draw a direct comparison between the two. It just has that stoner rock kind of groove and weirdness to it without being kooky. It hints at the Stones and Hendrix. I liked it, but I can't really say why other than by making some loose comparisons.
Not my style of music.
British punk rock
Early punk
Myślałam że będzie bardzo męcząco. A to przyjemna płyta do mknięcia szosą. Utwory nie są monotonne, wokal z mocna maniera, która jednak pasuje do tego stylu grania. Daje lekkiego kopa ale nie w sam środek splotu słonecznego. 7/10
Is this the Stones?
This goes super hard, especially for the 1970s. Great album
Me gustó, pero no será mucho de The Stooges? ¿Cuántos discos ya he escuchado de ellos? 3? 4?
Pretty decent Almost tempted to give it a 2 after that last track that is just noise, but there is more than enough outside of that to lift it to a 3. Some good saxophone at some point Far too much stooge and iggy though
Good mixing for not being remastered
I mean it's alright. It's got a cool grimy sound to it that I can see would be pretty cutting edge in 1970, but it's not amazing music.
This album was 6 straight up rock and roll songs and 1 “what the hell did I just listen to”? Shout out to the Stooges drummer Scott Asheton, he should get more love in the discussion about best drummers of all time.
0 liked songs
Alright, probs won’t listen to again
This is #day314 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… listening to this album, like any of The Stooges' first three, feels like catching them live. The atmosphere is absolutely insane. What can you even say when there's that lunatic sax tearing through "1970," leaving us for just a moment, only to come back with more power on "Fun House," and then crowning "L.A. Blues" with pure ferocity, demolishing everything in its path? Utterly psychedelic punk rock mayhem. Iggy's presence is unmistakable, the guitar is razor-sharp, the drums are crisp and tight, and the bass ties it all together with its raw nerve. Oh, have you heard Depeche Mode's cover of "Dirt," a B-side from the Exciter era? Anyway, can't wait to revisit the other two. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day315.
3.5
4.5
I like the ssxophonr quite well, but in the end not the biggest fan of this style. 3.5 stars
Definitely a cool album that was ahead of it's time in 1970. I think the opening run of songs is terrific, especially "Loose" and "T.V. Eye". I don't like it quite as much as Raw Power, even if it sounds a lot better. But it's still an enjoyable record from one of the all-time greats. 4.5 stars.
A light 4. Pretty raucous and rawkin and indeed a moderate house of fun. If the first half is the main fun house then second half is slightly cruddier, more of an outhouse but overall kinda cool crazy influential record
I am more of a Larry, Curly and Moe fan
The first three Stooges albums, man. They are honestly mindboggling, especially considering when they were recorded. Just pure, raw power (pun intended).
Godfathers of Punk.
p214. 1970. 2 stars. Starts off tight and becomes increasingly tedious and flabby as it goes on. No-one needs multiple 6+ minute workouts, not even Iggy, who is channelling his inner Jim Morrison on this. On the plus side, the entire album is short.
So far ahead of it's time, side one of the LP is unmatched anywhere in rock for me and it still bears repeat listens.
01) Down On The Street - 7,0 02) Loose - 7,0 03) T.V. Eye - 6,0 04) Dirt - 6,5 05) 1970 - 6,0 06) Fun House - 5,5 07) L.A. Blues - 5,0 TOTAL: 6,14 (61/100) Current ranking: 444/579
Sin duda alguna un disco lleno de sonidos psicodélicos, energía e euforia, esa combinación de jazz encaja perfecto, muy buena experiencia musical.
First track, Down on the Street, has an incredible guitar hook that propels the entire song along, and when Iggy’s vocals come in I’m entranced with the song’s force and raw power. After that it just surprises me this music allowed disco to ever exist. Also, reminds me of best of The Cult.
Hell yeah!! I can't believe this is 1970. Way ahead of its time. This is what this list is all about. 5 stars, easy.
Good listen. A lot cleaner than I expected From an audio perspective. Not fuzzy or distorted. Not sure why I expected that but it threw me. Enjoyed but didn’t love
Unremarkably bland and mediocre punk rock that doesn't even sound too punk
Iggy and the stooges kick ass. Strong music. Strong energy. Pretty much perfect.
Scam or genius? I lean towards the former but many would take the latter without a doubt. James grew into the role of elder rock statesman but there’s a form of trauma porn here that might hide a certain insubstantial quality. I don’t know. 2.5
In 1989, when I was 18, I was singing in a rock band with some mates. Not a good band, but that's not the point. I was studying how to be a front person by sitting up late at night watching Rage, the overnight music video show on Australian ABC television. And the video that caught my attention was Iggy Pop's 'Home'. An OK song, but not Iggy's greatest moment. But the video was the most compelling performance I had seen. It's mostly just black and white footage of Iggy being Iggy in front of the camera with a wind machine. And he is magic to watch. I thought "man, I'd feel like an idiot if I acted like that, but it's soooo great to watch". Now, I don't claim to be anything near Iggy, who should be on everyone's Top Ten Front People of All Time list, but he certainly did encourage me to go more full-on in my performance style. The Stooges really are one of those bands that are the blueprint for what real rock and roll should be; loud, dangerous and out of control. It straddles the clever/dumb dichotomy perfectly. It's all energy and sex and humour and violence and volume and you can dance to it. Side 1 of this album is full of simple but perfect songs, recorded with intensity and a dangerous edge, like it could all go wrong any second. God bless Don Galluci for not polishing all the edges off. It's a perfect side of rock and roll. Side 2 (1970 excepted) is... inessential. The title track and LA Blues are really just noise-vamps -- essential precedents for whole genres of music yet to come -- but not really great listening experiences. The Stooges really are foundational to much of the music to come, often imitated, rarely equaled. Just get loaded, play side 1 really loud, and smash shit up. _That's _ rocks and roll.
Always had a soft spot for Iggy Pop even when it’s not my kind of music.
Straight up rock. Can hear punk on the way. The last track veered off too far into atonality and lost it half a star.
Very cool record. I see the roots of the early 2000s garage rock movement.
Good raucous energy. I don't think the song-writing (or execution) is as amazing as some reviews suggest but it's a fun listen.
made me run very fast, gets more visceral as it goes feels like
Proto-punk at its finest. This must have made hippies ears bleed.
If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t enjoy this album at all. I do think everything about it was good, I just didn’t enjoy it.
I would’ve gone feral for this album in the 70s
Greit nok av krokryggen, likern bedre solo
I liked it probably a little more than Raw Power, but I just can't get into the Stooges. the energy is there and the music has the potential to go all the way, but it's just missing something and flops in the end. none of the songs stand out to me at all. I like Iggy's collaborations with Bowie so much more – he takes Iggy's energy and style and adds his secret-sauce twist to it which in the end makes all the difference between a hit and a dud.
3/5
1970's early rock. Its got a rougher sound but held up alright
It is ok, nothing really spectacular on here. Guitar sounded pretty good. Positive is the album is short.
Seemed to be yelling at some parts of the album
I appreciate how much influence yall had on later bands but this just ain’t for me. The instruments were solid in places but this album took a serious downward turn around track 5. The tracks got uber long and Iggy just kinda went off the rails. He reminds me a bit of Anthony Kiedis. Not really a fan of this one.
meh
Didn’t love it. Only thought 1 song was decent.
Raw, rocking tunes with a feral B Side. Not a 5 bc I dont find some songs punchy enough. Could grow on me though, this album is sick and innovative Edit: it did grow. Kicks all ass
This is great. Raw, but the Stooges both rock and (surprisingly) groove hard, and Iggy is clearly having a ball. Sounds years ahead of its time, and I especially love the next level trolling from the band on the last track ‘L.A. Blues’.
Gibt bessere Stooges Alben
I like some stooges stuff but honestly this wasn’t really for me 3/5
No Stooges, no punk. No Pat Sharp either.
Thoughts before listening: so I see all of the Stooges albums made it on here. I guess that makes sense. Iggy Pop is one of the most interesting characters the rock world has ever produced, and their sound has certainly inspired bands for 50+ years now. Sometimes the recording quality on their albums gets a little hard to take, so I'd assume the same here as well. Review: As the third album I've heard from the Stooges I get the benefit of being able to compare it against the others. I think this is probably my favorite of the bunch. The self titled album got a 3, Raw Power got a 4, and I think 4 is probably right for this one as well. The Stooges schtick is really cranked up, distorted guitars playing blues based rock music with a wildman singer leading the way. There's a bit of what the Doors were doing but with less sheen. The recording is still a bit sludgy which can be a turn off, but I don't think this was ever meant to be played through computer speakers and earbuds. The Stooges, similar to other early heavy bands like Blue Cheer, could get away with a lower quality sound because they were meant to be played on a record player with floor speakers turned all the way up. In that context this probably sounds amazing. 4-stars
so short yet so influential
Never fully got into The Stooges despite many attempts. Feel like I'm on the cusp though. Probably need to do some proper listening outside of work time. I wish I was a teenager again. Actually, scratch that, i wish I had the free time of a teenager. Definitely don't want to be a teenager again.
Some great sounds in amongst the chaos from the Stooges. It just didn't have any structure and no flow, & I found myself getting frustrated by it.
It rocks It's loud Beautiful cover Insane times to come
Great production and performances. OK songs.
Kivan kuuloista niinkuin vanhempaa brittipop punkia jossa torvisoittimia ja rääkymistä
This is like the Doors sped up a measure and with a saxophonist instead of an organist. This sucks.
At first, I was digging the energy of Fun House by The Stooges. It started to wane about song three, TV Eye. Then Dirt brought me back a little bit but the end of 1970 lost me. It just became noise. Fun House, the song, seemed to go on way too long. And the sax was exhausting. I was definitely ready for it to end. But then L.A. Blues started as chaotic as Fun House ended. Nope. It was straight up annoying. I had high hopes for this album but the only song that stuck with me was Down on the Street. The rest was just chaotic, driving noise. Gotta go 1 rating. No desire to hear this again. 1/5
Was probably a three until the last song.
If you love raw punk, I'll bet you already own this. It's a seminal record for that raw garage protopunk sound. That doesn't mean I loved every minute of it.
## In-Depth Review: *Fun House* by The Stooges **Fun House**, the 1970 sophomore album by The Stooges, stands as a seismic milestone in rock history. Initially overlooked, it has since become revered as a proto-punk masterpiece, its raw energy and boundary-pushing sound laying the groundwork for punk, post-punk, and beyond[13][12]. This review examines its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and offers a balanced view of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Raw Minimalism and Urban Grit** The lyrics on *Fun House* are direct, repetitive, and primal, matching the band’s musical ferocity. Iggy Pop’s approach eschews poetic complexity for visceral impact. Tracks like “Down on the Street” and “T.V. Eye” use simple, evocative phrases that conjure images of urban decay, alienation, and wild abandon[13]. The recurring line in “T.V. Eye” (“She got a TV Eye on me”) is cryptic, supposedly referencing a private in-joke, but its delivery is so intense that meaning becomes secondary to feeling[13]. “1970” exemplifies the album’s lyrical ethos: the refrain “Out of my mind on Saturday night” captures the spirit of reckless youth and existential boredom, echoing the previous album’s “1969” but with a new, manic urgency[12]. “Dirt” slows the pace, offering a more introspective, bluesy lament, yet even here, the lyrics remain spare and emotionally charged[13]. --- ## Music **Unhinged Energy and Musicianship** Musically, *Fun House* is a quantum leap from The Stooges’ debut. The band, now seasoned by relentless touring, channels their aggression into tight, imaginative playing. Ron Asheton’s guitar riffs are heavy, blues-inspired, and often drenched in distortion, while Scott Asheton’s drumming and Dave Alexander’s bass provide a relentless, locked-in groove[13]. The addition of Steve Mackay’s tenor saxophone-especially on tracks like “1970” and the chaotic “L.A. Blues”-injects an avant-jazz chaos that pushes the album into uncharted territory[12][13]. Each track is a study in controlled chaos. The opening “Down on the Street” sets the tone with a swaggering riff and Iggy’s snarling vocals. “T.V. Eye” is a four-minute adrenaline rush, while “Dirt” showcases the band’s ability to simmer and smolder. The title track “Fun House” and “L.A. Blues” dissolve into near-freeform improvisation, foreshadowing the no wave scene of the late ‘70s[13]. --- ## Production **Live Urgency Captured in the Studio** *Fun House* was recorded with the aim of capturing the band’s live intensity. Producer Don Gallucci (formerly of The Kingsmen) and engineer Brian Ross-Myring rearranged the studio to simulate a live environment, with the band playing together in the same room, amps cranked, and minimal overdubs[12]. This approach resulted in a sound that is raw, immediate, and sometimes abrasive. The mix is dense, with instruments bleeding into each other, amplifying the sense of chaos and energy. While the production sacrifices some clarity for atmosphere, it perfectly suits the band’s ethos. The album feels less like a polished studio product and more like a document of a band on the edge, teetering between control and collapse[12]. --- ## Themes **Rebellion, Alienation, and Primal Freedom** Thematically, *Fun House* is a howl against the staid, refined pop music of its era. It revels in the dirty underbelly of Detroit, channeling themes of boredom, alienation, and the pursuit of visceral experience[13][12]. The album’s attitude is one of defiance-rejecting musical sophistication for raw expression, and societal norms for primal freedom. Songs like “1970” and “Down on the Street” embody the “live fast, die young” ethos, while “Dirt” and “Fun House” explore feelings of resentment and existential angst. The closing “L.A. Blues” is a descent into pure, unstructured chaos, a sonic representation of psychic breakdown and liberation[13]. --- ## Influence **Blueprint for Punk, Post-Punk, and Beyond** *Fun House* is widely recognized as a foundational text for punk rock. Its aggressive sound, anti-establishment attitude, and disregard for musical convention inspired countless bands, from The Ramones and The Damned to the grunge and no wave movements[12][13]. The album’s influence can be heard in the raw energy of hardcore punk, the experimental edge of post-punk, and even the noise rock of later decades. The Stooges’ willingness to push boundaries-both musically and lyrically-made *Fun House* a touchstone for artists seeking to break free from tradition. Its legacy is not just in its sound, but in its spirit of fearless innovation[13][12]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Unmatched energy and intensity; captures the band at their creative peak[13] | Production can be abrasive and muddy for some listeners[12] | | Masterful blend of musicianship and raw power; not just simplistic punk[13] | Lyrics are minimalistic, sometimes bordering on repetitive or cryptic[13] | | Groundbreaking use of saxophone adds unique texture[13] | Lack of commercial hooks; not immediately accessible to all listeners[13] | | Influential blueprint for punk and alternative genres[12] | Chaotic tracks like “L.A. Blues” may alienate those expecting traditional song structure[13] | | Cohesive album experience; feels like a live performance[12] | Initial commercial failure; misunderstood in its time[13] | --- ## Conclusion *Fun House* is not just an album-it’s an explosion. Its raw, unfiltered sound and primal energy captured the spirit of rebellion and laid the groundwork for decades of punk and alternative music. While its abrasive production and minimalist lyrics may not appeal to everyone, its influence and artistic achievement are undeniable. The Stooges, with *Fun House*, delivered a record that still sounds dangerous and vital, a testament to the enduring power of rock at its wildest.
okay but not for me
Iggy's cool.
3.5 but rounded up because Iggy rules
Really good album. Standout songs: Loose Dirt LA Blues
3rd time listening to this in my life, and it finally clicked how fucking awesome this record is. Goddamn that sax and guitar are just nuts, with great bass lines underneath but still very much audible. And Iggy Pop going nuts on vocals. Awesome
Hard
Doesn’t really have the same razzle-dazzle without Iggy smearing shit or cutting himself onstage.
On the one hand you could label it as cat's whining, on the other hand it sometimes has something
i hate the stooges, i can’t stand them, please shut up
Pre-listening thoughts: what the hell man this is like the third stooges album in the span of like 80 albums what is happening Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this one was bad. Raw Power had some redeeming moments but I just didn’t like hardly anything on here. It was loud and droning and not fun at all. 3/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: this is something I’m pissed about bc this sounds so similar to the other stooges album (self titled). Like why do we need both on here when so many deserving albums got snubbed. Just pick one bro. If that. Fav tracks: Down on the Street Least fav tracks: La Blues
Fav yeah gimme more
Top record from a top band. Probably my favourite stooges record. Love it
I really want to like these guys, and for about 1/2 their stuff I think I do. But then the other half descends into a cacophony of squalling guitar riffs, complete with reverb and distortion that extends for far too long and just pollutes the overall quality of their music for me.
Nothing stood out.
At first, I thought I was going to kind of like this one, but as it went on, it just deteriorated, until I could barely listen to the last two or three songs. I initially thought this is going to be at least a three for me, but it ends up being only two stars. For the most part, there’s just a lot of noise.
This is sleazy and dirty and compelling and I love it. Would have loved to have seen them live back in the day. So influential. Not quite enough variation for a 5 for me
Loved it. What makes this album "punk" is Iggy Pop's singing, which fits the genre perfectly. The combination of solid rock guitar and raw, aggressive vocals works for me.
I love getting great albums like this on Fridays. I can hear the influences this album had on other artists from one listen through.
I can respect this album for the milestone it is. We don't have a lot of my favorite bands without the stooges. Their influence is immeasurable. However, this album has the same short comings as a lot of early punk albums. Mainly, the production isn't that impressive or good, especially when you compare it to albums that have come out in Fun Houses' wake
The acid had long since worn off. Fear has kicked in. An avalanche, a earthquake and a tornado has descended upon those whose feet have ceased to move. Engulfing flames appear to overtake a man who is not so bothered at all, having been infused with the thrill of chaos and disorder. What was once fresh grass has degenerated into endless dirt, the kind that unveils the ills of the world we just so happen to inhabit. The Stooges understood this well, they created it. They'll grip your head with their hands, squeeze it tight and not lose concentration for a second. Fun this may not be but a house is what it all is. What musical schadenfreude.
There’s real element of danger on this record. Iggy groans, moans, screams and even sings at times. Ron Ashestons merciless guitar riffing and the brutal groove of the rythm section. Not so much of great song writing, but double the attitude and precence. The Stooges was inspiration to so many different bands and even genres (punk, post punk, alternative, grunge and whatever) that came years later. On top of the totalistic band sound of the Stooges there’s the crazy saxophone adding to the cacophony. Great stuff and ground breaking record!
Wow, this album was recorded in 1970. For some reason, it’s hard for me to understand the fact that it’s that old. Still, it’s packed with punk vibes, and it really hits me. It also shares a lot of similarities with music styles I enjoy—hard and rough sounds, enough screaming :), and the right kind of attitude. It was fun to listen to the whole thing, and I think this might actually be the first time I’ve listened to a full Stooges album all the way through.
Ah, OG garage/punk with kraut vibes! They've got so much shit going in their stuff that I like, it's hard to describe. The Stooges are not super important to me as such, but the long tail of they've done has whipped around in so many things. You have to remember that this is around the same time that Neil Young and his pals we're causing uproar in the folk scene by just plugging their guitars in to an amp! I gotta follow this with some MC5! These guys are smashing their way into the future with reckless abandon.
8/10 Super Fun Album through out, normally I don't like the hard rock sound but this one is done well Favorite Tracks: Loose, 1970 Least Favorite Tracks: None
Fuck yeah!!
There are moments when this oozes rock’n’roll cool but there are also too many moments of just utter racket. It has a jazz feel to it in the way that a group of musicians all play in ensemble and it feels like they’re waiting for a song to emerge from it but sadly that song often never really does. I do want to like it because at times it feels raw and rough in a good way. I also want to report it to Trading Standards for the cruelly misleading title of the decidedly un-fun ‘Fun House’. Kinda made me want to put on some Madness instead.
There are three Stooges albums. They are all great. This is the least great of the three.
Garageland threatened exile from the group.
We'll probably talk a lot about meaningless terms throughout this exercise, but at honestly with historical perspective few may be as useless as "proto-punk". It's hard not to listen to this album and conclude that this point in musical history, you could listen to as many blues records as your heart desired, record a rock record, and 10, 20, 50 years later people would ascribe whatever genre they wanted to you. But in the truly freed spirit of this album you can hear at least the spirit of the punk yet to come; for the most contemporary reference I can think of I honestly feel I hear more than a little Viagra Boys in this album. But all that entrepreneurial spirit would be worthless if the album itself wasn't good. Fortunately, it still fucking rocks. Honestly, it's best if you abandon any intellectual exercise here in the first place: this all about fuzz and imperfection. Surrender yourself to the sound and let the history do the talking.
Not their best album, necessarily. But still a great album.
3/5
The last song on the album was like nails on a chalkboard for me but everything else was as great.
The kind of album Animal from the Muppets might make. Some of the other proto-punk on the list hasn't quite appealed to me, but I liked this one. I was on the fence between a 3-star rating or a 4, but I think the deranged saxophone carries it over the line. Favorite track: "T.V. Eye."
Revisiting this album is always a blast. I can only imagine the impact it had on music fans back then, hearing this raw energy for the first time. While there were other heavy albums emerging at the time, like Black Sabbath’s debut, “Funhouse” stands out for its early punk aesthetics. This album was instrumental in paving the way for the proto-punk bands that would later drive the punk movement forward.