Raw Power

I think this album managed to invent punk and sow the seeds of glam. It’s also brilliant start to finish.

Mice

Must have in collection

Absolute pure unadulterated rock n roll. Incredible. Love the heavy guitar, unhinged solos, tambourine shaking thru every track, and love how relentless it is. Also the Iggy Mix saved this album

One of the quintessential proto-punk records. I do prefer fun house but there aren’t alot of records like this one. Iggy mix all the way as well. Bowie butchered his version imo.

Raw power indeed! Reminds me of a dive bar I used to frequent in Manhattan. Rip Grassroots!

Iggy mix >>>>>>>>Bowie mix

Essential proto punk album. Loved basically every second of this and listened to it three times. The Stooges walked so hardcore punk bands of the 80s could run.

I really liked this, having never heard it before'--solid guitar, bass, drums, vocals. After listening to that garbage sh*t yesterday, (napalm death/scum) this was like Yeah!

Iggy Mix. 5/5, felt cool asf listening to this.

Хард-рок 60х-70х прям моя тема, обожаю G'n'R, Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, последних послушал благодаря для этому сайту, спасибо ему

Banger upon banger, really enjoyed this one. Added a few picks to songs that I think define me!

Okay…I totally missed out on this album and really enjoyed it. It’s keeper, it’s a rocker, and what was I thinking! From the opener Search and Destroy to ending of Death Trip this album lives up to it’s title of Raw Power and kept me Rockin’ all the through. This album must have opened the doors from many other bands to step through in the mid-70’s 80’s and 90’s. From Punk to Grunge.

1973... I was 2. But this album kills it! So fuzzy and Iggy sounds young but on the edge of every razor. Great record!

A great album. I don't really recognize much punk in it, but there's plenty of top-notch rock. I'll definitely be listening to this album often. 5/5

So so seminal. Raw Power indeed

Love that, actually honestly and raw. So fresh in comparison to the radio rock bands of this time 4+

Hade glömt hur jävla bra den här skivan är. En klassiker. Och som han sjunger! En femma!

I can feel the influence radiating off every track on this album. Intense.

Nice

Buenísimo, un rock en estado puro como tal dice su Nombre

5/5 best stooges album

Pure swagger. I was obsessed with this in my teens

So wie die Stones dachten das sie klingen: roh aber soulful, sexually charged, unberechenbar. Es wurde viel über die Produktion diskutiert, ich habe ein paar der Songs in allen drei Varianten gehört und finde alle gleich flach. Aber das ist ja auch Musik, die für Konzerte gemacht ist. Sonderlob für das unfassbar gute Gitarrenspiel. Abzug weil klingt wie Bootleg auf Kassette aber sorry, das Album ist

Pure Iggy Pop craziness!

we have not stopped having a real cool time. we are searching and destroying. we are pushing levels up and down erratically. you can't tell us how a record is supposed to sound. music: appreciated. (⌐■ ̮ ■)

Absolutely rocks. I listened to the Iggy mix, and a couple songs from the Bowie mix for comparison. But it’s intuitively obvious that if you would tend towards the Bowie mix, given the choice, there is something wrong with you.

How come I never listened to this epic album for all these years?

I reckon this album is a visceral experience. It is raw and muddy and filthy and brilliant.

Needs to be heard loud.

it’s a classic. can’t beat classic rock and the stooges do it so well. timeless

This album is great. I really love The Stooges, but one thing you need to remember is get this as a remastered version. That way you can actually hear it.

Often, when I listen to punk albums, they get dismissed because I just can't find any pleasure in listening to a bunch of dudes wailing away on their instruments and screaming. Sorry, I know punk fans will say this is an unfair criticism from someone who doesn't understand punk. Entirely fair to say. This is the counterpoint that defies that explanation, however. Arguably, this has all those same elements. It is undeniably rough and raw. There is no denying that Iggy is often screaming. Except...it's good. So goddamned good. I can not really offer an explanation for the difference, but it's there. This is several orders of magnitude better than any punk album I have heard on here so far, probably ever. Oh wait...I figured it out. They don't suck. They can actually play their instruments.

What would my life would have been like if my parents were listening to this in 1973 instead of Zeppelin? I hear this band in so many albums I love, and this is lesson in making a no-skips banger in under 40 minutes.

Oh Wow, what a great album to listen to whilst walking the dog - I can see where the New York Dolls came from, plus Sex Pistols etc, Iggy sounding so puuurrreee!

Increíble. Me volvió loca

I’ve heard this before and I own it. I got the blown out Iggy mix rather than the original Bowie mix, so that’s the one I’m used to, but I’ll listen to both of them. I am aware of an original Iggy mix found in bootleg form floating around but I won’t bother searching for that. The Bowie mix has been regarded as “thin” and I have to agree, the vocals and guitar leads are too high in the mix and the low end seems to be an afterthought except on a few songs where it’s cranked way up. The Iggy mix, while blown out, is Raw and has Power and definitely more fitting for this album. Anyhow every song is great and in the right spot on the album. This is my least favorite of their original 3 albums but it still rocks out hard and I love it.

This isn't proto punk. This IS punk. Iggy is a god

It’s my first time listening all the way through. Listened to both the Bowie and Iggy mixes. I preferred the Iggy mix because it seemed more raw. This early punk seems aggressive because of the addition of James Williamson. His guitar playing is so great on this album if gives the power needed to get emotion that Iggy I think desired when he was writing his lyrics. Such a great album.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! This album feels like sticking my hand into a flame.

This album is a total high energy asasault that perfectly nails that dirty 70s rock vibe I dig. It feels like a punk precursor, super timeless and wild, especially with those killer guitar riffs and Iggy Pop's vocals. Tracks like "Search And Destroy" and "Raw Power" are just so grimy and aggressive, everything else from 1973 sounds weak. The production is a bit of a mess, but do you like the thin Bowie mix or the muddy Iggy mix? I'm team Iggy, personally... If you like punk roots or loud, sweaty garage rock, this is a must-listen, five star experience that still slaps.

Automatic 5! Was so far and ahead of everything else at the time. Listening to this album I feel like Lester Bangs going on a tirade about that THIS is what a rock and roll is all about. From the White Stripes to Van Halen from Black Flag to Metallica - they all owe it to Iggy who w/o they would not exist.

🥞

I liked it! However, I was not expecting to like this type of rock that reminds me of rock played back in California

Now this, is my kind of album.

Look out honey because I'm using technology.

The rawest. Still sounds fresh and fun.

I am biased, but I love this record.

Anything from The Stooges is automatically 5 stars.

Really energetic and interesting

Nothing ever really tops this. Way ahead of its time. Sounds 40 years younger than it is.

Raw Power is such an accurate name. This is raw, real punk, with a grimy feel you can't help but wrinkle your nose at while listening. It's such classic punk but it carries so much finesse in the musicianship. The drums and the guitar and even the vocals are GOOD without being so polished that they take away from the feel.

This is the only one I would give 6 out of 5.

This album is the most accurately titled album I've listened to.

Raw and loud sound. That’s the real punk Energy

I am struggling to find anything about this album that puts me off. It’s just a great album! Definitely a predecessor to punk rock, raw and dirty. And I’m here for it.

Love this album.

Sona a suor, alcohol i brutícia. M’ha encantat.

I'm not new to this era and have listened to the Stooges before., especially during my reading of punk rock history. This sound is timeless, merging together the anxious, feverous and lustful sounds of an era marked by rebellion and change. A must listen for every rock fan to understand the roots of so many of our favorite bands of today.

yall are wrong, bowie mix still slaps just get better speakers

Bowie-produced madness. ESSENTIAL.

10/10 divorced dad music

I really liked it, right up my alley. I even took the time to listen to both the Iggy and Bowie mixes (I prefer the latter, rather than the former). Just pure raw punk, meant to be played as loud as possible!

INPUT = {"artist": "The Stooges", "album": "Raw Power"} LINEUP = {"men": 3, "women": 0} FEATURED_ARTISTS = {"men": 0, "women": 0} TOTAL_MEN = 3 TOTAL_WOMEN = 0 WOMEN_PERCENTAGE = 0 OUTPUT = "Maximum score awarded. 5/5"

Vulnerability caped in bravado - my specific lane 😂 Unfiltered and unhinged, this record is a full-body experience with bite. Messy, loud and ALIVE in a way that captures my spirit and reminds me I can handle the intensity.

Proto punk at it's finest

It shouldn't work, but it does. This album rocks. One of the most appropriately titled records, it captures the vibe of a band performing live and ready to explode in the first half, while the second half of the tracks gives the songs an increasingly off-the-cuff demo feel. Iggy gyrating and panting about 'Penetration' might turn some listeners off, but the prowling, menacing musical underscore makes me want to kick off and start a fire. Listening to the 2023 re-release, I feel like Iggy Pop's master is the one best suited for blasting through your speakers, whilst David Bowie's mix offers a more absorbing headphone listening experience. 'Shake Appeal' is quite underbaked and could have been dropped, but tracks like 'Gimme Danger', 'Penetration' and 'Death Trip' will be making the playlist for sure.

Amazing guitar, its good for a workout or drinking beer

9/10 – Great

Kicks Ass. I love the distorted vocals, the aggressive guitar, everything. One of the best punk albums ever. Standout Tracks: Search and Destroy, Gimme Danger, I Need Somebody.

Perfect proto punk album. Not sure if everyone agrees but I think this the best pre-punk punk record. So much energy across the whole thing, crunchy guitar riffs, and iggy is iconic. Imagine seeing them live 🤩

One of the most apt album titles ever. Iggy and his band deliver on both the raw and powerful fronts. I listened to this on YouTube Music zand I Need Somebody had 666 Likes at the time, I wanted to like it too but was just too perfect as it was.

You’d have to have a heart of napalm to not like this album.

Awesome 👌

Quickie!! 34 mins. I liked it

Zarpado

One of the preeminent aesthetic tasks of any punk musician is learning how to teeter right on the edge of the stage without falling off. This album, with its famously muddy and inconsistent production that enhances rather than detracts from the decadent atmosphere, is Iggy mastering that task in audio form. Monumental.

Coiled nervous energy released in explosive bursts of fuzz, howling scrams, flailing drums and scuzzy blues riffs played hard loud and filthy. A heaping dose of pure charisma, uncut thunder, primordial punk.

A great album

In the heyday of Prog Rock and the height of Rock & Roll excess, The Stooges managed to be ahead of their time by going the opposite direction - creating a raw, low-brow masterpiece that would generate more garage bands than any Yes album ever could. It's both more raw and more powerful than their earlier records and couldn't have been named anything else. The point-of-no-return in the creation of Punk Rock.

I'm absolutely buzzing from thelis album. Raw power describes it perfectly.

I love that this followed Fats Domino, because rock started there and somehow ended up here in just about 15 years and thank goodness it did. I'll never understand why people bothered with the Sex Pistols when the Stooges had already done it so much better. RIP Ron Asheton

Michelle Trachtenberg had a crazy, cool TV dad

NICE

A hugely influential proto-punk album that still sounds incredibly fresh. The immediate punch of "Search and Destroy" is the album's best track and sets the energetic pace of the entire record. This album helped prepare the ground for the punk movement and would be a major influence on The Sex Pistols, The Smith, and Nirvana among many others. Whether you prefer the Bowie mix or not, the mere fair that Bowie saw the magic of this album before anyone else tells you much about what you need to know. This generator doesn't always hit the mark, but this album really is essential listening for any rock fans.

One of the most visceral and louder punk records ever if you listen to the Iggy Pop mix. The Bowie mix isn't anything to sneeze at either, just softer, though I prefer it loud. Classic tunes all through this. Listened to multiple times before.

It’s so weird. What mix do you listen to? The Bowie Mix? The Iggy Mix? The latest Remastered version? The credit that this album gets comes from the fact that no matter which one you listen to, it still fucking rocks! BTW, I listened to the Iggy Mix Remastered edition

Fire

Classic!

Detroit rock and roll at it's finest. Raw Power is the perfect name for this. This site directed me to the Iggy mix for this album and that seems to be the right choice. Also, this album is only 34 minutes which is perfection. Get you in, get you out.

Zuhause, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Tolles Album!

A favorite of mine. This one never grows old for me. Hands down, the best Iggy album!

Raw Power indeed. Few records have such a fitting name. Search land Destroy is the absolute highlight. The intro riff, the first verses, the energy. That song is up to no good and you should beware.

Search and Destroy - 5/5 Gimme Danger - 5/5 Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell - 5/5 Penetration - 4/5 Raw Power - 4/5 I Need Somebody - 5/5 Shake Appeal - 4/5 Death Trip - 5/5 Average score: 4.6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ never heard this before today, and i was stumped by there being two separate mixes. i listened to one song from each, and while i could appreciate how raw the Bowie mix is (no pun intended), it sounded like they used a tin can to record it. i personally like the bass-heavy sound from the Iggy mix better

Love the progression into punk rock from both pop riffs and harder soloing, though it was weird hearing stuff about penetration around y’all’s sister. Bonus star for how sexy he looks on the cover though.

“I’m a street walkin’ cheetah with a hand full of napalm.” one of the coolest lines in punk rock. i remember growing up, Marx had a poster of this album cover in our conjoined basement room. My friends would always comment the typical shit a stupid podunk farm kids always say. Derogatory, filthy, hateful shit. I always resented them for it because they didn’t know SHIT about Iggy Pop. They didn’t know how cool of a mf he really was. Thank god i got different friends. 5/5.

Enjoyed it a lot, evocative of great days past. Some really good tracks and guitar.

Pure raw power. This moved something in me, involuntary, it pushed, it growled, it's so ahead and so different. Give me this over all the rock drivel that came out around the same time. This kicks ass, man.

This album is really good. I enjoyed it a lot, and it has many great songs with many different sounds. Everything works here perfectly. I don't know what else to say about an album I liked that much, I can't find any flaws.

Again, another band I've only listened to around the edges. I know the influence the Stooges had on punk music but actually listening to a full album I can really see their influence. This is some great music and well ahead of it's time. There is a real sleaziness to this album and it's so heavy that it was probably mind-blowing when it came out. I immediatley went and listened to their 1969 debut album after this so I would call this a good find for me.

Top 20 album for sure.

brains melting on the edge of chaos rock machines banging metal pipes on concrete walls will we find hopes for beauty

10 Gotta be another 10!!!!! One of the best ever at the very peak of his powers all bangers wikid wikid album

One of my all-time favorites. No notes. There is not a single thing about this album that I don't love.

Hugely influential and important for a record that sounds like 💩 I love Iggy Pop from this era, even though I prefer "Fun House", this album kicks balls and slaps titties. I love the history behind this type of album, and the controversy around the "remixed" version that Iggy Pop oversaw himself. Luckily, both versions are available on streaming services, and I recommend listening to both.

oh his fagger tea

Raw Power is goated. Arguably the moment Punk was born, especially in the production booth. As for the production on the album....................best to stick to a modern mastering of it, albeit the album title pretty much is the warning that it's gonna sound, well, raw.

#155/1001. Again during this project was a phase that albums to be reviewed queue got a bit longer, and for some reason I picked them out leaving a better moment for this. Well that better moment never came, unless you set your mind in to thinking every moment is a potential raw power moment. I think I first heard about Iggy in the 80s when metal was the thing and my cousin talked about this funny song in which the singer wanted to kive on dog food. How did she get exposed to it - I don’t know if she hanged out with the wrong people or was it just because she was Swedish. Later on in the 90s I saw Iggy, opening for the Ramones. I remember thinking that “man, that old dude can rock”. And that is over 40 years ago? I guess he is still doing shows? Hail the new Ozzy. Iggy / stooges has never been in my album collection or turntable, perhaps after 40 years or so when my kids drag me in to old peoples’ home I can blast this out, twist and jerk around semi-naked around in my leather pants, showing nurses born in 2040s how to rock.

This is what a real rock album actually sounds like. The first time I heard Search and Destroy, some 35 years ago now, I was hooked. These songs are a controlled demolition, visceral and implosive. Iggy scared me then and he damn sure still scares me now. This music is dangerous and I get to live vicariously through it every time I turn it up and roll down the windows. It doesn’t matter that I’m driving an eco-friendly car and obeying the posted speed limit, I’m still the world’s forgotten boy in that moment and the rush hour traffic better be ready, because I’m about to penetrate it! I think some music is great because it doesn’t sound like anything else. When I listen to Iggy and the Stooges, and especially here on the more ‘mainstream’ stylings of Raw Power, I hear most of my favorite rock bands for the next 50 years lurking in the background. Without this, what happens to punk and its ‘mainstreamed’ derivatives, to grunge, to garage rock, to alternative and modern rock? Hard to Imagine what it sounds like without influences like this …a historically important album that is actually still a great listen.

Man what a great record is this. Raw Power is an apt title for sure. I hate to be one of those 'back in my day...' types (this was considerably before my day anyway), but I wish there were more bands making music like this still. Just go in with guitars, bass, drums, vocals and crank out a badass record. Sadly that doesn't happen much anymore. This album is one of those special ones that made countless kids want to pick up an instrument or start a band and we're so much better for it. You can hear all of the punk from the later 70s on coming from this record. This is a record you should listen to twice back to back - first listen to the Iggy version then the Bowie version. Really interesting to hear different takes each of them had with the same raw tapes. There are some things I like about the Bowie version better but if I had to choose one it would be the Iggy version. It's just less polished and harsher sounding and I think it fits the music better. The harsher production becomes an instrument in itself. You can't really say enough good stuff about this record. Or you could go on forever about it. 5/5

Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Wrote the following note for it on my spreadsheet: "I think this might be my favorite Stooges album!" Previously listened to 3 songs (Search and Destroy; Gimme Danger; Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell) Favorite Song: I Need Somebody

Täykky räimerock! 5/5

Great album by a great band.

A punk classic. Everything else (from this era, at least) pales in comparison. The actual blueprint for punk rock.

The Stooges are awesome. If you disagree, you are incorrect

Fantastic! Punk pioneers pioneering! I rocked out the whole time. I might have to concede - Iggy Lou and Bowie might be my faves. In this age of whatever this is they remind to stick the finger up at conformity. 9.0

Production on this has always been janky but it’s the Stooges. Not as good as Raw Power but damn it’s the Stooges

Gimme all of that you got

Aptly titled.

Yeah, I mean how do you do better than Iggy and the Stooges? This is an important album for a reason. Where would we be without it?

Okay we’re hitting a hot streak now

One of the greatest ever made. Put on Search and Destroy and tell me it don't feel like a bat to the dome, Ill call you a goddamned liar.

One CANNOT play this loud enough I love dancing around my room to this while blasting it on the headphones

The Good: We know what we’re in for! The Bad: Too little time to get into it… The Ugly: The album cover… Though I’ve not been too positive about the previous The Stooges albums I’ve listened to, this one just hit the spot right. Don’t know if the product has anything to do with this, or if it just is pure luck. From song 1 through song last, one just nods one’s head in approval, while hiding a slight grin under one’s nose. Maybe I need to re-listen to the previous albums with a different ear? 4 1/2* which I’ll upgrade to 5 to get my buddies off my back!

Grimy dirty rock and roll at it’s core Top Tracks: Search and Destroy, Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell

5/5 no notes

The stooges, with Iggy pops crooning vocals. Hot damn. There's an incredible energy and old-school rock down. Overdrive, minor reverb, equipment that's fuzzy and a bit shitty but by god all of that has not become the appeal and the charm.

Fantastic

own

Passed down through generations, Raw Power always lives up to its name. Belligerent and bruised, lustful and fighting to be seen — I don't know a North American teen who hasn't had these feelings. The wasteland repeats itself, and Iggy Pop is its eternal, swaggering Id: I'm a streetwalking cheetah with a heart full of napalm / I'm a runaway son of a nuclear A-bomb / I am the world's forgotten boy / The one who searches and destroys.

It's one thing to know about raw power, it's another thing to wield it. Even when they were approaching the end of their imperial phase (and the end of the road with one another) The Stooges still commanded the listeners attention with brute force and animalistic will, even when it was beginning to lessen and fragment into other shapes that no longer fitted with another. The decadence was still in abundance, it was just that it went in different directions. The evidence is apparent in the different mixes given (Bowie Mix and Iggy Mix). Raw Power is the thought, the feel and the action. The Stooges had it in spades.

Overall: 9/10 I got really into The Stooges a few months ago and this was the album I was finding myself coming back to the most. It's a perfect example of how the production of an album can make or break it. It's incredibly raw and dirty, and I think it works incredibly for something like this. Cleaner production would just ruin the atmosphere completely. The guitar work might be my favourite thing about this album, some great work there. Iggy also sounds great and I think his vocals improved a lot since their first album. This is true punk and anyone who argues otherwise is a lunatic. Fav Song: Raw Power Least Fav Song: Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell

I thought this sounded different than I remembered, but then I realized I was thinking of the self-titled. That was my fault. Their fault is having this ripper of early punk.

This album is the unadulterated definition of rock 'n' roll!

It's real, it's raw, it's ready for you to accept it into your heart if you're open to it.

Ett album man sätter på när man är rå full eller dagen efter det. Får en vaken och redig att förstöra massa skit. Alltså väldigt bra på sitt syfte

Another foundational recording for so much of rock music that has followed it. Absolutely essential for any collection.

raw power = pure rock and roll

Awesome pre-punk.

It is raw...Maybe a little to chewy for me, but consider it is a 1973 year album that is something.

Loved this a lot more than I thought I would...

All time great. Love this. 5 *.

5 To be succinct, there are three Stooges albums every household needs. There is one kind of wasted moment on them ("We Will Fall" on the debut.) The sound and the fury that leads Rock N' Roll into its next phase is right here.

fucking CRANK IT! Just what I needed. It's July 13th, 2025 and I needed some punk rock.

Genius

A classic, not a skippable song on the record. 10/10.

Ferocious

Pet fav songs: Penetration; I Need Somebody; Shake Appeal I totally forgot about listening to this when I was younger. Great album.

The songs on this are great. I saw Iggy live recently and he played a bunch of them and it was ace. I was however a little disappointed by the sound of the album, until... The Iggy mixes came on and they were exactly how I wanted to hear them. Brilliant. 4/5 for the Bowie mixes 5/5 for the Iggy ones!

Important precursor to punk rock, a classic 🤘

banger

Not sure whether this or Fun House is my favourite Stooges album, although either dispels the myth that punk started in 1976... There are so many mixes and remasters now available. The one I have listened to most in the past is Iggy's '90s remix which I always found harsh due to his pushing all the faders into the red. Conversely, the original Bowie mix was a little muddy in places. Today I listened to 2023 remasters of both on Apple Music and thought they were both sonically better to the point that there is little to choose between them - the Bowie mix now has more power and the Iggy pulls the distortion back a bit so that details such as the celesta on "Penetration" sing out. That allows you to concentrate on the songs. "Search and Destroy", "Gimme Danger", "You're Pretty Face Is Going to Hell", "Penetration" - I just realised that I am going to list them all... Not a bad track here. Iggy looks defiant on the cover. He may have become close to a parody of himself in his later years but I saw the Stooges support Soundgarden in 2012 and they brought it. Raw. Powerful.

5/5. No notes. Favorite: “Search and Destroy”

Not my favourite Stooges album, but still about as good as rock music can possible be. It pretty much laps everything else in punk, before that movement was even a thing."I'm a streetwalking cheetah with a heart full of napalm" is one of the best opening lyrics ever.

Album title is accurate

This is a classic proto-punk album, and a massively influential one at that. I listened to the original Bowie-produced version as well as an Igyy-produced one. Loved them both.

Raw power is the perfect title for this album. Just scratchy, distorted energy all the way through. I first heard this album a couple of years ago, and it's too bad--I'd only every heard a couple of singles from Iggy Pop before. Short, full of energy. Great stuff, and consistent all the way through. High 4/5 rounds up to five.

I cut my chest up in a hot Detroit ballroom with five stars for Raw Power. Even for Bowie's original clunky mix but especially for the redline one Iggy did the early 2000s.

Like the underappreciated "High Time" by the MC5, The Stooges' hometown cohorts, "Raw Power" is essentially the dying gasp of a band that would cease to be a going concern within a year of the album's release. (Technically, The Stooges had already broken up and been reformed to cut and tour this album.) It's fascinating to think that neither American nor British audiences in 1973 took to this album despite punk rock being just a few more years away and the cultural cachet the band enjoys today. I could quibble over whether this or "Fun House" belongs on this list (maybe both?), and there's been loads written about the poor audio quality of Bowie's mix (it's frustrating to hear a band with such a formidable rhythm section subjected to such a tinny mix). But this remains a masterclass in economical songwriting, sleaze and aggression that single-handedly made Iggy Pop's reputation. If you're into this, check out the "Kill City" release Iggy cut with Stooges guitarist James Williamson and a bunch of studio musicians a couple of years after this. The album has a fascinating backstory and features tight, soulful songs and plenty of saxophone.

Love The Stooges. 5 stars.

Er denne plata beviset på at dert faktisk kan være passe mye heroin?

Rock er best!

4.5

I had this record on vinyl (since lost to the fire). All the streaming services had two remasters-the Bowie mix and the Iggy mix. The Bowie mix felt closer to my memory of the album, which is a solid album, no skips. I really hope the Iggy mix doesn’t represent what Iggy wanted out of the album, because it’s really not great. This album is a 5 star album for me, but the mix can really change that (it loses at least one star for the Iggy mix, if not more).

I cannot understate how much more I enjoyed this album compared to the other two Stooges album. These feel more structured, more like actual punk, and each song is really quite strong here. It's dirty, raw, and full of character. Iggy really crushes this album and so does the band, mostly the guitar work. Gimmie Danger is such a good song, but so is Search and Destroy and Death Trip. The super dissonant droning is mostly gone here and what's left is an album I definitely would revisit.

Raw Power is a top tier garage rock album. What makes this release so special is how effortless the songs seem to come together. There’s a messiness to them and what really makes it work is how cool Iggy is, the attitude, the snottiness it doesn’t work if the lead singer isn’t legitimately cool. In the case of Iggy and the Stooges, Iggy IS that cool. Fucking great, 5 stars

One of the greatest rock albums ever made, full of blistering energy and intensity: raw power indeed. 10/10 Best Tracks: "Search and Destroy" "Gimme Danger" "Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell" "Penetration" "Raw Power" "I Need Somebody" "Shake Appeal" "Death Trip"

Yes

Most accurate album name ever? 9/10 Stooges never miss

Love it

Save some cool for the rest of us damn

Raw power will surely come Running to you...

Genius as always Iggy and the boys rip it up

I'm a streetwalking cheetah with a heart full of napalm Fuck Yeah

Amazing album. Lots of grit and swagger and down n dirty guitar. Play this one loud as you can!

Unforgiving hard rock. Harder and dirtier than their first two records (The Stooges, and Fun House). Bowie helped produce this one, and I think he also helped reign in Iggy a bit too. Favorite songs: Shake Appeal, Raw Power, Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, Search and Destroy, Death Trip, I Need Somebody, Gimme Danger Least favorite songs: Penetration 5/5

I listened to the first track of the Bowie version and found the constant fading in and out super distracting. Then I listened to the Iggy Mix, and understood why this album is called RAW POWER.

I know this album well and I thought about giving it another listen to see how it lines up with the rest of these albums. Search and Destroy hits and I know it still holds up as a five out of five.

Старичок Игги никогда не разочаровывает. Это отличный релиз чтобы кататься на скейте, драться в баре или весело ходить. Тупо грязный олдскульный панк-рок и больше ничего. Кайф

När jag upptäckte Stooges så upptäckte jag också den perfekta rockmusiken. Jag har inte hört något lika kaxigt och intensivt rockplatta varken förr eller efter Raw Power. Jag fick gåshud på vägen till jobbet.

A classic … the cover art alone is worth 5 stars 😍

Siehe vorherige Radiohead Bewertung

Crazy Iggy and The Stooges. A good album, but more importantly, the vehicle to a movement. Father’s of Punk? Perhaps…

its funny that all things being equal, the original run of the stooges went out on what is probably their simplest and least ambitious record, and in doing so leaps the furthest into the future to foretell the shape of rock music to come. my association with this is always that its a good record that is never quite as facemelting as search and destroy ever again and tbh maybe those tempered expectations just get me caught off guard because regardless of relative facemeltitude, it never rly stops. its prob extremely stupid to try to put words to this record at all lol but it is continually a delight in exactly the same way it is every time u listen to it. few records are sweatier!!!

Oh yeah. Pure rock n roll. Everything nice and loud. Acoustic guitars and glockenspiels (?) give the sound depth and texture. The attitude is bad-ass throughout. Great cover art.

### In-Depth Review of *Raw Power* by The Stooges Released in 1973, *Raw Power* by The Stooges is a landmark album that bridged the gap between garage rock, proto-punk, and the burgeoning punk movement. With Iggy Pop's visceral vocals, James Williamson's ferocious guitar work, and a raw, chaotic production style, the album has become an enduring symbol of rebellion and raw energy. Below is an in-depth exploration of its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and its merits and flaws. --- ## **Lyrics** The lyrics of *Raw Power* are unapologetically nihilistic, embodying themes of destruction, alienation, and hedonism. Iggy Pop’s songwriting is visceral and confrontational, often reflecting the chaos of the early 1970s. - **"Search and Destroy"** opens with the iconic line: "I'm a street-walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm," setting the tone for the album's explosive energy. The song critiques American imperialism during the Vietnam War while channeling personal alienation[1][4]. - **"Gimme Danger"** adopts a darker tone with masochistic and self-loathing lyrics. It’s a plea for danger and chaos in an otherwise bleak existence[1][5]. - The title track **"Raw Power"** encapsulates the ethos of "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll," portraying raw power as both a destructive force and a source of liberation[3][4]. - Tracks like **"Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell"** and **"Death Trip"** delve into themes of decadence and existential dread, reinforcing the album's nihilistic undertones[4][5]. The lyrics are not polished or poetic in a traditional sense but embody the primal spirit of punk rock. They are direct, provocative, and perfectly aligned with the album’s unrefined aesthetic. --- ## **Music** Musically, *Raw Power* is a ferocious blend of hard rock, proto-punk, and garage rock. James Williamson’s guitar work is central to the album’s sound—aggressive, sharp, and chaotic. - **Guitar Work**: Williamson’s riffs are raw yet intricate. His solos on tracks like "Search and Destroy" are blistering displays of controlled chaos[2][4]. His playing marked a departure from Ron Asheton’s simpler garage-rock style on earlier Stooges albums. - **Rhythm Section**: Ron Asheton (moved to bass) and Scott Asheton (drums) provide a heavy yet flexible foundation. Tracks like "Penetration" showcase their ability to create slinky grooves amidst the chaos[2][4]. - **Vocals**: Iggy Pop’s delivery is unhinged yet deliberate. His raspy screams on "Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell" contrast with his more subdued menace on "Gimme Danger"[4][5]. - **Diversity**: While most tracks are loud and aggressive ("Shake Appeal"), others like "I Need Somebody" incorporate bluesy elements reminiscent of The Doors[4]. The music is relentless in its energy but also demonstrates surprising complexity beneath its raw exterior. --- ## **Production** The production of *Raw Power* is one of its most controversial aspects. Initially mixed by Iggy Pop himself with limited technical expertise, the result was chaotic and uneven. David Bowie was later brought in to remix it for release. - **Original Mix**: Iggy's mix emphasized rawness at the expense of clarity. Instruments often bleed into one another, creating a sense of overwhelming chaos[2][3]. - **Bowie’s Remix**: Bowie attempted to salvage the album by adding some structure but retained much of its raw edge. However, some critics argue that his mix diluted the band’s intended sound[2][6]. - **Legacy Edition**: In 1997, Iggy remixed the album again for reissue. This version amplified its rawness even further but polarized listeners who preferred Bowie’s balance[5]. While some see the flawed production as part of *Raw Power*’s charm, others find it detracts from the musicianship. --- ## **Themes** Thematically, *Raw Power* explores destruction, addiction, alienation, and rebellion: 1. **Destruction**: Songs like "Search and Destroy" revel in imagery of violence and chaos as metaphors for personal and societal collapse[1][4]. 2. **Addiction**: Tracks such as "Raw Power" reflect Iggy Pop’s struggles with heroin addiction—a recurring motif throughout the album[3][4]. 3. **Alienation**: Lyrics across multiple tracks express feelings of being outcast or disconnected from society. 4. **Hedonism**: The album celebrates excess while acknowledging its destructive consequences. These themes resonate deeply within punk rock’s ethos and have influenced countless artists since. --- ## **Influence** *Raw Power* is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in rock history: - It laid the groundwork for punk rock by embracing rawness over polish. - Bands like The Sex Pistols and The Ramones drew heavily from its sound and attitude[3][6]. - Its influence extended into grunge (e.g., Nirvana) and alternative rock movements decades later[1][4]. Kurt Cobain famously listed *Raw Power* as one of his favorite albums, highlighting its lasting impact on generations of musicians. --- ## **Pros** 1. **Innovative Sound**: The album was ahead of its time in combining hard rock with proto-punk aggression. 2. **Unfiltered Energy**: Few records capture raw emotion as effectively as *Raw Power*[4][6]. 3. **Influential Legacy**: Its impact on punk rock cannot be overstated. 4. **Standout Tracks**: Songs like "Search and Destroy," "Gimme Danger," and "Raw Power" remain iconic. --- ## **Cons** 1. **Production Issues**: Both Iggy Pop’s original mix and Bowie’s remix have been criticized for their flaws. 2. **Inconsistency**: Some tracks feel less cohesive or fully realized compared to others. 3. **Limited Appeal**: Its abrasive sound may alienate listeners accustomed to more polished music. 4. **Lyrical Simplicity**: While effective in context, some lyrics may feel repetitive or underdeveloped. --- ## Conclusion *Raw Power* is not just an album—it’s an experience. It captures a moment in time when rock music was at its most volatile and rebellious. While its flaws are evident—particularly in production—it is these very imperfections that contribute to its enduring mystique. For fans of punk rock or anyone seeking unfiltered musical expression, *Raw Power* remains essential listening.

raw

Classic. One of my all time favorite albums. It immediately struck me when I first heard it as a teenager and it has been in solid rotation ever since. 10/10 album for me. The rawness, the power, I guess that’s why it’s called Raw Power. Another one that was waaaaay ahead of its time.

This album is insanely fun. It feels like one of the first steps past the line between rock and punk, and it nails just about everything in the process. This was my first time listening to the Iggy mix, rather than the Bowie version, and I think I enjoyed it even more. This isn't my favorite Stooges record, but it's such an incredibly fun, balls-to-the-wall experience, that I can't help but love it. My only complaint is the same as every other time I've listened to Raw Power - I can do without Penetration. That song is just fine, but gets outshined by the other 7 tracks around it. 9.5/10

Brilliant the energy of this one was electrifying made me wanna run around naked

Classic proton-punk. Great songs and cool vibes from such an old album.

Probably the best of the OG trilogy. Lives up to the name.

Day 35: Raw Power - Iggy and The Stooges. Iggy Pop Album 2/3. Stooges Album 1/3. Raw Power is an ambitious and revolutionary album. It's often described as a proto-punk album. It was a major influence on a lot of punk albums that came after it. It is quite a recognizable album. If the instrumentation were slightly tweaked, it probably would have been a metal album. I've listened to both the Iggy mix, and the Bowie mix. Personally, I prefer the Iggy mix. In both of the albums, the production is rather an acquired taste. It's quite abrasive, which is a large contrast from some of the squeaky-clean productions of today's music. I'm not the biggest fan of punk rock (or proto-punk rock), but I really like this album. I love its energy. I love how heavy it is. Despite the rather confusing production, it does provide some charm to it. As the album title accurately suggests, this album is very raw, and it has a lot of power. Personal Enjoyment: 4/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 5/5.

Brilliant.

RAD!!!

Fleur says she feels cooler every time she listens to The Stooges. As a review, as an idea, as a fact – it’s tough to improve on.

the clue is in the title raw and powerful garage/punk

Sensational.

This is one of those albums that have that raw and dirty feel to it. I love it!

Aptly named.

Iggy is one of the GOATs. It was interesting to hear how different each of the mixes were. Without The Stooges, most of the music I listen to wouldn't exist. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

9/10 Damn great album. Had to get used to the vocals being way louder than the band, but after a few songs it hit me. The pure raw energy of the vocals combined with the reckless guitar solos make this album outstanding. Will I return to this album? Probably definitely. Favourite tracks: Search and destroy Raw power Death trip Least favorite tracks:

1st Punk Rock Album ever!

Full of Raw Power, what an insanely good album. Grunge and Punk godfathers at their best!

does what it says on the tin

Raw Power is the culmination of years of blues bands slowly pushing the limits of how loud and hard they could play. this music demands to be listened to as loudly as you can withstand, with Iggy Pop's shout-along hooks and downright feral vocal antics fighting for space alongside some of the most blown-out guitar tones I've ever heard on a rock album, in any generation. what you see in the title is what you get! the release of this album in 1973 places it in a strange transitionary period for rock music, with its place as a founding pillar of the punk style placing it neatly between the blues rock of the sixties and the explosion of countercultural, often avant-garde rock and pop music that was to follow in the seventies and eighties. you can detect pieces of the DNA of early punk rock here, of course, but there's even bits that point towards new wave and hardcore too. it's not often you get to hear a record that exhibits those timeless sorts of qualities, where it feels like you're listening to music history play out in real time. strong 9/10.

It delivers on what it says it’s selling

This album kicks insane amounts of ass.

Così avanti da non credereh

Easiest 5 of all time

Fuck Yes.

Iggy at his best.

really fucking good i need to listen more

Indisputably one of the best rock albums ever.

Proto punk yes let's gooooo. James Williamson's guitar, oh that sheer power and aggression, and Iggy's voice, that rawness, wow. I'm quite speechless in face of this album, such a fresh breath of air, so lively yet so painful. A perfect creation. Tis is punk. I love punk. I'm giving it a 5/5, for personal bias, you know, personal bias.

yes

I love The Stooges and this is one of my favorite albums. It's over 50 years old and still sounds ground breaking.

Perfect album! Many tracks are very cool!

Lyrically wild With matching sonic aura Punk influencer

The original punk. Such a great album

Fuggin’ gud stuf

Ths Stooges banda esencial y Raw power disco fundamental: Rock, garaje, punk, lo que quieras. Otros discos de 1973: Dark side of the moon, Catch a fire, Aladdin Sane, Band on the run, New York Dolls, Aladdin Sane, Berlin, Let´s get it on, For Your Pleasure, Call me, A wizzard/a true star, Innervisions, GP, Tubullar Bells, Houses of the holy, Quadrophenia, Selling England by the Pound, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (y Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player), Killing Me Softly, For Your Pleasure...

How good is punk rock!! That was an incredible album. Iggy Pop is at the peak of his game here. If you haven't listened to this album before then you're missing out, it's that simple! There's something about punk that I just love. The in-your face, upbeat energy, the distorted and guitar riffs and the unconventional vocal delivery mixed with the raw and confrontational lyrical content create a listening experience that in my opinion is simply unmatched in any other genre. Brilliant stuff!

I really enjoyed it, beefy Proto punk

a lot better than i remember holy cow

Such a sick album. Feel like it really lives up to the title with this bunch of sharp, snarly, and incredibly high energy tracks. It's sexy, filthy, lurid, and such a good time. Best Track: I Need Somebody Worst Track: Death Trip

Hell yeah!!! Raw punk!

You know what, maybe I am a streetwalking cheetah with a heart full of napalm. I love this album. I love The Stooges. I’m 20% certain Iggy is not from this planet. Although it feels like I need to wash my hands after listening to this album. The 2023 mix of this album I listened to is…interesting. Sometimes I loved this new mix, sometimes I really disliked it.

Pretty much perfect, loud rock music played loudly by loud people. Yup!!

Hell yeah. I’ve never heard this but I can see why it’s on the list and why this band and Iggy are so well regarded.

Flawed and somehow perfect. Bowie’s production/mix/recording is batshit, but Iggy’s fix is somehow worse. Great songs, amazing energy, groundbreaking.

Fuck yeah. The Stooges and Iggy. This album makes me want to uproot and unplug, searching for other lost and curious souls to spend the rest of my heartbeats moving through an unsolvable mystery. Even now, this album overflows with a raw energy that is frightening to a lot of people...it leans away from logics into desires that so many of us repress and exhales them in songs of such energy and transgression....it's punk, it's rock and roll. It's Jerry Lee Lewis unhinged on amphetamines and exploring his queer side...

In my top 5 albums of all time. Straight ahead rock and roll. I get a chuckle out of Iggy’s mix with everything in the red and clipping. Adds to the awesomeness.

a really great, aggressive hard rock album. i haven't had much exposure to the stooges, but know they are held in very high regard in terms of being the bridge between 1960s garage rock and 1970s punk. lots of attitude, lots of fun. my only gripe here is the production, which is extremely flat and it looses some of the frenetic energy (although doing some reading it seems like remixes have been controversial). despite that, i had a really great time listening to this one.

Superclassic - not much to say except that I prefer the original Bowie mix above the Iggy mix.

RAW F U C K I N G POWER!

Iggy Pop? You mean that guy who wrote that song ("Lust For Life") from the cruise ship commercial? Well, this album, Iggy and the Stooge's third, sounds dangerous - and yes, raw - half a century after it's release. Iggy does his best glam rock singer from hell impression (growling the song's title on "Penetration") over a sharp and grinding guitar. Knowing the legends of the man, he's not making it all up - you believe him when he asks for danger, little stranger. Somewhat surprisingly, the songs are tightly written. Iggy has said that in the past his group played loud since they hadn't mastered their instruments. But this is a case where their unpolished sound is intentional; it takes real talent to sound like you're not trying. It's powerful. Iggy and the Stooges get labeled as proto-punk for a reason: driving drums, acidic guitars, and lessened focus on solos and instrumentation. But there's more than a bit of cock rock / stadium rock here, and you can hear where Van Halen et al. got a lot of inspiration. This is another essential album. It's way smarter than I guessed it would be thanks to its impassioned lyrics and strong, intentional songwriting. It sounds like a "classic" without being dated. if it sounds dangerous now, I can only imagine how many midwest minds it blew when it was released in the early 70s.

Yeah yeah yeah it's punk and it's Iggy. Take your stars.

Probably the greatest balls to the walls American rock and roll record of the 1970s. If not this then Fun House is the way to go. Mind you I am in no way impartial...I have a cat named Iggy.

"Uffff". Esa fue mi primera expresión al ver que hoy toca éste discazo. ¿Qué puede decirse de distinto de éste álbum, de The Stooges, de Iggy Pop? Que me juego que cada persona que escucha "Raw Power" tiene una única vivencia visceral, que lo conecta con sus partes oscuras, con su sexualidad y sensualidad. Con ganas de romperse y de bailar frenéticamente. Con un ansia irrefrenable de vivir.

“I dunno, I thought this would hit harder.” *turns volume up* “Holy shit, this is amazing!”

YES!!

Don't expect objectivity from me here. One of my Desert island discs

What can I say? Just listen to it.

5 out of 5. Listened to the 1997 Private Mix version, if it matters. Very influential album in one of my my favorite music genres. I think I listened to this one before but now I have a better appreciation for it's sound, which is silly because I feel like this album should have had more listens from me. Favorite song: I Need Somebody Least favorite: Again, there really isn't one, but if I had to pick it's probably be Penetration

I will never not think of Philip Seymour Hoffman as Lester Bangs exclaiming “IGGY POP!” and then forcing the DJ to play Search and Destroy. Precisely the energy this album demands. Just listen and rock out.

Yaaas

Listen to the Iggy mix and this album is fantastic! Good old fashioned dirty rock and roll

i can't be objective about this album i already love it so much

Pure punk

Goes harder than anything before, and arguable after - sure others are faster or more distorted, but this has a hardness that is more difficult to quantify. Listened to the Iggy mix - unclear what the difference is from Bowie and from the original. Still remember getting introduced to Search and Destroy (what an opener) through The Life Aquatic. Love the dingy piano in Raw Power. No one's learned how to do what they did - despite 50 years to do so.

Pretty awesome - strong sound and something feels very unique about it.

Powerful. Still holds

The uk may have had punk, but the us really had proto-punk. It's hard to say if I prefer the iggy or the bowie mix but I love the raw edge of the iggy mix. Fantastic all around.

search and destroy your pretty face is going to hell penetration i need somebody death trip

The Stooges - Raw Power 5/5 I love the first Stooges more than almost any album. This one rocks from the get go. It’s a pile driver in 1973 and just as effective in 2024.

RATING SYSTEM: 1*: Horrible 2*: Bad 3*: Middle of the road 4*: Good 5*: Amazing (will round up/down songs that I feel fit between two ratings) ALBUM 3: Raw power Amazing raw, dirty and aggressive proto punk. I love this album!!!! I prefer the Iggy mix, which is much more raw over the Bowie one.

Raw indeed. Love it.

I think I like the Bowie mix more but need to listen to Iggys again. Great album from legendary band ahead of the time. It’s so hard picking a favorite stooges album. Almost every track is an instant save Rating: 4.8

5/5

great singer dirty and powered bass line

Awesome album!

Et af mine 3 ynglings albums. Det er et skud råt skud energi, og en ren hit parade.

51 years later, this is still as awe inspiring as it was in 1973. Iggy and the Stooges were on a mission to take rock to new scary and rebellious places, and this was a typical grenade of glitter and bong resin thrown over the walls of pop music.

Very excited to get this one from the generator. I ride with the Iggy Mix, personally. It's grimy and gritty without losing all of the sonic fidelity. All the compression manages to work in its favor. This opening three song run is maybe one of the strongest in its genre. And then the run continues, for pretty much the rest of the record. 'Raw Power' indeed. Highlights: Search and Destroy, Give Me Danger, Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell, Penetration, Raw Power, I Need Somebody

for a band that recorded three albums in four years, Their first record fifty five years ago in 1969, it kind of means something that the name Iggy Pop and the Stooges remain such a staple in rock's history. I definitely hear the influence of the Doors and Stones in many songs portrayed here, and am flabbergasted. it's an amazing thought how fresh the album sounds. You could release it today and it would sound like a legitimately good release with a gripping imperfection and urgency to it, played by young and high twenty-somethings who got nothing better to do than do their thing. That thing, of course, is to search and destroy and they goddamned mean it. Let's pressurize the bog into uncut diamonds their apparent credo . There is a raw power to this album, even though i quite like the much critiqued bowie mix for it's accents and balance. Something timeless shot to the heaven of sound and touched the future of music in Mr pop's dirty voice with a grunt here and Mr Williamson's wicked licks, hypnotic accents, furious solos and a group effort humm there. This 3rd album, though misunderstood by most back in '73, became a standard-bearer, just like their first the Stooges and second No Fun albums before. Iggy and the Stooges beat many future bands that wanted to improve on the sexy and dangerous foundation they helped lay. How freaking cool can one be to make music that the kids of the kids listening to this in '73 still find this album relevant and fresh in the 20's of the next century. Maybe i'm getting older and staler, but alas, none can hold back the dials of time. There is only one exception apparently, and his name is Iggy Pop, because for over 50 years he's been jumping in our faces with the energy of young and high 25 year old. Nice one

Wow. Loved it

Wow - this hit me like a train. I cranked the volume up and just am blown away by those crunching guitars. I've genuinely never listened to music before like this, where I got such a feeling of "holy fuck that SOUND!". I've already had their debut album on this list, which I liked, but this was another level. It's easy to see why Iggy was so influential in the 70s, it's a short record but packed with energy: this is a sprint not a marathon, in a good way. Also Raw Power could be the best album title ever, it describes the music absolutely perfectly. I loved it and immediately listened for a second time as I write this. Probably a third straight after too!

There's nothing to be said about this album that hasn't already been said better. From the opening riff a damn near perfect album, weird Bowie production and all.

Iggy Pop is one of those figures who, in hindsight, seems almost mythological and Raw Power is his Holy Book, his New Testament. And much like the Christian New Testament, it’s influence has spread so far from it’s intended audience that it turns up in the most unlikely places. Everyone who has picked up a guitar since 1975 has been influenced by Raw Power, even if they don’t realise it. Whether it be through the influence of Johnny Ramone, Tom Verlaine, Johnny Marr, whether it be powerful rhythm playing, impressionistic leads, jangling licks, everything from straight Punk, to Glam Metal, to landfill Indie, directly or indirectly, has come from this album. If we were to put together a list of Rock albums based solely on influence then this is in the top five, and along with The Velvet Underground and Nico, it’s the album with the most oversized influence compared to how many people have actually listened to it. But all this pontificating about influence obscures the fact that this is just really fantastic music. James Williamson’s already been dealt with pretty thoroughly, but Ron Asheton takes a fantastic, underrated turn on bass, Scott Asheton is still a monster on the drums, and Iggy… oh Iggy. Iggy Pop was never so Iggy as he was on Raw Power, a snarling, bestial, sinister, genuinely dangerous presence. He mellowed somewhat for his first two solo albums, allowing the deeper voice he employed on Gimme Danger to shine through. But Raw Power remains the definitive vision of Iggy, and probably the definitive vision of a Punk frontman. And for what it’s worth, I think that the debate about the mix is kinda pointless. Yes, I prefer the Iggy mix, but the Bowie one’s fine too, and it’s the one that everyone had access to before the 90’s, so people must’ve seen past the thinness to the fantastic album that lies beneath. And it is fantastic

All the Stooges albums are five star for different reasons. This one is the most developed rock sound. Search and Destroy is class. Pure Stooges. As is Raw Power. Love the progression on Gimme Danger. Obviously harks back to Gimme Shelter in more than just name. Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell more or less kickstarts glam punk despite raucously thrashing along for almost 5 minutes.

raw sound and i can hear the tone that shows up elsewhere. "penetration" really sticks with you

Bowie is always king.

Literally IS raw power.

More evidence that Iggy (and Ziggy) had time machines in the 70s (or maybe it was all the drugs). Either way, this is seminal garage, punk, and rock. The Evolution of Music 101 right here.

power

Pretty good for being bowie's play thing

How can you rate the spark that started the fire that was the punk culture? Can you give less than five stars? Would you be perfectly fine after listening to Iggy and the Stooges cooking what would be the cornerstone of the upcoming underground music and barely murmur, "Yeah, it's fine"? Would you listen to Green Day after that and sign to "Basket Case"? Where would your common sense be in that situation? How about your soul? This album is a total 5.

This one was so good! I'm glad Iggy is on this list because I've never listened to much of his stuff besides the obvious few. This is a great guitar album, I grabbed my guitar to play along with Shake Appeal. I went back after and re listened to a couple songs. That deserves a 5.

I like this a lot. Like a heavier non-jammy Doors.

What else could I possibly say that hasn’t been said about this album already? Few are equal none are better.

Great punk album, raw and unpolished.

I love the stooge’s

Let’s start by recognizing the opening cut, “Search and Destroy” as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The Stooges were inspirations to the Ounk rock movement, and Search and Destroy is one of the signature songs of “proto punk”. But, going into this listen, Search and Destroy was the only song I’d heard on the album. Quite simply, this album rocks, in the best possible way. I’m trying to figure out how I overlooked this for 50 years…. It’s raw and real, and the sharp edges aren’t buffed out. But it is not just noise, these are actual songs, well constructed and performed. It has the loose feel of the Velvet Underground, but has a hard driving passion that VU never tried for. It has the drive and attitude of The Ramones, Band, but a few years before they came to be. Plus a hint of or maybe early Alice Cooper Band. I’ll be listening to this album again, and there’s a good chance I’ll end up purchasing it. 5/5

I guess 2023 was a good time to get this album on my list, since it had its 50th anniversary and got remastered this year, apparently clearing up a lot of the clipping issues! Flicking between the two mixes a bit, I settled on Iggy's mix of the album. That raw, muddy sound suits this aggro proto-punk in my opinion. The name "Raw Power" suits this album so well. It has energy, it has aggression, it has grit, it has blues and it has swagger. It's a 34 minute tour de force that does slow a little for a breather from time to time, but then pounces right back into a primal frenzy. It's a rough and messy ride but I'm 100% here for it. Raw Power is an excellent album from beginning to end. Favourite: Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell

Álbum foda demais! Iggy Pop é sensacional.

I understand the importance of this album. Iggy is a crazy mofo.

Weirdly slow start for such a short album but by the time Raw Power kicks off its hard not to get swept away. It's not about the music, it's about the feeling of it. So raw. I love it.

Another Stooges album? That's two this week. And all good with me. It's exactly what to expect from the Stooges-hard, fuzzy, fast. Iggy's vocals are right on the money.

Another great album from The Stooges! Proto-punk GOATs!

Raw original punk. Awesome!

One of the best albums of all time by one of the best bands of all time. Horrible mix though lol

Yeah, Iggy, I can feel it. Thanks for asking.

Top quality!

It makes my mood better.

This album is timeless. The guitar riffs, the energy!

the raw power song is tight

Na

LP

Wow