#488: The Stooges (1969)

Punk rock is one of the most important trends in music history. When rock was losing its way by indulging in inscrutable symphonies, fanciful psychedelia and frivolous soft rock, punk rock harnessed the raw power of original rock n roll. Punk is a vital musical genre even if you're not a mohawk-growing, safety-pin-ear-piercing, boot-wearing danger to society. Many of the most popular 80s artists, including Blondie, the Talking Heads and Billy Idol started off in punk and 80s inspired synth pop is still one of the most popular movements in music today. It all originates with this debut album from the Stooges, led by the inimitable Iggy Pop. Despite all I’ve said, I'm not sure this music is really that punk. It’s generally slow, especially the woozy, weed-fuelled Gregorian-chant inspired We Will Fall, and the guitar lines are generally more wah-wah and virtuosic than the short, simple riffs I normally associate with punk rock.Despite my genre complaints, I Wanna be your Dog is still an undeniable single, which kickstarted the career of one of rock's greatest auteurs. And I hear they were better live. 2.9/5.