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Punk wasn't an absolute big-bang - a singularity in a vacuum of complete nothingness - rather, it was the culmination of a number of events and movements, politically and artisically speaking. In terms of the origins of a look and aesthetic, we should look to Richard Hell - but for the sound, we can look to The New York Dolls, The Velvet Underground, Johnathan Richman, and in this case, Iggy Pop and The Stooges. Formed in the late 60's by James Jewel Osterberg (aka the aformentioned Iggy Pop), Ron Asheton and Scott Asheton, the Stooges were a complete ideal of negation - their music was rebellious, their shows were a complete shambles, and their drug-taking was of the smack-laden variety. 'No Fun' said the song, and their eponymous debut was the sign of things to come, a gloomy, portentuous record, full of dirge and bile. Enter David Bowie, by now a global star. Ziggy Stardust was looking to increase his artistic credibility and as such hooked up Lou Reed and Iggy Pop in New York and formed a clique that was to drive all three artist's music for rest of the 1970's. Originally produced by Bowie - but re-mixed with more 'oomph' by Pop, Raw Power is a fearsome record, loud, abrasive, and ultimately, the first major catalyst of the Punk era - The Ramones, The Pistols and The Clash were the brackdraft of The Stooges' initial explosion in 1973. Tracks such as 'Search And Destroy', 'Raw Power' and 'Shake Appeal' confirm the above statements, fast and gutteral rhythms providing a foundation for Iggy Pop's most visceral vocal statements. As Pop says on the re-mixed edition, this is a very violent record. But that's where the appeal lies - this is a record from a time of stasis in music - yes, Glam was a good form of Rock, but it didn't really push the boundaries, and only by such records as Raw Power forming did the music world start to move into another gear. By 1975, the seeds sown by this explosive noise finally started to grow into the sounds of Patti Smith, The Ramones, Television, etc, and the Punk machine started pulling down the establishment. In London meanwhile, the British were starting to experience their own take on the Punk experience. But only as a result of such records as Raw Power making those first forays into the negative and destructive could such things have happened. This is a great record, loud as hell and great to play when you need the adrenaline to get going. Essential listening for all. Amir Arezoo, March 2005 Heard this, want more? Try: The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat The Ramones - The Ramones Various Artists - Punk. (This record is an excellent chronological statement, going from the first inklings of Punk from the Velvets and the MC5 right up to the New Wave and Post-Punk of Devo and Joy Division)
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