#488 The Stooges, 'The Stooges' (1969)

Previously #185

The eponymous debut album by The Stooges, a landmark album in proto-punk, was released just 10 days before the original Woodstock festival in 1969. The Stooges, by way of this record, along with contemporaries, MC5, The Velvet Underground and even The Who, laid the groundwork for New York Dolls & Ramones. Iggy Pop is the archetypal frontman, and to this day, he hasn’t slowed down.

Featuring monumental songs such as ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ and ‘No Fun’ (one of shortlived bands used to cover this song. Ironically, it was A LOT of fun to play!), and produced by The Velvet Underground’s John Cale. I’ve loved this record since the day I first heard it as an impressionable 20-year-old. It just gets better with each listen. Elements of garage rock, punk and even psychedelic rock (in the 10-minute-long ‘We Will Fall’). More influential than its current standing gives it credit for. 

#rs500albums