Iggy Pop “Every Loser” Review

Iggy Pop
Every Loser
Atlantic Records
Released: January 6, 2023

Here we are –  Every Loser; the nineteenth studio album from the legendary Iggy Pop is just days away.

At 75 years of age, Iggy Pop is astonishingly still kicking and spitting as strongly as ever. So much of the ethos that would become Punk stems from Pop – the prototype punk rocker; punk before punk was a thing. Along with The Stooges, who began their illustrious careers way back in 1967 – and eventually released one of the greatest pieces in rock n’ roll history, with 1973’s Raw Power. Now on his staggering nineteenth studio solo album, Pop still is not showing any signs of slowing down or growing mellow. Nor has he entertained the idea of adorning a tee-shirt.

Much like the most recent Ozzy Osbourne recording, Every Loser sees Iggy Pop playing with a star-studded band about him, and a barrage of noteworthy guest musicians stopping by to contribute a riff or bar or two. The band consists of Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) on bass, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) on drums  and Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on the guitar and keyboards. The album also features guest contributions from Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Chris Chaney, as well as appearances from Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and drumming from the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) and Travis Barker (Blink-182). How’s that for star-studded?

See Also: Ville Valo “Neon Noir” Review

Pop is still a foul-mouthed, topless wonder who spits at people like a llama and solidly says whatever the hell he feels like saying. There’s something I deeply respect about that. Throughout the trials and tribulations in his life, from being a heroin addict, living rough homeless and on the streets, to time spent in a psychiatric ward – the story of Pop’s life is fascinating and he still has chapters left to write. Lyrically, Every Loser is a brutal, truthful and honest voyage through the mind of Pop – who has never shied away from saying whatever was on his mind.

Kicking off with Frenzy, a high-powered, energetic and frantically raw punk rock tune that storms out of the gate and blatantly tells Every Loser for what it is. A continuation, more of what we’ve come to expect from Pop and despite his age, so little has changed. On Strung Out Johnny, Pop waxes poetically about drug addiction and how easy it is to get, in his words, all fucked up. A song about being strung out that obviously comes from the heart. One of the many fascinating chapters in Pop’s life, was how and David Bowie went to Berlin to get clean and drug-free, penning songs like Lust For Life along the way.

Throughout its duration, Every Loser ventures throughout the rock spectrum; making stops in punk rock territory, as well as rock ballads and country-tinged moments to boot. Of course there’s some pop moments too, and some oddly amusing spoken word segments that are truly bizarre. There is a good amount of variety throughout Every Loser,  and some genuinely great moments. Not only is Pop still doing his thing, he’s still doing it well and with conviction.

On Neo Punk, Pop tackles growing old while still remaining true to himself. Still the rebellious rabble-rouser than he has always will be, comically joking about himself and the strange occurrence of punks become celebrities – with Blink-182’s Travis Barker along for the ride. On Comments, he takes aim at Zuckerberg (by name) and the social media addicted generation, in scathing look at modern societies addiction to commenting on everything. And finally, on The Regency, Pop goes off on a tangent, talking about the destruction of the regency with some curiously amusing harsh language.

Read More:
>> The Nils “Five Roses” Review
>> Billy Idol “The Cage” Review
>> Ozzy Osbourne “Patient Number 9” Review

Despite the fact that I still hold a grudge against Iggy Pop for spitting on me, point blank, while I photographed him – and despite the fact that I was accredited to do so, I will admit that Pop is still as poignant as ever, and this new recording, Every Loser, is bloody good.

A whole bunch of cool album variations are available for purchase at this location. So many options, from LP’s and picture discs to compact discs, cassette tapes and shirts. So much!

For Fans Of: The Stooges, Guns N’ Roses, Billy Idol
Track Listing:

01. Frenzy
02. Strung Out Johnny
03. New Atlantis
04. Modern Day Ripoff
05. Morning Show
06. The News For Andy
07. Neo Punk
08. All the Way Down
09. Comments
10. My Animus
11. The Regency

 

Contributors