Albums don't often come this brutally frank and some of the raw --- and graphic --- desperation makes the listener cringe. As far as the music goes, however, let's go out on a limb here: the Ig hasn't hit such a focused groove since 1979's New Values --- maybe not even since The Idiot (1977). Acoustic guitars wash over the crooning delivery and (sit down for this) arresting melodies are all over the place. When an artist takes a risk like this, there is usually a dud track or two, so you have to sit through the odd vile lyric (Nazi Girlfriend is the biggest embarrassment), a few brief spoken interludes that are strictly hit-or-miss and the strangely irritating and overlong I Felt the Luxury. In spite of all that, Pop hasn't sounded this good in a couple of decades.

What a sobering, reflective, naked album. I'm not sure how many of Ig's old fans this will appeal to, but actually I know a few people who are really thrilled he's taken some chances with this album. It's scary to listen to because he's so honest about himself, as in "She Called Me Daddy." I love the odd "Nazi Girlfriend" and "Miss Argentina." There are great tunes here, Iggy's in fine form, the production is smoky and understated, and even the cover "Shakin' All Over" has a muted, restrained feel that works. I'm glad Iggy's using his art to reflect the changes in his life; the opening lines "It was the winter of my 50th year when it hit me" are as bold and startling as anything the Stooges ever did--think about it: Iggy Pop has been with us for half of the twentieth century. Goddamn. Thanks, man. Thanks a lot.

Let's face it, Iggy's an acquired taste for most. His albums have never sold much, and therefore his following over a 35 year career is hardcore and loyal. This AVENUE B however, works on a few levels. Play it for someone who likes artists like the Stones, Dylan, U-2, Neil Young, Van Morrison, John Lennon, Doors, and who have heard of Iggy but never bought any of his work, and they'll probably like this. Long-time Stooges/Iggy fans might like some of it, but find the rest forgetable or boring. Even Iggy must find it boring however, to stick to the same musical range he's been doing since '69, and the beatnik poet side of him was probably looking for expression after passing his 50th year. The honesty of the lyrics on AVENUE B rival that of John Lennon on his 1970 PLASTIC ONO BAND album, with its stripped down sound, and overall openness. To the casual Iggy fan, I suggest this along with his BEST OF album to get a good taste of Iggy's musical range. And to his hardcore loyal following, I say cut him a break. He returned to your narrow musical fold with BEAT 'EM UP and SKULL RING, OK?

Iggy Pop goes Leonard Cohen! Poetry! Jazz music! Serious melancholy! I like it though. Several of these songs are just Iggy reading what appear to be diary entries over a minor-chord keyboard/strings backdrop. These pieces, along with the dark photos of old man Iggy walking around his dank NYC apartment hall in his pajamas, do a much better job of creating a grimy, dreary city mood than the trite Lou Reed descriptions he used on Brick By Brick. Plus, musically, this is unlike anything Iggy has ever done - not only does the Igjig himself play guitar on nearly every track, but jazz/soul trio Medeski, Martin & Wood guest plays on a bunch o' tunes, giving the whole CD a feeling of "beat". The guitar rockers "Corruption" and "Shakin' All Over" (yes, a cover of course) seem sort of out of place on this singer/songwriter confessional record of lazy jazzy sadness, but they're very welcome, especially to big guitar rock fans like mine me!

So that's Iggy Pop for you - over 50 and still churning out uncommercial, unsuccessful records for a legion of...actually I don't even know who besides me buys his records. God, do you think I'm the only one? That puts a lot of pressure on me!

Aaaaaah!

Oh no!!!

.

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

One by one, the 60's rock stars grow up, and now Iggy's time has come. It's still Mr. Osterberg, but a mature version who sings about the concerns of a man who's been around for a while. I'm in my 47th winter and this album was not only musically a pleasure to listen to (spare instrumentation with a profound overall impact), but it also served as a wake-up call. It made me realize that there truly "isn't a lot of time left" ...partially inspiring me to terminate a long-term, unsuccessful relationship I was in and to get on with my life. Mick Jagger, you silly looking, 60-year-old immitation of yourself from a bygone era, take note: try doing some serious work to remembered by before it's too late.