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- Verified Buyer
With the follow up to their eponymous debut, THE STOOGES make that "quantum leap" one often reads about, and in this case, FUN HOUSE is, in a word, stunning! Never pleasantly or hilariously "dumb" like the debut, FUN HOUSE is an amazing and perplexing advancement from that debut record which of and by itself would have sealed THE STOOGES' reputation. This band was even better than anyone could have ever guessed (though their record sales quickly relegated their two Elektra releases, the debut and FUN HOUSE, to the bargain bin). FUN HOUSE is jaw-droppingly unforgiving, a punch in the gut, a splash of acid in the face, hard power and hot metal, a lurching monster, referred to as "proto-punk" because of its influence on every Punk and Grunge band since, but really, such bands are belittled and reduced to mere "poodles" by this far-end risk that in fact is the most unique record of its era and a hybrid of 50s rock, 60s psychedelia, and that which was as yet unnamed (Punk) and no band has yet matched the achievement. Few records have predicted the coming decades as FUN HOUSE did in 1970, though typically unrecognized in its time. As Iggy Pop (a.k.a. Iggy Stooge) himself said, and to paraphrase, THE STOOGES could "eat all those poodles for breakfast." With a scorched earth policy that leaves no listener unscathed, this record is probably one of the most challenging records in the Rock n' Roll catalog, and not for the faint of heart, such as those moments all over the record when one hears Iggy blatantly snorting. If you ever listened to CAPTAIN BEEFHEART's TROUT MASK REPLICA you might get an idea of the accessibility of "L.A. Blues" which is a non-song cacophony of horror with the carnivorous animal Iggy loosed, roaring, and stalking the complacent world. But for the student and lover of Rock n' Roll, this record is a must. I think the primary reason Rock critics and diehard fans continue to cite THE STOOGES, especially FUN HOUSE, is because of the foresight of this material. The experimental aspect of the record is indicative of its era (it is completely un-commercial, but many bands included such material on their records in those days, though, frankly, lame by comparison) yet, like all three of THE STOOGES albums, FUN HOUSE never sounds dated. Tracks like the sustained tension of "Down On The Street", the superbly nasty and compelling "Loose," the luscious blues of "Dirt," the burping, mesmerizing "T.V. Eye," and the sucker-punch "1970," in which Iggy shrieks "...I feel alright" ending with a major snort (the sequel to "1969" when Iggy had "nuthin' ta do") are supremely realized and uncompromising, and if it weren't for their shocking effect, I'd be wearing a s**t eatin' grin. One of Rock's great romps, FUN HOUSE is not for the uninitiated, the timid, or uninspired. That being said, FUN HOUSE is one of the greatest records of Rock, a whole hell of a lot of fun, possibly my all time favorite, and one of the very few records of Rock that upon listening to for the first time I said to myself, "WOW!" In another word, a masterpiece.When I started recollecting vinyl, I knew it was only a matter of time before I swung around to grab up the essential Iggy. Iggy Pop fans are as time tested and true as the music, and most will attest to having owned his vital output over the decades in whatever format was prevalent at the time. When I bought this, I thought it was slightly higher in price than I had expected, but I was okay just as long as I got a new copy. Imagine my surprise when it arrived at it was a 2-LP set! I am a HUGE fan of this album, although initially I thought the Stooges sounded more like Steppenwolf on it than themselves. However, when I read somewhere were Iggy said they were going for a James Brown inspired stripped down version of rock-n-roll, it somehow made sense to me. I've even owned the limited edition box-set of the complete sessions at one point on Rhino Homemade, so you know I'm really into this one.It wasn't the first album by The Stooges, and some say it's not their best (see Raw Power). But this is the album that stands out for me in The Stooges catalog. Some might claim that the Velvet Underground's sonic assault on White Light/White Heat was the first proto-punk album, and you could make a case either way. But while the Velvets' secound album certainly captures the sound of electric mayhem, Fun House takes that Ur-energy and channels it for maximum effect.From the opening riff from Ron Asheton's guitar in "Down On the Street," the sound grabs you by the ears. If you've heard The Stooges' debut album, you'll be amazed at the evolution of their sound here. Whereas the debut album finds the band trapped inside the songs, Fun House sees them bursting out of their own constraints. Iggy sounds like a man possessed; he alternately bellows, snarls, croons and shouts, sounding like a twenty year old Tom Waits who was just cut off in traffic.The songs here are much stronger than their previous efforts. While there is no tight single like "I Wanna Be Your Dog," tracks like "T.V. Eye" and "Loose" just explode with energy. On the latter, Iggy manages to sound scarier than The Stones in '65 and the Pistols in '77. Special kudos to Steve MacKay, whose sax work on the second side of the album (tracks 5-7) make a good thing even better.My favorite story about Fun House comes from Henry Rollins. I'll let him tell it: "I was working at this construction site all by myself. I was doing busy work, moving 2 x 4's from one side of the slab to the other. The first 100 were stacked very nicely. I popped my Fun House tape in the blaster, and by the time "TV Eye" had run its course, there 2 x 4's in the street, in the dumpster, and on the roof othe unfinished garage. Not a very pretty picture, but it sure was fun."Was and is, Henry. Was and is.I suppose the actual birth of Rock & Roll can be debated, but when it reached its peak and started heading for the light was in 1970 when the Stooges released Fun House. Although like any dying patient, Rock & Roll has had some good moments but nothing since in Rock Music has exceed this album.Skidd Freemangreat albumI think I like this second record better than their debut. I good, raw, sound that’s not over produced. The guitar riffs don’t seem that different from the pop of the time. It’s Iggy that lends the edge to the music.This is so great. You get on the second Lp the demos and out takes. And 13 pounds ypu cant beat the price. Arguably the best Stooges album and this makes it even better. Unfortunately I couldn't find it in America so had to order from U.K. Amazon. Thank god U.K.Amazon exists. I order all my boots blue rays and vinyls from U.K.Amazon because lets face it America has the MacDonalds taste buds and consume mostly garbage. Love you England.One of the best rock n roll albums of all time and a nice package hereI was never big fan of Iggy. I do respect him though. But for some reason with Stooges he Pop's (pun intended) very well. His presence, and voice, and general feel is so right. I can listen to this record over and over again, and I always get goosebumps.great album great pressingGet this.
