Home » Music » 70s Music/Punk Rock » Best Of 2003 In Music, Books, and DVD

Best Of 2003 In Music, Books, and DVD

© Clark F. Paull, III

With 2003 drawing to a quick close,  a "best of" list would be in order, to wit (in no particular order after #1): 


1. "The Baboon In The Basement” – Martin Gordon.  Gordon came out of leftfield (well, actually Berlin) with this one, the ex-Sparks/Radio Stars bassist, writer, arranger, and genius-in-residence unleashing a canny masterpiece of 70’s-channeled starbursts, chock-a-block full of hooks, melody, and smart-ass lyrics. Forget all you’ve read and heard about the creative powers of Ron and Russell Mael -Gordon arranged most of “Kimono My House.” Call him a “show-off,” but if you got it, flaunt it.

After several months and about 100 spins, the bloom’s still on the rose for me on this one. As if his unending reservoir of talent isn’t enough, the guy’s a sweetheart to boot, even taking time to shoot the breeze with me despite possibly being mildly offended by my naïve use of the word “pommy” in a review of the album. Heaven awaits in your CD tray. Cheers, Martin!

2. The four new Stooges tracks on Iggy Pop’s "Skull Ring”    While it's difficult to gleefully ride the party line about the overall quality of this album, the four new snot hurlers by Ann Arbor’s favorite sons are surely a cause for celebration, shaking and shimmying more boisterously than anything marketed under the Iggy Pop brand since say, oh, “New Values.”

Although none of the new tunes come within spitting distance of anything on “The Stooges” or “Funhouse,” Iggy, Ron Asheton (doubling on guitar and bass), and Scott Asheton do themselves proud for a bunch of old scrotes and in case there’s any doubt, it ain’t broke and they’re not fixing it. Glad to see Ron still owns a wah pedal, too. As for the rest of the album? Eh… It’s probably interchangeable with anything Iggy’s done since “Brick By Brick” and there’s a few pooches (sounds like Peaches), but it ain’t “Avenue B” Part II, either. Your results may vary.

3. The “1970: The Complete Funhouse Sessions”  seven-disc box released on Rhino Handmade a few years back went out of print.  As if the primal hum generated by The Stooges’ original atonal blast of teen frustration wasn’t enough, this treasure trove purportedly collects every take, sour note, and shred of studio dialogue that went into what would later on be recognized as the twisted magnum opus of the original punk band. Iggy howls like a feral cat on methamphetamine and human growth hormone over an unbelievable sonic din courtesy of the brothers Asheton, the late Dave Alexander, and Steve McKay. Somehow, despite Iggy screaming “I feel alright” about 700 times on Disc 5, it never gets old. Still hate “LA Blues,” though…

The copyright of the article Best Of 2003 In Music, Books, and DVD in 70s Music/Punk Rock is owned by Clark F. Paull, III. Permission to republish Best Of 2003 In Music, Books, and DVD in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.