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New Values
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| New Values | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 27, 1979[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1978 | |||
| Studio | Paramount (Hollywood, California) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:26 | |||
| Label | Arista | |||
| Producer | James Williamson | |||
| Iggy Pop chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from New Values | ||||
| ||||
New Values is the third solo album by American musician Iggy Pop. It was released on April 27, 1979, by Arista. It reached number 60 in the UK Charts,[3] and number 180 on the Billboard 200[4] and would be Pop's first solo effort made without the involvement of David Bowie.
Background
[edit]New Values was Pop's first record for Arista and the first collaboration by Pop and James Williamson since Kill City. The album also reunited Pop and Williamson with multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston, who had played live piano for the Stooges on Metallic K.O. and Kill City.
Recording and release
[edit]Although Williamson played guitar on "Don't Look Down", Scott Thurston played guitar on all other tracks, with Williamson concentrating on production.[5] Likewise, although one of the songs was written by Pop and Williamson, five tracks were collaborations between Pop and Thurston.
New Values was released in 1979 by record label Arista. Although well-received critically, the album was not a commercial success, only reaching number 180 in the US Billboard 200 chart.
Videos were made for "I'm Bored" and "Five Foot One".
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Blender | |
| Chicago Tribune | |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B+[8] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 7/10[11] |
| Uncut | |
New Values was well received by critics. Writing in NME at the time of the album's release, Paul Morley wrote that New Values "conclusively endorses Osterberg as thinker and Iggy as performer, and the relationship is positive and proud."[13] The New York Times, however, considered New Values to be "bland" compared to the earlier David Bowie-produced albums.[14]
Charlotte Robinson of PopMatters wrote that the album's "delicate balancing act of tough with tender, rebellion with contentment, sincerity with humor, cocksure wailing with nuanced balladeering ... makes the album a winner".[15]
Legacy
[edit]David Bowie later covered "Don't Look Down" on his album Tonight (1984) and used it for the opening and closing titles of his short film Jazzin' for Blue Jean.
Pixies frontman Frank Black cited New Values as one of his favorite albums.[16]
"The Endless Sea" was covered by the Australian psychedelic rock band the Church on their 1999 covers album A Box of Birds and Cat Power on her 2022 album Covers. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the 1986 film Dogs in Space, starring Michael Hutchence.[17]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tell Me a Story" | Iggy Pop | 2:50 |
| 2. | "New Values" | Pop, Scott Thurston | 2:39 |
| 3. | "Girls" | Pop | 3:00 |
| 4. | "I'm Bored" | Pop | 2:47 |
| 5. | "Don't Look Down" | Pop, James Williamson | 3:39 |
| 6. | "The Endless Sea" | Pop | 4:50 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Five Foot One" | Pop | 4:29 |
| 2. | "How Do Ya Fix a Broken Part" | Pop | 2:55 |
| 3. | "Angel" | Pop, Thurston | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Curiosity" | Pop, Thurston | 2:29 |
| 5. | "African Man" | Pop, Thurston | 3:35 |
| 6. | "Billy Is a Runaway" | Pop, Thurston | 2:31 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Chains" (previously unreleased) | Pop, Williamson, Thurston | 2:40 |
| 14. | "Pretty Flamingo" (B-side to "Five Foot One") | Pop | 2:53 |
Personnel
[edit]- Iggy Pop – vocals
- Scott Thurston – guitars, harp, keyboards, synthesizer, vocals, horn arrangement
- Klaus Krüger – drums
- Jackie Clark – bass
- John Harden – horns
- David Brock – strings, string arrangement
- Earl Shackelford – backing vocals
- The Alfono Sisters (Anna and Mary) – backing vocals on "Don't Look Down" and "Angel"
- James Williamson – guitar, horn and string arrangement, production, mixing
Technical
- Lloyd Malan – production assistance
- Peter Haden – engineering, mixing
- Paul Henry – sleeve design and art direction
- Trevor Rogers – sleeve photography
- Graphyk – sleeve graphics
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[18] | 36 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[19] | 18 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[20] | 37 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[21] | 60 |
| US Billboard 200[22] | 180 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 46.
- ^ a b Deming, Mark. "New Values – Iggy Pop". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ "IGGY POP". Official Charts. November 29, 1986. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ "Iggy Pop | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ Brigaudiot, Gui; Pinsard, Tibo; Karantonis, Yannis. "James Williamson". iggy-pop.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ Smith, RJ (September 2004). "Iggy Pop: New Values". Blender. No. 29. Archived from the original on June 30, 2006. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ Kot, Greg (July 22, 1990). "Pop On Pop: Iggy Rates His Own Music (And So Do We)". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Iggy Pop: New Values". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor and Fields. ISBN 0-89919-026-X. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Iggy Pop". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- ^ Coleman, Mark; Kemp, Rob (2004). "Iggy Pop". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York City: Simon & Schuster. pp. 645–46. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ Rubin, Mike (1995). "Stooges". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 378–79. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
- ^ "Iggy Pop: New Values". Uncut. No. 41. October 2000. p. 96.
- ^ Morley, Paul (April 28, 1979). "Iggy Pop: New Values (Arista)". NME. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014 – via Rock's Backpages.
- ^ Rockwell, John (September 14, 1979). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C11.
- ^ Robinson, Charlotte (February 5, 2003). "The Weird Trilogy: Iggy Pop's Arista Recordings". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ Wright, Mic (April 16, 2012). "Number 13 Baby: Frank Black's Favourite Albums Revealed". The Quietus. p. 8. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ Viglione, Joe. "Original Soundtrack: Dogs in Space". Allmusic. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 236. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Iggy Pop – New Values". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Iggy Pop – New Values". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Iggy Pop Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
External links
[edit]- New Values at Discogs (list of releases)
New Values
View on GrokipediaDevelopment
Background and Conception
New Values is the third solo studio album by American musician Iggy Pop, following The Idiot (1977) and Lust for Life (1977).[7] It marked Pop's first solo release without involvement from David Bowie in production or songwriting, representing a shift away from the art-rock experimentation of their Berlin-era collaborations.[3] The album was released on April 27, 1979, by Arista Records, serving as Pop's debut for the label after he signed with them in 1978, having previously recorded for RCA Records.[3] This label transition occurred amid Pop's efforts to reestablish his career following the disbandment of the Stooges and personal struggles with addiction.[8] New Values featured a reunion with James Williamson, the former Stooges guitarist who served as producer, and multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston, who co-wrote several tracks; this collaboration built on their earlier work together on the unfinished Kill City project from 1975.[3] Through this partnership, Pop aimed to return to the raw, energetic rock roots of his Stooges days, reclaiming punk vitality in the midst of the late 1970s punk explosion while bridging toward emerging new wave sounds.[3]Songwriting and Influences
The songwriting on New Values emphasized concise, hook-driven structures with punk-inspired brevity, as evidenced by the majority of its tracks clocking in under four minutes, such as "Tell Me a Story" at 2:50 and "I'm Bored" at 2:47.[2] This approach drew from the raw energy of 1970s punk acts like the Ramones and the emerging new wave scene, prioritizing tight riffs and direct emotional delivery over extended jams.[3] Iggy Pop handled the bulk of the lyrics, infusing them with arresting imagery and quirky catchphrases, like the line "Tell me a story and maybe I'll believe it" from the opening track, to capture immediate impact without unnecessary elaboration.[3] Lyrical content reflected influences from Pop's personal experiences in the late 1970s, including struggles with boredom and urban alienation amid his relocation back to the United States after years abroad. Songs like "I'm Bored," which opens with the declaration "I'm bored, I'm the chairman of the bored," explore themes of existential ennui and repetitive city life, while "The Endless Sea" evokes a sense of vast, isolating resilience in the face of overwhelming circumstances. These elements marked a departure from the more abstract, glam-tinged experimentation of Pop's prior collaborations with David Bowie on albums like The Idiot and Lust for Life.[9] Collaboration played a key role in restoring a Stooges-like aggression to the material, with guitarist and producer James Williamson contributing riffs and co-writing select tracks, such as "Don't Look Down," to inject raw, propulsive energy after the smoother, European-influenced sound of the Bowie era.[3] Keyboardist Scott Thurston, a former Stooges associate, co-wrote five songs, including the title track, blending Pop's vocal intensity with muscular, straightforward rock arrangements.[2] Overall, New Values represented Pop's evolution toward more accessible, no-frills rock, stripping away glam excess in favor of visceral, street-level urgency that aligned with his punk roots.[10]Production and Release
Recording Sessions
The recording sessions for New Values occurred in 1978 at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, spanning a concentrated timeframe designed to preserve the band's spontaneous, live performance energy rather than overproducing the material.[2] This approach aligned with the punk and new wave ethos of the era, prioritizing immediacy over extensive overdubs. The sessions were mixed at the same facility and mastered at Kendun Recorders, contributing to the album's direct, unrefined aesthetic.[11] James Williamson, Iggy Pop's former Stooges bandmate and guitarist, took on production duties, overseeing the engineering by Peter Haden and focusing the mix on aggressive, guitar-centric textures that highlighted the rhythm section's drive.[3] Scott Thurston played lead guitars, keyboards, synthesizer, and harp across most tracks, while also providing backing vocals and co-arranging horns with Williamson; his versatile contributions helped shape the album's eclectic yet cohesive sound.[12] The core lineup featured Iggy Pop on vocals, Jackie Clark on bass, and Klaus Krüger on drums, with Williamson adding guitar parts; additional elements included string arrangements by David Brock, and backing vocals from Earl Shackelford and The Alfonzo Sisters.[2] Arista Records' limited budget imposed logistical constraints, fostering a stripped-down production that eschewed the glossy finish of Pop's prior Bowie-helmed albums like The Idiot and Lust for Life, instead delivering an underground, visceral edge evocative of raw garage rock.[5] This unpolished quality, achieved through efficient session work and minimal post-production, underscored the album's return to Pop's proto-punk roots while adapting to late-1970s trends.[8]Release and Promotion
New Values was released on April 27, 1979, by Arista Records in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album was initially issued in vinyl format, with a total runtime of 39:26, and featured cover artwork depicting Iggy Pop in a stark, minimalist pose standing in an empty room.[2] To promote the album, Arista released two singles in 1979: "I'm Bored," backed with "African Man" on the B-side, and "Five Foot One," backed with a cover of "Pretty Flamingo." Both singles were supported by promotional videos produced for television exposure, with "I'm Bored" filmed in a raw, performance-style format showcasing Pop's energetic stage presence, and "Five Foot One" emphasizing its quirky, narrative-driven lyrics through simple visual storytelling.[13][14][15][16] The album's rollout included the New Values Tour, which commenced shortly after release in April 1979 and encompassed dates across North America and Europe, featuring sets heavy on tracks from the record alongside Pop classics to generate buzz during the burgeoning punk rock movement.[17][18] Arista positioned New Values as a commercial resurgence for Pop following his mid-1970s output, aiming to reestablish his viability in the mainstream rock market after periods of instability, though the record's abrasive, new wave-inflected edge resulted in limited radio airplay.[19]Musical Elements
Style and Themes
New Values blends punk rock foundations with emerging new wave influences, characterized by angular guitar riffs, propulsive driving rhythms, and Iggy Pop's signature snarling vocals that infuse the album with an energetic, street-level intensity.[4] This fusion creates a raw, visceral sound that bridges the chaotic aggression of punk with more melodic, hook-driven structures, reflecting the transitional punk-to-mainstream rock landscape of the late 1970s.[20] The album's instrumentation emphasizes guitar-driven arrangements and a tight rhythm section, delivering a leaner aesthetic that prioritizes immediacy over excess.[4] Thematically, New Values delves into ennui, power dynamics, and escapism, capturing Pop's disillusionment in the aftermath of his Stooges-era fame and Bowie collaborations. Lyrics explore boredom and societal constraints, often with a nihilistic edge, as in the critique of industry figures and personal stagnation.[20] Escapist motifs appear prominently, such as sea imagery symbolizing a yearning for freedom from bourgeois servitude and self-imposed masks, underscoring a desire to break free into uncharted liberation.[21] These elements collectively portray a post-fame reckoning, blending introspection with defiant rebellion.[22] Production, helmed by James Williamson, favors raw mixes that evoke a live-band immediacy, stripping away layers to highlight the ensemble's organic interplay and accessible hooks aimed at punk fans evolving toward broader rock appeal.[20] Williamson's approach yields a dry, unostentatious sound—crisp drums, lightly distorted guitars, and minimal embellishments—that underscores the album's threadbare garage simplicity without sacrificing punch.[23] This contrasts sharply with prior efforts: it eschews the theatrical exuberance and party anthems of Lust for Life (1977), opting for tighter focus, while dialing back the synth-heavy, experimental textures of The Idiot (1977) for a more straightforward rock orientation.[4]Track Listing
All tracks on the original 1979 release of New Values were written by Iggy Pop, with co-writing credits to Scott Thurston on select songs and James Williamson on others, as noted below.[24][25] The album's total running time is 39:27.[25]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tell Me a Story | Iggy Pop | 2:48 |
| 2 | New Values | Iggy Pop, Scott Thurston | 2:39 |
| 3 | Girls | Iggy Pop | 3:00 |
| 4 | I'm Bored | Iggy Pop | 2:47 |
| 5 | Don't Look Down | Iggy Pop, Scott Thurston | 3:38 |
| 6 | The Endless Sea | Iggy Pop, James Williamson | 5:12 |
| 7 | Five Foot One | Iggy Pop | 4:30 |
| 8 | No Sense of Crime | Iggy Pop, James Williamson | 3:25 |
| 9 | Won't Take Me Long | Iggy Pop | 3:42 |
| 10 | Not Right | Iggy Pop | 3:58 |
| 11 | Buy Me a Future | Iggy Pop | 3:26 |
| 12 | Power Plays | Iggy Pop, Scott Thurston | 3:02 |
