(ed notes: This review was a long time coming. No need to get into details but let's just say there were dark forces at work trying to keep this from seeing the light of day. Fortunately,  Mr. Huh? stepped up to the plate to save the day and we now have the review for you. Better late than never! -ed)

Iggy Pop's 'Skull Ring' album is an album that many longtime fans both looked forward to and dreaded as well.  The reason being that 'Skull Ring' reunited Iggy Pop with the two remaining members of his legendary former band, The Stooges (brothers Ron and Scott Asheton) as well as teaming Iggy up with two much reviled names in pop-punk, Green Day and Sum 41.  Iggy also teams up with the bands The Trolls or The Peaches on many songs.  Despite the variety of team-ups, the album manages to come off as a beautifully rugged, cohesive whole.  Each of the groups, instead of trying to play off of Iggy's fame in order to try to win credibility, former glory, first-time fame, or more fans, instead all concentrate on contributing to Iggy's vision, while maybe adding some input of their own, but always mindful of who the director is of this picture. 

The end result is an album that, when listened to attentively, captures Iggy Pop at his best.  Playing rough, barely clothed, straight-on, balls-to-the-wall rock that deceptively comes off like some clown screaming, yet in reality, spewing lines capturing certain experiences in a profound way and often communicating important messages, backed by music that doesn't care as much about technique, as it does delivery (as all good much should). 

In the end, this album reminds us that Iggy Pop is, when you get down to it, a poet, a philosopher, and a prophet, dressed up like a rowdy, drunken, barfly.

• Visit the Official website.
• Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online

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