4/20/07: Iggy Pop Soldier (1980)Iggy Pop marks his 60th birthday tomorrow, and he’s certainly the only good case we can imagine for a macrobiotic diet. He’s never been a hippie, though. In fact, the legendary rocker cut a fine post-punk figure as an impressively unaffected musician. Iggy was on solid ground by the start of the ’80s, and was in the midst of a sharp three-album arc for the Arista label. He’d recovered from his meltdown in the aftermath of The Stooges, and 1979’s
New Values showed that he didn’t need David Bowie's production to create steely rock tunes that skirted all trends.
Soldier also proved Iggy to be ready for the Reagan revolution. He’d already baffled music journalists by gladly revealing his impressive yearly income, and often preached fiscal responsibility. He also hooked up with Glen Matlock—then best known as the guy who was thrown out of the Sex Pistols for liking Paul McCartney.
Soldier isn’t a wholesome endeavor, but it’s certainly inspiring.
The album opens with “Loco Mosquito,” in which Iggy complains that he’s got energy that makes him jumpy and nervous, but he’s too damn old to join the military service. Then you get “Knocking ’Em Down (In The City),” where Pop proclaims that he’s seeking employment and that he’s ready and strong. There’s a questionable nod to Eisenhower in “Play It Safe”—but maybe we can blame that one on Bowie’s songwriting credit.
“Dog Food” puts a happy spin on urban woes. (“It makes you strong, and clever, too.”) The target of “I Snub You” turns out to be a deplorable glaring example of a degenerate narcotic influence. That’s nearly half the total tracks, and there isn’t a dopey Leftist moment anywhere on the album.
But what really got things rocking amongst the College Republicans was “I’m A Conservative.” If the Pop-penned epic has a trace of sarcasm, it’s blown away by his fine delivery of this celebration of alcohol, sex, and disposable income. There were plenty of college campuses where only a conservative could get away with enjoying that unholy threesome. We remember at least three reviews that complained about how “I’m A Conservative” was too insufficient as satire. The song—like all of
Soldier —is certainly sufficient for our own needs.
Make it your own: Soldier got
a proper reissue a few years ago, or you can get “I’m A Conservative”—along with other tracks from the Arista years—on
this compilation. Iggy’s currently touring with the reformed Stooges, and it’s no surprise that the live show is more energetic than the new album.
