The mid 90s might seem like a strange place to look when it comes to Iggy Pop. It's a rather late period in his career in terms of his output and you'd think there would not be much to find. You'll keep thinking that way until you hear American Caeser. The album came on the heels of the star-studded Brick By Brick but took a completely different approach. Pop worked with a relatively unknown producer and recorded with his touring band. It was his effort to "make [an] album as good as I could, with no imitations of other people and no formula sh*t." And he succeeded beyond anyone's expectations. American Caeser is an overlooked masterpiece that is well deserving of a second look. Songs like the hard rocking "Wild America," and "Plastic And Concrete," and the more subdued "Mixing The Colors," "Jealousy," and "It's Our Love" will show you why. And don't forget to checkout Pop's take on "Louie Louie" either.

• 180 gram pressing
• music label: Virgin 1993 / Plain Recordings 2014

reviewed by Hank Ohs 06/2015