Iggy Pop’s first studio album after stepping out from under David Bowie’s umbrella was his attempt to present himself as a New York-style rock ’n’ roll singer-songwriter in the vein of Lou Reed or Garland Jeffreys. Though the band features James Williamson and Scott Thurston, both of whom had been in one lineup of the Stooges or another, this is a carefully crafted album of introspective, clever songs featuring some of the best lyrics of Pop’s career (“Girls,” “I’m Bored,” “New Values,” “Five Foot One” and “The Endless Sea” are all hilariously quotable) and arrangements that make excellent use of strings, horns, and female backing vocals.

– Phil Freeman