The Weirdness
by The Stooges
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Mar 6, 2007
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 51
  3. Negative: 19 out of 51

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  1. Sirensong
    May 10, 2015
    7
    Been listening to The Stooges since the early 80's, and while this album may not become a classic like their first 3, it is still one of the best records to come out in 07. And personally I like it better than Fun House, but that's just me.
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jul 23, 2007
    3
    You can't go back. Iggy's done just fine-amazing really-with his solo career. This,however, doesn't work at all. The Stooges are one of my favorite bands-they were damn near perfect. Today these are the same guys but not the same band. I'm a little surprised we all expected more. We all could use a few extra bucks and I hope the Ashtons snag a few here-good guys that You can't go back. Iggy's done just fine-amazing really-with his solo career. This,however, doesn't work at all. The Stooges are one of my favorite bands-they were damn near perfect. Today these are the same guys but not the same band. I'm a little surprised we all expected more. We all could use a few extra bucks and I hope the Ashtons snag a few here-good guys that did something amazing back in the day.… Expand
  3. DR
    Jun 11, 2007
    8
    The vinyl version is infinitely better than the cd version. It's got a better overall sound (you can actually hear the bass!) and the bonus ep makes it all worthwhile with songs infinitely better than on the album and cd version. The big mistake here is only a select amount of people are going to get to hear the best part of the release.
  4. Kyle
    Jun 10, 2007
    10
    From the first listen, I was hooked on this album. I don't care to compare it to anything the band has done in the past. I listened to it as though I'd never heard of the Stooges and I think it's probably the punkest record I've heard which has been released in the last 10 years. Punk is ever evolving, not some trendy fad. The fact these boys got back together and From the first listen, I was hooked on this album. I don't care to compare it to anything the band has done in the past. I listened to it as though I'd never heard of the Stooges and I think it's probably the punkest record I've heard which has been released in the last 10 years. Punk is ever evolving, not some trendy fad. The fact these boys got back together and hammered it out as they did is amazing. Iggy could have polished the shit out of his vocals on this if he wanted but he left a few voice cracks in there - even some minor musical mistakes the band left in the recordings because, it sounds cool! Iggy's lyrics are as cool as they've ever been, I near shit myself laughing on my first listen. Just as the Stooges defined so much back in their day, I feel they're making just as big of a mark with "The Weirdness" most especially considering all the garbage lining the CD shelves and the airwaves nowadays. They're showing us what it's really about, just do it. Critics suck and those of you rating it low, you simply have a bad taste in music.… Expand
  5. kn
    May 10, 2007
    1
    A genuine travesty put to record. What a shame.
  6. Will
    May 4, 2007
    10
    The mistake many of the critics have made is comparing this to the classic Stooges albums when it belongs very much in the here and now. The classic band was a different band (and one that was also vilified for not being sophisticated at the time); The Stooges now are older, maybe a little wiser, and they know this has an element of self-parody about it, so they embrace it wholeheartedly. The mistake many of the critics have made is comparing this to the classic Stooges albums when it belongs very much in the here and now. The classic band was a different band (and one that was also vilified for not being sophisticated at the time); The Stooges now are older, maybe a little wiser, and they know this has an element of self-parody about it, so they embrace it wholeheartedly. And the result is an almighty sonic boom from your CD player. Steve Albini, far from being the villain of the piece, is a genius for just letting the band go about it in their own way. Ron and Scott Asheton sound like they're on steroids and they are the album's real driving force and show exactly why Iggy has never reached the heights of The Stooges on his solo albums. Iggy himself might be a bit under par vocals wise, but he is getting on a bit, and as for his lyrics, weren't they always dumb? And wasn't that why they were so brilliant? Ignore the pretentiousness of the critics reviews, this is the most essential album of the year so far.… Expand
  7. BrendanD
    May 3, 2007
    0
    "An album that hideously disgraces the band's original work" is what Pitchfork said. I don't usually agree with my fellow Chicagoans' reviews, but on this one, they're right on the money. I'm a huge Iggy fan (I think I'm the only one who loved both "Beat 'Em Up" and "Skull Ring"). And frankly, I'm taking Iggy teamed with Sum-41 over Iggy teamed with "An album that hideously disgraces the band's original work" is what Pitchfork said. I don't usually agree with my fellow Chicagoans' reviews, but on this one, they're right on the money. I'm a huge Iggy fan (I think I'm the only one who loved both "Beat 'Em Up" and "Skull Ring"). And frankly, I'm taking Iggy teamed with Sum-41 over Iggy teamed with the Ashetons at this point. First of all, the Stooges' BEST record was barely a Stooges record at all -- that is, "Raw Power," on which the band was billed as "Iggy & the Stooges." This piece of garbage has absolutely nothing in common with "Raw Power." There's none of the sex and violence and garbled lyrics and garbled guitar work that graced that masterpiece of an album; in its place are songs that try to be hard but seem to cull lyrics from the second "Backstreet Boys" record. Don't get me wrong; Iggy & the Ashetons are still a force to be reckoned with in-concert. But if you're not an Igginitiate, or if you've never heard the original vinyl edition of "Raw Power," avoid "The Weirdness" at all costs.… Expand
  8. AndyN
    May 2, 2007
    2
    huge disappointment!
  9. JohnH
    Apr 27, 2007
    10
    This album Rocks!The critics that were negitive I do not want what you have been smoking!!!
  10. JeffB
    Apr 21, 2007
    10
    Get the CD-- it will sound better
  11. MissAnne
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    Excellent
  12. SonicSmith
    Apr 19, 2007
    10
    Of course the rock critics don't get it. The first time around, only Detroiters and a handful of degenerates like Joey Ramone, Johnny Thunders, Johnny Lydon, Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye got it. Twenty years from now the critics will all call it a classic.
  13. FelipeM
    Apr 18, 2007
    10
    Sound like a lost tracks of past works. Sounds like a classic! Buy now!
  14. RichR
    Apr 12, 2007
    9
    I wonder if I've been listening to the same album all these weirdos are trashing. I love these songs, and I REALLY love the guitar playing. Hmmm, some people must want to just slag these guys, for some reason. Dunno why...
  15. JanneS
    Apr 7, 2007
    10
    classic
  16. TomT
    Apr 7, 2007
    9
    Other than the Ig being mixed a little low, a great record. "My Idea Of Fun" I interpret as a comment on the post 9/11 America. And as for the complaint on "dumb" lyrics, dig the first Stooges album. Why do the call themselves "The Stooges", eh? Don't pay attention to the bad reviews. Buy it!!!
  17. DimkaK
    Apr 5, 2007
    10
    What I didn't get a week ago and what I get now is that I don't know shit about music. I thought 'The Weirdness' rather sucked in the beginning, I was wondering... I know now... Iggy knows better.
  18. BluceRee
    Apr 4, 2007
    6
    This is an ok release and nothing more than that.
  19. JohnnyW
    Mar 29, 2007
    0
    Journalists making excuses for this mess are not really journalists at all, but PR hacks in thin disguise. This is downright horrible, and should have never been released. Anyone who ever had doubts about Steve Albini has now had them confirmed: the guy's a waste of groceries. As for Iggy, he should retire, immediately. To hear how you do this kind of rock comeback properly, check Journalists making excuses for this mess are not really journalists at all, but PR hacks in thin disguise. This is downright horrible, and should have never been released. Anyone who ever had doubts about Steve Albini has now had them confirmed: the guy's a waste of groceries. As for Iggy, he should retire, immediately. To hear how you do this kind of rock comeback properly, check out Nick Cave's excellent new Grinderman CD and toss this Stooges embarrassment in the garbage.… Expand
  20. RickK
    Mar 27, 2007
    10
    Like all Stooges albums, you have to listen to it multiple times to feel the groove. I was worried after reading negative review after negative review, but of course I bought it regardless. I couldn't believe how poorly others were rating it. This is a hard hitting album, and if you can lighten up and laugh with the lyrics instead of commenting on how ridiculous 'my dick's Like all Stooges albums, you have to listen to it multiple times to feel the groove. I was worried after reading negative review after negative review, but of course I bought it regardless. I couldn't believe how poorly others were rating it. This is a hard hitting album, and if you can lighten up and laugh with the lyrics instead of commenting on how ridiculous 'my dick's turning into a tree' sounds, you are going to enjoy it. As for Iggy being out of tune, its that imperfection that makes it perfect. I wouldn't change a thing, and I absolutely love it.… Expand
  21. ranc
    Mar 27, 2007
    0
    total crap, the worst cd of the year already
  22. sleazyrocker
    Mar 22, 2007
    1
    its a piece of crap!
  23. RonnieJoe
    Mar 21, 2007
    2
    What a dissapointment... Steve Albini should be hung... 1 near great song "My Idea of Fun" and a bunch of junk... I will still go see the live show but I hope they keep away from most of this stuff Please boys .. on the next one get Deniz Tek or James Williamson to produce.. Iggy I am sorry but once again you have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. In closing...The Weirdness is a What a dissapointment... Steve Albini should be hung... 1 near great song "My Idea of Fun" and a bunch of junk... I will still go see the live show but I hope they keep away from most of this stuff Please boys .. on the next one get Deniz Tek or James Williamson to produce.. Iggy I am sorry but once again you have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. In closing...The Weirdness is a sad effort not worth your hard earned money.… Expand
  24. BennyJ
    Mar 20, 2007
    8
    critics are simply taking this record too seriously and drawing too many comparisons. what's wrong with the lyrics? nothing, this is iggy pop indieites. look at previous pop albums.. singles such as "butttown" and so on. c'mon, what do you really expect from this man? i mean he wrote a song about using the ATM. doesn't anyone else see the self parodic coming of age here? critics are simply taking this record too seriously and drawing too many comparisons. what's wrong with the lyrics? nothing, this is iggy pop indieites. look at previous pop albums.. singles such as "butttown" and so on. c'mon, what do you really expect from this man? i mean he wrote a song about using the ATM. doesn't anyone else see the self parodic coming of age here? the album simply rocks. if you look between the lines too much, you aren't going to find much more than these guys simply having a blast.… Expand
  25. Hein
    Mar 19, 2007
    4
    I think 'The Weirdness' sucks big time. It's just a regular punkrock record. It's a painfull fact. Their 60/70s albums are awesome and live The Stooges still kick your head off like no other band ever can!
  26. HowieM
    Mar 16, 2007
    0
    40 years of building a legacy all go down the drain with this piss poor attempt at sounding like The reformed Germs fronted by Crad Krueger. I have already burned my copy of Skull Ring and am selling my Shellac poster on eBay because of this.
  27. RafaelK
    Mar 15, 2007
    10
    Excelent, perfect ROCK AND ROLL, BABY!!!!
  28. DaveLT
    Mar 14, 2007
    7
    Musically (not lyrically) it could be pre-Fun House. Scott Asheton opens songs like Charlie Watts on Some Girls and Emotional Rescue. But Asheton's snare is Loose, not tight. Ron Asheton and Steve Mackay ride it out Sonics'--the Witch and Boss Hoss--fashion. Not much (of course) psychedelia, Coltrane and James Brown. I can't hear Mike Watt. I bought my CD player (new) for Musically (not lyrically) it could be pre-Fun House. Scott Asheton opens songs like Charlie Watts on Some Girls and Emotional Rescue. But Asheton's snare is Loose, not tight. Ron Asheton and Steve Mackay ride it out Sonics'--the Witch and Boss Hoss--fashion. Not much (of course) psychedelia, Coltrane and James Brown. I can't hear Mike Watt. I bought my CD player (new) for thirty bucks. Iggy is familiar, Loose, like the Swingin Medallions, '66. The Weirdness. Did Hunter S Thompson inspire the title?… Expand
  29. MycroftW
    Mar 13, 2007
    3
    They still rock on stage, but I've already forgotten what this record sounded like, luckily enough
  30. RolfI
    Mar 13, 2007
    9
    Not a direct continue on the origimal Stooges albums, but a natural evolution. One of the best Iggy Pop albums with his best band ever!
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Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
44

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 32
  3. Negative: 11 out of 32
  1. Dot Music
    50
    The problem lies in the fact that The Stooges have nothing left to say.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    80
    These 12 tunes pack an almighty sonic punch. [Apr 2007, p.96]
  3. Q Magazine
    30
    Where they were once a glorious mess, here they are simply a mess. [Apr 2007, p.114]
See all critic reviews »