Préliminaires
Iggy Pop · 2009
36 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A sultry blend of jazz, bossa nova, and rock influences that showcases Iggy Pop's introspective side.
Top tracks — play these first
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Les Feuilles mortes Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Want to Go to the Beach — This track captures the album's laid-back essence with its breezy melody and reflective lyrics about escapism.
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Spanish Coast — With its lush instrumentation and evocative imagery, this song stands out as a highlight of longing and nostalgia.
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How Insensitive — A cover that reveals Iggy's ability to convey vulnerability, transforming a classic into a poignant exploration of lost love.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Iggy Pop's stylistic shift with its blend of jazz and bossa nova, though it may not resonate deeply over time.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature spoken word elements interspersed with singing, creating a conversational feel.
- The instrumentation often includes soft piano and subtle percussion, which contrasts with Iggy Pop's more aggressive past.
- The last two tracks shift back to the opening theme, providing a sense of closure to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- short, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative background ambiance
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a departure from Iggy's punk roots, showcasing a jazz-influenced sound.
- Themes
- French literary influence· nostalgic longing
- Career context
- Préliminaires marked Iggy Pop's artistic reinvention as he stepped away from his punk roots. Released in 2009, it was his first album after a five-year hiatus, showcasing a more mature sound influenced by French literature and cinema.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· The Stooges· Lou Reed
Tracklist
- 1 Les Feuilles mortes Start here 3:55
- 2 I Want to Go to the Beach 2:52
- 3 King of the Dogs 2:01
- 4 Je sais que tu sais 3:11
- 5 Spanish Coast 3:58
- 6 Nice to Be Dead 2:49
- 7 How Insensitive 3:02
- 8 Party Time 2:08
- 9 He’s Dead / She’s Alive 1:59
- 10 A Machine for Loving 3:15
- 11 She’s a Business 3:10
- 12 Les Feuilles mortes (Marc’s Theme) 3:53
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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