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Soundcheck

Friday, August 17, 2007
  • Iggy Pop (iggypop.com)
    Iggy Pop (iggypop.com)

    The Raw Power of Iggy Pop

    In the late 1960s, a Michigan kid named Jim Osterberg turned into a "streetwalkin' cheetah with a heart full of napalm" and became the godfather of punk. Today, we examine the legacy of Iggy Pop. Plus: a look at the Iraq art world after the U.S. invasion. And finally, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Luke Temple performs in our studio. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.

Iggy Pop, "Godfather of Punk"

At age 60, Iggy Pop is an indestructible rock icon. During a career with intense highs and lows, Pop has yet to be offed by bad reviews, drugs or his legendary masochistic stage presence. Recently, Pop reunited with The Stooges and toured in support of a new album, "The Weirdness." We talk with former Mojo editor Paul Trynka, author of the new biography "Iggy Pop: Open Up and Bleed."

Iggy Pop: Open Up and Bleed at Amazon

Reclaiming Iraqi Art

Iraq's art world was devastated by looting after the U.S. invasion in 2003. We talk to Donny George Youkhanna, former director of the Iraqi National Museum, about efforts to recover lost artifacts from the "cradle of civilization."

Luke Temple Live

Brooklyn singer-songwriter Luke Temple's first album was produced in Seattle and it had a song featured on the TV show Grey's Anatomy. For his upcoming album, he went for a sparse sound and recorded it in his bedroom. He plays in studio.

Luke Temple's Myspace page

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.