Iggy's Back

Roll over Jake and Elwood, Iggy's getting the band back together. Hail the Stooges.

Punk icon Iggy Pop has been holed up in "a little cottage in the boonies on a little river" in Florida writing music with his old band the Stooges. The as-yet-untitled set, the legendary rock act's first since 1973, is due out next year via Virgin and will be produced by Steve Albini. It will also feature several tracks produced by Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs).

The Stooges will also embark on their first full-blown reunion tour, having previously focused on the festival circuit and one-offs since reassembling in 2003. At deadline, the lone date confirmed is an appearance in December at the U.K.'s Nightmare Before Christmas festival, which will be curated by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore.

I don't usually think too highly of washed up rock luminaries putting out new records. But contrary to my own beliefs, I wholeheartedly think that this album will rock out. The godfathers of punk still have relevance in today's music, and Iggy's still got it. Plus you can't go wrong with Steve Albini on the boards. But I'll have to wait until next year to see if I can prove myself wrong.

(via Billboard)