Preliminaires
by Iggy Pop
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Only on ‘Nice To Be Dead’ does he veer into heavy guitar territory, but it fits seamlessly into the mix, making for not just his strangest set in years, but also his best.
  2. The Guardian
    80
    This may be his best album since 1977's "Lust for Life."
  3. Slant Magazine
    70
    As always, Pop's lyrics are not something you want to spend too much time focusing on, but separated from the dumb strut of rehashed cock rock, they settle nicely into an eerie landscape of dread and malaise.
  5. The New York Times
    70
    After the novelty wears off, the keeper is his typically blunt 'Nice to Be Dead'--"It’s nice to be underground/Free of the ugly sounds of life"--which happens to be the album’s one electric-guitar rocker.
  6. AllMusic
    70
    Where "Avenue B" was a pretentious mess, Preliminaires is flawed but significantly more successful.
  7. Boston Globe
    70
    For all its talk of death, this album feels like a rebirth.
  8. The A.V. Club
    75
    It’s an album of curveballs, and while not every track finds its zone, it’s still a pleasure to hear Pop turn disgust into inspiration.
  9. Prefix Magazine
    80
    Risky though it may have seen (in terms of both taste and talent), this is a great record.
  10. Billboard
    80
    Pop's understated delivery draws even the most skeptical of listeners in, bathing his hushed voice in beds of stark piano and tremolo-washed guitar.
  11. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Pop has crafted a stylistically variegated and broody meditation on mortality, a soundtrack for the ossuary, a lovely lust for death.
  12. The Boston Phoenix
    88
    In Preliminaires, the Stooge King has put together a perfect soundtrack for a short, doomy stay in the Hotel Lautréamont.
  13. Under The Radar
    70
    It is unusual for sure, but this is the beauty of Preliminaries. [Summer 2009, p.68]
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  14. Hot Press
    80
    Ragged glories from punk's oddball.
  15. Q Magazine
    80
    Forty years after The Stooges' debut album, Iggy Pop is still heading blindly into the unknown. [Jul 2009, p.116]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. JamesL
    Jun 6, 2009
    2
    Pure crap! Iggy's "Metal Machince Music " or "Young Americans" Geti in an elevator and hang your self like Carridine would be more Pure crap! Iggy's "Metal Machince Music " or "Young Americans" Geti in an elevator and hang your self like Carridine would be more enjoyable. Will fill your collection only. Listen two it twice puke, and hope for the better.… Full Review »
  2. johnO
    Jun 3, 2009
    10
    The COOLEST Iggy record since the Idiot and Lust for Life.The man is a force and an original voice of American music...even if its in French! The COOLEST Iggy record since the Idiot and Lust for Life.The man is a force and an original voice of American music...even if its in French! I love Hal Cragins production,Nice to hear interesting music that provokes Iggys creative side.Rocks pretty well too.… Full Review »
  3. mihaelv
    Jun 3, 2009
    9
    This album should not be rated in a way by comparing it to Iggy's previous work. Because if you expect anything like he had done before This album should not be rated in a way by comparing it to Iggy's previous work. Because if you expect anything like he had done before you may get a bit confused, but after taking some time to really get into the concept and the sound of this album, you will only be awarded and discover a new, tender and brilliant side of Iggy Pop.… Full Review »
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