Iggy Pop  “Soldier” released 40 years ago today, February 7th, 1980*. Pop’s 4th solo LP has some major collaborators: Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) plays bass, does backing vocals and wrote “Ambition” and co-wrote with Pop “Mr. Dynamite,” “I Need More” and “Take Care of Me.” David Bowie co-wrote “Play It Safe” (and it really does sound like a Bowie track); Bowie and Simple Minds also provide backing vocals for that track. Iggy is also backed by punk Steve New on guitar (Rich Kids, Gen X – and he almost joined Duran Duran!), Ivan Kral on guitar and keyboards (Patti Smith Group) and Barry Andrews on keyboards (XTC). Soldier went to #125 on the US charts. It’s an OK album but not great, likely because of the typical chaos swirling around Iggy for most of his career. Stooge James Williamson was originally slated to produce Soldier but he clashed with Bowie and quit the project. Also Bowie was allegedly punched by Steve New at some point during the recording process (it was over a woman). I like “Knocking ‘Em Down (In the City)” which is a good rocker, also “Mr. Dynamite” which is classic slinky protopunk Iggy and “Dog Food” which is a snotty ass-shaker.

*The release date is not entirely solid – another source has it as Feb. 1st 1980 but since today is the 7th, I’m going with that date.