Raw Power Vs Transformer

[Death on Credit]

With his star on the rise in the early 70's, David Bowie brought two of his struggling heroes, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, to London to help them revitalize their careers. The two took the glam rock scene of England and brought it down to a sleazier and more subversive level, essentially creating punk rock in the process.

Which Bowie produced record do you prefer?



VS

 

[LOU/REALM]

Two masterpieces.....Raw power lives up to its name! love it!!.....but has to be one of the worst mastered albums production wise Ive ever heard

 

[Death on Credit]

Agreed. Raw Power holds a very special place in my heart, but they just can't get the sound of that thing right. Which, I think, actually adds a little bit to the album's power. They can't tame the ****er.

 

[LOU/REALM]

It is a strange album D.o.c.....sometimes the drums are inaudiable...sometimes the bass inaudiable.....sometimes the guitar too tinny. It sounds like a "live" album...but as we know isnt.
Im presuming "raw power" has since been re-mastered a few times on cd ?? Mines on vinyl

 

[Death on Credit]

Well, there are 2 notable, and wildly different mixes available at the moment. The first is the original Bowie mix, which is likely the one that you have on vinyl. Many complain that this mix is too soft, and have called it "cotton eared." The second is a remix done by Iggy Pop in 1997. This mix, arguably the loudest album ever made, puts everything in the red to create a lot of distortion. This mix is just way too ****ing loud. I wanted to do a comparison using the original Bowie mix of Search and Destroy, and then Iggy's mix...but I can't actually find the original mix on youtube. Since you're probably familiar enough with it, though, here's Iggy's remix...

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Raw Power

 

[rtbuck]

Really close because I love both albums but I really tend to reach for Raw Power a hell of a lot more. Transformer does contain my favorite Lou Reed Song "Satellite of Love" (although I prefer the live version on Take No Prisoners) among other great tracks including Vicious & Walk on the Wildside. Transformer also features Mick Ronson on guitar which is another plus but I'll take the power & energy of Raw Power. Besides the obvious Search & Destroy & the title track you have songs like Gimme Danger, Shake Appeal, & Your Pretty Face Has Gone to hell (which is not only a great title but a kick ass song as well)

 

[LG]

^^I agree with Professor Bucky's analysis.

 

[Magic]

No question in my mind, Raw Power.

 

[joe]

Raw Power