Even though
Brick by Brick successfully presented a mature
Iggy Pop, he evidently felt that he needed to find a different way to grow old after the grungy detours of
American Caesar and
Naughty Little Doggie. So, he reteamed with producer
Don Was, brought soul-jazz hipsters
Medeski, Martin & Wood along for a couple of tracks, and crafted the subdued, semi-autobiographical
Avenue B. "Craft" is an appropriate word -- the music is often used as background for spoken word pieces, and the entire album strives to be a sophisticated, revealing peek into
Iggy's psyche, as if it's him confessing to you in a saloon in the middle of the night. Problem is, it just doesn't work. It's stilted, embarrassing, and awkward, never once finding the right note, no matter if
Iggy is crooning or reciting his silly lyrics. He doesn't seem entirely comfortable with the experiment, either. The only time he comes to life is on a good, straight-ahead cover of
Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' "Shakin' All Over." True, it's a selection that dates him somewhat, but he sounds more relaxed, mature, and dignified here than he does on the rest of
Avenue B, leaving no doubt what direction he should pursue for the next album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine