Beat Em Up, is the thirteenth studio album by American rock singer Iggy Pop. Recorded at Hit Factory Criteria studios in Miami Beach, Florida, it is the first Iggy Pop album in which the Trolls were credited. The Trolls were: Iggy Pop, Whitey Kirst, Pete Marshall, Alex Kirst and Lloyd "Mooseman" Roberts.

Background

'Art Collins, Pop's manager, said of the album: "I'm not saying this is another Raw Power, but if Raw Power is a true Iggy album, then this is another true Iggy album". He added there would be some "ranting on the album, some humor, some rock on it." The album was self-produced.

Release

Beat Em Up was released on June 18, 2001, and included as an unmentioned bonus the song acknowledged as "Sterility" on tour playlists, featured right after "VIP". The album was dedicated to Mooseman, who had been killed in a drive-by shooting after its recording.

Reception and aftermath

Reception

Pitchfork was largely dismissive of the record, proclaiming its content "third-rate bar band stuff". Several critics noted the similarity of the album to the nu metal bands of the time.

Aftermath

"Mask" was included on the compilation A Million in Prizes: The Anthology. The murder by drive-by shooting of bassist Lloyd 'Mooseman' Roberts, a former member of Ice-T's Body Count and a member of the Trolls at the time of his death, postponed plans to tour, though "Mask" was performed to great effect on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Track listing

All songs composed by Iggy Pop and Whitey Kirst, except where indicated. Track 15 (7:10 + 1:01 silence + 4:59) features a hidden track, "Sterility".

B-sides and alternate versions

Personnel

The Trolls with:

Charts