These are the original tapes mixed by the Stooges themselves. These are the tapes the CBS execs balked at and refused to release unless Bowie agreed to 'fix' them. The Asheton brothers have gone on record saying they actually prefer these mixes. They sound almost like an '80s hardcore or crust version of the band. The low end rumbles muddily and aggressively, the high end sort of jumps out of your speakers at you and there is no middle to speak of. There's every manner of leakage and over-modulation and it still manages to completely kick ass. This mix has an unmistakeable 'bite'.

With Rough Power, the Stooges are redeemed. This is the birth of punk rock. Gone are the annoying extra guitar tracks. Back is the raging Ron Asheton bass and brother Scott's fearsome drumming. This is the way the Stooges meant for Raw Power to sound. Too bad it took nearly 25 years for us to hear it. Stooges fans know that bootlegs of rehearsal tapes from 1972-74 sound pretty goddamn bad. No such worries here. If you liked Raw Power, this one will make you want to burn it or give it away.