Originally released in 1977, this was the first album Iggy Pop made after the breakup of the Stooges, several stints in prison, and a self-imposed stay in a mental institution. Produced by David Bowie and featuring music written almost entirely by him, this is Iggy's most introspective and weighty work. Much more mechanical than the sleazy proto-punk of the Stooges, The Idiot was a huge influence on the post-punk sound of the likes of Joy Division and Magazine. An absolute classic.