This album had been called various names. Such as genuis, poetic, strange, unique, and terrible. None the less this album and band are not about good reviews.
The Velvet Underground came along in the mid 1960's, where rock was ruled by mod bands, garage bands, and jam bands, untill a slight change in music took place. The change was forming in Northern California and New York City. The sound coming out was an odd and experimental sound. Later to be defined as "Psychedelia". This sound involved use of odd instruments, odd guitar tones, and usually, poetic lyrics. The band that defined this sound was none other than The Velvet Underground.
It was Lou Reed and John Cale that became good friends with "Pop art" artist Andy Warhol. Who was extremely popular at the time. Andy would go to see The V.U at local gigs in New York and would be highly impressed. Andy being a big star then decided that he will take them into the studio and produce a one of their albums. Andy also thought it would be smart to add the German sensation Nico to the album. The result was an amazing, sometimes overlooked album.
P.S. If you like some bands like Sonic Youth, there is a good chance that you would like this band. They are similiar in many ways. You can see how this band influenced bands like that.
1. Sunday Morning: This opening track really shows the beauty and softer side to The V.U.. It is based around some catchy Xylophone playing. The lyrics are very beautiful and peaceful. The guitar and viola mix into the song very well. 5/5
2. I'm Waiting for the Man: To go fromSunday Morning to this song is quite shocking, in a way. This song pretty heavy for The V.U., and the vocals stand out from any song on this album. The song is supposed to be about a man waiting for his drug dealer. 5/5
3. Femme Fatale: This song has Nico on vocals and kind of sounds like it should be played in an elevator. It sounds like it would go good as a theme for a 60's tv show. Not that exciting of a song. 2/5
4. Venus in Furs: A Psychedelic classic! Combining the sitar and viola gives off an unheard sound, especially back then. The lyrics sound drug indused and are very intelligently written. This song shows many emotions and feelings. The lyrics "Different colors, all made of tears" seem to add a nice touch to the song for me. The lyrics "Kiss the boot, of shiny shiny leather" and "A belt of thongs" also make the song interesting. This would be one of my favorite songs on the album. 5/5
5. Run Run Run: There is something about this song that I love, but I can't point it out. It isn't like any of the other songs on this album. The lyrics are kind of fun and interesting. The guitar playing fits in very nice, but the solo is terrible, but listening to this band gives off the idea that the loud screeches and feedback are intensional. 5/5
6. All Tomorrow's Parties: Another Nico song. The opening few seconds of this song sound similair to "The End" by the Doors. Soon after, the piano kicks in and makes the song interesting. The vocals are good, but the German accent is not appealing to me. Ok song 3/5
7. Heroin: This song is definatley one of The V.U.'s best and most amazing. It is obviously about the use of heroin. The song actually gives you a bit of a feel like you would have if you were on heroin, which would be by the pounding bass drum. The song get more intense ever second. The lyrics are genius and poetic in my opinion. The lyrics "Heroin...it's my wife, and it's my life haha" give a ver desciptive feeling to the song, especially the laugh at the end of the lyrics I just posted. By the end of the song you can barely hear Lou's voice because the screeching viola, and the screaming feedback from the amps. 5/5
8. There She goes Again: This song is unlike most V.U. songs. It is a lot more happier, yet dirty. I do really like the backing vocals. There is some offensive and kind of unkind lyrics in the song. 4/5
9. I'll be Your Mirror: Another Nico song. This is a slower song, like to dance to. The guitaring is okay. The backing vocals at the end are good. 2.5/5
10. The Black Angel's Death Song: This song has screeching viola playing through out the song. The Lyrics are extremley poetic and brilliant. The guitaring blends very well. At certain parts of this song there is this noise that sounds like a gas pipe cracked. 4/5
11. European Son: The begining of this song had a **** catchy bass line. soon after the guitar comes in and matches with the bass great. The lyrics are very odd. There are some outrageous sound affects added to this song. A very short amount of lyrics, yet great. 4/5
I give this album a 5/5 for how experimental it is.
I recomend this, greatly.
