"It was said that only a few thousand people ever bought a Velvet Underground album, but every one of them formed a Rock 'n' roll band". This shows the influence that the Velvet Underground has on Rock 'N' Roll. This was the Velvet Underground's last studio release because shortly after the recording of this album Lou Reed quit in 1970. This album is one of my favorite albums of all time. This album was not exactly what the Velvet Underground "were all about". In the Mid 60s until John Cale left the band the Velvet Underground were all about defying the usual pop songs that were on the charts at the time. They were about writing songs about drugs, death, and poets and not about everyday things and love songs. Many people dislike this album because it fails to capture that essence of the Velvet Underground.
Well, this album is not about defying anything or really about death. This album shows the lighter side of The Velvet Underground. This is a collection of well written Rock 'n' Roll songs that were recorded before Lou Reed quit the VU to pursue his solo career. Sometimes people fail to realize the fact that it isn't a lot of fun to write about drugs and death all of the time. Here is the Review of a great Rock Album.
1. Who Loves the Sun - The song has a great rhythm. Lou Reed's voice in this song is very uplifting and the chords are very bright and clean. The Backing vocals are almost like that of a Beatles song. The only thing I dislike about this song is that the lyrics are a little shallow and not typical of Lou Reed.
Rating: 3/5
2. Sweet Jane - The intro to this song is three guitars playing together which sounds great. I love the lyrics to this song, "Anyone who ever had a heart, wouldn't ever turn around and break it". As the song continues from the very beginning it pumps up until the final choruses are almost yelled by the band. This song is still played by Lou Reed in his concerts, It is a very uplifting song and one of my favorites.
Rating: 4.5/5
3. Rock & Roll - The rhythm guitar playing in this song stands out against the great bass line. This song became a Rock 'n' roll anthem (Hence the name). The lyrics are pretty good, this is another good song that really gets you pumped when you listen to it. It then leads into a guitar solo. This is just one of those songs that sounds better live because you can feel the power of them on stage.
Rating: 4/5
4. Cool It Down - The song has Reed singing in a low voice almost whispering during the verse. The Chorus is really when the song picks up. The backing vocals really empower the band during this song. The guitar and piano interlude following the first chorus is decent. Overall this is a great Rock song.
Rating: 3.5/5
5. New Age - I like the guitar harmonies in this song accompanied by the piano. Reed's voice and lyrics are so deep at the beginning of the song and when he is backed up at the end of the song is the best part of the song. The beginning of the song starts out depressing and at the end of the song seems to uplift you. It's almost like being depressed and then figuring that it won't be so bad anymore.
Rating: 4/5
6. Head Held High - This song has a pretty fast tempo and a good percussion section in it. It brings you out of the gloom of the previous song and has a good Final chorus with a lead guitar accompaniment. Not one of my favorite songs on the album.
Rating: 3/5
7. Lonesome Cowboy Bill - This song has a surf rock guitar rhythm and lead. The chorus really makes it sound like a Beach Boy's song with the backing vocals and surf rock guitar accompaniment. It just seems like the lyrics don't fit the tempo of the song.
Rating: 4/5
8. I Found A Reason - The harmony vocals have a call and answer sort of melody of voices. Lou Reed's low voice calls and is answered with a high voice. The chorus has all of the band singing at different octaves together which sounds very ambient. It's kind of strange how the VU were said to be ahead of their time because this song sounds like it should have came out about a decade earlier.
Rating: 4/5
9. Train Round The Bend - The rhythm and lead guitar come at you from the beginning of the song and circle your speakers making it feel like a train is rounding your speakers. The guitar riff is loud and high pitched making it sound like a train whistle without it sounding irritating. I like the concept of this song as well as the two guitar solos in the song, they are simple but still excellent.
Rating: 3.5/5
10. Oh! Sweet Nuthin' - The guitar leads in this song make it sound very southern rock influenced. This song is very slow and mellow. Even the lyrics sound very blues or southern rock influenced. "Say a word for jimmy brown, He ain't got nothing at all, Not a shirt right of his back". This song is ended with an excellent guitar solo. The guitar solo in this song is probably the best on the entire album and the song slowly fades out at the chorus. In my opinion I think that this song is a perfect way to end such a great album.
Rating 4.5/5
Well, I hope that all of you guys enjoyed my review on one of my favorite albums. By the way this album has influenced many people from The Strokes to Phish. Phish cover this entire album live on their cd Live at Las Vegas I believe. This is a great album and if you are interested in some good Rock 'N' Roll music then pick this album up.
