LOU REED SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: open.spotify.com/playlist/4cfjlO2IYSfiAYVT5A8sXM?si=i81eAb_ZTtaUh8CfWzpi3Q P.S. I skipped New Sensations as I can't find the CD at the moment and forgot, but I would rate it an 8 and the album cover a 6. Favorite song on the album is the title track and it was refreshing to hear a more positve album from him for a change.
That song reminds me of Bono relating this example of Lou's deadpan humor: On one occasion, in perfect Lou drawl, he described how annoyed he was for agreeing to lend one of his motorcycles to his girlfriend. She had a small accident, damaging the lowrider in ways that clearly upset him. I asked him how his girlfriend was after the accident. He looked at me dryly and said, "Bono, you can replace the girlfriend."
I only discovered LR a couple years ago. It was Rock 'n' Roll Animal on minty first pressed vinyl. It was a perfect storm and it happened all by accident from the suggestion from the record store guy. (Yeah, just like you'd imagine.) I paid $15 and it's caused me to hunt for them all. Lou Reed changed my life @40 years old. :) Keep up the fun!
I used to bemoan the fact that there was so little about current music I really liked, but it has really made go back and listen to artists I may have missed the first time around. There is still so much music to mine from the sixties, seventies and eighties that it's become a musical journey. You're a part of that musical journey Larry.
Larry if you've never heard John Cales album "Paris 1919" you need to. It's a masterpiece. Great songs. A majestic sound. One of my favorite albums. It's really good!
John was the real genius behind their groundbreaking sound, brought the drone and other avantgarde and classical elements to the Velvets. Should have been co-credited for the music on TVU&N and WL/WH, but selfish LR would have none of that. Throughout his solo career, Cale has proved to be the more influential, adventurous and creative musician of the two, but yet is still so criminally underrated, it beggars belief.
Watching now. Okay may as well take first spot. First👍EDIT: Awesome thumbnail. "It's Lou Reed, it's real." Quickly agreeing with your 10/10 album cover ratings🏅EDIT2: Was aware of Walk on the Wild Side and got into him on new material with Mistrial. Liked👍
"New York" is the only solo Lou album I had before buying the box set "Between Thought and Expression" which is a great place to start. It has 3 discs of all his best tracks and includes a couple of non-album tracks. I agree on "Berlin" being one of his best. You didn't mention one of my favorites songs from "Legendary Heart" which is 'Betrayed.' "Metal Machine Music" isn't really music but it's great if you want to meditate because you can't actually think while it's playing. His later studio albums "Set the Twilight Reeling," "Ecstasy" and "The Raven" are all excellent, the latter especially if you like Edgar Allen Poe which I do. 'Sex with Your Parents' is hilarious and the 18 minute 'Like a Possum' is a thing of beauty.
To rate and review Lou Reed discography is a tough thing to do. Personnally, I think he is a genius. He is a Bob Dylan child in songwritting, but he is more adult than his father. I really appreciate all your reviews and this one in particular. Take care of you, and Mollie, and your cats....By the way I am surprised you are not keen on vinyl as I am.
I've seen Lou in concert several times including a few of his classic Bottom Line shows. I say 'classic' as you never knew what to expect but he never disappointed!!
1. Rock 'n' Roll Animal 2. Transformer 3. Sally Can't Dance 4. Berlin 5. Metal Machine Music These are my favorite Lou Reed albums. I'm a huge fan of Lou's work including The Velvet Underground.
I really love these 4 albums 1. Berlin (Caroline says part 1 and 2 and oh Jim are mindblowing classic rock tracks. "The bed" and "The kids" are some of the most haunting songs I have ever heard) 2. Songs for Drella (sweet and extremely real/human. All the songs are interesting. I especially like the slower and intimate songs such as "Trouble with the classicist", "Style it takes and "Hello it's me"). 3. New York (Less intimate than Songs for Drella. I feel like Lou is very much in touch with the band, and they play so well. There are lots of interesting and hilarious songs such as "Beginning of a great adventure", "Last great American whale" and "Romeo and Juliette".) 4. Transformer (It just feels cool from start to end. I don't feel like the songs are as "human" or "real" as some of his other albums. But this is so well produced, that you can play it in any social setting, and you would feel good. I believe that most of the songs are about sex and queer sexuality, which is not as interesting to me as most of the themes from the other albums).
"Rock'n Roll Animal" is one of the best live albums of all times, rate: 10. You must have misplaced "New Sensations". It is one of his best albums and has one of his absolutely best songs on it: "Doing the things that we want to" You mentioned that "Live" - the follow up to "Rock'n roll animal" was not in the collection. I didn't hear "Live in Italy" mentioned either - "it is another awesome live album. Agree on "the Bells",: it is a great album, so different. In general, I like the later more introvert albums too. I can't say I like everything he did but there is something interesting in every album. My favourite studio albums are "New York", "New Sensations", "the Bells", "the Blue Mask" & "Sally can't dance" I haven"t heard "Lulu"; I don't know why, but based on your review and all the hatred from Metallica fans I must get it. Some favourite songs: "Sweet Jane", "Doing the things that we want to", "Waves of fear", "Dirty Blvd", "Vicious", "Busload of faith", "Kill your sons", "Billy" To me Lou Reed is better than Dylan. I think his music is better and more diverse. Dylans music is kind of an excuse for conveying the lyrics at times. Having said that: music isn't competition.
I’ve only heard Transformer, The Essential Lou Reed (compilation) and everything from The Velvet Underground. Which Lou Reed solo album should I go to next?
I love "Transformer" as it has so many great songs. I'd go with the follow up album "Berlin". It's very different, much darker and intense, but has a lot of great songs. It is emotionally draining though compared to "Transformer" which was more commercial.
Thanks for this info. Transformer's always been my fav 10/10, Berlin 9/10. Great concept album but maybe 2 or 3 tracks are just ok. New York was always like a 6/10. Music part of it was just too basic. I'm looking forward to exploring Cony Island Baby and Blue Mask. Also the Bells bases just on your recommendation. Thanks again
Metal Music Machine was Lou Reed's big PHUCK YOU to the music industry....I agree with you Larry, I was able to listen up to 10 minutes then had to turn it off. It's a perfect album to help get your neighbor to move away (lol)....
Rock n roll animal is a fantastic live album my favorite live album of all time!! If you get into it and love it you should get lou Reed live because the songs from lou Reed live are from the same show as Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal but the thing about lou Reed live that bothers me is it wasn’t mixed like rock n roll animal so It doesn’t sound as good
One album wasn't reviewed . New Sensations. That album cover 7. Music 8. My Top Five. 1. Berlin 2. Coney Island Baby. 3. Rock n Roll Animal 4. New York 5. The Blue Mask. Lou Reed As an Artist . From Velvet Underground to LU LU. Seen him Live a number of Times. 1976 Coney Island Baby period. 89 New York Tour. Magic and Loss Tour. And Blue Mask Tour. Just love him.
My recollections: 1) "The Kids" from Berlin was one of the more disturbing listens I ever remember. I don't think I've listened to it a second time; 2) Track 3 from Metal Machine Music is actually better than the others...; 3) you should REALLY listen to the Spacemen 3 song "Ode To Street Hassle" from their "Perfect Prescription" album...and then listen to the entire "Perfect Prescription" album because it's awesome! 4) The Blue Mask was really good if I recall.
Lou is my fav artist. I love his early albums transformer, sally can’t dance, etc. But my all time favorite LR record is New York, it is my favorite record of all time.
I like to play Metal Machine as sleep music. The constant noise and feedback makes my mind go numb and get all the thoughts right out. The next thing I know it's morning and I had a great night of sleep.
Songs for Drella is incredible. Definitely a 10/10. May actually be my fave only behind 1. Street Hassle and 2. Transformer 3. Songs for Drella 4. Berlin 5.Blue Mask 6.Coney island Baby 7.Rock and Roll Heart 8. The Bells 9.Lou Reed S/T 10. New Sensations
Berlin, Transformer, coney island baby rock n roll animal & lou reed live, together it was probably my favorite concert and was not what i was expecting after buying laid back transformer
Wow, you were pretty harsh on a couple of my favorites! No problem. Regarding Berlin, I do think it's great, but I have a somewhat controversial opinion about it, that if it's your favorite Lou Reed album then you're not really a fan. Of course I don't REALLY think that, but here's my reasoning, that it's possibly his most uncharacteristic album, bombastic, humorless, even a bit naive, and not grounded in the reality of the streets like his best work. I sometimes say the same thing about The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, that people who say it's the Boss' best aren't real fans...great album, but in many ways not really a true Springsteen record. But what the heck do I know? Anyway, I'm going to rank what I consider the great Lou Reed albums, four stars and above. 13 Transformer 12 Coney Album Baby 11 Ecstasy 10 The Bells 9 Set the Twilight Reeling 8 Legendary Hearts 7 Street Hassle 6 Berlin 5 Songs for Drella 4 New Sensations 3 Magic and Loss 2 The Blue Mask 1 New York Thanks for the videos. It must have been such hard work having to listen to all those Lou Reed albums! :)
I think Ecstasy is one of his best and also one of his most creative albums. I think you will like it a lot based on your liking of his discography. The 18 minute song must be heard to be believed. Just don't read the story behind the album cover!
I think the first album is underrated because of the production/mix. It's somewhat wooden, especially the drums. I Believe the dolby got botched or something. He was in a great studio with great players. I still love it. I prefer the VU version of Lisa Says but the rest of it is pretty good to great. "Berlin" is gorgeous. The standout on Rock N Roll Animal is "White Light/White Heat" They turn that into a great jam. Some of the other wanking, like the introduction and the way too long "Rock N Roll" I'm not that much of a fan of. "Heroin" is pretty good here. I also love his style and the cover. Kudos to liking "Nobody's Business"! nobody ever mentions that song, it's so breezy and sublime.
LOU REED SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: open.spotify.com/playlist/4cfjlO2IYSfiAYVT5A8sXM?si=i81eAb_ZTtaUh8CfWzpi3Q P.S. I skipped New Sensations as I can't find the CD at the moment and forgot, but I would rate it an 8 and the album cover a 6. Favorite song on the album is the title track and it was refreshing to hear a more positve album from him for a change.
That song reminds me of Bono relating this example of Lou's deadpan humor:
On one occasion, in perfect Lou drawl, he described how annoyed he was for agreeing to lend one of his motorcycles to his girlfriend. She had a small accident, damaging the lowrider in ways that clearly upset him. I asked him how his girlfriend was after the accident. He looked at me dryly and said, "Bono, you can replace the girlfriend."
I only discovered LR a couple years ago. It was Rock 'n' Roll Animal on minty first pressed vinyl. It was a perfect storm and it happened all by accident from the suggestion from the record store guy. (Yeah, just like you'd imagine.) I paid $15 and it's caused me to hunt for them all. Lou Reed changed my life @40 years old. :) Keep up the fun!
This LP is great.
Check out ‘live take no prisoners’ for a totally different live side of Lou with another incredible band.
I used to bemoan the fact that there was so little about current music I really liked, but it has really made go back and listen to artists I may have missed the first time around. There is still so much music to mine from the sixties, seventies and eighties that it's become a musical journey. You're a part of that musical journey Larry.
Larry if you've never heard John Cales album "Paris 1919" you need to. It's a masterpiece. Great songs. A majestic sound. One of my favorite albums. It's really good!
John was the real genius behind their groundbreaking sound, brought the drone and other avantgarde and classical elements to the Velvets. Should have been co-credited for the music on TVU&N and WL/WH, but selfish LR would have none of that. Throughout his solo career, Cale has proved to be the more influential, adventurous and creative musician of the two, but yet is still so criminally underrated, it beggars belief.
Watching now. Okay may as well take first spot. First👍EDIT: Awesome thumbnail. "It's Lou Reed, it's real." Quickly agreeing with your 10/10 album cover ratings🏅EDIT2: Was aware of Walk on the Wild Side and got into him on new material with Mistrial. Liked👍
"New York" is the only solo Lou album I had before buying the box set "Between Thought and Expression" which is a great place to start. It has 3 discs of all his best tracks and includes a couple of non-album tracks. I agree on "Berlin" being one of his best. You didn't mention one of my favorites songs from "Legendary Heart" which is 'Betrayed.'
"Metal Machine Music" isn't really music but it's great if you want to meditate because you can't actually think while it's playing.
His later studio albums "Set the Twilight Reeling," "Ecstasy" and "The Raven" are all excellent, the latter especially if you like Edgar Allen
Poe which I do. 'Sex with Your Parents' is hilarious and the 18 minute 'Like a Possum' is a thing of beauty.
Only listened to his 70s and 80s stuff. Still have to check out his later stuff. Great video. Thanks
To rate and review Lou Reed discography is a tough thing to do. Personnally, I think he is a genius. He is a Bob Dylan child in songwritting, but he is more adult than his father. I really appreciate all your reviews and this one in particular. Take care of you, and Mollie, and your cats....By the way I am surprised you are not keen on vinyl as I am.
Lou Reed Live in Italy is my favourite live album by him .
I do plan on buying that one, thanks.
He had made some excellent records, a few I'm not keen on but Metal Machine Music is 10/10 :P
You Need to listen to Set the Twilight Reeling and Ectasy they are great rock albums
on the stage: Lou Reed
at the library: Lou Read
I've seen Lou in concert several times including a few of his classic Bottom Line shows. I say 'classic' as you never knew what to expect but he never disappointed!!
Lady Day Live is one of the greatest live songs ever, just sounds so good. Prefer it to the album version
1. Rock 'n' Roll Animal
2. Transformer
3. Sally Can't Dance
4. Berlin
5. Metal Machine Music
These are my favorite Lou Reed albums. I'm a huge fan of Lou's work including The Velvet Underground.
I love this! Great video man
Thanks. :) I am ranking and reviewing all of his albums now... over halfway done... check my rock music vlog on my front page for the videos.
I really love these 4 albums
1. Berlin (Caroline says part 1 and 2 and oh Jim are mindblowing classic rock tracks. "The bed" and "The kids" are some of the most haunting songs I have ever heard)
2. Songs for Drella (sweet and extremely real/human. All the songs are interesting. I especially like the slower and intimate songs such as "Trouble with the classicist", "Style it takes and "Hello it's me").
3. New York (Less intimate than Songs for Drella. I feel like Lou is very much in touch with the band, and they play so well. There are lots of interesting and hilarious songs such as "Beginning of a great adventure", "Last great American whale" and "Romeo and Juliette".)
4. Transformer (It just feels cool from start to end. I don't feel like the songs are as "human" or "real" as some of his other albums. But this is so well produced, that you can play it in any social setting, and you would feel good. I believe that most of the songs are about sex and queer sexuality, which is not as interesting to me as most of the themes from the other albums).
Really liked watching you review these. I've been going through a bit of a Lou Reed phase. Not to be a downer but you skipped 'New Sensations'.
Check my pinned comment, thanks. :)
"Rock'n Roll Animal" is one of the best live albums of all times, rate: 10.
You must have misplaced "New Sensations". It is one of his best albums and has one of his absolutely best songs on it: "Doing the things that we want to"
You mentioned that "Live" - the follow up to "Rock'n roll animal" was not in the collection. I didn't hear "Live in Italy" mentioned either - "it is another awesome live album.
Agree on "the Bells",: it is a great album, so different.
In general, I like the later more introvert albums too. I can't say I like everything he did but there is something interesting in every album.
My favourite studio albums are "New York", "New Sensations", "the Bells", "the Blue Mask" & "Sally can't dance"
I haven"t heard "Lulu"; I don't know why, but based on your review and all the hatred from Metallica fans I must get it.
Some favourite songs: "Sweet Jane", "Doing the things that we want to", "Waves of fear", "Dirty Blvd", "Vicious", "Busload of faith", "Kill your sons", "Billy"
To me Lou Reed is better than Dylan. I think his music is better and more diverse. Dylans music is kind of an excuse for conveying the lyrics at times. Having said that: music isn't competition.
I’ve only heard Transformer, The Essential Lou Reed (compilation) and everything from The Velvet Underground. Which Lou Reed solo album should I go to next?
I recommend you Coney Island Baby.
I love "Transformer" as it has so many great songs. I'd go with the follow up album "Berlin". It's very different, much darker and intense, but has a lot of great songs. It is emotionally draining though compared to "Transformer" which was more commercial.
Thanks for this info. Transformer's always been my fav 10/10, Berlin 9/10. Great concept album but maybe 2 or 3 tracks are just ok. New York was always like a 6/10. Music part of it was just too basic. I'm looking forward to exploring Cony Island Baby and Blue Mask. Also the Bells bases just on your recommendation. Thanks again
Metal Music Machine was Lou Reed's big PHUCK YOU to the music industry....I agree with you Larry, I was able to listen up to 10 minutes then had to turn it off. It's a perfect album to help get your neighbor to move away (lol)....
Berlin is easily my favorite LR album, and is probably a top 3 (any) record for me
Rock n roll animal is a fantastic live album my favorite live album of all time!! If you get into it and love it you should get lou Reed live because the songs from lou Reed live are from the same show as Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal but the thing about lou Reed live that bothers me is it wasn’t mixed like rock n roll animal so It doesn’t sound as good
One album wasn't reviewed .
New Sensations.
That album cover 7.
Music 8.
My Top Five.
1. Berlin
2. Coney Island Baby.
3. Rock n Roll Animal
4. New York
5. The Blue Mask.
Lou Reed As an Artist .
From Velvet Underground to LU LU.
Seen him Live a number of Times.
1976 Coney Island Baby period.
89 New York Tour.
Magic and Loss Tour.
And Blue Mask Tour.
Just love him.
Check my pinned comment for my rating and review.
My recollections: 1) "The Kids" from Berlin was one of the more disturbing listens I ever remember. I don't think I've listened to it a second time; 2) Track 3 from Metal Machine Music is actually better than the others...; 3) you should REALLY listen to the Spacemen 3 song "Ode To Street Hassle" from their "Perfect Prescription" album...and then listen to the entire "Perfect Prescription" album because it's awesome! 4) The Blue Mask was really good if I recall.
Lou is my fav artist. I love his early albums transformer, sally can’t dance, etc. But my all time favorite LR record is New York, it is my favorite record of all time.
Transformer is my fav. David Bowie producing you know it was gonna be huge.👍
I like to play Metal Machine as sleep music. The constant noise and feedback makes my mind go numb and get all the thoughts right out. The next thing I know it's morning and I had a great night of sleep.
Songs for Drella is incredible. Definitely a 10/10. May actually be my fave only behind 1. Street Hassle and 2. Transformer 3. Songs for Drella 4. Berlin 5.Blue Mask 6.Coney island Baby 7.Rock and Roll Heart 8. The Bells 9.Lou Reed S/T 10. New Sensations
Berlin, Transformer, coney island baby
rock n roll animal & lou reed live, together it was probably my favorite concert and was not what i was expecting after buying laid back transformer
Wow, you were pretty harsh on a couple of my favorites! No problem. Regarding Berlin, I do think it's great, but I have a somewhat controversial opinion about it, that if it's your favorite Lou Reed album then you're not really a fan. Of course I don't REALLY think that, but here's my reasoning, that it's possibly his most uncharacteristic album, bombastic, humorless, even a bit naive, and not grounded in the reality of the streets like his best work. I sometimes say the same thing about The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, that people who say it's the Boss' best aren't real fans...great album, but in many ways not really a true Springsteen record. But what the heck do I know? Anyway, I'm going to rank what I consider the great Lou Reed albums, four stars and above.
13 Transformer
12 Coney Album Baby
11 Ecstasy
10 The Bells
9 Set the Twilight Reeling
8 Legendary Hearts
7 Street Hassle
6 Berlin
5 Songs for Drella
4 New Sensations
3 Magic and Loss
2 The Blue Mask
1 New York
Thanks for the videos. It must have been such hard work having to listen to all those Lou Reed albums! :)
I think Ecstasy is one of his best and also one of his most creative albums. I think you will like it a lot based on your liking of his discography. The 18 minute song must be heard to be believed. Just don't read the story behind the album cover!
Transformer and Berlin for me! Add Metal Machine Music.
Hello Larry ! Thanks to you I have bought a 5 cd with Lou Reed ! I cancelled a greatest hits !!!
You're welcome! Enjoy!
Perfect Night Live is a great recording with a great track listing. As far as his total discography, I would put in in the top ten....
New Sensations is missing.
yes, because the album was under my bed at the time...
Metal Machine Music is AWESOME
I think the first album is underrated because of the production/mix. It's somewhat wooden, especially the drums. I Believe the dolby got botched or something. He was in a great studio with great players. I still love it. I prefer the VU version of Lisa Says but the rest of it is pretty good to great. "Berlin" is gorgeous.
The standout on Rock N Roll Animal is "White Light/White Heat" They turn that into a great jam. Some of the other wanking, like the introduction and the way too long "Rock N Roll" I'm not that much of a fan of. "Heroin" is pretty good here. I also love his style and the cover.
Kudos to liking "Nobody's Business"! nobody ever mentions that song, it's so breezy and sublime.
MMM: ‘I’ll give it a 2 out of 10. I need to listen to it more.’ 😆
Your rating: 7 out of 10
Alright I agree coney island baby is a great album, except kicks is probably the best song