Reviews (page 10 of 15)
I don't really care for "Sunday Morning," nor, actually, any of the other songs with Nico vocals. The Lou Reed ones are generally excellent though. I loved European Son.
Everyone knows this album cover (probably because every knows the Warhol painting but still). The album itself is interesting. I enjoy Lou Reed’s vocals but it the album tapers off the further you go
Some of it is good. But 48 mins is far too much of this.
Pretty good. My wife wasn't diggin it as much. Made me like it more
Interesting
I like how it is art first and not music. It’s designed to make you feel something sonically and it may be disgust at what you’re hearing. The songs go on too long and lose their shock value or overall power. An important record even if I don’t turn to it.
While I can see how this album could have been absolutely life-changing hearing it for the first time in the 60s, to my modern ears I found it to be a small handful of amazing tracks interspersed between a lot of very forgettable ones. I find Venus in Furs and Heroin brilliant tracks that still hold up very well. I thought European Son was a unique and ambitious closing track as well. I otherwise found the album to be fairly dull and forgettable, and I've never really been able to get too into Lou Reed or Nico's vocals. 3/5.
I see the artistic merit in this but it’s not my favorite. More performance art than purely music, which is ok!
One of those albums that is undeniably a classic, hugely influential, but for my money only has a few tracks I enjoy. Venus In Furs is fantastic though.
Aina kun Sunday Morning käynnistyy tulee aurinkoisen nostalginen olo. Minulle tämä levy on 90 luvun nostalgiaa siitä kun silloin nostalgisoitiin 60-lukua. I'm Waiting for the Man tuo mieleen vanhan Radio Cityn. Ei tätä voi kuunnella musiikillisessa mielessä, kun merkitykset ovat niin paljon suurempia. Sävellyksestihän tämä on köykäistä ja soitannollisesti mielikuvituksetonta ja junnaavaa, mutta se ei ole nyt oleellista. Femme Fatalekin tuo muistoja; värejä, samettia, kitaransoittoa
Whilst it may have been influential at the time, other than a couple of numbers it hasn’t aged well.
Usually find this era of music not quite to my taste, but this one isn't half bad, or at least better than their other albums I've reviewed. Still only a 3 though.
People talk about Lou Reed like he's the second coming of Jesus and I just don't see it. This is a perfectly average rock album. Am I missing something?
Was groundbreaking at the time, but now just sounds standard. Cool to go back into music history
Sounded like a lot of noise to me, though after reading about this album, I understand that that was kind of the point and I respect its influence on many rock sub-genres
sunday morning is so peak
un bon album à mettre pendant un roadtrip, vraiment un travail intéressant sur l'edginess de certains sons (qui rappelle des mélodies folkloriques dans Venus in Furs ou limite country dans Run Run Run que j'ai bien aimé). petite mention pour la pochette d'album, qui fit bien avec la thématique générale. un bon 3.3 parce que j'ai pas non plus été transcendée.
lite besviken, kändes inte så inspirerat, men inte rent ut dåligt
would be a 3.5 but 3 seems too low
Interesting album, though I didn’t really connect to it. Some very dark, poetic lyrics with an unexpectedly upbeat tempo. Not that I dislike it, but it’s definitely not something I’m gonna be seeking out.
Fine
ok. the long songs tend to go off the rails
It’s okay, but I’ll never really understand why this album is considered to be really groundbreaking and influential. It’s really just a mix of “a little bit of this and a little bit of that” and that’s it. It really just is the barrier of listenable to mid to really weird. I don’t really like much psychedelic rock because its structure is a little weird and noisy. While I think that the album cover by Andy Warhol is pretty cool thinking about, this album can be creative to some but to me, it sounds pretty uninspiring and distorted. Favorite Tracks: Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, Heroine, I’ll Be Your Mirror Rating: 3/5
undeniably cool but i honestly didn’t connect too much with the music. feel like i might’ve enjoyed it more if i listened when it came out
Good stuff.
3/5
C+
Eh. Not even remotely what I was expecting based off of what I had previously heard about this album elsewhere. I think I hyped it up when I rolled this one too much and was just left fairly disappointed overall. Sure, it’s fine. But it just kinda exists. All songs on this album rank anywhere from mediocre to just ok. There’s some songs that are pretty boring, and others are fine. But that’s about it. Classic album art, passable album at best. Nothing really stood out here. I heard Funk with more memorable riffs than this the other day. I didn’t even particularly care about Lou Reed’s singing here, which may be blasphemous to some. Maybe you had to be there for this one. I’m sure it’s influential and an all time classic album, but unfortunately it was just barely passable enough to scrape by with a 3 for me. Sorry banana album. I wanted to like you so much, but I’ll likely forget about this album by tomorrow. Just don’t really get this one man. It happens. I think I liked “Venus In Furs” the best. It had some fun things going on with it.
Some of it was alright, some was annoying
I was expecting something more life altering based on what has been said about the velvet underground
I don’t know, I get there’s something there, but having a hard time finding it in just one day. this album really feels like something I’ve heard before but I can’t place where. Will file this one away and relisten on a dud album day
Iconic and maybe most accessible, but by no means my favorite VU.
I don't know, some of this is ok but some of it is really fucking annoying.
Definitely revolutionary for the time. Not my vibe though
I didn't particularly love this but I dont' think it deserves the hate some reviewers are giving it. It's basically a newer version of a post LSD journey Beatles album. It's definitely a bit drug addled and it's certainly "artsy" but I don't find that it's all just random noise or mumbling. I think the best example of what I'm talking about is "All Tomorrow's Parties" which is a cross between slower 70's rock and the stoned hippie aesthetic of the 60's. I don't love it, but it's a song that could fit on any number albums from earlier and would be considered perfectly acceptable there. Unfortunately it does devolve in to unlistenable at some points. The end of "Heroin" is terrible, that part is just noise and continuously sped up drums until the 10 second reprieve at the end. "The Black Angels Death Song" is backed by a horribly (intentionally?) played violin that ruins the rest of it, and the rest of it isn't very compelling either. Some of it is just boring; lots of the songs sound very similar to each other, and not in a "this is a unique sound" way. I dont' think they're very creative at all, the opposite in fact. If you think the stuff that came after this and is clearly inspired by it is great, then you'll love this. I find it all pretty dull.
This was fine?
So I must be on enough drugs to actually like it, the Lou Reed songs in particular. I had never heard anything by them going into this, so had no expectations. They reminded me of some other bands of the time that I enjoy, but they definitely made some interesting choices with the arrangements. A couple of the songs were unlistenable - looking at you Venus in Furs - but there were 4 or 5 tracks I thought were great. I’d give it a 3.5 if I could, but going with the 3.
Iconic album cover, was excited to actually listen to the record and glad I did. I enjoyed the Lou Reed songs, old school gritty New York City vibe. Very cool, enjoyed it. The other songs were a bit rough for me. Felt like they listened to hippie era Beatles and decided to give it a go after taking way too many drugs. Pretty terrible. Iconic Warhol cover and Lou Reed carry the record and bring this to a 3.
Not my cup of tea but a couple of cool songs on there
Seen the album cover a billion times but haven’t listened to it. It was hit or miss for me. Likes some songs but was ready for others to be over.
It was alright.
Makeita saundeja tässä, jousia joita on käytetty oikein!
There are better Velvet Underground albums than this, and better Nico albums than this. Its influence cannot be denied, and as a project backed by Warhol it is the epitome of a ‘cool’ album. Trouble for me is, these are some of the VU’s weakest songs. There’s flashes of brilliance throughout (All Tomorrow’s Parties remains a favourite) but the songs here feel very basic compared to anything on Loaded or White Light / White Heat. Was nice to revisit this though, I probably haven’t listened to it in full for about ten years.
- Gefällt mir besser als White Light/White Heat - Spezieller rockiger Vibe - würde ich vielleicht nochmal hören, aber wahrscheinlich nicht alle Songs Topssong: Run Run Run
I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it
Have listened to this album a few times and I'm convinced I'll never really 'get' it. I assume that in 1967 this was blowing people's socks off. Must be a 'me' problem since I believe the people who say it's so good.
I liked it better than I thought I might…uneven still but the good stuff is really good!!
Some cool songs but mostly forgettable.
pretty good generic rock 3/5
I liked this for exactly 3 stars
Fun vibes but ultimately not a memorable album.
Algumas músicas legais, e outras insuportáveis.
Good but also some bad songs
as revolutionary as this was it has been obliterated by albums inspired by it
More interesting than good.
en ciertos momentos me han recordado a los rolling me gusta el rollo experimental de algunas canciones, en general me ha gustado el álbum, aunque algunas canciones son un poco largas y repetitivas pero otras me han parecido originales canciones favs: sunday morning, i’m waiting for the man, there she goes
I can see why so many people find this album compelling. Lyrically it’s saying things that no one was talking about. Unfortunately the music just doesn’t grab me. Trying to be cooler than cool.
I always thought I really loved this but maybe I just thought I should?? Or not the day for it??
Mellow, kind of underground feeling pop rock
1. Sunday Morning - 5 Not a great sound vocally and instrumentally there's not a lot to it to critique to begin with. It's not a bad track. 2. I'm Waiting for the Man - 6 Good sound. Bit too melodic in the lyrics but the track moseys along well enough. 3. Femme Fatale - 6 Lyrically very very strong. It has too much of that early 60s/late 50s rock and roll doo-wop sound. The barbershop quartet type of track. Other than that it's enjoyable. 4. Venus In Furs - 9 Lyrically great but the wailing of the guitars and violins are excellent. Instrumentally the track is absolutely fantastic. The tone change into the chorus is superb. Great track. 5. Run Run Run - 6 Guitars sound good but the track has not stood the test of time. Lyrically it's not anything more than average in the verses. Choruses are significantly better. Third verse is also quite enjoyable. 6. All Tomorrow's Parties - 4 Lyrically it's not a good track but the piano and the guitars do very here to recover some enjoyment out of the track. Percussions sound solid as well and the constant unwavering drum beat also adds good flavour to the track. 7. Heroin - 10 Artistically brilliant. Everything about this track feeds into the theme: the wailing of the guitars into their classic riffs, the lyrics starting start forward before exploding into a diatribe of topics, the octave of the collective sound rising and falling. Excellent track. 8. There She Goes Again - 7 Lyrically good until the outro. Instrumentally very good too. It's an enjoyable track overall and one of the better ones on the album. 9. I'll Be Your Mirror - 2 It's just too slow and melodic. Lyrically uninspiring, the track will put you to sleep more than anything. 10. The Black Angel's Death Song - 0 Instrumentally horrible. The violins and guitars screech unpleasantly throughout the entire song and vocally it's more of a preaching track rather than singing. Awful sound. 11. European Son - 4 More a jam track to end the album which is not really an ideal way for it to end. The guitars going from riffs to screeching isn't hugely enjoyable. The track also goes on for too long without the jam changing barely at all. Average Rating: 5.36 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 2.68 Rounded Up: 3 Stars
Mmmmhhh excepto All Tomorrows Parties, no tuve mucha felicidad. Aunque por la época seguro se le voló la tapa del seso a más de uno. Nota: 3.4
Oh the banana album, I wanted to be hyped ! In the end, I found it good but not terrific....still some harsh sounds and Lou Reed toxic vocals makes it relevant, even for today.
Definitely hipster. More lo fi than I expected. Nico’s voice is actually kind annoying.
It was ok, a bit different from the other things from that era, but still kinda boring. Not bad though.
I have yet to be impressed by a Velvet underground record.
Album No. 022 on my list. Yet another experimental, avant garde, and highly influential early rock/pop album. And one with an iconic cover! I found that this is an okay-ish album. “Femme Fatale” is a long-time favorite of mine, and “Sunday Morning” is a solid pop song. The rest of the songs is more progressive and experimental to various degrees. Many of them are still alright, some I did not like (e.g. “European Son”). I get why this album has had such a long-lasting impact. To me personally, it does not appear all too much, but it’s still alright. Based on my personal feelings and disregarding the overall impact, 3/5 stars!
Decent tunes, a bit overrated it sounds like but i enjoyed it for the most part.
I expected more
Yeah! I like this.
There were some great songs on here, I especially liked Sunday morning (ofc), femme fatale, run run run, and there she goes again. However, I think it was a tad too excitements for my taste, want a fan of the screechy strings and the last song was one of the quest things I’ve heard in my life. This was another album where I mainly appreciated it for its place in music history, but I doubt I’ll return to much of it.
Influential rather than completely listenable. But interesting and innovative in parts.
some very good songs but found it lame, maybe it was just my mood ill relisten to it
Marmite. You either love them or hate them. It's repetitive in a good way, something you can zone out to, and it takes you along on a lil journey. I do love it but I admit that there are more musically interesting albums.
Hmm this album was interesting. For every song I enjoyed there was one I disliked. The vibe was super 60s and shockingly the first time I’d ever listened to the Velvet Underground. The bass on European Son - slapped. Then they do something ass like add in smashing glasses adlibs and bongo drums.. Weirdly I enjoyed Nico’s vocals more than Lou reeds… Again some songs I loved- others were just a miss for me
Early Cage, Eno and Lou! As a NYer it’s all about the lyrics.
Clásico.
Not for me
Gilmore Girls made me think I’d like this more
70s man music. I liked it but not going to listen again.
Some obvious hits (I'm Waiting For The Man, Heroin), but heard some that were new to me (Sunday Morning, Run Run Run). Cool sound for 1967.
Do not listen to European Son if you're trying to get anything done
Banana. Distortion. Risqué lyrical content. Some more distortion. Some great song making hiding amidst the drugs.
The old-school NY hipsters loved to tell you that you had to listen to this. It's decent, gritty stuff. I kind of liked it.
The band, album, and cover art are all iconic...but the album falls flat, and at times is a bit annoying. To like the Velvet Underground is to like easy going, low tempo music, which can be appreciated, but the album grows weary on the listener.
Improved since first listen Strong start to album Understand the importance and why people like it but just not really for me I would give it a 3.5 if I could but I cant give it s 4 so I have to go 3
not bad, it just isnt hitting
Good 60s album.
Lou Reed is one of those artists I've always avoided because I find his singing quite boring. I didn't clue in the lead singer was Lou Reed until halfway through the album, and this is definitely the best work I've heard from him. With that said, there's no memorable moments on this album that will have me coming back for more.
I like every song Nico isn't on and that's not even because of her politics. I just found her voice to be very unpleasant on this, which is strange because I do like her song Reich der Träume.
Maybe you had to be there at the time. Maybe you needed to hear this before you heard the stuff that came after. Interesting lyrical content and some interesting instrumental parts, but not anything I'd like to listen to again
*** Ok, but not more
i feel like this album will probably grow on me more with time, not bad i think i jsut need to give it a few more listens
60s Bob Dylan vibe basic but interesting
Didn't really care for this, it was fine but never really grabbed me
This was an album of drones. Heroin was full of drone. Then Black Angel’s Death Song had more drone. Followed by European Sun with even more. I can understand now how the infamous Lou Reed + Metallica album came to fruition.
På mitt ex står det att den kom 66 men det spelar kanske mindre roll. Ett pärlband ikoniska låtar men dess rykte är kanske lite orättvist gott, många av de här låtarna är bättre i coverversioner av andra artister än i dessa origonalversioner. Inflytandet går knappast att argumentera om, idémässigt är det delvis nyskapande för sin tid, men bandet låter faktiskt ganska taffligt och tråkigt och Nico är mer spännande solo än här. Tre år senare lät dom mycket mer sofistikerat och "färdiga", jag väljer det albumet alla dar i veckan. Sen kanske det bara är jag men all den där Reedska New York smartnessen står mig lite upp i halsen, det blir överdos av det över ett helt album. Lyssna hellre på The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground (1969), Stina Nordenstam - Dynamite, The Stooges - Funhouse
Even though I know Velvet Underground had a big impact on many of my faves, this was just so-so to me.
I have a growing suspicion that anyone under the age of 50 who says they like the velvet underground is lying.
My biggest issue with psychodelic music is that it lacks any consistency and while they may have wrote, created and recorded while on substances, most of the mainstream world can't listen to them while on substances causing them to lose a little bit of their luster and instead become (for me) confusing and disjointed at time. This album was not as bad as many leaning towards being more enjoyable, but there were still times the lyrics seemed to lack emotion or the instruments were just off enough that it was odd.
I respect The Velvet Underground for creating a genre of music that I love… psychedelic, washed out indie, but they themselves are boring. Maybe it’s Nico who sounds liked a bored little rich girl on here, though Sunday Morning is a great song. Add Lou Reeds disaffected tone and it all just sounds like they’d rather be anywhere else. Their “cool” factor comes from apathy and romanticizing hardcore drug use among the rich and full of shit. It’s just not my scene.
I like this album. The VU is one of those bands that is hugely influential, and has heaps of praise foisted upon them, but to me? They're fine. More than fine - they're good. But "legendary?" I have never felt that way. I will say that having Nico sing a solid chunk of this record works to its benefit. It's got some interesting production and feels extremely loose. Some absolutely iconic songs here, but I rarely ever return to this. Maybe I will now? Gotta knock it down a full star for the needless cacophony in "European Son." I have a headache.
album cover is iconic but the music is not
I recognize that it’s influential and a landmark album and all that, but the progressive and innovative qualities get lost when encountering something like this almost 60 years after it was progressive and innovative. It’s like someone showing you the first ATM in 2025 and being like “WOW ISNT THAT AMAZING” when you’ve regularly used products directly inspired by it for the past 15 years of your life. It’s like…cool, I guess?
не впечатлен.
experimental - little weird. definitely of the times. not my cup of tea, but not bad.
I get this is a historically important album, and appreciate the significance and individual sound, but did I enjoy it? Some tracks, definitely. But I'm afraid I don't get the hype.
Very solid album, quite relaxing although the ending is a little tiring.
Decent.
When it's good, it's great but when it's bad it's ugly I would happily listen to a cut-down version of this taking away the extraneous & extended tracks
Groovy
It was alright but a bit too weird for me.
No es para tantas pompas, no lo creo, le daré unos puntos, pero creo que está muy inflado
It inspired me definitely. It made me know that I can make art even if I don’t have the professional skills. That I can do good art with some skill and finding the right idea to communicate and the way to do it. In any field I believe in myself I can do all that because of this album. And the belief I have in myself in doing anything of art is really higher after listening to the album.
The Velvet Underground never really vibed with me to be honest, but still this is probably the best of them and I can understand the appeal!
Almost every critically-praised rock subgenre can trace its roots back to this album. The gritty, experimental music paired well with the lyrics about topics other artists were merely hinting at at the time. I understand the appeal, but it’s not really my cup of tea. Lou Reed isn’t really a singer and some of the songs are just formless jams.
some crackers
It was okay. Too many wierd sound effects used imo
I'm not the biggest Velvet Underground fan. These songs are more like spoken word poetry to a backing track than an artist truly singing. I appreciate how iconic this album is, and the song Heroin is brilliant. But for my taste it's not my favorite.
It was good
Enjoyable album, got a little weird at the end.
So far the best velvet underground or lou reed project I’ve gotten yet on the list. Still dripping in pretension and art house self importance, but not nearly as much as the second album or his later solo work. I can hear where it would have been huge for the time and where the influence springs, almost entirely in the music itself though. It reminds me of the episode of Spaced with Vulva on it, only it’s exactly what they were making fun of.
Listening to this album on headphones is rough. There are a lot of sounds that are harsh and fatiguing. Also, it sounds like this album was meant to be listened to in Mono, which I switched to half way through... it helped a lot. It's creative, obviously influential... but the roughness makes it a hard re listen.
It’s 5 in the morning and I don’t feel like writing up a review. 7.9/10
Dad- 4 Mom- 7.5 Mike- 8 Lori- 7 Michael- 7 Miles- 5 Cole- 6 Avg- 6.35
An admittedly very mellow experience on first listen - which is reflective of the criticism this album got upon its release. At the same time, there isn’t a bad song on the track list, which puts this album in such a strange light for me. Is it good? Absolutely. Is it ahead of its time? Lou Reed always was. Does it hold up today? Depends on who you talk to. “Femme Fatale” is my pick from this debut. I think the music is just a jumping off platform to the crazy context and historical significance TVU&N carries with it. I don’t feel qualified to elaborate any more, therefore I won’t!
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one as I have listened to it before. It is hard for me just to sit and listen to The Velvet Underground as there music is a little too odd and detuned, but I can appreciate the impact they had. I used to hate the song "Heroin" because it made me feel on edge, but then I realized since the song was about heroin, it was supposed to, I recognized the talent it going for that emotion and grabbing it. Still, I can't put on this record and just chill.
I can kinda hear its influence but I just don't get it. Her vocals sound really out of place for one thing.
An important album that I just don’t really vibe with
I mean... it's good. I like this album, but I don't love it. I own a copy of it. I've listened to it many times. It's a right of passage for anyone getting into rock music... and i think its deserving of its place in rock music. I can feel its influence in countless albums. I like some of those albums more. I wish i liked this album more. General notes: I like the mix of soft nico tracks and harsh lou tracks. Heroine is amazing... the momentum is incredible. Its a rush. Sunday morning is pretty, love the twinkle I'm waiting for the man is classic driving velvets Love femme fatale. Great nico track. Love the back up vocals too. Run, run, run ... i love the run run run refrain There she goes again is great. Love the vocal interplay. I'll be your mirror is very catchy. Weird it was in an airbnb commercial. I like a lot of tracks... but it doesn't stick with me ... it doesn't hit me the way it hits so many other people. Maybe someday.
Was expecting to not like this but it was actually pretty good. It feels experimental but still accessible. Shoutout to Venus in Fur being sampled by Coldplay
Again, another not bad not great album. I enjoyed "I'm Waiting for the Man," but most of the album was just noise. Overall, another middle of the road tier, for an all-timer.
Not really something I like, but it gets an extra star for the banana.
It’s not bad but it doesn’t touch me. I would say 2.5 cause the jam was more interesting to me even if this one isn’t long it’s just a bit monotone
Didn’t enjoy this one.
Decent album. Sometimes a little rough like European Son, but overall quite enjoyable.
It was alright. Certainly a vibe, but not one I particularly cared for. Decent instrumentals with ok vocal work.
Liked the variety. Some was sweet. Probably wouldn’t listen but liked it was different and a bit experimental.
I can see how this influenced many albums later to come. Lots of distortion, just kinda blurs together.
I really want to like this. I think "Run" is a good song and I like the songs with violin le sitar. The rest of the album is ok. This is a 3 but I will listen again. 3/5
M'eh, not really my cup of tea, not bad but just background
I was actually pretty disappointed by this record. I was expecting something incredible and I got something just ... good-ish. I like the lyrics I just think the music didn't really age well. 6,5/10 Fav songs : Venus in furs & Heroin
I was a bit disappointed: I like some other VU stuff, but this wasn't very enjoyable for me. Some good bits but several off the target misses for me.
Was expecting to like this more than I did.
I think I always kind of romanticize this album in my head, but it's not nearly as good as I remember. The music and the band are great, even the sort of saccharine pop songs are pretty good, but Nico is just atrocious and drags the whole thing down with her. I'd generally rather listen to solo Lou Reed.
Re experimental pero creo que no es para mí. Me resulta medio aburrido y no muy impresionante pero me gustan algunas letras y cosas mas out there tipo venus something something. Femme fatale es muy buena también y la primera me gustó y algún temita más por ahí
3/5. Didn’t really connect with me. Lots of drug songs, long psychedelic instrumentals. “Heroin” was good and I really liked “I’ll Be Your Mirror”.
Good album.
J - 3/5 Best Track - "Sunday Morning" F - DNL
I really want to like this band. Femme Fatale is a gem, for sure, but the rest of this really doesn't do anything for me. Iconic album cover, one that I'm sure everyone has seen...but that doesn't make me want to listen to this more than once.
I'm disappointed here; this is one of the greatest albums of all time? In what way? While it did have its folk-rock charm, and a unique variety, it became a bit boring, and it wasn't easy hearing Lou Reed. Favorite Track: "Heroin".
3 maybe 4
It was fine! Not really for me, but sure!
Interesting, creative, weird, and touching on a number of genres. Being slightly lazy as I listened a week ago and can’t be bothered to listen again, so just dipped back into a few songs for a refresh.
Two Nico Albums in a row, lucky me!
overrated lul
Solid album, somewhat boring but overall not bad
Some legendary songs are supported by some, honestly, droning filler. The last two songs are painful. VU are rightly legends for their music, but Jesus - some of their output was pure scag.
Can’t listen to this anymore.
anschinend mega wichtig fürd musiggschicht als pionierwerch, und es tönt au immer wieder vil neuer als es isch. mer ghört halt aber trotzdem no recht d 60er dure, was weniger mis ding isch.
teilwiis no kuul, teilwiis sehr lärmig
Flummig men ok
It was ok
A big gap in my musical knowledge, pleased to have filled it. Unsure what to make of it though, avant-garde, some of it comes across as a bit pretentious even, especially the second half, but clearly a ground-breaking work.
Groundbreaking? Yes. Opened on an all-timer and closed on the worst sound I have ever heard? Also yes.
not listened to it properly
I have explored this 💿 multiple times. I think VU is a band I’ll make a playlist of. Greatest Hits… I can probably do that. There are some that are trippy and interesting here. Some just don’t land for me yet.
Influential <> Music I love Songs: Sunday Morning
Some great songs, some songs are very Lou Reed oddness -Sunday Morning -I'll Be Your Mirror
I think this album has been a tad overrated over the years. There are some undisputable great songs but the "edgy" stuff leaves me cold and, if I had to hear Nico sing the word "clown" one more time, I would have lowered it a star.
Highlights: Sunday Morning, Run Run Run. In a nutshell: deliberately freaking out the squares. Overall: 6/10
I've listened to this before, didn't love it. We'll see if I change my mind. I'm still overall indifferent. "Sunday Morning" is good.
Its interesting enough, don't know if there's enough there to exit the meh but it's not a dislike
To me the velvet underground ground are cheap knockoff of Bob Dylan. 3/5
the songs with nico do absolutely nothing for me but heroin & the last two tracks are so peak. 5/5 importance 3/5 music
Нормик
People say this album is super influential, and I don't doubt it - and maybe it's because I wasn't around when this came out - but it just doesn't hit too hard for me. I think Heroin is very cool, and I'm not too fond of the experimental bits, but I think it's supremely overrated if anything.
I was excited to listen to this, it was a new one for me. Right off the bat I recognized “Sunday Morning,” great song. I expected this to be more hard rock, but they were actually kinda pleasant easy listening pop rock songs. They still got weird there at the end with the more experimental instrumentation cacophony sounds. And hey, cool album cover.
Got 2 of the list's 3 Velvet Underground albums in the same week... I quite enjoyed The Velvet Underground (their 1969 album) so I was optimistic going into this one. I enjoyed parts of it, but I wasn't as enamored as I was with the 1969 album. Top track is probably "Heroin," which has the interesting approach of sort of musically emulating heroin usage.
Low 3
I got a bit behind on albums so only had time to give this one listen. It was okay, I didn't like it a lot but didn't dislike it either.
Decent album that is nice, but I don't have a lot of reason to revisit. Maybe though. 3/5
Good in parts
I really didn't much care for this album to be honest. It's not bad, just not for me.
I'm a fan of Nico. I appreciate the avant-garde style of some of these songs, but some are so jarring that it isn't the kind of thing I want to listen to more than once.
Easy classic, but doesn't grab me
Not what I'd pick, but not bad.
This would be better without Nico. Songs are great, can hear the influences everywhere. Don't love the delivery, Lou Reed strays too much into the Dylanesque vocals. Was surprised how many songs I did recognise (even if that was via covers).
Psych en abrasive. Sound of the drug infused late 60s
Some highlights but not really my thing overall
Keith - 4/10 Ross - 7.5/10 Caylum - 7.5/10
Groundbreaking in its day, of course, but still surprisingly listenable today in a way that most of the "experimental" efforts of the late 60s are not. Lou Reed anchors it with a keen awareness of how to prioritize the music and assure the shock of the experimental parts are not overshadowing.
Overrated but not like "bad". Just keep doing the freak outs, not trying to force those parts and actual songs together?
👻
Alright interesting rock, similar tones to the Beatles, 3/5
Didn’t mind it.
No denying its influence and there are good moments on here. But this is also overrated and not one of the greatest albums ever made. It does belong in the book and on this list but I can't call it best ever like so many critics do.
First listen to VU & Nico. The only song I was familiar with is "Femme Fatale" because of the REM cover. Think I prefer the Lou Reed-sung songs to Nico's.
Very good.
I can see how this is as influential as it is, very unconventional for the time for sure. It's mostly the overall sound and experimental instrumentation that drew me in, Nico's vocals on Femme Fatal (probably my favorite song) stood out as well. Lyrics describing Heroin trips aren't my cup of tea at all, but I guess it was 'edgy' at the time... I don't think the album is nearly as good as it's generally rated, but it definitely was an interesting listen. It's one of those culturally significant records I've never checked out before, so I'm glad I finally did, although I'm not sure I'll feel the need to revisit it again.
I don't like Nico, but thankfully the VU tracks make up for it.
Velvet and nicos album does a great job of carving out a unique space midst the era of classic rock. It’s soothing and consistent and still experimental. I don’t think the experimental parts and some of the routines click for me but I’m glad to have revisited this as part of this journey
It’s ok, need a relisten. Probably suffering from Seinfeld syndrome.
Thankfully stuck with it as next tracks were more expansive and had a better blues like vibe for me. Some songs even had a (little less rocky) led zeppelin feel. Amazing this came out of 60s. It's a grower so maybe I could come around to this eventually.
I like some of the melodies, nothing stands out as amazing. It was overall enjoyable and I would probably listen to this again. Not a fan any of the Nico led songs though. Favorite songs were: Pale Blue Eyes After Hours 6/10
First half is really good, second half is very strange
It’s definitely good but feels pretty overrated
I liked the first song and could’ve sworn that I knew it from somewhere. I still might but I don’t know where
Well written songs held back by confusing changes in tone and randomly inserted annoying guitar sounds
There's a bit of an unhinged feeling to it at times, frenetic. Overall a perfectly fine listen, but the voice gets to feel a bit grating to me too.
Sunday Morning, All tomorrow’s parties, Heroin, I’ll be your mirror and Europe son are a must listen. Sadly, the remaining songs are repetitive and they do not contribute to the album. Europe son sounds like some experimental song from a Sonic Youth album, the whole sound of the album could be better with that specific sound.
I don’t get it. I’ve tried even before now to get into The Velvet Underground and I’m never able to. I’m not sure if there’s something I’m missing or they are just not that good?
I’m with Daria and her opinion of this record, “Should I file this under Self-Indulgent Posers or Underrated Geniuses?” I like weird, artsy, and innovative music, but something feels off about this record. Almost like it’s being weird, and artsy just for the sake of being weird and artsy, and the music is just the medium for a bunch of avant guard weirdos to do their thing. Maybe you just had to be there and catch this shit when it was fresh, but count me out. 2.5 ⭐️ rounding up. I get this album is generally considered influential, and I am probably a bit too dumb to properly appreciate it.
Very much of its time. Evocative and interesting lyrics. Some of the sounds a bit experimental - some too discordant and not enjoyable. I prefer the tracks with Lou Reed on lead vocal.
> The Beatles
I don't know what to do with this. 2.5-3ish?
Started off very strongly, unfortunately I think it is let down by the last couple of tracks, the black angels death song and European Son. Will definitely listen again after only ever listened to the well known tracks before.
I'm always surprised by how repetitive VU songs are... not in a bad way necessarily, but they really enjoyed letting songs play out for a long time. Surprising lack of nico in some of these tracks also. I like "All Tomorrow's Parties" a lot. Heroin was also deeply moving, really dark song that made me quite sad, but it works very well. I liked I'll be your mirror too. Not a huge fan of the experimental tracks but this is a solid record for sure. 3.5, higher for a few stand out songs
I understand this album was groundbreaking, but it's not really my cup of tea. It's ok.
Liked some of this, but not overly excited about it.
First? 3,5 /5 Again? 2/5
Run run run was almost a verge into country music. interesting structure with Nico being a sort of reprieve from the most rock elements.
A more psychedelic Beatles. Some classics, but inconsistent, and devolves into a closing jam sesh at the end.
Heroin was a great song. Can't stand Nico.
Feels weird to say, but I'm kinda iffy on this one. The tracks I liked, I really liked. Heroin in particular was a highlight. But there were other parts that didn't quite hook me the same way.
Idk. Maybe I just didn’t get it. I also didn’t feel great yesterday and this was a little overstimulating so maybe that impacted me. Might listen again! Favorite track: Venus in Furs
It gets a 3 but it almost got a 2 just because of heroin and European son
I have never been addicted to heroin so I don't really know to relate to this. I've listened to it many times but I just don't get it. In context it's probably a masterpiece but to my ears it just sounds bad. It's one of those albums that you have to like because the critics tell you you should
Turns out I’m I’m not as big on the VU as I thought I was.
Heroin is life changing.
Meh
Cool early alt. 3/5
Standouts: I'm Waiting For The Man, Run Run Run, Venus In Furs, Heroin. I think I like the band but not Nico but this is my first time really listening to them.
n/a
1. Listless regretful song about a sunday morning after a particularly hard Saturday. 2. Waiting for a fix with a constant percussive beat in the background creating anxiety. 3. Soft song about a seductive woman who will break your heart 4. Jam song about sadomasochism. Sound as though the writer would give up their life to serve in a bdsm relationship. 5. Song following characters who need to find their fix of various drugs after trying to stop. The guitar solos are increasingly out of tune and brash. 6. Another driftless song of a time I don't really understand. 7. First song that connected with me. Has a changing energy related to his drug use but isn't glorified in any way like most music. This sounds like the birth of the music that I listen mostly to now (punk) 8.Jam song related to prostitution. Ends with almost a modern type punk chord progression. 9. Another song with Nico. I for some reason cannot connect with the vocals when she is featured. Song mostly related to trying to show someone what they don't see. 10. Unsettling beat in the background while making a folksy/poetic style talk song about drug use. 11. Short song reference with a scratching noise to close out the album. Overall I think this album misses me. It has some pieces and the bright spot was the song Heroin but I don't think the avant garde pieces connected.
I thought this was just okay 3/5
good
From Google: The Velvet Underground & Nico is the debut studio album by the American rock band the Velvet Underground and the German singer Nico. Released by Verve Records in March 1967, the album underperformed in sales and polarized critics upon release due to its abrasive, unconventional sound and controversial lyrical content. Wikipedia Artists: The Velvet Underground, Nico Genres: Rock, Art rock, Psychedelic rock, Experimental rock. My score: 4.5 Liked the sound, it is a more alternative music, very nice to listen to, but not my favourite kind of music. Some songs are too alternative for me.
I know people love this album, but it just doesn’t speak to me.
Johnny Cash at his iconic best.
I've always been slightly underwhelmed by this particular album.
Velvet Underground is important in who they later influenced, but the band itself has always been sorta hit or miss with me. This album was more of a miss. 2.5
Liked the first half of the album- used to hear a bunch of those songs at Quiksilver but then it got really sketch and abstract lol - could have been 4 stars
Not bad.
Vocals didn't sound great to me, and instrumentals were alright.
Enjoyed it enough but won’t be revisiting.
Some good tracks for sure but also a few whiffs that went to much on the artsy side
While Sunday morning is a great song, I've never been especially impressed with the rest of the album. Nico is underutilized, and Lou Reed, while a talented musician, is not a vocalist or lyricist I prefer. Not bad overall but not amazing. 3/5
There's no denying the historical impact left behind by the Velvet Underground. They continue to influence bands and probably always will, which is why it's only sensible to include them among these albums. And they were good at what they did. Some of these songs are legendary, for better or worse. I've never been able to fully embrace them though, no matter how much respect I have for their legacy. I find some of the lyrics to be problematic, and some of the songs are kind of a mess. That's part of their identity, so I get it, but that doesn't mean I've got to love it. So if my personal rating seems low to you, that's because I've based it as much on the fact they're not entirely my taste as on their artistic merits.I'm glad they existed though, because a lot of artists I love wouldn't sound the same otherwise.
Probably groundbreaking for it's time. Now it's just fine.
gente, ele serve estética... e em algumas músicas. Mas é meio chatinho, né?
I noticed a lot of influences from oriental music. It almost sounded tantric with a single guitar note harmonizing in the back of the lead and rhythm to create an almost ethereal soundscape. I heard the album twice to understand it better and it seems to tell the story of a man who falls in love and slowly loses himself, falls for harder and harder drugs, ends up losing his sanity and becoming captive to his own emotions and problems. The longer you listen to the album, the more you see the music devolve into this raw display of feelings. The music itself feels like a form of protest. They seem to break a lot of rules of how a song should sound like with screeching guitars and notes that conflict with each other by the end as a way of them saying they reject what society wants them to be.
Schlechter als erwartet :( Bisschen enttäuscht, die fire moments sind gut der Rest ist einfach bisschen mittelmäßig
all i could think about while listening to this was all the smart, artsy people who think it's brilliant and also how i never really wanted to listen to it again
Have spent time listening to this album in the past because it was so influential. It’s ok, sometimes a chore to listen to. I think Heroin is my favorite.
It kinda drags on a bit. You can tell it lacks a proper producer for most of the tracks. I can see why it was panned when released but also why it is now considered a cult classic
Overrated. I do like the first few opening tracks, but then the album quickly drifts up it's own arse. Nico's droney vocals annoy me. The experimentation goes bonkers. Lou Reed carries what he can. Can't help but think Andy Warhol's peelable banana artwork concept gave the perception of greater musical value than it actually has. I don't hate it, I just don't see it as the masterpiece it's often lauded to be.
The first 2 tracks were nice, the rest mostly just got on my nerves.
interesting but not for me
I listed to this album a lot many moons ago but not for a while and was glad to hear it again, but it can go back in the vault again.
Bon bah voilà quoi... c'est très bon.
I’ve never personally been a huge fan of the underground. This album I felt was always about a grimy New York life that didn’t resonate with me in the slightest. This was the first time I’ve actually listened to this album in its entirety. While this may not be one I would find myself in the mood to revisit many times again, this is clearly a huge influential album. It really does feel like it transports you to NY in the 60s. The differing energies you find with each song a different facet of life at that time with Reed’s ability to speak to it plainly. I’m not sure what special power Nico has to sing that badly and have it be this enjoyable but she was an excellent addition here. I like Venus in Furs, Femme Fatale, All Tomorrows Parties. Heroin really takes you through that journey. The slowed down mellow with the anxiety-inducing speed up of the music really lets the listener in on the experience. The drums really feel like they’re mimicking different heart rates. Alternatively, Black Angels of Death and European Son are clear examples of why I think overall this band is just not for me. These are the kind of songs I think of when I think of VU and Lou Reed. It’s what has made me avoid them for most my life. I wrestled with giving it a 3 or a 4 because I was trying to make sure I was listening to my personal feelings about it and not being swayed by its legacy. But I know in my heart it’s not a 4 star album for me.
I can understand why it’s great and revolutionary and all that, but it’s not my thing. Also, the Nico songs sound like something straight out of SNL.
I completely understand how influential this album is, but I wouldn't say I really *enjoyed* listening to it. Not horrible, and a vanguard for art-rock to come after it, but I think it takes a concerted effort to listen to this and just *get* that it's revolutionary for so many genres of music.
Coole gitaar solos. Het ene lied vond ik nice, en dan de volgende niet. Het was dus 50/50
If you’ve not listened to this album then it’s better than you think it is. If you have listened to and like this album it’s not as good as you think it is. 3.5 stars.
Mixed
One of the most iconic album covers ever and an album which has also become iconic over the years. This album appeared in my youth but as it was American it made no immediate impression on me. But as the years progressed and Lou Reed and Nico became more famous so did the standing of this album. Even then and having listened I was never totally sold on it. More recently I did change my view on it and actually purchased it as really for a music collector it is a must have album. Best bits are those involving Nico who I have gone on to seek out her music. Love her doom laden voice which is unlike anyone else and instantly recognisable. 3/5 23/11/24
The voice of Nico is even worse than the one of Lou Reed. Some nice tracks like "Run Run Run" but also some sucker like "Heroin" and "European Son". 3,5
When I was a (very young) man of a certain age, I bought this album on CD and listened to it all the time. I thought it would teach me about life, music, everything. I think this will probably the be last time I listen to it. Not that it wasn't worthwhile or good. Just that I'm not that guy any more and this music isn't for the new guy I am.
Interesting sound. I like the vocals.
A couple of real standouts
Ahead of its time and influential to indie and alt rock. Highlights: "Sunday Morning" (tinkling music with Dylan-esque vocals), "I'm Waiting for the Man" (Dylan as a druggie...), "There She Goes Again" (jangle-pop Dylan) Not sure if I *like*, but it's certainly memorable: "Venus in Furs", "Heroin"
Bueno
There are some highlights and lowlights on this album. Lou Reed in general is a highlight - his composing, guitar playing, singing and songwriting is original and solid. Nico's singing is definitely a lowlight. I'm so happy I heard Japan's version of All Tomorrow's Parties first! Liked Songs Added: Sunday Morning
I don't get on with The Velvet Underground. Of course I know Warhol's iconic banana. I also hear the influence of The Velvet Underground on other bands and music that I love. Nevertheless, I am always unfamiliar with this band. And it's the same with this album. I listened with interest in some places. But the album didn't interest me enough to make me want to listen to it again. 3/5
It's okay, Heroin is interesting. Nothing bad, but I guess it's just not my thing. 2 seems unfair, so I'll give it a 3
don't listen to 'Herion' with a headache.
Meh.
Important, trail blazing, yeh yeh yeh but deathly overplayed at this point. 3 stars for the sake of legacy being established
I think if an album is listenable, then it should automatically get two stars. Then, if the album has anything noteworthy, it’s probably at least a 3. Beyond that the album must give something spirited that shoos them into another category. This album is probably a 3.5 for me. It was listenable, and at times even enjoyable, but then I don’t really resonate with a lot of it, and I think that’s necessary for it to be a 4 or above. It was a bit underwhelming especially since I’m still reeling from my love affair with Transformer from a few weeks ago!
Gotta say, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would... It was... Something...
# 356 : I don't love it, I don't hate it. It does get better with each listen, but just because people say this is the coolest album ever made, doesn't make it any better to listen to. It has its moments but is wildly overrated in my opinion. Have the people that rate something 5 stars actually listened/read/watched what they are rating? I liked Run Run Run the best.
The Velvet Underground & Nico has this cool beatnik poet vibe that feels a bit like The Beatles and The Doors but with its own edge. The songs stick to a simple, repetitive groove, which just pulls you in deeper. “Sunday Morning” is such an interesting opener—soft, subtle, and totally ’60s. It sets the mood right away for an album that’s laid-back but still leaves a lasting mark. This one’s got a unique feel that really captures that era
I like to think that, if I was a teenager when this came out, that I'd have been cool enough to be into it. In reality, I'd probably have been listening to the Monkees or the Archies or something. That being said, cool doesn't necessarily mean fun to listen to. There are definitely some good songs on here (Heroin, Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting for the Man), but many kind of droned on a bit too much for me.
I guess this is one of those that hits you or it misses you. Call me Tom Delong.
It's the Velvet Underground & Nico. Absolutely iconic. Buuuut a little boring, actually.
Never a big Velvet Underground fan but they were way ahead of their time. I think they were more popular in the 90s than they were in the 60s and 70s. Still, fun music.
Influential and ahead of it's time. At times haunting, and ethereal rhythms combined with Lou Reeds harsh real world lyrics (Heroin) and Nico's glass like voice, this album is a banger. Fun fact, Andy Warhol was their manager at the time.
Wirklich gut zu hörendes Album.
I get it, important album, inspired many… doesn’t mean I want to listen to it again. Surprisingly, for me, I liked the Nico tracks best. Perhaps, like a fungus, she is growing on me.
Not bad but I go for later Reed.
Groundbreaking in many ways, but…has it stood the test of time…?
Für ein so altes Album klingt es erstaunlich frisch. Ich finde es angenehm zu hören, ist aber jetzt auch nichts was mich mega begeistert. Solide 3/5
He da album isch bim lose zimli a mir cerbii zoche, has glaub okay gfunde
aso sunday morning und im waiting for the man sind seeeehr geil. ich glaub das album isch au afoch wegem cover und si legendär. und de dritt song isch etz au chli arsch wnl. shes a fämm fätäl ok sprecheds richtig uus bitteee. venus in furs isch recht geil mit striicher und alls chli verstimmt. all tomorrows parties isch au afoch wieder hee lueg es isch verstimmt aber s tönt ebe schono geeeeil. find afoch de monoton gsang chli schyze au wenn sie en funny dütsche akzent hett. ah stimmt sie uf drogo und de eint song heisst heroin. ischs revolutionär wells so sloppy isch? s het mega öpis. aber ich ha halt nöd sooo gern shoegaze. und shoegaze lüt liebed das album. ill be your mirror isch cool, aber sooo sloppy. ischs en song? black angels death song isch nice. european song isch huuuere lang und uuhuere lärmig
It's interesting enough, and obviously ahead of its time, but it doesn't make for a terribly exciting listening experience today. I guess you had to be there.
lyrics weren’t too great IMO. However the instrumentals were fantastic in some of the tracks. Not an album I’ll listen to.
This sounds like a British band heard eastern music for the first time and tried to replicate it by droning an out of tune single string melodies over and out of tune guitar chord over a shitty thumping bass over a shitty drum set with lyrics that’s have no substance How was this popular?
Good, but not great. Favs were “Femme Fatale” & “Heroin” initially.
Good album worth a closer look. Might take some time to digest this one.