The Velvet Underground & Nico

Es un disco tremendo, roto, crudo, raro. Todos los temas tienen algo atrapante y característico.

Some very weird songs

I thought this was supposed to be some great album...

Wirklich gut zu hörendes Album.

I read somewhere that TVU&N could be interpreted as the story of a wild drug-fueled weekend, starting with the bleary-eyed awakening of Sunday Morning and then looking back to Friday afternoon onward on I’m Waiting For The Man. I don’t know if that’s what the band intended, but I like that reading. One thing I do know is this is among the most important, interesting, and influential albums in the history of rock music.

Yeah, the famous songs are fine aren't they, but generally very bland.

Sunday Morning I'm Waiting for the Man Femme Fatale Venus in Furs Run Run Run All Tomorrow's Parties Heroin There She Goes Again I'll Be Your Mirror The Black Angel's Death Song European Son

I was wondering when this would show up. I was expecting to rate it 4, but having not listened to it for about 25 years due to bad memories of the ex who introduced me to it, to my surprise I have ended up giving it full marks.

the quality of the music added with it's legacy makes this an easy five stars

Incredible! Masterpiece! The precursor of pretty much all indie music, before that was even became a thing in the 80's. Perfect balance of immediately catchy tunes and off-the-wall experimentation. Lou Reed doesn't need to sing in tune to ooze coolness. A classic for a reason. Key tracks: Sunday Morning I'm Waiting for the Man Femme Fatale Venus in Furs Run, Run, Run All Tomorrow's Parties Heroin

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.

Solid all the way through. I’ve come to appreciate Lou Reed more through this list and I found myself wanting more of him and less Nico on the album though the change of pace every few songs is nice. Late 60s NY isn’t quite as appealing to me as 70s NYC but still pretty cool.

4.0

Not bad but I go for later Reed.

Quality album, up there for me. Ok so Nico’s voice get grate a bit but when the rest of the songs are as good as they are that can be overlooked.

Groundbreaking in many ways, but…has it stood the test of time…?

No matter how many times I hear this album, it still stops me in my tracks

заслушано до дыр но всё ещё круто. хорошее софтовое звучание.

What an album! Every song is fantastically creative and this is 1967 - a very influential album that sounds very "period" but still fresh at the same time. A very easy 5*.

It is nearly impossible to review this album without giving in to all sorts of cliches. After all, without this album, there would be no Sex Pistols, no Joy Division, and no David Bowie. There would likely also be none of Lou Reed's best material (the less said about his non-best material, the better). Yet, all of the accolades for this album pave over how thoroughly avant garde it is...how terrible the harmonies are on Run Run Run, the screeching drones of Venus in Furs, Nico's persistently flat vocals. It is designed to offend traditional sensibilities and beat rules considered unbreakable. And yet, there it is....seismic in its influence and perfectly wrong. It is the permission structure for punk rock, for metal, for college rock, for grunge, for everything that a record company executive has ever needed to be convinced that he or she should sign. A perfectly imperfect album. 5/5

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

This isn’t an easy listen, but it’s a worthy inclusion on the list. It opens with the mellow ‘Sunday Morning’ but rapidly moves onto stranger ground with songs about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, layered on top of growling feedback and odd instrumentation. Vocals are split between Lou Reed’s proto punk drawl and Nico’s harmonies. Brian Eno once famously said that not many people bought this album when it was released but everyone that did started a band.

After a misleading intro, a great album full of surprise and ideas. Not really easy listening, but so much to unpack. Hard not to see how influencial it has been.

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

sunday morning tönt au wie es sunntigmorge lied, super waiting for the man isch sehr 60er jahr hani s gfühl femme fatale gsehni jz mal chli meh, wiso dass s album so speziell isch hahaha, recht cool und weirds lied VENUS IN FURS isch jz nöd mis lieblingslied aber ich lieb kiss the boots of shiny shiny leather hahahaah SEVERIN' SEVERIN' JA WAS ISCH MIT MIER s solo bi rum run rin findi fantastisch ja le länger s album gaht, desto meh verstahni s spezielle adem album ja european son isch uf de sack gange wnl endlich hanis mal glost und verstahn au de appeal vom ganze.. einigi lieder hendmer mega gfalle, qu will sie chli speziell sind, einigi hani de typisch ihdruck vo "weird spiele for weirdness sake" gha...via

Absolutely rules. Some of my very favourite guitar sounds, love the rhythm section, love the feedback, love Lou Reed's vocals. I overplayed it on the same mp3 player I overplayed Television, and now listen to it a lot less than the later albums. You might think the screechier ones get tiring quickest, but it's the ones with Nico on them that I skip these days. I will concede to the perverse albums-in-sequence-all-the-time listeners that the Nico songs are much better in sequence. You could make many musical careers by picking one song from this album as your inspiration, and people did. Could try to say what a lightning bolt this was historically but it's all been said better. It's the four line poem you stumble across that just wrecks your world & you drop everything you were doing. My heart beats to this. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

Alright alright I guess I kinda get it now

I like it, there are some good songs there and Lou Reed's voice is sublime. The whole album has a great laid back feel and you can tell why it is has been so influential as it just oozes cool. Co-incidentally saw The Dandy Warhols and the Black Angels last night who are obviously influenced by this album in music, name and coolness! The former even had an album cover paying homage to their great heroes. The cover is cool but it does frustrate me that the banana is probably just past its best. It lacks enough killer songs, but it is definitely in my top 5 of all-time fruit based LP covers.

Started well, and tailed off. Sunday Morning is such a lovely tune, im giving it a 4. But I wouldn’t listen gain beyond track 4.

It’s undeniably cool, the vibe dark and brooding, but it’s also undeniably inconsistent. I’ve listened to it a few times over the years and all I ever get from it are a couple of great tracks, some average ones and the awful ones where Nico sings (she is the musical equivalent of shitting on someone’s doorstep). So no matter how much it’s also undeniably influential, I don’t massively enjoy listening to it, and as this list has taught me, their later albums are better.

Don't mind a bit of avante garde arty farty music when it's this good.

First time listening to The Velvet Underground. Not very memorable. Probably won't come back.

Yeah

Stone-cold classic for a reason! No notes.

Another hour or so of waste (being polite here) entering my ears...

Groupe connu de nom uniquement. L'alto électrique est un plus pour la musique du groupe. L'approche batterie est particulière, et contribue aussi beaucoup à l'originalité des morceaux. J'ai particulièrement apprécié 'Venus in Fur', mais assez peu les autres morceaux. Par ailleurs je n'apprécie pas trop la voix/chant de Lou Reed, ni celui de Nico. Je ne pense pas l'écouter de nouveau. =>2/5

..

Also vielleicht ist das zu hoch für mich, aber mir gefällt's nicht!

good background music

it is so interesting to listen to the Velvet Underground. They are provocative and engaging, and their music is groovy. I am not sure about Nico. She certainly adds to this album in a wonderful way, but it isn't the most natural fit. Despite it all, this album shines!

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.

A revolutionary masterpiece that set a new baseline for what was possible in music.

In my top ten best records of all time list. One of those few albums I own multiple copies of in different formats.

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.

Classic album

Creative but some of it is experimental in a bad way 3.7

Classic

So unique. Hear Dylan in this. Each tracks seems to be its own universe that are all part of a bigger one. Had heard before many times. First time was college circa 2001. Can hear the echoes of these tracks in many later bands. Reminds me of Wes Anderson. Fave tracks Sunday Morning & I’ll Be Your Mirror.

I dont like it sorry

Honestly it's like a 4.5 for me, but definitely worth of the round up here imo. I'm Waiting For the Man by itself would be enough to make it a classic for me, there are a ton of good songs here though and enough absolutely weird shit to keep it interesting. Gotta love a band talking about heroin in 1967 lol

It's almost perfect. I WANT it to be perfect. But it's Lou Reed. There has to be a performance art element and something to justify less than perfect so he could have his masochistic cycle with critics and fans alike. The foil he hated us perfectly balanced on this one in Nicco's voice and songs. Love everything here. And sometimes I love the full throttle nature of European Son. But mostly it's "why?"

Some of this album was really enjoyable to listen to, some of it not so much. I liked what they were going for but they didn't excute effectively at times. Herion and European Son were big misses for me and definitely dragged down the album. Run Run Run was solid.

pretty much the foundation to 2/3 of my favorite things.

Yeah I don’t really get this at all. Supposedly one of the most influential albums ever and I just thought it was boring, incohesive and kind of annoying at times. Also, not sure you should have equal credit on an album in which you sung 3 songs (referring to Nico ofc). I did find some tracks quite pleasant (Sunday morning, Venus in Furs) but overall this is pretty damn overrated.

Yeah I mean it was good I never get these hugely influential cult-classics: if they are so good, why do they never have any commercial success?

Stone cold art rock classic.

Words fail to describe how much I despise this band. Love Lou Reed but Velvet Underground sucks.

Favorite Tracks: Sunday Morning Femme Fatale Venus In Furs

A classic album I have listened to before. Soft classic rock with good melodies and vocals. 7/10

Somehow people like this cacophony. Real weak ending to the album.

Altså pladen er jo legendarisk, måske den mest ikoniske på listen indtil nu. Og det ER fedt, selvfølgelig Sunday Morning ikonisk og Nicos sangstemme passer også super. Men der er noget lo-fi over lyden jeg synes gør den værre og ikke bedre, måske er det bedre i en remaster? Og så er anden halvdel af pladen en noget eksperimenterende lyd som jeg har svært ved at komme ind i.

Good album worth a closer look. Might take some time to digest this one.

Good album.

I went into today's album expecting to dread the album based on my past listening experiences with Lou Reed ("Lulu" with Metallica was straight trash). But I was actually very pleasantly surprised with this record. The Velvet Underground pretty seamlessly blends a lot of elements of different rock styles here, from groovy jams of the 60s, early punk influences, and even some 50s doo-wop vibes. Reed's voice still isn't the greatest for my taste, but it coincides very well with the music on the album. I hadn't given this band a fair shake before, but based on this record, I may be inclined to delve deeper into their discography soon! Notable Tracks: - Sunday Morning - Femme Fatale - Venus in Furs - Run Run Run - European Son 7.5/10

Didn’t really feel it

Pretentious music to put in your indie movie

Can’t say more than has already been said. Hail Lou!

Quite good. Not great, but quite good.

This album will always have a special place for me. Not to brag I actually bought the first pressing of the record the day it came out in 1967 and saw them at a show in Greenwich Village that night and I was the only person in the audience so I did a bunch of drugs with Lou Reed and I gave Andy Warhol his first ever can of Campbell's soup and then John Cale gave me a high five and said "wow you really knew about us before we are cool way to go man way to go."

Wow - never owned this or listened to it fresh, and sorry I did not. A great album. I always thought it would be "Punky" or radical for radical-sake. bit it is a well done album. Easy to see how it influenced so may other artists. well done!

the record that created music

Again, me being very late, but this album changed my life, it speaks to me on a really big level, i think this is a top 5 album ever made, and the greatest album of the 60s.

Decent

Solid and on my vinyl wanted list.

I find the music grating. Definitely some bright spots but it's just from a time and culture that I can't connect with. I know Velvet Underground changed music in the long run, but I just don't get it

Nicee ja iconisch Had m al wel eerder geluisterd maar wist niet meer echt wat ik ervan vond Wel erg goed, maar ook wel weer erg random Ook wel gewoon erg experimenteel voor die tijd, dus dat vind ik er wel cool aan

Yoooooooo zeer goeie Andy Warhol album cover Femme Fatale en Ill be your Mirror, prachtige nummers, there she goes again en Sunday Morning ook Heroin blijft wel vaag

I don’t really get this band.

Didn’t find this interesting or enjoyable

Don’t really understand why this is special. Heroine was my favorite

Kann man machen. War damals bestimmt krass. Fühlt sich bisschen nach Stoner Musik jetzt an.

shiny shiny leather

I can't say anything about this album that hasn't been said better before. Absolutely life changing for me and one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

01) Sunday Morning - 9,0 02) I'm Waiting for the Man - 9,0 03) Femme Fatale - 7,5 04) Venus in Furs - 8,0 05) Run Run Run - 8,0 06) All Tomorrow's Parties - 8,5 07) Heroin - 7,5 08) There She Goes Again - 8,0 09) I'll Be Your Mirror - 8,0 10) The Black Angel's Death Song - 7,5 11) European Son - 6,0 TOTAL: 7,91 (79/100) Current ranking: 113/301

This is very much not what I expected - it's so dissonant and noisy. Clearly hugely influential on lots of stuff I enjoy. The vocals held it back from being a 5 to me.

silly and sexual

This is a great album The last track European Son is a tough listen though

Some fun songs, but mostly not that special

hmmm

It wasn't as good as the other Velvet Underground album I already listened to via this site - and that got 3 stars, and a fairly mediocre rating. I wasn't sure who Nico was and and their involvement in this album. I had to google this information and, perhaps, unsurprisingly she was the 'singer' that strangled a few tracks. Sorry, it's a no from me.

Me and the Velvet Underground never vibed. I like John Cale and Lou Reed by themselves (or together on that Andy Warhol album, that should be on here it’s cute) but something about this album feels hollow. It’s good, I like it, but a lot of the songs kinda drag. I like Sunday Morning! I like Heroin! That’s kinda all that stuck with me though. The rest is almost like…there. It faded in the background very quick.

9/10

The Velvet Underground & Nico is a groundbreaking album that redefined the boundaries of rock music. Released in 1967, its mix of avant-garde art, raw rock energy, and experimental sounds was unlike anything at the time. Tracks like Heroin and Venus in Furs dive deep into taboo themes, with dark, haunting lyrics and unconventional instrumentation that challenged societal norms. Though not a commercial success upon release, the album’s influence has since become legendary, inspiring generations of alternative and punk musicians. The album’s rough production only adds to its raw, edgy feel, making it all the more timeless. While some may find it polarising, The Velvet Underground & Nico remains a daring and visionary work that still resonates today. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 6 STAND OUT TRACK - Heroin

So smooth and interesting. I liked this album

A few memorable songs but quite a few forgettable ones. Some experimental songs and unusual sounding instruments that grate a bit on the ears, as do the vocal tomes over the course of the whole album. Starts strongly and fades

Ummmm I'm not sure about this one. What is with all the screeching. I don't think I'll listen to this again.

I mean come on, it's Velvet Underground - Classic/10. I'm Waiting For My Man, Femme Fatale, Venus In Furs, Run Run Run, Heroin.

A little weird. Hard to dance to. Groovy but not rushing out to buy it.

unpleasant and discordant to my ear. perhaps it serves some artistic purpose but i was mostly just put off

I think this could easily get to five stars for me eventually. It has the potential.

I didn’t hate it and I almost liked it. I like the grungy classic rock vibe and the familiarity of the songs. The album starts strong but then ends with the absolute drag that is European Son.

Oh how I ADORE this album.

i love music that challenges everyone around you

I can see how this would appeal to some of the rock fans of the 60s. But, not all music holds up well over time and this didn't do it for me.

MASTERPIECE

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nothing sounded like it when it first came out, or when I first heard it four years ago (when I wasn't exposed to much music). A completely new sound, a record that defies any genre classification. Abstract. Noisy. Dissonant. And yet, if you peel slowly, at the core there is something very beautiful and sweet. It's like modern art. You may think that who cannot make noise for 7 and a half minutes and call it a song? Who cannot write random rhyming words to a rhythm that doesn't mean anything? Who cannot be a vocalist without having a soothing voice, like Nico? But nobody did it and they did. They thought out of the box. This is truly one of the greatest achievements in music. And I sort of feel proud that I was able to understand and appreciate it's genius even before knowing about it's legacy. All songs are favorites. So I'll just rank them. Sunday Morning > All tomorrow's parties > I'll Be Your Mirror > Venus in Fur > Femme Fatale > The Black Angel's Death Song > Heroin > I'm waiting for the man > Run Run Run > There she goes again > European Son

Meh

Fav: Sunday Morning Least Fav: European Son This album was worth the hype, and only faltered at the last 2 songs. I saw some people say they didn’t like Nico’s vocals but I enjoyed her singing.

monotonous but enjoyable

Grating, did not like this.

OMG i didnt listen to it today im sorry but its a 5

I like this album but on this re-listen I was getting frustrated with it for some reason. I can't put my finger on it but I think I was expecting more of a flow, more of an *album*, that wasn't quite there. 3.5

It's not my bag, but I get why people love it so much. Some standout moments.

Honestly, I thought I was going to enjoy this more than I actually did. I knew "I'll Be Your Mirror" beforehand, and that's a song that I really enjoy, but the rest of the album was kind of disappointing. I mostly enjoyed the songs that Nico sang lead vocals on more than the ones with Lou Reed, and while I appreciate the fact that Andy Warhol being a producer meant that the album was always going to be experimental, I think it was not the fun kind of experimental.

the velvet underground was the first band i ever heard described as "your favorite band's favorite band" and TIL i've been calling this album Andy Warhol for YEARS and that is actually, not what it's called at all huh was cool to revisit this album after discovering nico as a solo artist, i fully didn't realize that it was her on this album until this relisten anyway, i have such a fondness for this entire album that it gets a perfect score

Since this album allegedly influenced every sort of music I like, I've listened to it several times. The problem is, I don't like it as an album. I like some of the songs a lot but don't care for most of them, and I don't think it flows well. Even the songs I do like just make me want to listen to different Lou Reed songs. I'm sure there's something here that I just don't get, but I don't get it even though I've tried.

I mean come on

For the most part this was a half decent album. I was not a fan of the tracks Heroin and European Son. Those were more noise than music.

Art or Experimental Rock mostly letting you sort of swim in the sound (a haze of drone and jangly to screeching guitar line while the vocal wends its way around you).

As usual, we have those guitars that tickles, those feathery vocals, and the damp production. It's pretty good but it's quite overhyped.

Didn’t really appreciate in my younger years but can acknowledge this now as a piece of art!

I fell sleep, is a nice album, but too far away from what it can keep me focus

A magical experience; cathartic in a lethargic way; a newborn opening their eyes for the first time. On the surface, it's positive/naive and noisy, but there's a layer of existential dread and life-hatred underneath which makes for a compelling listen. Songs like "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting For The Man" are all-time classics. I guess it speaks to me because deep in my bone marrow I hate life and that will never change, but at the same time I can appreciate the ephemeral glimpses of beauty in between the seams. The muddy simplicity reminds me of nature's stunning harshness and indifference as an integral part of my life experience. It's just raw, flawed and beautiful... it has soul.

Very good

Apparently a classic, but I found this a hard listen. While I did appreciate the spirit of experimentation that Cage and Reed brought to the songs, they often fell flat beyond that. “Heroin” did portray what I would imagine doing horse in the 60s felt like, which is an artistic triumph. And “Sunday Morning” is a straight up 60s classic. But Nico’s vocals are nothing but jarring and the music is often flat as is the mood it brings. I give it two bananas

It's hard to overemphasize the importance of this album---so many sounds in here that have rippled out and echoed through music since... It's raw, unpolished. It's indie and artistic. It's ennui and ecstasy. It's heroin and beatnik. It's New York at its filthiest, when adult stores, perpshow cinema, dealers, addicts, whores, and pimps filled Times Square. It's litter and graffiti. It's fucking genius that captures the moment and shows the way out. It's endless loops and untuned voices. It's timeless.

Goodness… this takes me way back to a different life. The first three songs are something I would have playing at a cool lounge, nice 60’s groovyness. Venus in Furs has always annoyed me a bit… maybe it’s the tambourine or the tempo… or the fact that it sounds a bit like a burnt-out rocker like Billy Mack in the movie “Love, actually” trying to have his moment again.

Great album. Don’t think I can truly appreciate how much influence it actually had having listened to it decades after its release. So ahead of its time in lots of ways and love the punk feel on some of the tracks. When I first heard this in university wasn’t a fan of nicos voice but that has grown on me over the years. Really got into Venus in Furs this time. So many bands and whole genres are indebted to this for breaking new ground in a very fertile time for music.

The Velvet Underground & Nico is an album that suffers from the exact opposite problem of The Fall's The Infotainment Scan (an album i did earlier in this project) whilst the latter album was pretty good musically (with the occasional hiccups) but lacking when it came to vocals. This album is pretty good vocally throughout the majority of the album but is lacking musically. The instruments have the issue of sounding very poorly recorded and that often tends to make them get annoying after a while. This album deserves a 2.5. Best Song: Sunday Morning Worst Song: European Son Side note: I do think the album art having the banana be peelable is a pretty neat idea.

Oh yes, now this is excellent - but everyone knows that, right? A wonderful sonic experience and one of the best albums ever recorded!

This is beyond reasonable dispute one of the greatest albums of all time, so I will only add these thoughts to those who only hearing it now, 50-60 years after its release. 1) you have to think in terms of chronology. This album is from 1967, and it is the headwaters of so much that would later be dubbed “alternative.” Basically, most of my favorite music starts here. (The rest begins with the Beatles.) 2) again, 1967! What a year! It’s unbelievable the albums released this year which included the Doors first album, the first two Jimi Hendrix albums, Sgt Pepper, and more. 3) don’t try this at home… well, try the music but not the lifestyle choices being described. For example, Heroin… please just don’t. This album transports you to the New York underside circa 1967, but also to its art scene - which is why you get Andy Warhol involved in the mix as well. There is deconstruction, some self-destruction, and beauty. Wow, I said too much… make sure to also listen to their second album (self titled) and to Loaded.

Phenomenal album. The influence notwithstanding, this album gets better every listen. It's haunting, powerful, interesting--a seminal album. *****

Easy math. Velvet Underground was a 4. Nico was a 4. Obviously, this is a 5.

Any good monkey will tell you that this is NOT the side of a banana from which you want to start peeling. 🙄

The lyrics are very taboo for when it came out (song called Heroin in 1967), but the instrumentals are just very repetitive and simple and the vocals aren’t pleasant to listen to. Influence aside, it’s not an enjoyable listen.

Bothersome lyrics. Some good songs though.

If this was an album from a band not affiliated with NY and the Warhol scene- I doubt I would have ever heard of it. And although there are a couple tasty tunes - I don’t feel like I would have missed much.

3/5 Cool to know about, less cool to listen to.

I must be missing something

The best ones are when Nico takes a break.

I'll say this, Nico is less bad when she's with VU than when she's alone.

I gave this a couple listen's trying to understand what it is about this people love so much. The music on this is mostly good, but between Nico and Lou Reed's singing it's a hard listen. I'll say it again... Lou Reeds voice is like a low effort Bowie. I feel like it alone drags this album down.

Albumet The Velvet Underground & Nico släpptes den 12 mars 1967 och innehöll den ikoniska bananen på omslaget med texten “Peel slowly and see.” Det öppnar med låten “Sunday Morning,” som lades till i sista stund. Trots att den inte producerades av Andy Warhol, fångar den känslan av att vara vaken en söndagsmorgon efter en lördagskväll med festligheter. Albumet är ett mästerverk som fortsätter att inspirera och fascinera lyssnare över hela världen.

Very fun, very weird, very arty.

Decent but every song is extremely samey

Nico's vocals and I do not mesh, but unlike her Chelsea Girl album, we are saved by Lou Reed providing the primary vocals. Outside of Nico, this album was rather middle of the road. It's certainly better than "White Light/White Heat" but not better than their self-titled. With this album as their debut, it's clear Velvet Underground had a clear vision of their unique sound. It's such an unrefined sound, and I'd even call it experimental because of how early it is with art rock, punk, and more genres. "Venus in Furs" isn't their most known song but should be. It shows how much Velvet Underground pushed the envelope and Reed's creativity too. Besides, the drum and tambourine driving the song is all consuming. I learned that VU believed "Venus in Furs" was the closest they got to their idealized sound.

I truly do understand Velvet Underground's impact on psychedelic and art rock, but for the life of me, I've never really been able to fully get into them. I will say though, they're probably essentially responsible for the birth of art rock via this album. This album is also chock full of other proto genres that were no doubt influences for the bands that would take them as inspirations and improve upon them. In this regard, this album is among one of the most influential in modern music.

Just a iconical album

I literally have this on a poster

Really enjoyed this album. Pschycedelic Rock

Kind of a cool album, clearly innovative and experimental. I enjoyed bits and pieces but overall nothing I would really come back to. Rating 2.2.

overrated

Песни американских селюков

Almost perfect

oh god, the minute "sunday morning" started, I wanted to go back to bed. it feels like a lullaby

60's was the hardest era of music, change my mind.

Much like each song's number of listens on Spotify show, this album starts off pretty decently, but almost perfectly loses interest and appeal track by track, leaving you feeling hopelessly bored by the end.

It feels like The Doors stole the riff on Run, Run, Run from the Velvet Underground to use in Roadhouse Blues. Certainly not the first or last time a band would steal some sound from this album. I can't really argue this book should have left this album out, as it was incredibly influential, even if this isn't my favorite album of all-time. I enjoy this album but I would never intentionally put it on to listen. There are really good songs here, followed by the album ending with two songs (The Black Death Angel's Song and European Son) that I just don't care for that much. European Son is absolutely just noise. Lou Reed had solo material that I cared for more.

Iconico. C'è qualcosa di adorabilmente sgangherato in ogni canzone, poi a me Nico fa impazzire. È bello ma non troppo e talvolta troppo graffiante, ma ci sono delle gemme

Someone wanted me to have a good day today. This album is musical perfection and you can immediately tell by the harmonies, lyrics, chord progressions and the variety of style on the album. I have so many memories with these songs and it’s one of my all time favourites.

yeah 9/10

Really hard to fault this given the number of classics on there, but fault it I will because Nicos voice gives me the heebie jeebies.

here we are!! my favorite album of all time! very creative choice, i know. but how could it not be? heroin and sunday morning used to be my favorite songs of all time, im waiting for the man is currently my favorite song of all time, and the rest of the tracklist is absolutely stellar. find me something that sounds anything like venus in furs. the appeal of this album for me is not only how amazing each song is but how eclectic the tracklist is. constantly jumping from pretty pop songs to noisy rockers doesnt sound like a great idea but it is executed amazingly here. the most common critique i see of this album is that european son is weak and that sister ray is a better version of it. i believe this dismissal of the song fails to appreciate it for what it is. it doesnt try to be the same chaos that sister ray is. it does, however, have the same appeal to me. you can tell the band is having a hell of a time just fucking around trying to be as stupid as possible. if that isnt something you enjoy i get it but i cant think of a better way to end this album. anyhow i could go on for a while longer but nothing i say will be new so ill just end it here. 10/10

Heroin’s okay, but it’s not as good as other Lou Reed stuff.

Not my favorite VU for sure

Lou Reed toch. Je hebt zoveel talent, waarom lever je dan telkens weer van die vage flutmuziek af? Je laat er zelfs een zangeres voor uit Duitsland komen, zo eentje met een stem als een diepe put waar de Duitse dames patent op lijken te hebben. Maar ook deze keer glijd je ongenadig uit over de bananenschil van de interessantdoenerij. Lou Reed, doe nou eens een keer je best. Het laatste kraaknummer op je plaat en je pretentieuze gepronk met Andy Hoe-heet-hij-ook-alweer-ik-kom-er-even-niet-op duwen je album onder Frans Bauer-niveau.

Ik snap wel dat het er in staat hoor. Er staan best interessante creaties tussen. Je moet wel van de speelsheid van jaren '60 houden. Om bij de jaren '60 te blijven. Femme Fatale zoekt de Beatles op, Heroin vindt Dylan. Dat slik ik allemaal al moeilijk. Maar het ergste zijn de piepende/krassende geluiden. Het is een studio-album. Het lijkt allemaal opzet. Maar dan ben je toch als een een voorloper van de punk jouw eigen muziek aan het vernachelen.

Iconische hoes. Knap dat die de tand des tijds moeiteloos heeft doorstaan. Andy Warhols hoogtijdagen liggen al meer dan 50 jaar achter ons. Die kunst vind ik nog wel interessant, de muziek die Velvet Underground maakt is een stuk minder interessant. Er zitten af en toe wel aardige melodieën in, maar die weten ze kunstzinnig te verkrachten met gepiel en nutteloze geluidmakerij. Het zware Duitse accent van Nico helpt ook niet mee. 1 bonuspt voor de iconische hoes

Sunday morning is a really famous song. IDK about the rest. some bangers! 3 or 4 depending on how generous I feel.

The VU may be the most overrated band of all time. “Venus in Furs” is a jam though and I also like “Sunday Morning”.

Show anyone that's not familiar with them Sunday Morning, or Femme Fatale, and they'll never say it comes from the sixties. The album feels like a missing link from psychedelic pop and rock to modern indie and grunge.

Can't really find much fault with this album, although its really not my cup of tea. So purely personal preference on the rating

Psychedelic rock infancy isn’t my jam. This is the soundtrack of a pretentious indie period movie from a wannabe Paul Thomas Anderson.

I'm glad they were apparently influential for so many bands that came after them, but this didn't do much for me. It's fine for what it is and when it came out. 2.6

This is one of the seminal albums that shaped what music could be. The first time I listened to this it did not connect at all, now I see it for what it truly is. We are better as a society because if this.

Never had the opportunity to listen to this album in its entirety before now. It’s another one of those you’ve heard of and heard about from waaay back. Although with this album you always heard “don’t waste your time - it’s not that good.” I enjoyed the experience (and wasn’t even drunk, stoned, or trippin’ on heroin.) Didn’t really get many of the songs and that might be why. Album has a strong Dylan vibe; Run Run Run is the best song, the cut European Son could be cut and the album would be improved. I’m not sure why it got such a bad rap, comes in at (3.1*s) for me. I plan to listen to it again front to back when I have the time…(Let’s see if that ever happens)

A gritty, filthy, darkly tinged pop-folk album that was very far ahead of it's time (in 1967), different than anything else in this era for sure. Reed's snide lyrics paint a world both terrifying and beautiful, it's truly fascinating. You can see how this influenced indie rock for ages to come. Trend-fuckers love this shit and I probably would have been all over it too if I were in my early 20's when it came out. It's the right combination of music, art, sleaze, poetry, drugs, and design; a culmination of New York minds that exists on this one specific album at this one very direct time.

Maybe this album has major influence for being a slap in the face to to the scene but like Andy Warhol art for me...you can keep it buried. Original hipster music that is just sprawled out like a lazy stoner but cool cause it's not trying to be music. It's just thing now man. Does this band get better with Lou Reed...I hope? With a finisher like "European Son"...1.3.

I'll always have a soft spot for Lou Reed. I appreciate some of the very overt and direct reference to sex and hard drug use. They didn't pull any punches and managed to churn out some decent stuff among the mess. It's certainly a unique album but overall it's relatively mediocre musically. There is no doubt that the album is iconic. The banana cover and Warhol connection seem to due the brunt of the work though. An album that belongs on the list even if The Velvet Underground isn't anything I'll ever reference beyond the novelty pop aspect of it. 2.11 stars

I can definitely see how influential this album is, especially given the time it came out. It has a surprisingly unique sound, and was generally quite comforting to listen to, bar a couple of tracks such as “Heroin”, which proves that the album is definitely of its time, despite its influence.

The guitar kinda goes off at a lot points in a good way. Not sure this one fully resonates with me, but I'll probably try again due to the notoriety of this one. Will I listen to again: 99%

been on my listening list for a minute now, glad i finally have an excuse to listen - so far i've enjoyed every track with nico on lead vocals - venus in fur is fucking crazy. weird asf, can't imagine how it must've sounded in the 60s when it first came out - the guitar solos on run run run is sick af. they sound awful in a good way idk how to explain it - love the way the tempo on heroin swells to correspond with the lyriscm. whenever lou reed references taking shot of heroin the beat speeds up, thats sick af. this a song is perfect holy shit i feel 1960s (somewhat) mainstream weird doesn't really translate well to 2020s weird. This album still hold up today surprisingly. Heroin induced noise rock bullshit fuck yes. Some tracks are for sure more experimental than other, but even the more contemporary tracks manage to still be engaging despite them significant less interesting than the wack ass shit like Heroin and Venus In Fur. Lou Reed is a crazy good song writer, and Nico offers soothing break from the noisy chaos that is this record. 9/10

Art rock, experimental rock. Listen I get it. Everyone and everything rock related or punk related or industrial related etc. came from this album/band. But that doesn't automatically make this album perfect. It's good, great even, but not perfect. I understand peoples infatuation, and I do love this album, but it does test me at times. Which I guess is also good? Light 4.5/5

This started off okay, but went downhill toward the end and fell off a cliff.

I used to be on the fence with the Nico songs but they're among my favourites now. I love how it touches on every indie genres that would bloom decades later. This band was truly special.

The album that made them legends, but even after a couple of listens, I can't find myself loving it to no end.

As we know, a historic album for several reasons. So artsy and different from everything that rock bands were doing in the 60s. I've never been able to appreciate it properly, not my jame maybe? But it deserves a 5 stars without a doubt.

Dark hipster psychedelia, it still sounds alive and urgent. I'm Waiting for My Man and Run Run Run are incredible high energy rock songs, all propulsive rhythms and distorted guitars, and actual hooks. The best bits are stripped back and spare without any studio frills or production wizardry, when it sounds like a band in a room playing themselves into a increasingly frenetic trance drawing on a whole repertoire of ragas and drones and changes and a pharmacy full of downers. The viola does so much work here, like on Heroin where it adds a layer of tense anxiety buzzing along barely in one channel, a bare bones vamp that itself descends into screeching noise as the songs climax. Lou Reed's gift for disarmingly sweet melody means there's a bright core to everything, shining through the darkness and chaos. To balance out the descent into madness, there are perfectly crafted little loungey bubblegum songs, Femme Fatale, Sunday Morning, I'll Be Your Mirror - sweet and jangly and atmospheric, ironically naive but bittersweet pop gems undercut by Nico's flat dettached deadpan delivery.

Refreshing style

I listened to this a lot back in the day but I never liked Nico’s voice with VU. Surprised O didn’t like this more

Very good

Timeless proto indie album detailing the artists life in the pits of NYC circa 1967. This album is always a treat to listen to anytime and is diversely influential in the production and artistic creation of 60 years worth of music. Love Nico's voice throughout and Lou Reed was one badass mofo.

Another album I don’t get! Don’t see the influence. I would never pick it up to listen again.

Another one I have listened to 100's if not a thousand times. What can you say about this one? One of the most important albums ever.

I’d listen to it again

Banana

3.5

Classique. I have to give this a five, I’d probably give it a five had it come out last week and this shit came out 60 years ago. So fuxking replayable.

I know people go bananas about this album (pun intended) but I am not a big fan.

Oh Nico. Why do you sound like you've smoked a thousand cigarettes and like you're faking your German accent? I like that your Wikipedia page mentions a quote from a music reviewer saying your voice "sounds like a cello getting up in the morning." Highly accurate description. What did Andy Warhol hear in your voice? How the fuck were you friends with Jim Morrison? I guess you get a lot of opportunities when you're a beautiful woman and nobody really cares that you sound like a cheese grater attempting to shred melted Muenster (get it? Cause she's German...and because I wasn't sure if Muenster cheese was actually from Germany and looked it up, now I know it is an American cheese made by German immigrants to be similar to Munster cheese which originated in France). Anyway enough about Nico because she actually isn't featured heavily on this album. She doesn't even ruin the songs she sings. She lends a strangeness to the album and after having heard her songs a few times, one might even start to enjoy them and find comfort in them. Here I go again writing about Nico. Ok, the rest of the album isn't bad. I enjoyed Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting for the Man, the titular Venus in Furs, Heroin, and even the Nico lead I'll be Your Mirror. It's a strange album with strange singers and strange musicians and strange banana pop art that sounds kind of basic but in a good way.

Visionary

Weird but fun

We have to overcome the social prejudice that heroine is bad for you. Clearly it has the fuel for some of the most influential music ever made!

I've seen people say how great this album is, but I feel like I'm missing something. I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. It kept going and tried too hard to experiment whilst forgetting to add musicality. A lot of it was just noise to zone out to. Highlights: Venus In Furs

Honestly, not great. “There she goes again” is listenable, but the rest of the album was a slog. I guess I’m just uncultured, but I prefer music to have some aesthetic beauty

Is it a avant-garde and genre-defining, or talentless and bland? Always hard to tell with the velvet underground. I understand this record is super inspirational for a lot of musicians, but I just don’t see the artistry here. Also, anything I listen to with Nico is just cringe and bad. Some cool ideas on here, and the poetry is somewhat interesting, but certainly did not live up to the mythical hype in my opinion. Also, I dislike the trend of musicians, banging on their instruments in a sort of musical tantrum, it doesn’t sound artistic or emotional, just sounds like the band didn’t know how to end the song. Or an album.

The screeching in the song Heroin is awful, but I'm sure intentional. Same with the high pitch shrieks in European Son. The rest of the songs are great!

This was hard to listen to. A little too psychedelic and not musical enough for my tastes. There were some tracks that were okay, but most of it was either too droney or just noise that I couldn't enjoy in any sense. Two stars.

Enjoyed

What a great album. From the first song till the last song. Absolutely great!

Pretty easy to listen to but not going to be my choice

Not my favorite velvet’s album but still pretty good with a couple of their classic songs and one of the all time great album covers. 3.5

I like the other albums better

And what costume shall the poor girl wear To all tomorrow's parties? A hand-me-down dress from who knows where To all tomorrow's parties And where will she go and what shall she do When midnight comes around? She'll turn once more to Sunday's clown And cry behind the door And what costume shall the poor girl wear To all tomorrow's parties? Why silks and linens of yesterday's gowns To all tomorrow's parties? And what will she do with Thursday's rags When Monday comes around? She'll turn once more to Sunday's clown And cry behind the door And what costume shall the poor girl wear To all tomorrow's parties? For Thursday's child is Sunday's clown For whom none will go mourning A blackened shroud, a hand-me-down gown Of rags and silks, a costume Fit for one who sits and cries For all tomorrow's parties OK, I 100% agree that this album belongs on a list of the best albums of all time. It also has immense social impact and is a historical marker of a counter cultural high water mark where the 1960s broke and rolled back in the US and Europe. This is one of the rare occasions where I completely agree with this list and say that absolutely everyone in the world should hear this album. 5/5

Interesting but not my vibe

Every home should have one.

It's beautiful and depressing.

Great album. Not really my type of music, admittedly, but Venus in Furs I really did enjoy - a 9/10, definitely. Rocky start (not that the first two songs are bad, per se, but not to my liking.) but gets the ball rolling quickly afterwards. Musicality: 7.5/10 Musicality: Excellent execution with noticeable skill and talent. Lyricism: 8/10 Strong, thoughtful, and engaging lyrics Production Quality: 9/10 Near-perfect; flawlessly mixed and produced. Artistic Expression: 8/10 Highly innovative and groundbreaking, with a powerful artistic voice. Cohesiveness and Flow: 5/10 Fairly cohesive, but not particularly memorable. Replay Value: 7/10 High; many tracks are enjoyable to revisit. Overall: 7/10

Some of these songs were great but others felt self-indulgent or just too 60s for my taste

Meh. Typical 1960s soft fuzzy kid music. Next.

Salvei Sunday Morning.

Relatively bland

Didn’t get on well with this. Boring at best, incomprehensible noise at worst. Is a 1 too harsh?

I'm glad this album apparently went on to inspire plenty of other artists. That's great, the album itself is shit

Great stuff. Last track goes on a bit!

I really, really do not like Nico's voice. This album is still pretty much perfect. It has one foot in the sound of its time and the other firmly planted in the future. I have to join the chorus of voices proclaiming it as one of the most influential, impactful albums to come out of the 1960s, but I think calling it THE best album of that decade is hyperbole. That being said, its impact on music as we know it can't be overstated, like it or not. I will continue to be annoyed with people telling me how much "better" and "cooler" they are than their contemporaries. They were like the fucking Sonic Youth of the 60s. At least the Velvet Underground did it first, I guess. I'm astonished whenever I hear "Heroin"; it is such an achievement in pacing, composition, production, sound design, and performance. Highlights: Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting For The Man, Femme Fatale (I know what I said about Nico's voice), Venus In Furs, Heroin, There She Goes Again

I think this is one of those cases where I lack the necessary context to fully appreciate this album. I love Lou Reeds drawling, deadpan vocals and subject matter of a number of the songs here -- I'm Waiting For The Man, Heroin, Venus In Runs, The Black Angel's Death Song. But a lot of other songs, while fine, kind of wash over me without any real effect. I've heard Heroin any number of times, and it is a fantastic song. Super sparse and crunchy, but it works so well. Venus In Furs is the other standout here for me. Love the slow trudge with the uncomfortable droning effect. Fine album, but in the grand scheme its a high 3 for me.

They made my tattoo into not only an album, but also a fruit. Believe it or not I’m more of a ‘Loaded’ guy

Everyone watch out. Angus just banana creamed his pants with this album. I liked the album until the last song, European Son. It was an annoying song to finish it out with. 3.5 stars overall for me

Solid first half of the album. Fell off toward the end around Heroin. The singer reminds me of Nude Party

Felt like this entire album was drugs and it made me quite uneasy the whole time. There were some pretty sweet musical parts to it though. Heroin was pretty appropriately named, I thought I was ODing. European Son melted my entire brain. Nothing I would choose to listen to again in my free time but it was a cool album to listen to because of the absolute weirdness.

I know this album is influential and legendary af. I've listened to a bunch of times throughout my life and never really "got it". Not bad stuff and I'm sure it was at the time it came out, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention enough. Really digging Venus in Furs. Heroin fuckin rules too. Just an experimental ass song. I could see Nude Party covering a bunch of these songs on here. I find myself liking the weird experimental songs a lot more than anything else on here. Some was great some I just still don't "get". I'll revisit again at some point in my life.

Very sixties weird-pop. Not reallly for me.

"The Velvet Underground & Nico" is a sonic trip into a dystopian carnival, where pop art and avant-garde collide in a beautiful cacophony. Lou Reed’s deadpan vocals and Nico’s haunting, Teutonic drone are like dueling sirens luring you into the dark underbelly of 1960s counterculture. John Cale's electric viola and the band’s unorthodox instrumentation feel like a séance with the ghosts of rock ‘n’ roll past and future. The album's raw, unapologetic take on taboo subjects—heroin, S&M, and urban ennui—transcends mere shock value, forcing a reevaluation of what rock music could say and do. It's as if Andy Warhol, with his pop-art sensibility, dipped the whole record in a can of Campbell’s soup, only to reveal the simmering angst beneath. This isn’t just an album; it’s a manifesto. It’s the sound of beautiful losers finding salvation in chaos, and it's utterly timeless in its imperfection.

Excellent. Another one I own.

Great VU album.

For me, listening to this album was about two songs: "Heroin" and "European Son". "Heroin" is pretty much exactly what I hear in my head when I hafta imagine The Velvet Underground. Stark lyrics getting at real experiences of doing drugs and living life on streets. The kind of lyrics you'd call "poetry." The arrangement is minimal, based around on chord and drums that're more being thumped than played. There's an atypical structure where there's no real chorus but it variously speeds up and grows in intensity to emphasize its words. And it's got those avant-garde-y noise elements in there as well. It's the kind of thing you listen to and give a small nod: "real music." In 2024, I don't really personally understand how groundbreaking all of this (aside from the lyrical content), but I still like it a lot. It's a bleak, harrowing listen, and the previously described way it goes up and down just appeals to me, I'unno. Then there's "European Son", which, as a closer, I think represents a lot of other things about this album. Not all of themm—Nico isn't on it, for instance—but for one, the first couple of minutes are way... Hookier than I expected it to be? Which I don't think is a bad thing. I like hooks, and I don't expect VU to be all all-caps "ART" like "Heroin" all the time. It's just a matter of expectation, y'know? Even if I do like them quite a bit. But then when it does get art-y, jamming out for the last three or so minutes, I kinda get this "noise for the sake it" feeling. Like, just play whatever you want as loudly as you want and call it "art." It's not as bad here as that description would imply, but it still leans in a little—so that's what I think about the art-y parts that I don't believe work too well. And the lyrics... I'unno, they're about somebody in Andy Warhol's circle. Or who was. As someone who has to take a second to start getting the lyrics, they're fine. As is the whole track—to paraphrase somebody else in my group, it's "a perfectly unconvential closer for an unconvential album." Speaking of closing, I suppose I should say something about Nico before I go. She's fine. I get this kind of New Wave-y vibe from her voice, and I'm kind of into that. I'unno why Andy decided she **needed** to be on here, but she's not a detracting factor. She does "I'll Be Your Mirror" very well—as I hope she would, after she broke down crying after how many times she had to record it. Overall, I can't give it less than a 4. I can't hear that special "makes you want to start a band" factor I've heard about that would make me give it a 5, but darn if it ain't good music all the same. Different from the norm, sure, though that's still what makes it so special to a lot of people. Y'wouldn't want it sounding any other way. Such as, for instance, what Billy Idol did to "Heroin". Serioiusly, if you haven't heard it before—goodness me, you're in for a trip. Recoil slowly and laugh.

If there is a genre of rock that the average person knows about, there's a decent chance that its DNA can be traced back one of the 11 tracks in this LP. Super influential, with legendary cover art and lyrical themes that went against the usual norms of the 60s. Very easy 5 to give.

I liked it a lot, but I’m just at a 4. Ultimately, I do think that lived up to the hype – it really picked up after the first 2 tracks, and I thought most of the album afterward was pretty damn good. It’s not like, world-changing to me or anything; I’m sure it hit a lot harder in 1968, since these tricks have since been done to death by a number of bands, but this is pretty fucking innovative for its time. Heroin, is of course, the standout track; that thumping drum that acts as a heartbeat, the swirling instrumentation growing into a full blown cacophonic panic, while the vocals go on without a care – it’s crazy to make that in 1968. I do think the last track kinda falls flat, but in a way, I like that it does; a very untraditional closing track for a very untraditional album for its time. I don’t have extremely glowing praise, mainly because I still think I need to dive deeper into the lyrics, but I did really end up liking this. It’s a very strong 4, and it could be a 5 with time for me.

It felt quite varied with some remarkable songs. I liked it

I quite enjoyed, don't really remember any of the songs though

Is this album important: certainly. Is it good: probably. Is it a fun listen: no.

Almost 2 velvet underground albums in a row. I’ve had this one for a while now. It’s like I’m listening to some unique art. 4,0

as much as I like this album it's incredibly overrated. the poppy bits are pretty great but I don't care for most of the garagey rock (besides heroin and venus in furs). still pretty great, but I'd recommend the self titled album over this any day

Every home should have one.

I liked this more when I was younger.

Lou Reed is like Dylan. poor singer, good song writer. Do not enjoy listening to him sing.

Gr8 record

I have listened before ages ago. Really enjoyed it.

One can’t argue the significance of this album. But if I’m honest, I don’t really love it. Some of the songs are iconic and in that way, I appreciate them. Others are just noisy and sloppy. Bless Nico for giving the ear something to relax into. I’m not a tastemaker though, and quite obviously Lou was. So, 3.9

I mean, it's super influential. Very rough and raw, and the production isn't great, but I suppose that's the template for all the other genres it spawned. Almost surprising how influential it was. Probably needed to be alive in the 60s to truly understand this one. 3.9

already listened, i like it a lot, feels ground breaking but not my favorite Nico performance by a long mile

Classic album I don't think I have heard the whole of. Stand out tracks: -Sunday Morning -Venus in furs -Run, run, run -All tomorrows parties -The black angels death song

Holds up well.

I've known this album is iconic and amazing for a while now. It's now that I'm getting the excuse to actually listen to it that I find that it is really good throughout.

It's all been said before. Arty. Influenced so much of what has since followed (particularly from NYC). Viewed objectively, a bit odd in places.

It’s a classic for a reason.

Deserves its place in the 1001, maybe even the 101, for its influence on popular culture and its creativity. Not an easy listen tho

He went to the hat store, and he bought himself some DRUGS.

its nice, but it made me sleepy. just seemed a little too low energy for me in places, even on songs with higher tempos.

Enjoyed this one a lot more when I was younger and first started smoking weed. It’s still good but my patience for songs like “Heroin” and “Venus in Furs” has eroded. Nico has a great voice though and it’s always a treat to hear her

One of the greatest albums of all time. This thing is absolutely insane

Wish i could give it 10 stars. This album is incredible. Nico's voice over the psych rock benzo induced music is like a snip of a moment in time and ill never get enough of it.

I don't like it

Most of the music I listen to wouldn't exist without this album.

This is the kind of record that makes this list worth while. It’s brilliant in ways that would radiate out in waves that would influence every cool band that followed.

I listened to this in high school and quite often since then. It feels like I hear something new every time i listen to it. Really a classic.

When I first decided to do this challenge, there were a few albums that I knew, without a doubt, that they would be on the list no matter who wrote the book. This on is pretty close to the top of those choices. This is an amazing album that is not just good, but is also very influential. Very happy to listen to it yet again.

Love it, one of my all-time classics. European Son is usually a skip for me though 😬

Goodness me, this is great stuff. It's so atmospheric and takes you straight to the heart of the Warhol Factory and all the creativity that goes with it. It's hard to pick a favourite really, because it hangs together so beautifully. Heroin though, what a song. It's so cool it hurts.

I've loved this one since I found it in high school. This is a great example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Massive influence on all rock that came afterward.

the Pulp Fiction of experimental albums. every music fan listens to this for the first time and thinks it’s the best things ever. and that isn’t without merit, the album have aged pretty well and sounded ahead of it’s time in some places. the killer combo of lou reed and iggy pop mesh so well together, they match each others energy perfectly. 100% worth a listen for the actual content and for the history this album has.

Good

Beatles, maybe indian alike, 3 stars, not full listened

This was a very interesting album. The songs were the definition of hit and miss for me. I also like the juxtaposition between Nico’s songs and the garage rock sound of the velvet underground’s songs. All in all I’d give it a 7.5/10

Some moments of genius but not as good as some people say

The Velvet Underground & Nico's 'Andy Warhol' is a disjointed and often grating experience. While it aims for avant-garde, it frequently misses the mark, coming across as self-indulgent noise. Nico's vocals are an acquired taste at best, and the production feels muddled. There are glimpses of innovation, but they're buried under layers of cacophony. Die-hard fans of experimental rock might find something to appreciate, but for most listeners, this album is a challenging and ultimately unrewarding listen.

Love the poetic lyricism of this. Velvet Underground are one of my top bands, ahead of their time. Only turnoff is it can be too avant garde in spots. Reminds me of some intellectuals regarding avant garde jazz that those who dislike it aren’t smart enough to “get it.” Some like melodies and catchy tunes, not a ton of dissonance. I fall in the middle.

ugh

Don't really get the hype over this band.

Interesting listen 3/5

Thinking about when I was walking through the Kraków modern art museum last year and I could distantly hear a distinctive thumping drumbeat. As I got closer I realised it was the distinctive thrum of “Venus in Furs”. I entered the room to behold an explorable reconstruction of Andy Warhol’s famous studio, complete with industrial metal walls, grimy pink chairs, lewd videos playing on CRT screens, graffitied walls, and pinned Polaroids. I must have spent at least 20 minutes there, enjoying the atmosphere, “Venus in Furs” blasting on repeat the whole time. What a way to experience that song. No wonder everybody wanted a piece of that.

Really good album. Not quite on the level as “Loaded” but still overall very good. “Sunday Morning” is an amazing song. 3.5/5 Will listen again

Pretentious AF

awesome

This is one of those hit or miss albums, as is the case with pretty much anything classified as "art rock". This sounds both of its time and ahead of its time if that makes sense. If I were to pick a specific track that encapsulates what The Velvet Underground is trying to sell here, it would probably be "Heroin". This track is a trip (pun intended) with its up and down tempo and eventual buildup into chaos with the backing instruments, eventually overtaking the vocals for the last minute or so. Likely simulating the feeling of taking heroin (not that I would know, please don't shoot up on heroin). The rest of the album is admittedly a tough listen outside of a few other songs. Much of it meanders too much in no particular direction for my liking. Groundbreaking for its time? That I can probably agree on. Would I listen again? Probably not. But what the hell do I know? I do know that having Andy Warhol design your album cover is pretty damn iconic. That's probably the most famous banana in history, next to the Bluth's Original Frozen Banana Stand.

Undeniably an impressive album. Much of it isn't really my cup of tea, but I really enjoyed Sunday Morning and Heroin.

I really like this album for what it has done and how bold it was for its time. Listening to it is another matter. The idea is cool. A lot of the songs don’t sell me on what they try to do, and if they do it’s often muddled with other things that are just unpleasant to listen to. Like in The Black Angel’s Death Song there’s just an air compressor-like sound blasted into the microphone, and often the instrumentation is purposefully uncanny, offbeat, and ebbs and flows out of time. This is not an album I had fun listening to, and I don’t want to listen to it again. It’s clear to see why it has been so influential. You can clearly hear what certain genres take from it and make them enjoyable to listen to. Standouts: Femme Fatale, Heroin, and I’ll Be Your Mirror.

Love love love.

Clear 5-stars. So far the best album on this list, and I'm over 100 in. A classic both musically and thematically.

A lot of this is painful to listen to. That’s an artistic choice, I know, so congratulations on achieving bad music

Haven’t actually had a chance to listen to this as part of our little challenge. But this is one I have listened to countless times and own a copy of the banana lad myself. Just one of the best albums of all time. Simpsons: not that I can find, but there must be a Lou Reed reference in there somewhere

Have never listened to these before, will do in the future. Really good album. Was considering the 5 stars, but the last song was an absolute racket and dragged on forever. Perhaps with a few more listens the album could be considered a 5.

Came in with really high hopes. Liked it to start with, really enjoyed Heroin but it trailed off at the end. Close but no cigar

Good, not my vibe.

Boring and monotonous.