The Velvet Underground & Nico

The most annoying people you know throughout your life will try and get you to listen to this album. DON'T DO IT!!! Not because the album isn't good, because it absolutely is, but because you need to listen to this album on your own terms. Only then do you really sit in it and have an easy time putting yourself in the shoes of someone in 1967 hearing these sounds for the first time and feeling unlimitedly inspired by what you could do with it. This album has taken some time to grow on me but the greatness of it ultimately will always shine through for those that love and understand music

Never really listened before. Always thought I would like. I did.

I don’t get it? This is supposed to be one of the most influential American rock albums of all time? Is it because of my age that I don’t understand what came before this and how it transformed the music scene? Possibly. But I just don’t see it.

Was okay, but a bit too old-school for my taste

Great - Music History

I think I went into this album with a pretty negative attitude about getting two Velvet Underground albums in a row. I was not pumped on yesterdays album and I think I like this one even less.

Velvet Underground 2 days in a row. Either this was a worse album or I didn’t want to hear them again. Either way got through it

No comment

The famous Banana album. I had ever actually The Velvet Underground. This album is extremely hyped so I was excited. Sadly it doesn’t quite live up for me. It’s impressive that this was released in 1967, it definitely sounds ahead of its time. There is an indie feel mixed with a much more standard 60s rock sound. I love the building tension in many songs. I much preferred the rawer guitar sounds on the Side B, Heroin and There She Goes Again stand out 6.9/10

don't like the long guitar solos :(

Heard a lot about this one. Time to finally unpeel that banana… The last track leans too heavily on the irritating passages of noise the band chose to pursue more on their next album, but mostly there’s a good balance between raw experimentation and actual tunes. Venus In Furs, for example, manages to incorporate both pretty successfully. Still, I suspect the actual sounds were less revolutionary than the subject matters and overall gritty aesthetic. I’ll give it a 3.5 for enjoyment, rounded up for influence.

I think the most iconic thing about this album is probably the artwork. The first 3 tracks are good, but then I lost interest. Tried listening a second time and the same thing happened.

There’s a lot of stylistic variety here. Some songs were a bit too “strange” for my liking (Venus in Furs, Heroin, European Son), which has docked the score. Might have been 3 or 4 without those songs.

I was pleasantly surprised and knew more songs than I thought I would. This album seems so familiar.. I feel like it must just be the picture and the handful of hits in it. I definitely enjoyed it, but felt like it tapered off in the second half.

Add this one to the “I’m sure it was revolutionary and influential in its time but has aged like milk” category. There’s a lot of cool things going on musically, I just don’t like the way they come together every time. I’m not trying to do it, but I’m sure tripping acid and listening to it would be a different experience. Except for all the feedback on European Son. Like what the hell? Was that considered edgy at the time or something?

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I didn't really like the first Velvet Underground album we listened to on this list, but I liked this one much more. Glad I finally gave such an iconic album the full listen to, and if I see this vinyl in the wild I'll probably pick it up. 9/10 if we were on that scale.

It's okay, but it doesn't really do much for me.

So incredibly NOT looking forward to listening to this. Lou Reed has all the bad voice characteristics of Bob Dylan, and none of the redeeming qualities. Sunday Morning: Yep. Suspicion confirmed I'm Waiting for the Man: this sounds like a third grader wrote it. Why do people think this album is so great? Femme Fatale: Weird (intentional?) distortion is jarring and unsettling. Zero merit in the background vocals. These are not good singers Venus in Furs: stylistically, the music reminds me of the The Doors, which is a plus. Absent the atrocious singing, this could be a cool song. The lyrics might even be ok, but how they're vocally presented just takes all merit from them for me Run Run Run: Sounds like a bad Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band. Horrible guitar screeching. WTF is this garbage? All Tomorrow's Parties: Starting with a bit of promise. Singing is super flat. If this is such a great album, I could make a "top 1,001 album" with all the ZERO musical talent I possess. In the TV show This Is Us, Mandy Moore's character, who is a MARVELOUS singer gets told she is "Pittsburgh good" at an audition for a record label. If she's only Pittsburgh good, then this band is "elementary school chorus bad" from a vocals perspective. Heroin: this song has some potential. Sounds cool. Slow pace, light drums, in tune, sort of twangy guitar....and now Lou Reed is ruining it with his Bob Dylan impression. Picking up speed, speeding toward disaster now. And back to the slow pace and Lou's completely unpolished...uh, everything. This fucking sucks, man. I hate Lou Reed. This is torture. How many songs are left? Oh god, four more. And this one isn't even half over... Caterwauling, horrible screeching feedback on the guitar. Terrible. This is THE song a teenager was listening to when their dad burst into the room and said "You call this music? This is just NOISE." Then the dad sits down in the kitchen and says "I just don't know about that kid, Martha" and pours himself a whiskey, wondering where he went wrong There She Goes Again: Alright, poppy potential...nope, here comes Lou Reed to ruin everything. Ultra simplistic lyrics, lame kindergarten rhyme scheme, and couldn't carry a tune if he had as many arms as on octopus I'll Be Your Mirror: Cool doo-wop sort of opening riff. Into it. Nico singing here. Eh, not bad. Not good either. Very simple lyrics, but not an entirely unpleasant song, I guess. Kind of off key The Black Angel's Death Song: frantic, screeching strings. Bad. Unenjoyable. Oh, here's Lou Reed again doing his best to be the worst. Is he... hissing into the microphone??? Or filling up a tire. WTF is this?!? Coming back to edit my notes, and re-reading the song's title, I will give the benefit of the doubt here and say that this is EXACTLY what a "death song" of a black angel would sound like. It does make a person want to die... European Sun: ooh, kinda Beatlesesque. This is fun. Poppy 60s guitar, nice pacing. Oh, here's Lou! Oh, wtf is that noise? Dragging a metal garbage can on the street? And here we go with out of tune, played too fast guitars, and...this is like when you give a kid an electric guitar for his birthday and he confidently (and wholly incorrectly and without any musical knowledge whatsoever) just starts playing as fast as he can. The pace gives me anxiety. Somehow this has devolved into something even worse. I'm wondering if this is like avant garde or something? Like such high art that an untrained person like me shouldn't even bother trying to understand. I mean, it does have a Warhol painting on the cover, and like wtf was that guy even doing? That's "art?" Nah, this band fucking SUCKS. Album: 0/10 would not recommend. Will continue to shit talk in the future Later in the day, thinking about the time this was released: This was not "ahead of its time." There has been no time in the last 50ish years that this would have been musically relevant. There was no boundary pushing here. This is just bad music made by bad musicians. There is no distillation of elements to make the complex art form simple. There is no taking of existing conventions and modifying them to produce something new and different. I would honestly be surprised if any of this album was more than just a loose idea and the old trope of the band leader saying something like "just follow along." Even then, I have heard competent musicians do this, and still sound cohesive and coherent. This is just a fucking mess. I fail to see any artistic merit. Anyone who claims to "get" this album, I would immediately assume was insufferably pretentious.

I mean… it’s an absolute new york classic that still holds water.

Good lord, what's with these white dudes and drawing out their syllables at the ends of lines in the lyrics. It's so stupidly annoying.

cherish is a word i use when i bathe in the morning cherish is a world ill go to in when i die cherish is a word i scream at the top of my lungs cherish is a worm crawling through my heart

A bold debut effort.

Definitely an avant-garde album that I can see would not be for everyone. But I thought this was great. Simple yet profound, shows you don’t need to overload with too many parts - less is more. ‘Heroin’ plays with the soundscape in a way that makes you feel desperation and euphoria. Maybe this hit me on a good day, and an argument could be made to lower the rating, but giving 5 stars today

4.7 - Stunning album. Listened to this loads first year I moved to London and I still love it.

Cooler than it is good. Just like heroin really. 3.4/5

Pretty good. Was worth the listen

I love this album so much. I remember hearing Venus in Furs on vinyl (maybe on mushrooms?) and it absolutely blowing my mind. Now I love hearing the context of new York “hippie” scene - as compared to the San Fran scene at the same time which was way more whacky.

The emperor is naked, let's just be honest about it. 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.

Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: geschichts- und skandalträchtiges Kunstwerk von Andy Warhol 😘🤌 Mix (45th Anniversary): Lou Reed-typisch (mutmaßlich) bewusst hemdsärmlig, dröhnend und verzerrt abgemischt - sagenhaft (und gerade) auch vom mittelprächtigem Plattenspieler! Musik: prophetischer Klassiker für Noise, Art-Rock und lyrischen Nihilismus. Keine Frage für mich also. Wertung: 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌/5

No mis siis? Poisid tegid veits hero - hull asi nüüd, sa ei pea kohe turja kargama neile. Aga siin pladil on mingeid epic asju. 3.5

el mejor disco de la historia

Genoeg nummers gehoord, ook wel eens het hele album, maar dit is de eerste keer dat die echt klikt. Voor heroin pauzeerde ik even wat ik aan het doen was, wat een nummer. Meerdere unhingedheid in dit album, wat toch een solide geheel voelt. Twijfel tussen 4 en 5, maar het krijgt denk ik de voordeel van de twijfel

Very acid like ad psychedelic, left the feeling of some old avant movie

Very inventive and influential, but outside of a few songs (Sunday Morning, Heroin, European Son) this album is totally uninsteresting. I don't think I could name another song on here. But the 3 that are good are so good they are each worth a star

che copertina pazzesca e capisco il motivo per cui ha rivoluzionato a suo tempo il mondo del rock. detto questo, in realtà non mi ha fatto impazzire più di tanto, anzi l’ho trovato quasi un po’ difficile in alcuni punti. sarebbe 2,5

Nico ha una voce splendida, forse la cosa più bella di questo album. bella pure la copertina, e bravo Andy per questo.

Inaspettato

Bello bello bello

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

Not my fave music but I appreciate its influence

Superb!

I love this music, excellent ambience and sound. the way it feels like you're existing within a manufactured world created by the sounds of the music. the final track was interstingly a lot of noise, that got more musical and then not, could,ve been rated higher if not for that

El debut de The Velvet Underground (de la mano a la artista francesa Nico), dio el puntapié inicial a una nueva era de experimentación y el nacimiento del "sonido neoyorquino" del rock. Con canciones legendarias como "Femme Fatale", "Venus In Furs", y muchas más, Cale y Reed construyen un LP que revolucionó a la música, difuminando el límite del pop, el buen gusto y la saturación sonora.

Beautiful album. A must listen.

It was awesome!! Except for Nico's warble...

Of it’s time. You can hear why it became a cult classic.

This one was hit and miss for me. Even with the understanding this record influenced many others, I am struggling to grasp its significance.

Excellent album, not my favourite VU but I still love it.

It's dated, but some of the material is still very good. However, the screeching guitar in the middle of Run Run Run was extremely unpleasant. Why would you do that?

Though definitely a bit artsy/experimental (certainly European Son), it is all very approachable folk approach that is more challenging due to lyrical content and some ways it conveys story with pacing (e.g. Heroin). Compelling from start to finish.

3.5 Like Radiohead, this album existed in my head as a thing I was supposed to like that I had never actually listened to. Also like Radiohead, I wouldn't call it the greatest album of all time or give it the hate it gets from the other side of the fence. I generally lean toward less discordant stuff (Sunday Morning is my favorite on here) but Heroin is pretty cool.

For a very influential album it is amazingly shit!

pretty good kinda weird

Imagine being a rebel without a clue in 1967. Warhol has decided to put together a band. He assembles some of the most drugged out experimental musicians on the scene, sticks a German fashion model as the front person alternating with a beat poet whose previous musical success was writing jingles for local radio, and tells them all to go to town. You go down to the local record shop get this disk in your hand. A Warhol banana graces the cover. You pull the vinyl out of the sleeve and put it on your record player. You drop the needle down. And you proceed to have your face melted by some of the most subversive shit you've ever heard in your life. We live in the shadow of this particular art record. While I'm not sure it's great music (though I unabashedly love it), it is absolutely great art. I'll be your mirror is one of the most beautiful messages in any love song ever written. +1 star for Jungian psychology. I mean, who does that? Just gorgeous.

While I'm glad this album is in this list, I have already listened to it. I relistened to it today, and it was still fantastic. I don't know whose quote it is, but the one about 'it wasn't about the commercial success. it only sold 30k copies. but everyone who bought it started a band' very rough paraphrasing but it encapsulates what makes this album great. Highlights: all, but choosing 3, 4, and 7.

Great

This was a better album that the Velvet underground album that I got a few days ago, it’s also better than the Nico album I got a few days ago.

Not every song is perfect, but overall it still stands up 60 years later and there is no denying its greatness

Pretty good. Still enjoyable. Some portions still feel fresh. This feels like one of those albums that casts a long shadow through a lot of different music, but also at the same time I’m feeling “yeah, yeah, you changed music forever, I get it, but I’ve heard you a lot”.

A classic for sure. I remember when I first heard it I didn’t like Nico’s voice, and I’ve since come around on it. Not my favorite VU, that’s already been covered, but any VU record is gonna get high marks from me.

What a great album. I used to not like the Nico tracks, but have come around on them since watching the VU doc.

Well, wasn’t terrible but I do think Lou Reed can sing better than Nico ! Not overwhelmed so 2*

Yep, enjoyed it.

Weird, moody, variable. I dig it.

3.5

Meh

Honestly, some of the sounds on this record are downright obnoxious. Was listening to it at work and then heard a bunch of screeching sounds and was like WTF turn that off.

Classic.

One of the more overrated albums imo. The Nico tracks are pretty diar. Heroin probably the only standout. I get for it's time it was groundbreaking, but unlike a lot of similar groundbreaking albums around that time (from the likes of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Stooges, Sabbath etc.) I don't think it's aged particularly well. It sounds like pretty bland dream-pop that would have been forgotten instantly were it released a decade later. 2.5*

Yes

Finding out the whole album sounds like Femme Fatale was kind of a bummer

At the time of release, this was probably the greatest rock and roll album ever produced. It’s the perfect combination of talent, all the way up and down: mostly written by Lou Reed but with the tenderest songs sung by Nico, backed up by Sterling Morrison on guitar/bass, John Cale on viola/bass, and Maureen Tucker on drums. Produced (mostly) by Tom Wilson, who got his start with eclectic jazz musicians like Sun Ra and Cecil Taylor, then worked with Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel on some of their tenderest folk music, before moving to VU and The Mothers of Invention, who were both sort of jazz/rock/folk fusions. And of course all brought together, managed, and produced by Andy Warhol. While Warhol gets a lot of credit for this album, his impact can’t be understated, and his involvement is way more than just the iconic cover design. The songs are all fantastic, with my favorites being “Sunday Morning”, “Heroin”, and “I’m Waiting for the Man”. I’ll also add that it’s pretty unique for the time period to have a woman drummer, especially in an almost all-male group.

3 based on I’ll be your mirror and Sunday morning. The rest is pretty average.

Can definitely hear how this was influential. Overall a ton of fun to listen to, and enjoyed the range in the tracks.

Was aware of VU but like most everyone else, couldn't name their songs. Nonetheless, VU was a pleasant listening experience although I'd likely not purchase anything. 2/5

I don't understand the hype

I understand how this was cool 6 decades ago, but by today's standards it doesn't hold up for me. That being said, I respect that it's just a bunch of kids doing drugs and making music. 2.5/5

3/5 - Nico was never my bag

Pretty cool considering it was the 60’s. Did it lay the foundation for grunge and alternative music?

It's harsh, but this album is nothing extraordinary. I realize it was 1967 when it came out, but there are just better bands from these times.

Un disco fracasado del que apenas se vendieron unas pocas copias y que luego se ha convertido en una de las mejores y más influyentes de todos los tiempos. Obligatoria su escucha, sin excusas ni condiciones. Desde la mítica portada (Peel slowly and see) hasta la última nota, es imprescindible. Tiene mil historias que contar. Con la colaboración en las voces de la cantante alemana Nico (despreciada por sus propios compañeros de grupo), con la producción de Andy Warhol (que no produjo ni una sola nota)... Clásicos como Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, Heroin, I´m waiting for the man... cualquier canción es un clásico en sí misma. Otras obras enormes editadas ese mismo año 1967: Sgt. Peppers y Magical Mistery Tour, Forever Changes y Da Capo, Surrealistic Pillow, Are you Experienced y Axis:Bold as Love, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Doors, The Who Sell Out, Days of Future Passed, Disraelí Gears, Bee Gees´ First (en realidad el segundo), Younger Than Yesterday, Evolution y Butterfly, I never loved a man the way i love you y Arrives, Something Else, Scott, Wild Honey o Happy Together. Mientras todos estos hablaban sobre campos de fresas y otras cosas (salvo Syd que presentaba sus obsesiones sexuales) la Velvet exloraba un universo de drogas, prostitución, camellos, depravación con enorme acierto melódico.

Boring but Sounds nice. Also Venus in furs is good

By 1967 the “summer of love” was in full swing on the west coast. However, New York has a different, and much darker scene filled with drug use and crime. Lou Reed attempted to capture that on this record. I commend him for discussing these topics in a time where everything was censored music-wise. However, there are some gripes I have with this record. I’m not a Nico fan. I don’t think she ruins the record, but her vocals take away some enjoyment for certain songs imo. The production is also very inconsistent, which is expected for the time. Still some cool stuff on here. The very beginnings of punk, noise rock, and avant-garde.

4/10 generic poppy 60s music

Femme Fatale The rhymes feel lazy. I’m sure everyone who listened to Femme Fatale had one person in mind when they heard it. And what are those awful squeaks and squeals. Annoying. Not enjoyable. Don’t like it.

Incredibly ahead of it's time.

Hooray!

A bit psychedelic, liked the guitars more than the vocals.

I don't know about this. Like everyone else I've been preached to about this album for years, but I just don't get it. Some of the tracks are great, some are filler, and some feature Niko prominently, and should be ignored.

Art rock. Not really enjoyable but that’s not the point

heroin

60’s easy listening soft rock.

Not bad.

Overrated crap

Trash

#202. This very much does not do it for me. They seem to be trying real extra hard to be artsy or whatever. I don't know if they accomplished that, but I certainly don't like it. A few of the songs sounded almost intentionally bad. Don't want, please. 2/5: nope Song added to playlist: Sunday Morning I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

Ostentiously hip. I liked Venus in Furs more than the rest of this album, but the whole thing was almost aggressively laid-back.

While I can appreciate their influence on music as a whole and how different they were when they came out, it still did not overshadow how grating I find Lou Reed's voice. The music other than the vocals was enjoyable. I am well acquainted with vocals that are outside of the traditionally appreciated track, but Lou just doesn't do it for me.

aleady listened to it. pretty good

I liked a handful of the songs, but many were very uninteresting and faded into the background.

I remember thinking this album was pretty good, but on todays first listen, i was so unbelievably annoyed by the closing track European Son. Thats not a song, its a bunch of people mashing their instruments until a song ends. Woeful song, tainted my opinion on everything that came before, not just on this album, but in life

A seminal work in the history of Rock amd Roll.

This actually made me angry listening to it. I don't care that it was influential. I hate the way it sounds.

I've never heard of this album before and so I had no expectations (as with most albums on this list to be honest). I really did enjoy it! It started quite strong and while maybe it got a bit weaker for me at the end, I think I would listen to it again.

Great songs all-round, very influential sound as well

lou reed

An insanely influential and creative album. Still stands out today as a unique album with a lot of variety, and can only imagine what it must have felt like to listeners in the 60s. Stand out tracks for me include Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, Run Run Run, Heroin and I'll Be Your Mirror.

- I am not shocked that this was not commercially successful in 1967. There are some truly experimental moments on this record and you can feel the Velvet Underground pushing into what what would be more psychedelic rock. That being said, some of those moments, while interesting, are not particularly fun to listen to. - "Heroin" is fantastic. (Never thought I would say that.) Easily the best track. - Found "The Black Angel's Death Song" to be somewhat aggravating. And "European Son" goes on way too long. I see where the thought was behind both, they are never mindless, but I also was not feeling the groove.

3.5/5. Good, but not as good as people make it seem. Maybe I have to listen to this more...

Apparently, I don't know any songs from this album but felt like I knew this group. It was a nice trip back to the 60s and the roots of alternative rock. The guitar work was good. I appreciate the composition of this album even though I may not listen again.

Not a fan. It was okay for the 60s, but nothing too interesting for me.

Three key points make this a 5 star masterpiece you should listened to before you die. 1. Light years ahead of its time. 2. Arguably the most influential album of all time. 3. A commercial flop. "Everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band!” Brian Eno

already a top fave of mine. Excited to revisit!

I think I may have had one of these guys' albums before. Nope. I guess not. Funny, one of the last songs on the David Bowie album, was Andy Warhol. I'm enjoying this album! I feel like I'm listening to different artists with each song. This one called Venus in Furs has a definite 60s sound but it reminds me of The Doors. Heroin reminded me of Bob Dylan for some reason. I really liked this album. Especially I'll Be Your Mirror. I sent it to Kimberly. 4 stars wish we could de half stars. It would have been 4.5.

What can I say? It's iconic, but I can't listen to it every day.

I don't really like Nico, sorry.

always a classic... listened to many times over the years

this one is really not for me. i couldn’t connect with the music at all and i’ve never been a fan of the talk singing people from this period used. sorry i know it’s a classic, but it’s not for me.

I've already heard "Heroin" off this album, which serves as a prime example of the psychedelic rock on display. The tone can swing from easy breezy pop to uptempo rockers and lyrics of sexuality and drug use. Your enjoyment of this album may vary depending on how much you tolerate the experimentation and the vocals as Lou Reed's deadpan delivery and Nico's contralto singing are not everyone's cup of tea. For those who can handle it, it's a solid recommendation.

For an album I knew I didn’t like, I’m surprised about the number of songs I recognised from their opening chords alone (Venus in Furs, All Tomorrow’s Parties, Heroin). A part of it, I suppose, is that supposedly great albums need not be spectaculars; they just need to change the way people listen to and play music. ‘Just’.

The Velvet Underground & Nico 5 / 5 Well, it’s drug music isn’t it? Often cited as the most influential rock music album of all time. From 1967. Things are minimal and they drone on and on. All the vocalists are very mello. Sometimes very matter of fact. Almost bored. It’s mostly mellow and abrasive at the same time. Sometimes I hear touches of contemporaries …The Byrds (I get Byrds vibes more than once during the record, but it’s just a sliver or the overall sound), Jefferson Airplane, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys…Garage Rock. It feels like a majority of the album is the repetitive spell inducing minimal hypnotic rock. And there’s freak outs.

Never heard this type of early alternative music. I think most of the songs are about a min too long. Not a fan of super repetative stuff. It's ok 3/5

This was awful to listen to. I couldn't get through it.

Ahead of its time with a really interesting sound. I listened twice and it grew on me the second time. I think it will continue to get better with additional listens.

Nico singing makes me puke.

Unbekannt

“The Velvet Underground were largely ignored during heir original run from the mid-'60s into the early '70s“ - so maybe in a decade or two after a first listen I’ll appreciate them more? in the meantime I can be a bit underwhelmed. There are definitely some enjoyable tracks here but the album as a whole I can’t endorse when it includes the unpleasant listening experiences of heroin and European son along the way.

Can't work with it on. Few bangers. Few songs that were too hard work.

I absolutely love the song Heronie, and I do like Lou Reed (except when he is channelling Bob Dylan) I know this is another beloved band, but I just don't get it. The track 'All Tomorrows Parties' seemed just to drone on forever. Not a fan. These stars are both for Heroine

Not convinced this is worth the hype. For years I've been told I'd love this album, but this is my first proper listen through and while most of it is fine, its only that at best. At worst its me skipping songs with jarring scratchy bits and discordant notes. Maybe I would have felt differently if I'd heard it when it came out? I guess listening to it amongst the other mid-late 60s drug-filled, sitar-enhanced rock makes it feel pretty underwhelming.

Very famous album which I had never listened to before but was surprisingly okay

Interesting album. Never listened to them before.

3.75 stars. A very gritty and experimental rock album. Nico's voice is so beautiful. "I'll Be Your Mirror" is wonderful. You can definitely hear the influence of this album in different rock and alternative groups today.

Need more drugs to listen to this Neil Young/Bob Dylan wanna be stuff.

Great album calm but fun at the same time!

I like this album very much! It is in the top of my favorite albums! Masterpiece! Music and voice are amazing!

2024-04-05...

A solid collection of songs with a heavily "late 60s" musical style, but perhaps more risqué and experimental than was the norm. And yet, if you go beyond the surface, you'll realise how monumentally influential this music actually was, despite its poor sales when it was released. Yeah, sure, everyone talks about how important this album is as a landmark in music history. But there's a reason this is so universally accepted. It's because it's true. Chronologically, one of the first-ever albums to dive headfirst into lyrical (and, in a sense, musical) themes of drug addiction, sex (addiction?), prostitution, masochism, and more. For the 60s, the Velvet Underground and Nico were light-years ahead of its peers. Pretty dang cool album cover too – instantly recognisable, mysterious, and just plain strange. One of Andy Warhol's finest contributions to music. Plus, you just have some genuinely fantastic songs. The album moves effortlessly from the beautiful, airy, music box-like lullaby Sunday Morning to classic grungy underground rock tracks (I'm Waiting For The Man, Run Run Run, There She Goes Again) to exotic mystery (Venus In Furs) to pretty 60s ballads (Femme Fatale, I'll Be Your Mirror) to some seriously impressive experimental rock epics (Heroin, European Son). It's a versatile mix, with a couple apparent instances of new genres being created on the spot. An otherwise 4-star experimental rock album, pushed off the charts when you consider historical context. 5/5

Two Velvet underground albums in three days.. At least we got the good one last.

This is so much better than the VU album that popped up last week. A few genuine classics on here which I'm sure changed some of the trends in pop music back in the day.

Not my cup of tea.

Excellent.

I have previously scored a Nico album poorly and White Light / White heat. Thisalbum though is a classic and all the things right about The Velevt Undergound. Without listening to this again I know its a 5/5. Every song on the album is a classic. The opening 2 songs are so powerful. Heroin is unreal!! All classics. Favourite song: The black angels death song Least favourite song: There is not a bad song on the album Album artwork: could even be the best album artwork ever

The year is 2005 and I'm in the driver seat of my Ford focus sedan. My best friend Dan is in the passenger seat and his girlfriend Sonya, is in the back seat. We're headed to the Green Day concert American idiot tour. I have this album playing on our way to the show. Sunday morning comes on. You know the first song and Sonya in the back seat says "what the f*** is this gay ass s***?! F**in f*g music. Turn it off" I tried to expound the fact that without Lou Reed, we might not have Green Day or pop punk at all but she wasn't having none of my Longview historical perspective. Well needless to say Dan and Sonya didn't last very long after that but our love for velvet underground and Nico live on. Wherever you wound up, Sonya, I wish you the best

This album made me think I was a Gonzo journalist like Hunter Thompson. I would go round James's at about midday and we would drink whisky in teacups and pretend to like it before making a nuisance of ourselves. We would cut ea mother's hair, shoplift and smoke embassy cigarettes with Freddie. I 💭 get i'd be a writer or a painter. None of this is relevant, I just listened to it a lot. Lou Reed's strained, charismatic voice, nicos hairy but vulnerable posture, John Cales cacophonous, wailing guitar. I don't know the others to be fair. This album made you feel marginal in an exhilarating way, expressive.

Sunday Morning 3.8 I'm Waiting for the Man 4 Femme Fatale 3.9 Venus in Furs 4 Run Run Run 3.5 All Tomorrow's Parties 3.4 Heroin 4 There She Goes Again 3.7 I'll Be Your Mirror 3.3 The Black Angel's Death Song 2.7 European Son 2 Score 3.481818182

I've tried to like this album but I just don't. It's a slow burner that never gets me too excited. Overrated in my opinion.

Not my thing - too noisy & grungy in a way I'm not fond of.

I liked Sunday Morning a lot, but was not a fan of most of the songs after that.

Очень сложно оценивать данную запись. Если не брать в голову ее историческую значимость, то это просто неплохой арт-софистик-поп. Но ежели мы все таки углубляемся в историю то выясняем что этот альбом породил такое количество групп и жанров что становится даже как то неловко. Брайан Ино как то сказал: "каждый кто купил хотя бы одну пластинку из первого выпуска продаж этого альбома позже собрал группу". Видимо в этом и есть значимость этой записи то что для меня звучит местами скучно и сухо хоть и изящно сыграно для слушателей того времени было откровением. По итогу, можно сказать, что эта пластинка тот случай, когда я вопреки себе поставлю 4 но это исключительно из благодарности за всю ту музыку которую она породила в будущем так сказать респект ветерану и спасибо за всё)))

Cool

The Velvet Underground & Nico: A Banana Peel on the Highway of Rock The Velvet Underground's 1967 debut album, with its iconic Andy Warhol banana plastered on the cover, is a landmark record. There's no denying its influence. It casts a long shadow over alternative rock, punk, and even noise music. But for all its historical weight, The Velvet Underground & Nico isn't always an easy listen. The album is a jarring mix of beauty and abrasion. "Sunday Morning" shimmers with a fragile hope, while "European Son" descends into a discordant howl. Lou Reed's vocals are as detached as a bystander on a subway, narrating tales of drugs, sex, and the fringes of society. These themes were shocking back then, and the music still retains a raw, edgy quality. Here's a mind-boggling fact: Some frogs have a truly unique way of seeing the world. Their eyes can actually retract into their skulls! This allows them to swallow large prey and even see underwater. Nature is wild, right? However, the album's charm can be an acquired taste. The lo-fi recording and unconventional song structures can feel like an acquired taste. Nico's Teutonic vocals, while adding a haunting counterpoint, can be a bit of a downer at times. Overall: The Velvet Underground & Nico is an important album, a true original. But its brilliance isn't always immediate. It's more like a banana peel on the highway of rock - unexpected, disruptive, and potentially messy. If you're looking for a smooth ride, this might not be it. But if you're open to a challenging and influential listen, The Velvet Underground & Nico rewards perseverance. 3 out of 5 stars.

With the Nico album coming up here the other day it made me think a lot about this one, the myths and the legends involved in its making. Say what you want about Lou reed but the guy was an arteeste. Nico was definitely Warhols muse for a minute but this record changed the landscape of NYC for better and for worse. Heroin too but whatever. I love songs that tell a story and this album is full of them. Waiting for the Man is all about waiting for the next fix and Venus in Furs is so sexy it feels illegal. Nico’s songs aren’t too bad but again her vocals aren’t my favorite but good on them for trying, eh? John Cale is a friggin genius and I wish the guy got more props. They all do tons of weird shit here and for 1967 it was unheard of. Bunch of strung out but beautiful people slumming it in a loft painting and recording? Jeez man. Insanely impressive music here. Early experimental industrial sounds inspired a whole separate no wave movement and the track Heroin proves that dissonance in sound can be just as emotive as music. Automatic 5 stars.

Better than Nico solo, but just not for me.

I was introduced to the Velvet Underground through R.E.M.'s cover songs before I was even a teenager. I bought this album then, and never clicked with it. Glad I listened to it again 30+ years later because this indeed lives up to the hype. This album features so much experimentation for the era; studio tricks, layers of instrumentation, stereo panning, improvised jams. There's so much here to digest. So much beauty, but it's also juxtaposed by an ugly chaos in many places. I think I respond most to the idea that these are musicians truly creating. Nothing by the numbers here. This is art, and I'm here for it.

have heard the albums over a hundred times since my senior year in high school

I understand there are not 1,001 great albums.

Couple of good songs

In and of itself, this an earth-shattering album. I do get how this influenced so much to come after it though - the lines of Indie and punk are in there. Favorite songs are perhaps the simplest and closest to conventional - I'll Be Your Mirror. Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale. Run Run Run sounds the most of it's time. The rest get very experimental.

picks up a banana, peel it, eats it, gives a 5, refuses to elaborate.

Casi un 5. Pero la última canción es muy pesada. Me gustan There She Goes Again y Femme Fatale.

This is rock and everything that followed. Everyone should listen to this album at least once in their lives.

No sire. I didn't like it. Sounds like a pop band with a lead sing impersonating Bob Dylan. Badly.

I have banana album on a T-shirt. Masterpiece and deeply influential, the bands that this record created.

Nico and the banana cover is the only things saving this from a 1. So annoying.

A favourite of mine. When I first encountered this album I wasn’t ready for it but after repeated listened it just clicked. I don’t need to take drugs if I can just listen to Heroin whenever I want.

Nico, my dark dark German angel.

Really enjoyed this. Love the distinctive vocals of Lou Reed. A band so ahead of its time. Cannot believe this album was made nearly 60 years ago, still sounds so fresh. It's little wonder that they influenced so many music genres and so many bands were created on the influence they provided. Amazing.

I’ve never understood the Lou Reed hype. Adding Nico to this only made something I already don’t like worse. Not a fan

I do really enjoy the attitude and textures present here. I also really enjoy the somewhat schizophrenic jumping between not only Reed's sneering croon and Nico's poe-faced warbles, but the cheery pop lullaby-esque cuts (Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, There She Goes Again, All Tomorrows Parties, and Ill Be Your Mirror) contrasted with the more fuzzed out, droning rockers. (Waiting...The Man, Venus In Furs, Run Run Run, Heroin, Black Angel...Song) So in terms of balancing tone and creating atmoaphere this record is brilliant. But as a whole experience I have nevwr been able to completely get past my desire for some editing here and there. The monotonous drone stuff works on Heroin, Black Angel, and Venus in Furs. But Run, Waiting, and European Son kinda show all their cards in the forst 2:30 and I would be happy with a courteous fade out, frankly. Its a minor quibble, but one I can't look past given this records stature. Ultimately it is a very strange and affecting trip, but one that could be stronger with about 16-18 minutes cut out of it. Get it down to that nice 42 minute mark and it would be ALL killer. Dont do dope kids.

Best song - Sunday Morning

Вчера Лу Рид - а сегодня банан! Великая обложка великому альбому. В моем любимом ревью автор утверждает: это не столько про технический прогресс, сколько про открытую дверь для всех любимых групп, вроде The Stooges, Joy Division, Can и так далее, и целых жанров, типа нойз-рока или инди-рока в целом. При всей авангардности, этот альбом по уши забит реальными хитами, песнями, которые может полюбить как забитый RYM-нерд, поставивший пять звездочек каждому альбому Porcupine Tree, так и человек со здоровой кукухой. Когда впервые услышал этот альбом (не из-за его важности, не из-за знакомства с Нико или тем же Лу Ридом, не из-за жанровых предпочтений - исключительно из-за банана), мой шифер затрещал от песни Heroin - от того, что так можно. А ведь там есть море прямых песен, которые отлично заходят под гитару, которые можно выть во всю глотку. Лучшая песня - Heroin.

One of the best

Good

A classic album.

3.5

Experimentelles Werk von Andy Warhol und einer Deutschen Sängerin. Manches ist gelungen aber manches aber auch ein Griff ins WC. Ich verspüre trotz großer Namen keinen Drang zu Wiederhören.

This album has some of my all time favorite tunes. Nico's voice is incredibly powerful. The songwriting is perfect. Ill be your mirror was my wedding song. Would give it 6 stars if I could.

good! Really very weird for a classic.

Not my taste in music but couple of songs were ok

good shit (mostly)! a couple of non interesting ones, but mostly good stuff.

This album influenced so many other artists, but I found it hard to listen to.

Love this album.

Utter banger. Incredible mix of atonality and drone with spoken word and more classic rock.

As Brian Eno said, everyone who bought an original copy of this album started a band. The Velvet Underground’s first album contains the origins of punk, Krautrock, post-punk, shoegaze, etc. and is considered one of the earliest art rock albums. The music takes earlier and contemporary rock influences, and transforms them into something deliberate, dark, and explorative. The lyrics take on sex, drugs, and the underbelly of the 60s in New York City. Nico’s contribution adds something ethereal with an edge. This album is in a word, essential.

*it's not bad but sometimes it's boring and sometimes the discordant harmonies are too discordant and the lead singer's voice begins to grate. the guitars are good tho 4/7

Historic album! The beggining of Lou Reed and John Cale

Klassiskt omslag. Det är Nico som gör plattan vass!

good

So close to a perfect score. Brilliant 4.9

This album was a chore to listen to.

The VU at their experimental peak courtesy of the fabulous John Cale (and a good deal of his "jetliner" viola). After the sheen and serene of "Sunday Morning" which just about evokes the feelings of lingering on in the early hours after a drug fueled evening - that is, reveling in the afterglow - the listener is treated to everything that leads to that point from Reed's view of the seedy streets of NYC, including scoring and shooting up some horse. The soundscape is occasionally chaotic, but such is life; the same can be said of Nico's almost robotic vocals, which add some character with their drone. An absolute emotional tour de force; imagine being such a square that you don't "get" it?

Experimental in sound, it's trying to explore a lot of different genres. Maybe they pioneered some of these sounds that went on to be better refined, but feels like a demo tape. Guitar sounds like me playing after 6 beers.

Ah...the sixties. The experimentation. The confidence. The chemicals. The Velvet Underground.

Some solid songs on here but some questionable production. Some of the high pitched screeching noises hurt my ears. I realize it was made in '67 but I think they probably could have avoided the high pitched noises. I also think I have some Nico PTSD from the last Nico record. I find her music so incredibly boring. I think this is more a record to hand pick songs. Listening to the whole thing through really kind of hurt my ears.

I can't remember the first time I listened to this album, but I do know that I've probably listened to it like 100 times. Its noisy, and weirdly produced, but I love it. I love how it starts with the gem of Sunday Morning and then goes into I'm Waiting for the Man. I like how Lou Reed always sounds intense and lazy at the same time. Run Run Run is such a jam, while Heroine always gives me the chills. Its so visceral. I know it's heresy, but if there was anything to knock, it'd be Femme Fatale and Venus in Furs. I get what they were doing with Nico but I almost always skip her songs. This record can give you a headache or it can be the best road trip album of all time.

I recognize this album cover, but I’ve never listened to a Velvet Underground album before. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to even one song of theirs. Needless to say, I went into this album not really knowing what to expect. The lead-off song “Sunday Morning” really hooked me in with Lou Reed’s vocals and the tinkling of the celeste. “I’m Waiting for the Man” was good too; I liked the change in tempo from “Sunday Morning” and the fuzzy guitar distortion. “Femme Fatale” was good too, and a good introduction to Nico’s vocals. “Venus in Furs” and “Run Run Run” had some really good guitar playing too. But my favorite songs on the album were “All Tomorrow's Parties” and “Heroin.” “All Tomorrow’s Parties” is exactly what I want in a psychedelic rock song: weird and abstract lyrics, guitars tuned to almost sound like a sitar, and jangling piano playing. “Heroin” on the other hand, was fantastic because of the way the frantic ebb and flow of the music matched the story being told in the lyrics. The structure of “Heroin” was so obvious in a way, but the way the song was written never made it feel like the band was phoning it in or just trying to take a free ride by singing about a taboo topic. “There She Goes Again” and “I’ll Be Your Mirror” were great, and I especially liked Nico’s singing on the latter. Unfortunately, the album ended on a whimper for me, because the last two songs were far and away my least favorites on the album. There was a grating, repeating sound on “The Black Angel’s Death Song” that really annoyed me, and “European Son” had some really sharp high-pitched sounds that I didn’t care for, even though I liked the manic guitar playing. Overall though, I think this album is fantastic. It’s wild to me to think about how this was recorded in the late sixties, but you can hear how it influenced post punk and early alternative rock. I can’t imagine Sonic Youth or Pixies existing without this album’s influence. I wasn’t blown away by this album on my first listen, but I listened to it a couple more times, and it really grew on me. This isn’t an album that I’m likely to be drawn back to, but it’s incredibly influential, and I think it’s just an objectively good album, but I can see how it may not land with everyone.

4.5 stars. I like this experimental/art take on folk rock. Just unconventional and weird/grating enough to be interesting but still highly listenable. Bob Dylan-esque singing and lyrics. "Run Run Run" different from rest of album but catchy and good. Standouts are "Sunday Morning", "Heroin", and personal favorite is "Venus in Furs".

früher eher belanglos gefunden, heute bin ich darüber erfreut, wie hier so manches dröhnt, nicht zusammen passt und kratzt

Mucke cool, aber Nico

Roh, zärtlich, pur, authentisch

One of my all time favorite albums.

classic, banana

yeah hell yeah

Please

Groundbreaking but not quite a 5.

1. Sunday Morning - I’ve never understood why this song isn’t talked about as being on the same level as I’m Waiting for the Man or Heroin, or one of the others that are considered highlights of this album. Great album opener, great song. 2. I’m Waiting for the Man - It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that, when this album came out, music with this kind of subject matter was just basically non existent. In that context, this song is amazing. In a world where VU’s grittiness has long since been surpassed, this song is merely a very good song. 3. Femme Fatale - I wish this has been recorded a little more cleanly. This song is so mellow and that’s really undercut by the amount of distortion in the mix. It also makes it difficult to hear Nico’s voice during the verses. 4. Venus in Furs - does that thing that great experimentalish music can do - evoking things that you can’t quite put into words. 5. Run Run Run - maybe the weakest song in here? It’s fine but sounds fairly conventional, especially compared to the rest of the album. Also, they’re a Who song with the same title, that also sounds kind of similar, but it’s also way better, which probably plays against this song. 6. All Tomorrow’s Parties - forgot how good this song is. 7. Heroin - There’s probably nothing left to say about this song, but it’s as good as its reputation suggests. 8. There She Goes Again - pleasant, but one of the albums lesser songs. 9. I’ll Be Your Mirror - kicking Nico out was a mistake. 10. The Black Angel’s Death Song - people compare Lou Reed to Bob Dylan, but Lou Reed talk-singing projects swagger and coolness to a way greater degree than Bob Dylan. I kind of feel like Patti Smith is the better analog for him than Dylan. Anyways, this song made me realize that. 11. European Son - Alrighty 4 minutes into this song, which should have ended 2 minutes ago and has 3 minutes left to go. This album is great, but this is getting into the kind of thing that bugs me with Sonic Youth and bands like that. It’s the same impulse that drives prog rock and free jazz, but from people who don’t have that level of music proficiency, but the same boundless confidence that their musical fuckery is something that people simply must heart. —- Overall, this album is pretty stunning. Rightly regarded as a decade ahead of its time and with maybe the craziest ratio of sales to influence ever. I’m caught between wishing that some of the rough edges - the harsh audio engineering, Mo Tucker’s “unconventional” drums, etc. - were sanded down, and recognizing that the rough edges are part of the point. I wonder if this same album with cleaner production and a more typical drummer would lose its impact. I can see a good argument for it, but later VU albums and Lou Reed’s solo stuff are both produced more cleanly and (at least in the case of Reed’s solo stuff) have more professional-sounding rhythm sections, and the impact is still palpable. I’d definitely listen to it more if that was the case, but I’m also kind of ambivalent about more abrasive avant garde stuff.

Weird trip. Loved it, love Lou Reed.

What a boring monotonous album

I came in expecting it to be some over hyped hipster pretentious bs, and even if it was, I ended up being surprised that it was really enjoyable. The kind of music you play on a chill afternoon. I will keep this album in my library to impress Alt girls with low self steem. "Oh yea the banana album? Best album ever babe hands down, wyd rn tho?" EZ clap

Boring

Such a classic, lovely album.

Classic

Fine. Early Wes Anderson slow motion vibes.

Favorite Track: Venus in Furs 🪞💉🏃‍♂️💨

Mixed feelings about this one. I like the sound but it starts to wander into repetitive, in the middle of the record . Then in the end they find a way to make it a little more interesting bar for the last song which I couldn't care for . Overall a good record that sometimes has tracks that wander between too short or a bit longer than expected . Favourite track - "I'll be your mirror"

good but showing its age a bit. Japan's "All Tomorrow's Parties" cover is still better though ....

Bumping this in my Subaru Legacy before a night of debauchery.

unpleasant to the ears

A good album, I especially liked the classic Run, Run, Run and All tomorrow's parties. Will definitely listen to more of their songs.

Could not get into this at all. Stopped 3 songs in.

Nico already got a 1 for the solo album, and she further reduced the rating on this one

Meh

Summary: It's very slow, and doesn't go anywhere most of the time. Type of stuff my grandma be bumpin'. I can respect it for what it is, but I won't be coming back to listen to it. I like the banana. Sunday Morning: 6/10. Meh. doesn't really go anywhere. Fine instrumentals with bleh vocals. I'm waiting for the man: 3/10. Just the same shit for 4:39 minutes. Ending is kinda neat. Femme Fatal: 5/10. Chorus is catchy. Distortion on instruments is distracting. Venus in Furs: 4/10. Boring. Feels like I'm in a vikings march. Run Run Run: 3/10. Gave me tinnitus from the guitar. Just fucking hurts my right ear. That being said, guitar is the saving grace for this song. Gets me groovin a bit. All tomorrow's parties: 4/10. Bleh. Doesn't do anything worth note. Heroin: 5/10. Finally a song that does stuff. Not a fan of the sheer amount of noise in this song. Was fine until like the 6min mark. Idk its whatever. Getting a LITTLE tired of the style of this album already. There she goes again: 6/10. I think my favorite so far. Im not sure how much I payed attention to it, but I think it was a nice sound. Ill be your mirror: 6/10. Pleasant little diddy. Slow tune. Inoffensive. The black angles death song: 5/10. no notes. is lame. European son: ?/10. I'm tapping out. Can't finish this.

Bestaat er een iconischere hoes dan deze? Als je denkt aan the Velvet Underground schiet eerst Lou Reed naar binnen, en daarna de banaan. Ik ben fan van Lou Reed - omdat ie nooit angstig geweest om te experimenteren, innoveren sex-drugs-rock'n'roll onderwerpen in zijn teksten te verwerken, muziekstijlen te mixen. The list goes on. Lou Reed klinkt zo tijdloos. 57 jaar geleden kwam dit album uit. Maar wat gaan veel nummers nog goed mee anno 2024. Ik had eens gelezen dat Victoria Legrand van Beach House haar stemgeluid heeft vergeleken met dat van Nico. En ik kan me daar heel goed in vinden. Uniek, en vult de vocalen op een nummer als Femme Fatale goed in. Ze klinkt ook echt als een Femme Fatale. De psychedelica van de plaat is goed te vinden in Venus in Furs. De elektrische viool doet het klinken alsof je compleet verdwaald door de straten van Kathmandu aan het strompelen bent na een stevige trek van de opiumpijp. Bij Run Run Run moet ik een beetje denken aan een mix van the Rolling Stones (Parachute Woman) en the Doors (Five to One). Een nummer dat wat kenmerkender klinkt voor die tijd. Het nummer Heroin komt denk ik aardig dichtbij het ervaren van een echte heroinehigh. Het versnellende tempo refereert natuurlijk naar een snel bonzend euforisch heroinehart. Toch is het natuurlijk een twijsnijdend zwaard. En dat laat de band horen in de laatste 2 minuten. Euforie maakt plaats voor chaos en gruwel. Don't do drugs kids. Onder andere European Son had ik nog nooit gehoord. Je hoort het ontstaan van de noiserock. Heel plezierig is het eerlijk gezegd niet om langdurig naar te luisteren. Toch heel invloedrijk, en dus boeiend. Het folk-achtige I'll Be Your Mirror is uniek met zijn valse gitaarstukjes, liefdevolle rustige melodie en de toch wat griezelige stem van Nico (vooral voor zo'n soort nummer). Leuke ontdekking! I'm Waiting For The Man, Heroin, I'll Be Your Mirror Rating: 8/10

Normaal hou ik het kort... maar dit dissonante, fascinerende, betoverende, en geregeld onaangename schilderwerk van Andy Warhol & Co vereist wat extra aandacht. Het is een album dat zijn eerste jaren na release in de obscuriteit van de musical underbelly van New York doorbracht. Een misfit in het tijdperk van zinloze oorlogen en sociale spanningen, waarin het volk meer een uitweg vond in de escapistische psychedelische muziek, die stond voor persoonlijke vrijheid en de geestverruimende middelen die daar bij hielpen. Terwijl de meeste rock bands het leven vierden en de soundtrack vormden voor de Summer of Love, hielt The Velvet Underground een spiegel voor om te laten zien dat de horrors van een Vietnam Oorlog zich ook gewoon afspeelden in de donkere steegjes van de Amerikaanse stad. Het is een vreemde eend in de bijt als je dit album naast z'n tijdsgenoten legt, en dat dit in 1966 is opgenomen blijft een wereldwonder. Amerika was destijds nog niet klaar voor dit geluid, of wilde simpelweg niet geconfronteerd worden met de thema's. Het zorgde voor een stroeve relatie, maar op de lange termijn bleek de kleine splash van z'n release een tsunami van invloed te hebben op de alternatieve muziekscene. Zoals samengevat in de klassieke quote van Brian Eno: "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band". Waar het album in zijn eerste levensjaren op weinig erkenning kon rekenen, werd hij rond de jaren 80 beetje bij beetje blootgesteld aan een breder publiek. Dit bredere publiek besefte toen dat veel van de genres die destijds zelfs op populaire radiostations te horen waren al in hun primitieve vorm langskwamen in het werk van The Velvet Underground, zo'n 15 jaar eerder. Foreshadowing kun je het bijna noemen. De band is proto-alles, wat toe te wijden is aan het lef om ver over de grens te gaan qua sounds en topics die toentertijd acceptabel waren. Dat is hun grootste deugd. Tegenwoordig is het echter weer cool om dit album te typeren als doelloos gerammel en zinloos gezever, zie ook het gros van de negatieve reviews op deze site. Ik sluit me toch nog steeds aan bij het eerste, en ik vind dat het album staat voor tomeloze inventiviteit van het niveau Sgt. Pepper. Minder verfijnd, uiteraard, maar dat is het resultaat van de durf die werd getoond. The Beatles zongen vrij indiscreet over risqué onderwerpen als LSD, terwijl Lou Reed in 1966 op de proppen kwam met een angstaanjagend en paranoïde ballade als een metafoor voor een heroïne rush. Raad maar welke van de twee een genot is voor de zintuigen, en welke overkomt als doelloos gerammel voor virgin ears. En het schappelijke van de band is dat ze bij tijd en wijle je oren de verdiende rust geven, nadat ze meermaals worden verkracht door de snijdende violen en gitaren. 'Sunday Morning' is de opener, die daar zonder twijfel tactisch is geplaatst om de luisteraar te laten denken dat hij weer te maken heeft met zo'n vredelievende '67 popband. Al laten de lyrics al wel een sinistere ondertoon doorschijnen. De psychedelische vocalen, de mellow gitaar, en de wolkerige percussies, het zou een blauwdruk worden voor het dream pop genre van een jaar of 20 later. De kalme vibe horen we ook terug in 'Femme Fatale', die Nico introduceert. Een relatief toegankelijk én zeer verslavend folk-pop nummertje, dat klinkt als een Franse new wave film. Maar dat andere moment waarin Nico de lead pakt, 'I'll Be Your Mirror', is mijn favoriet. De toon van haar stem is bijna ongemakkelijk, en het accent moddervet, maar op één of andere manier klikt het volledig met het liefelijke en ietwat naïeve gitaarspel van Lou. Echter moet ik voor mijn absolute highlights van deze plaat toch echt zoeken in het grauwe en grimmige repertoire. 'Venus In Furs' is een afschuwwekkend stuk over onderwerpen die het daglicht tijdens de Summer of Love niet zagen. Voor het eerst maken we echt kennis met de ijskoude elektrische viool van John Cale, die in combinatie met de bloedstollende percussie en stompende trommels van Maureen Tucker zorgt voor een ambiance alsof je aanwezig bent bij één of ander demonisch ritueel. Hoe de instrumenten de griezelige vocalen van Lou bijstaan nadert perfectie. Ik ben obsessief verliefd op dit nummer, wat toch wel zorgwekkend is gezien het thema. 'The Black Angel's Death Song' voelt als een verlengstuk hierop, en zoekt nog meer de dissonantie op. Een unsettling en bleek nummer, waar bands als Swans en Sonic Youth decennia later nog steeds inspiratie uit lijken te halen. Het is een album die je voortdurend op het puntje van de stoel houdt. Ogenschijnlijk aandoenlijke popnummers als 'I'm Waiting For The Man' en 'There She Goes Again' worden opgepompt met smerige gitaren, hypnotiserende drumloops en zenuwslopend piano gepingel, waardoor ze de luisteraar vaak extatisch en mogelijk met een gevoel van walging achterlaten. Eind jaren '60 vond het equivalent van de Cambrische explosie plaats in de muziekwereld, maar bijna geen organisme was zo lelijk en afstotelijk als The Velvet Underground. Echter was het wel de levensvorm die zich in de luwte van magnifieke wezens zeer efficiënt wist voort te planten. Dit gewaagde kunstwerk stond aan het begin van de tree of life van een waanzinnig scala aan alternatieve muziek waar we vandaag de dag nog steeds het nazaat van zien rondlopen, en daar moeten we ze dankbaar voor zijn. Het geklooi in 'European Son' had niet gehoeven, en 'Heroin' had de afsluiter moeten zijn, maar desondanks een 10/10, natuurlijk. Highlights: Venus In Furs Heroin I'll Be Your Mirror Sunday Morning

Ik heb mezelf betrapt op het overmatig gebruik van het woord iconisch. Dit zal ook nog vaak terugkomen verwacht ik. Maar het is veelzeggend dat ook bij dit album 'iconisch' als eerste in mij opkwam. Iets wordt (volgens mij) iconisch als het staat voor iets anders, iets groters. En ik denk dat dat bij uitstek in de popcultuur heel belangrijk iets. Het gaat daarbij juist om de herkenbaarheid voor een grote groep, een aanzienlijk deel van de bevolking. En dit album is daar zo'n onwijs treffend voorbeeld. De muziek is een kunstwerkje, maar destijds zeer beperkt gewaardeerd. Het Andy Warhol kunstwerk op de cover is een klassiek stukje popcultuur. En als invloed in de muziekgeschiedenis is the Velvet Underground & Nico zelf ook een pop kunstwerk geworden. De invloed en bekendheid van dit album en de band overstijgt de kwaliteit van het muziekstuk zelf, al is die ook van hoog niveau. Dat maakt deze plaat (en band) uniek en verdient het een hoge score. 9/10 Highlights Im waiting for the man Heroin

Enjoyed much more than I thought I would after reading the Bio. I would have put this as a 3 if not for the screeching noises throughout the album.

I liked some songs (didn't care enough to check the names though), found the rest of them mid and the last one too abrasive. Also it teaches to peel a banana the wrong way

im kinda fw it Venus In Furs was really nice

Amazing

nico kinda ruined what they had going on

Some stuff in here I like. I get how it was groundbreaking at the time, and divisive. Some cool stuff here. I'll probably check it out again someday. Not blown away, but not really my kind of music at the moment. Overall, definitely worth a listen.

Fantastic. All Tomorrow's Parties just wouldn't be the same without Nico's wooden emotionless delivery.

One of the greatest albums ever!

Great

swag

Holy shit, this album is so boring. 2/10.

Absolute masterpiece. An album that is always in rotation.

One of those bands where it is interesting how they didn't catch on originally and became "Your favorite band's favorite band" in the 70's and 80's and caught on as a result of it. The stripped down sound of the album appeals to me, with an almost folkish quality to some of it due to the sing-speak style. As with anything a bit experimental there are highs and lows, but overall a lot to like. Highlights - Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting for the Man, Run Run Run

Classic, first listened to this one in high school

i was looking forward to this one but unfortunately i just didn't like it! every song went on way too long and was grating/repetitive/unpleasant to listen to. i do like nico's voice. but in terms of "did i have a good time listening to it?" the answer is no.

this is a classic album with iconic artwork. but is it a good album? the jury's still out on this. anyway, i wrote up some thoughts as i was listening to this at work: sunday morning - good opener, liked this waiting for the man - too long and too boring. more like “waiting for the song to end” am i right femme fatale - a bit boring now but i guess cool for the 60s? nice to have a bit of a darker side to the lyrics. feels like the evil twin of the carpenters or something venus in furs - kind of a creepy proto-residents vibe? i dig it run run run - meh. the jangly guitar with tremolo picking gets pretty annoying by like a minute in and just keeps going from there. lyrics are interesting but use the g-slur so not great nowadays all tomorrow’s parties - oops, was busy writing an email and didn’t really pay attention to this one. i don’t think i missed much. heroin - cool track. the off-beat drumming and repetitive-into-crazy strings actually pair well with the lyrical content and make this an interesting song. it’s a bit long but i guess that gives you more time to get into it there she goes again - kinda bob dylanesque i’ll be your mirror - if tiny tim had any chill the black angel’s death song - this is like the mountain goats but with insane, screechy violins european son - ????????? favorites: sunday morning, femme fatale, venus in furs

not a fan of lou reed

Sunday Morning Femme Fatale Heroin I'll Be Your Mirror

Wow, and it's nearly 60 years old!

The original 'art rock' album. There's a lot to say about this one. Lou Reed brought a classic rock and roll sound and married it with the gritty subject matter of New York poets, singing about topics previously off limits in the genre, including drug use and prostitution. John Cale brought in a fearless experimentation inspired by early 20th century avant garde composers. The addition of Nico is a strange choice for a debut album but she adds a further sweet strangeness to the songs she appears on. Andy Warhol, supposedly the producer, did little beyond paying for it and adding a phallic front cover image. Yet his presence is all over the album. Without his reputation and fearlessness, this music wouldn't have existed. Few albums have ever been as influential as this.

Started off strong with Sunday Morning. I was expecting it to be quite pretentious and it kinda was, but it was better then expected. At the end it got a little bit boring and annoying though, the last song was too much for me

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.

Since I hadn't first listened to this album until fairly recently, it's hard to imagine how this was a bit of a flop, both critically and commercially, given how influential the band and this album became. (The Brian Eno quote in the Wikipedia entry is hilarious, and probably not as exaggerated as it seems.) (Brian Eno is everywhere!) I suspect we'll get other Velvet Underground albums eventually in the 1001-albums collection, since this one doesn't have too many radio-friendly tunes, but I'm glad to have this as the first Velvet Underground/Lou Reed selection. I'll admit, though, that I find this a weird album to listen to, as it's all over the place and seems uneven song- and music-wise, especially with Nico's singing/style often seeming to clash with the Velvet Undergound's sound and style. And that's probably one of the points, I'm sure. I can only imagine how weird and jarring Warhol's "Exploding Plastic Inevitable" tour must have been...

Amazing album which still sounds fresh, though I'll admit to never really liking "Black Angel's Death Song" all that much. But every other song is stellar and the guitars, the way it was recorded, and Nico's voice add so much texture and dimension--just superlative.

Oh look. It’s my favorite band’s favorite band. 3

Nooit helemaal geluisterd, maar luistert heel prima toch.

Weird but I was into it

Oh boy. Very Dillon esque. Didn't know what to expect here I'd give it a 2.5 if i could.

Chill classic rock.

This self-aware, pop culture offering and quasi-performance art commentary maintains its ironic edge while the artistry of its individual songs only appears both more technically capable and yet simultaneously ersatz decades after its release. As a testament to its skillful use of a contemporary musical lingua franca, it frequently imitates the dominant, saccharine tones of its time to a degree of precision that generations then, now, and in the future could easily miss its subtle subtext as an incisive parody of popular songs of the day, characterized by trite lyrics, pollyannish and simplistic themes and observations, and conspicuously shallow and unsophisticated melodies. While many mainstream critics maintain (and I’m sure are correct in) the position that the album was groundbreaking in its frank discussion of controversial topics such as drug abuse and sexual deviancy, lines like, “I’m feelin’ good. Y’know, I’m gonna work it on out … I’m feelin’ good, I’m feelin’ so fine. Into tomorrow, but that’s just another time,” and, “Here she comes. You better watch your step. She’s going to break your heart in two. It’s true,” are unmistakably banal and derivative, and probably sounded just as vapid (or more so) in yesteryear. However, unlike yesteryear, when listening today, it’s almost impossible to interpret this seemingly intentional pabulum as anything other than parody, rather than actual music. A legendary work of iconoclastic art first, and an erstwhile album second, The Velvet Underground’s eponymous debut is too smart and cool to get five stars — that would be bourgeois. When listening in a decidedly “more modern” context, with the benefit (or detriment) of an age of irony now behind us, the listener cannot help but think that either the band or the audience is being taken for a ride. The only thing that seems certain to me is that Andy Warhol, creator of the iconic and enduring cover art, was in on the joke.

As someone who'd long known of The Velvet Underground without ever really knowing them, this was a treat. I was far more familiar with Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" and obviously have a ton still to hear. It's remarkable to think of their songs subject matter in the context of the 60's. The period is obviously well known for uprising counter-culture but my understanding of Velvet is that they took themes of depression, suicide, drug use, etc to the forefront of their music whereas previously, rock bands had to couch the content in massive layers of contextual obfuscation. I particularly like the songs sung by Maureen "Moe" Tucker, they remind me of some of the more B-sides work of Régine Chassagne within the confines of Arcade Fire. Overall a great listen, musically, historically, academically. But 3 stars and no less if I'm respecting my ear.

Amazing album. Perfect album.

what a masterpiece. To this day I still can not fathom that this record came out in 1967. Easily 10 years ahead of its time.

I'm Waiting For the Man, Run Run Run, All Tomorrow's Parties, Venus In Furs, Heroin. GTF outta here. Wall to wall bangers. As good as it gets.

This is such an incredible album at times. Lou reed is a great singer, Andy Warhol's influence was so unique on this even if just as a framing producer, Nico is strangely captivating, and the whole album works so well. Sunday Morning is beautiful and the distant backing vocals really blends well. Not every song is a 5 but Heroin is a really powerful song.

Took me about the third listen for it to click. The vocal choices started to shine for me. The composition choices are pretty cool and feel ahead of their time. The production is a little sketchy at times. Run Run Run feels like more of a throw back, sounds like Chuck Berry meets Dylan but with a garage rock vibe Venus in Furs is my favorite track. Nico brings an interesting vibe to the tracks she appears on. I'm going with a four but I wouldn't be surprised if it keeps growing on me. I intend to give it some more listens.

chill vibes and funky instrumentals

Listened

How high do you need to be for this to sound good?! There were definitely tracks I could groove to, but then European Son was just like a double middle finger that made me want throw it right back at them. “Sounding good is for squares!”

Really struggled to completely love this album. Maybe I haven't listened to it enough or in the right way but I just couldn't get it. Loved the Nico sections to this album as well as overall solid tracks, just felt it was missing smth to make it perfect.

Pretty famous album that I have never actually heard. Not bad, some songs are really great. I would probably listen to this one again

honestly... nah

started off strong with sunday morning but I missed the moment where all the strings broke

No es mi estilo. No me gustó

****

Honestly I've taken this album for granted. I never really gave it a good critical listen. So, I really dislike Nico, but aside from that, this is an incredible work of art. I am sorry that I hadn't fully experienced this album earlier.

Classic and massive influence on much to come

a favorite... fabulous and perfect as always. obviously the punk stuff was unbelievably influential but the mellow stuff is my preference.. it's so well-written and nico's voice is perfectly delicate and raw. fav tracks: heroin, femme fatale, sunday morning, i'll be your mirror

Listened to this already. Classic. Not much to say that hasn't been said already.

Repetitive soundscapes with bad singing. I just don’t think I like the velvet underground. Cool Andy Warhol cover though? Finishing it was rough, wth was that last track?

Nothing I hated but nothing I enjoyed either. Not really sure what Im missing here but it didn’t hit.

Really struggled with this. Doesn't seem to have stood the test of time.

I can see why this is a classic. Very ahead of its time and lays a lot of groundwork for different genres that would come after it.

Steeped in psychedelia and proto-drone with 'classic' rock and roll guitar work. From chill and laidback to more pressing and driving, this album covers some wide ground and doesn't skimp. Great listen, not an album I've listened to a lot but definitely appreciate the tracks that I've heard multiple times

Decent album but doesn't really blow you away at any point. Scrapes a 3.

There was a moment when I was in my late teens and I heard I'm Waiting For The Man and was swayed by the apparent coolness of whatever statement it was trying to make. There has been so much development in my own taste and in the progress of music in general that this just isn't relevant any more. VU didn't open a door for anyone - the saw an open door that no one else wanted to walk through and helped themselves to a banquet they didn't deserve. 3 stars, minus 1 for Nico's terrible singing.

Finally, B A N A N A. Yeah this album's really good. It's one of the most highly praised and iconic albums of all time, and that's for a good reason. I think the best word to describe this album is "revolutionary". The sound is abrasive and the writing is dark in its subject matter. These weren't common attributes for music in 1967. This album changed that. Without it, music as a whole would likely be less powerful, less unconventional, and less willing to take risks. The songs are quite unique, not just for the time, but right now. The singing is definitely interesting. Having Nico do some of the singing was a great move since, while I feel this is arguably him at his peak, I can understand if someone wouldn't want to listen to Lou Reed's singing for 11 songs straight. The sound, while noisy and unpleasant at times, has a purpose at all times. The harsh sound and rapid acceleration of the song "Heroin" encapsulates the experience of a heroin rush, or so I've heard. It definitely sounds like how I've heard drug experience be described. The album is also thought provoking. This really is just a very culturally significant album. From the change it brought in music, to the absolutely iconic album cover painted by the legendary Andy Warhol, this is absolutely one of the top 1001 albums to listen to before you die. 5/5. That's three in a row!

I’m just gonna say it, this is my favourite album ever. There is so much in this album I love, and if I ever tried to make music, this would be my primary source of inspiration.

I know it's a famous and important album but the songs were boring and it sounded like a product of its time.

This was an exception album, I loved Femme Fatale, Bonus points for the Andy Warhol painting!

Just listened to this going to start a band! There's always money in the banana stand! I think I appreciate the songs with Nico more as I got older than when I first heard this. This is just a great album front to back and actually lives up to the hype

Good to very good

All due respect to what I gather are some influential artists, but this mostly felt like a guy making a valiant but mostly unsuccessful effort to do a Bob Dylan impression

I’m bored

I'm not sure if this is ingrained in me as a good album or if it's just my imagination. Many individual songs grab me, but the album as a whole can drag. I've often heard it said that this album influenced many to start a band, but aside from The Feelies, I'm not knowledgeable enough to hear VU in other bands. But damn I enjoy some songs deeply.

Found some new favorites in the album. 4/5

A mastrerpiece. A light for the music to come.

I preferred the band with Lou Reed

listened 2x. 4.2/5

I can see how this album was so monumental, and an inspiration for future generations of punk and rock music. With its riotous themes, guitars, and vocal style, this album is ahead of its time. I feel like nowadays the album is a little lacking compared to other rock albums, but nonetheless remarkable and innovative for the sixties. It is very interesting to hear the early evolutions of punk music.

This was fine. That is all.

It's boring, annoying, has dylan-esque vocals, mediocre female vocals, and I have an overall desire to never hear it again

Album #17 Groovy Dude! Really good album, musicality and lyrics are awesome definitely represents the time and place.