The Velvet Underground & Nico

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.

First experience with Velvet Underground. Really liked what I heard and can imagine how wild this must have been for the time. I get a lot of rockier Bob Dylan vibes from this, but without the unpleasant voice.

When I saw this record, I was excited to finally listen to it. I used to work at a music store and this album was frequently talked about. I felt like I have listened to it vicariously through other people's comments on it. But I never did dive into it, myself. Not until now. I was surprised with the record. I wasn't expecting what I heard at all. Songs about Drugs abuse, S&M, prostitution and sexual deviance... Not something I'd expect from one of the most acclaimed art-rock records of all time. I'm not a fan of Lou Reed at all, so I was skeptical of this record. But he sounded pretty good. The music was pretty experimental and interesting. Over all, it was a decent record. Wouldn't make my top 100 that's for sure. But I didn't hate it. 🍌

I enjoyed the first two songs with the first being my favourite. Unfortunately, I could not stand the rest. Especially with all the screeching sounds.

I can definitely hear how influential this album was and appreciate that. All I hear in “Venus in Furs” is Iggy Pop. Yet, I still have to judge how the music itself landed with me. Most of the album feels like it meanders. Different singers and themes. No real focus. It’s not my cup of coffee. 2/5

If we offer The Velvet Underground a mulligan for "The Black Angel's Death Song" and "European Son" based on whatever combination of heavy drugs they were consuming at the time, then this is a near perfect album. The raw sound of the guitars is magic. Lou Reed's vocals are effortlessly cool and his lyrics imaginative. Plus, Nico has one of the most uniquely beautiful singing voices ever. Legend. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Will definitely revisit this album in the future. 👍👍

Nothing I can say that hasn't said a thousand times before. The art scene in mid 60s New York must of been wild place. Exudes cool. One of the ten most significant albums in history. 10/10

This sounds way later than 60s, which is impressive. Stand-out: I'm Waiting For The Man

So bob Dylan and the doors formed a Vegas style lounge band playing sub par mamas and papas with vocals by a member of the third Reich. Truly awful.

Expected I was going to like this more than I did. Perhaps listening to the self titled album first had set my expectations too high.

Didn't like nearly as much as the other album. I had to stop myself from falling asleep.

i don't really like rating albums so i'll just use this site as a guide for albums to listen. i understand the impact of this album, and how different it was at its time. i respect the band's ability to defy so many musical norms and to push the boundaries of what music is. there was experimental, cool stuff, as well as more mellow "normal" music. liked some songs, hated others - interesting listen for sure. liked first half of the album, but started to wilt later. (i'm rating this a 3 because I don't want to rate it)

Yeah yeah yeah. Take you're bonus stars for being heralded. This should be renamed to, "the art of the drone".

How was this recorded in 1966? Decades ahead of its time!

Kind of annoying.

A very curious album because it's somehow both a product of its time, and ahead of its time.

I went to the Warhol museum in Pittsburgh in September. Highly recommended. Lots of VU nostalgia and artifacts. Not my thing but an important record

Classic 60s but crazy rock. Like the first few songs, but not the last few. Can be country like at times.

Uno de mis discos preferidos de toda la vida, a mí en particular me sigue ibmotizando

too out there. some of the songs didn’t vibe with me

I used to really enjoy this album. Now it seems bland and basic. Still like it. . .

This thing is amazing, there’s so much memorable songs and moments here. Lou Reed and Nico’s vocals, the lo-fi like sound, the lyrics, it’s all great. Not to mention it’s huge influence? I can definitely see it here. Great project all around!

Felt like the first-iteration of something that isn't fully conceptualized yet. Still persuasive enough for a full listen.

I've tried to many times to get into this and I just can't. I don't like listening to these songs. And I also know that our brains are predisposed to like stuff we've heard before, and even with my repeated attempts to enjoy this it doesn't take. The album cover is cool, I want to like this, I don't. Sunday Morning and I'll Be Your Mirror are the things keeping this out of 1-star territory.

Delightful and weird, moody and cool. Not a huge fan of Nico but this album is still a masterpiece.

If you want to understand Leonard Cohen you need to listen to this album.

It's groovy? It's a "vibe". It made me turn it off halfway through. Too much of the same thing over and over. I suppose if I was stoned this would be awesome.

Vibey and cool.

Good variety of songs each welcome in my playlist just not all together.

Didn’t listen to the whole thing but it is a wonderful album.

Too sleepy for me.

Using my 1967 glasses to go back when this was released, it’s groundbreaking. The legend of Lou Reed is born.

There’s a lot of mediocre 60s psyche on the list but I really enjoyed this. Surprised I’ve never bothered to listen considering the classic album cover

Instantly felt like a time and a place. Cohesive but I’m used to more dynamic listens. 3.5.

I like the vibes. I actually didn't realize that the music style would remind me of rolling stones. Also didn't realize that they were that influential like that I really liked the steely guitar honestly. I'll listen to this one again

I recognized a lot. I liked it.

best album of all time

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEl9ZlSb0AAP7Eh?format=jpg&name=large drink water bois!!! <3

...auf dem Weg zu Ruhm abgebogen zur Vorstufe des Punk.

If a studio-generated album results in a singer sounding this "pitchy", I would hate to hear a live version!

Noise

So glad I listened to this. It's not my type of music, but the music it influenced IS. The opening song, Sunday Morning, is lovely -- sounded so much like the Monkees I grew up listening to. But that track isn't about a pleasant time spent relaxing, no. It's about waking up Sunday morning after a late Saturday night of partying.

Second Velvet Underground album in four days, third out of four studio albums of theirs. I'm not bored yet and in fact I am loving it. 5/5

I don’t know why it’s taken me until now to listen to this but gotta say I love it.

Sunday morning är go, men har svårt för resten

Heeeeeelt okey. Sista låten var bedrövlig.

amen vafan, det här kan inte vara bland de 1001 bästa albumen. En låt är bra, resten är obehagligt. 1:a.

This was the album that helped me realize that rock music could be art. It borders on avant garde without being unlistenable. Good stuff.

Some good things, some tracks unlistenable,

This was a nice album to revisit. Nice collection of songs with a few fun psychedelic freak out moments.

Mild

An eclectic group of songs, some of which have very haunting melodies. These are supplemented by Reed's chanting vocals. The lyrics are the highlight of these songs which are very clever and gritty. Nico's vocals are best when complementary to Reed's instead of in the lead. Some of songs (i.e. European Son) have instrumental sections reminiscent of free form jazz.

Did not care for this one at all.

Do not like

Terrible. Arguably not music. Just utterly awful. If I wanted to punish somebody I would play this album.

boring

too hippieesque. the two weirdo tracks at the end are interesting, tho

Massively influential album, and a very entertaining one indeed. One can't help but thinking about the ramifications to alternative music from each individual track while listening. The first half is packed with all-time classics, though the second half does not feel as cohesive. Essential album indeed.

C'était très cool. J'vais écouter d'autres albums.

Rock, and popular music in general, is "cool." Often, popular music defines cool - from Elvis's snarl to Prince's swagger - rock stars set the standards for what we think of as "cool." When it is coupled with talent - like with Elvis or Prince - the result can be incredible music. Sometimes, the cool kids without much talent make music. This music can still be thought of as "cool," but it may not be great music. Imo, Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground fit this description. With images of life in New York, and discussing drugs, and connections with Andy Warhol, and then add in Nico, the Velvet Underground is definitely cool. The songs are simplistic, bleak, and and cool because they were supposed to be cool. Many of these songs are remarkably famous, and incredibly influential. VU set standards for punk and avant-garde musicians for decades. Broadly - even if music is popular and influential, that does not mean that we all have to like it.

wonderful

I know this record for more than 50 years, and I still remember it well

No doubt this is a significant, groundbreaking album. The lyrics are particularly strong with their portrayal of alternative lifestyles and the seediness of urban living. The music styles are diverse, and while the musicianship is less than virtuoso, the songs have a hypnotic charm. I particularly like the teutonic tones of Nico's singing. The album falls away a bit with the last couple of tunes but is otherwise a classic

Classiqe. 4.5 would be a more accurate but can’t argue w/songs nor innovative

Wouldn't eat that banana, but would eat the songs (and probably catch an std)

not really my thing. i can tell the influence it has had but it wasn't for me.

Typical 60's vibe. The singer sounds like a Dylan wanna be. Not a talented group, but their album cover is fun.

It was ok, but not really my scene.

duplicate

Idk how this works. It really shouldn’t. Star knocked off for a couple of dodgy tracks and Nico’s strange voice

This is fun, I like the vibes. Some good songs, some aren’t as good, I liked Venus in furs the most. I’d relisten, 7/10

Just too many great tracks to not be considered amazing. Just too influential to not be considered amazing. Venus in Furs is a standout among outstanding tracks.

Clearly influential, hard not to sound dated

Not really my thing.

It’s fine. There’s a couple good songs, but the album as a whole kinda drags on.

8.5/10 Not listened to this album in ages, I perhaps enjoy it more now than I did 20 years ago. Excellent. First half is banger after banger, second half a bit more low-key. Last song outstays its welcome This could have veered into pretentiousness but didn’t, really evokes a sense of time and place Remembered not living the Nico vocals and have changed my mind, but still prefer the Reed ones Influence on later bands absolutely clear - Heroin could just straight-up be a Spiritualized song Best: Sunday Morning, Heroin

Thoughts before listening: This is definitely a classic album that continues to influence indie and punk artists. I owned this back in the day, and remember especially loving "Heroin", but I have not listened in a long time. This is one of those albums that you respect for its influence more than actually falling in love with, but maybe my perspective will be different 20 years after initially listening. Review: The VU certainly had a unique sound for their era. This is psychedelic rock thats totally different than anything the west coast bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane or the British bands like the Beatles and Stones were doing. The VU utilized out of tune guitars that create a chugging drone instead of playing riffs and guitar solos. There is certainly a direct through line from the VU to Sonic Youth to a band like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. My favorites 20 years ago were the more upbeat songs and that remains the case today. The slower, often weirder songs (usually sung by Nico) like "All Tomorrow's Parties" just aren't as enjoyable to listen to. "I'm Waiting for the Man", "Run Run Run", and "Heroin" are my favorites on this album. I still feel that "Heroin" is the real gem here with its slow build in intensity to a final crescendo that is meant to replicate a drug high. Really good stuff. This is a 3-star album with the score being brought down by the inclusion of a handful of songs that are too abstract for their own good.

I didn't like this one. Too slow, energy was depressing, too avante garde to allow me to just enjoy what I was hearing.

The song, Jesus, and a Drummer named Maureen, got us to a solid 3!

Nice listen, never actually listened through before

Mixing feels weird. Certain instruments are way louder than vocals. Mellow and hit or miss. Venus in Furs is a big miss

Okay

Sehr tolles Album. Trifft für mich in's Schwarze. Muss es aber ein wenig relativieren zu anderen super tollen Alben, daher nur 4 von 5 Sterne. 8.7/10

I like the unique style of Lou Reed’s voice. You can hear the influence of Dylan. They are a good band but it’s not something that I can listen to a lot of. Sad themes.

Good mix with both Nico and Lou Reed singing. A bit too much ambient heroin noise.

Scattered, but solid.

Sounds OK but sounds like a bunch of amateurs. Hard for me to get into.

Velvet Underground and Nico This is just what I needed to get me out of the Bowie cycle. This album has everything, drug abuse, prostitution, sadomasochism, and sexual deviancy! Everything that makes a great rock and roll album. So maybe I don't hate art rock albums as this is so fucking amazing!

Ground breaking album. While ahead of its time, it is also far from perfect. Still an essential listen.

A bit overindulgent in 60s noise, but this one has some really well-done tracks that fit my ear including Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting for the Man, and Venus in Furs.

It’s like the classic arthouse 60s vibe. Was a good one!

Am I the only one who's ever wondered how much heroin Lou Reed was able to purchase for $26 in 1967?

Fine, fine.

one of those records we'll probably have a lot of in this game, that I can understand how it is a Very Good And Important Album, but I gotta admit it doesn't do a whole lot for me as-is. Maybe I should start doing heroin

Sunday Morning - 9.6 - love it. awesome. damn. I'm Waiting For The Man - 8.7 - Sounds more 60s than the first. not necessarily a bad thing. Femme Fatale - 9.0 - very experimental instrumentally. not the biggest fan of the vocals right now but I think they'll grow on me. Venus In Furs - 9.3 - love the organ and harrowing strings. Run Run Run - 8.8 - the theme clashes with the instrumental and almost cliche-sounding vocals. All Tomorrow's Parties - 8.4- unfortunately felt pretty drony Heroin - 10 - one of the best songs I've ever heard. There She Goes Again - 8.6 - folkier. I'll Be Your Mirror - 8.5 - seems to have slowed down. The Black Angel's Death Song - 9.1 - feels like an old fable European Son - 8.8 - amazing instrumentation. want just a bit more lyrically.

L'énorme influence qu'a eu cet album tient au fait que n'importe qui l'ayant écouté s'est cru capable de faire de la musique. Daubesque à souhait.

Le producteur aux portails a tenu toutes ses promesses, ramenant une nouvelle fois un attirail de portails des plus impressionnants au studio des Velvet Underground.

Somevsongs good guitars sounded bad

I didn’t care for the music type.

Good album. I was aware of it but had never listened to it. Good early Lou Reed.

Interesting but not very moving

Have loved a couple of the songs for decades. Overall, though, the album just doesn't speak to me anymore. Radical AF when it was released, true, but some songs haven't traveled through time well.

war mir zu viel geschrammel, hab ich nicht bis zu ende gehört. hat mich jetzt nicht unbedingt abgeholt. und auch wie unkreativ der albumname…

Au début ça va puis en fait non, j'ai arrêté a european son psk c'était trop stimulant, et je connaissais déjà quelques chansons

mbof, pourquoi pas, pas convaincue

C'est sympa, mais je vois pas de grosses différences avec les autres albums de la même époque.

Always found Velvet Underground interesting but nothing that really holds my attention

Synth-Pop at its best

A bit dusty for my taste.

I want to return to this one. Didn’t have time during the new years shuffle.

Avant-garde, way ahead of its time for 1967. I listened a long time ago and wasn’t a fan of the spoken-word vocals, but now I appreciate how they fit into the atmosphere. Side A had some really good songs especially.

Couldn't like it if I tried, on the boring and dull end of the albums

An iconic, artistic album. I was introduced to this album back in art school (2003) after listening to The Dandy Warhol's & finding out The Velvet Underground was a large influence. I'm sure I thought it was amazing back then, but now I can only appreciate about half this album. In fact, I skipped forward a lot when the distorted guitar rifts got too obnoxiously long & over done. Still some really good tunes on this album.

It’s been a while since I listened to this album in full. While not one of my all time favourites I still find it solid. There’s a few great songs. It definitely laid the groundwork for the alternative rock I still find pleasure in today. Totally agree that a couple of the songs can come across as noise. But overall this album keeps my interest while I groove out. 4/5

Too trippy and droning for me

Schädelbrummer

Nix für mich

Nico ruins everything.

Take out your can and open it.

Not as good as the other VU album.

I like Sunday morning and many of the tracks have a cool sound, but I just can't bare listening to half of the lyrics.

It's definitely a lot noisy (initially I said a bit but I had to skip Heroin & now my tinnitus is going) & a lot arty. I bet this lot were insufferable. But I don't mind the more chilled melodic ones. I had to stop before the end because tinnitus was being induced again

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of alternative music sees the bones of it here. From Lou Reeds solemn, downbeat delivery to Nico’s Euroinfused voice the entire makeup of rock n roll was forever changed by one banana splattered debut.

Oh ok. Five stars. Could leave it there really but this is a site for blathering so let's blather. Fun how these songs have slid down the strange-ometer as the years pass by and don't seem nearly as freaky as they did even in the 90s to my discovering ear, particularly the more weird, viola heavy ones, obviously due to its incredibly wide influence. It's just seeped into the culture, it's everywhere. Another band I heard mostly covers of first, before I went back and listened to the real thing. The REM covers of Femme Fatale, Pale Blue Eyes, James' cover of Sunday Morning even. Amazing to read it was pretty much recorded in one 8 hour session. The cultural explosion fanning out from that one day is just daft.

This may very well be the first “experimental” album of any kind that I ever listened to, at the tender age of 13. This has gotta be the absolute antithesis of what “rock and roll” was to the average person in the 60’s. 3 chord pop songs with light guitar distortion and mild sexual innuendo this was not. Here was a group of weirdo artists that didn’t care about appealing to the masses, so they wrote grimy, lo fi jams explicitly about drugs and drug dealers, extreme BSDM, and the seedy underbelly of 60’s new york. Heroin is the highlight for sure.

Yeah it's great. Not much more to be said 4 stars.

Je hoort aan alles dat dit een baanbrekend album is geweest in de muziekgeschiedenis, maar het is iets te psychedelisch/experimenteel voor mij.

Not really my thing, a bit slow and tiring

So cool.

Um álbum envolvente e cativante do fim da década de 70. É visível o quão influencia outros artistas que viriam a seguir. 4/5

I have trouble getting through this album, but I can't deny its historical significance. I don't necessarily have a negative feeling about it, I just also don't have a positive feeling about it.

Classic status is deserved but the Nico songs are a rough hang.

Olipa taas tylsän hajutonta ja mautonta rokkia. Ei jäänyt oikein mitään mielikuvia. Parempi kuin se eilinen. Mutta levyn päätöskappale oli kyllä kamalaa ränkytystä. Sen takia tipahtaa kahteen tähteen.

I didn't like this album much when I first heard it in 1967, and I don't like it much now. The band plays out of tune throughout. Sound quality is mediocre at best. Nico's singing? Meh.

Is it influential? Sure. Is everything that it influenced way more interesting? Absolutely.

Art rock, experimental rock, proto-punk, psychedelic rock, avant-pop

Best Songs: Heroine Listen Again: No

Not really an album for me. There were parts I liked, 'Venus In Furs' being the best and a great track for me and 'There She Goes Again' was enjoyable. There were parts I wanted to like as well but then there was just too much unnecessary screeching for me to get a chance to enjoy it. The rest just didn't really not much for me. I somewhat appreciate how this album came to be influential but in it's raw form, not an album I would come back to for a full listen, if ever. Maybe it could grow on me as it did the world, but I don't think I'll give it the chance.

Liked some of this, the rest wasn’t great.

i’ll be your mirror is nice ig. i almost enjoyed run run run and then that fuckass guitar solo started and stabbed my ears. i like some of the 60’s experimental stuff but this ain’t it. also FUCK nico

After getting a record by Nico earlier in this project and researching about her, I refuse to listen to anything that she's involved in, so this will be getting a 1 from me.

i feel like im just listening to a loop every 4 sec. not saying it's bad tho

Evidently all you need to make it in the music industry are 3 chords and a catchy band name.

This is the musical equivalent of cavemen discovering fire, there's no predecessor to this in rock music. Compare this to everything else around in 1966/1967 and you can only wonder how they hell they made this. The beautiful 'Sunday Morning', wild guitar flailings on 'Run Run Run', BDSM lyrics and screeching viola on 'Venus in Furs', ear-shattering crescendos of drug addiction on 'Heroin', and the improvised madness of 'European Son' to end it out. It still sounds like it was from the future nearly 60 years later, and it influenced damn near every genre of alternative rock we have today. God bless The Velvet Underground for what they did for music (and for 'Sister Ray', their masterpiece in my opinion, but that doesn't happen until the next album).

Basically noise

I consider this the definitive album that came out of the 60's. Certainly not out dated. Timeless in its appeal and listenability. A classic.

This album disappears so far up its own arse that every time John Cale brushes his teeth he pokes himself in the eye. Venus in Furs and I'll Be Your Mirror are good, though.

just not my genre

Notable Songs: I'm waiting for the man, Venus in Furs

Boring and noisy.

4.5 my kind of music

This album is about perfect for me anytime, but even better with a joint, a cocktail and a warm fire. Lue Reed is a boss.

Iconic album cover. Great guitar. Some I love, some are too experimental for my taste, I can see why they could never hit mainstream.

I’ve always seen this album art but never listened. I was surprised this sound existed in ‘64. I really liked it.

Keywords: Pre-pop, Ahead of Their Time, Underrated Notable Song: Run Run Run

Such a chill album. In the best way. It's really special.

God s. Funfact: eg trodde veldig lenge at detta albumet bare hadde dei første 6-7 sangane

Sunday morning og Venus in furs er jævlig bra. Ellers ok

Yeah the influence is undeniable, but musically this one’s pretty mid overall. There’s some good songs in here, but definitely far from their best work

Didn't love it didn't hate it. The album has some really good songs like Sunday Morning but I am not sure if what I liked outweighed the songs I didn't like on this album. There were some parts that were so noisy I got a headache especially the last song. So I really dont know about this album

Okay, track three. Nico SAVED this album bruh.. Run run run is buns buns buns. there have been a lot more lowlights in this than i expected, i see the influential nature of the record. But from a recreational enjoyment standpoint, yeah good luck. FUCK YOU ANDY WARHOL

4.2 I'm sure with more time on this album I would really come to enjoy it fully as it's up my musical alley.

Uno de los albumes más significativos de mi vida. Gracias Lou Reed por tanto.

Solide album all around 7.5/10

ikke helt det mesterværk jeg husker den som men stadig et definitivt 60'er album. Nico er så god. I'll Be Your Mirror ++++++++++++++++

Vi bliver forkælede de her dage. Jeg elsker den her plade så meget

I don't get it. For how engrossed my parents are in Pop Art from the mid century, this was not played in my household .. and they were produced and managed by Andy Warhol.. wtf? Was it too edgy for them? They liked the Beatles, Beach Boys, the Stones... and this never came up! Morrissey and this stuff is slightly out of my musical zone and I've never sat through this one before. It's alright.. sounds like proto punk art rock. It's an interesting album that is for sure... but idk.. do people just listen to this to be trendy? It's not so bad being trendy.. I can see how it influenced a lot after it. Review of Reviews: A lot of people that spent a lot of time trashing it, but I think deep down they might like it. Best Track: they were all pretty forgettable but probably Sunday Morning.

After Run Run Run, the album went downhill. It seems like they were just making noise for the sake of making noise. The Black Angel's Death Song features screeching violins and air compressor noises for some reason. Favourite songs: Run Run Run, I'm Waiting For The Man, Venus in Furs, There She Goes Again, Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale Least favourite songs: The Black Angel's Death Song, European Son, All Tomorrow's Parties 3/5

Great album. Especially love the weirdo sounds from Venus in furs

I think this album is great. It's very forward thinking and feels almost experimental for its time. Also contains one of the most beautiful love songs ever recorded.

Still a wonderfully intriguing and subversive album.

The Velvet Underground continues to elude me. Acid, experimental folk made by a bunch of heroin-addicted art school kids. I've never understood the reverence. Favorite tracks: "I'm Waiting For the Man", "Venus In Furs", "Femme Fatale"

Obviously a heavy influence on so many musicians and trends and genres but just listening today I'm at about 50% on songs on this album and skipping the last couple feedback heavy minutes of several tracks based on my wife's reactions lol 4 tracks added to 1001 Experience Playlist

Not bad!

It didn't capture me as much as other albums do but I have to give it to Velvet they're influential as hell. And the album cover is pretty dope too.

I knew what I was going to rate this going into it, but my GOD is this a spectacular album. I think there was a quote from Brian Eno that went “only about 2000 people bought this album when it first released, but all them started bands” and that sums this up pretty well. This album initially only caused a little ripple in the music scene, but over time it grew and grew into a tsunami of musical importance that’s affected almost every genre. It also just contains some phenomenal tracks, with I’m Waiting For The Man being my all-time most listened to song on Spotify for good reason. Everything about this scream legendary. 5/5

Yet another one that I can't believe has passed me by until now given how iconic it is - worth the rep

It’s fine. Way too drugged out for me. Heroin is for fucking losers.

I've been dreading this album since I got Nico's Chelsea Girl a few weeks ago (and hated it). However, I didn't mind her inclusion in this album. I really liked this album and can understand why people are still talking about The Velvet Underground so many years later.

Well it was a great album back in the day but not one of my faves

Nooit begrepen waarom dit zo legendarisch is geworden en al helemaal niet waarom ik dit zelf ook zo goed vind. Eigenlijk gewoon rare shit met katten gejank gitaargeluid of zang. Hoe dan ook; Briljant!

Ik weet niet wat het is, maar er is iets wat mij hierin tegenstaat. Ik weet dat dit een iconisch album zou moeten zijn, maar ik hoor enkel een zeurderige en valse stem. En dat door elkaar. Niet te doen.

Sommige tracks zijn echt abominabel gepiel in de marge. Verschrikkelijk en niet om aan te horen. Maar dat wordt dan afgewisseld met heel wat echt fantastische tracks. Als geheel dus niet geweldig, maar op individuele nummers echt heel tof.

It’s crazy to think this came out between Pet Sounds and Sgt. Peppers. To me this album operates on a completely different plane, like it was created in an alternate world. It still sounds so ahead of its time, and nothing has matched its level of attitude and cool.

Okay, to start off, I had then missed up in my head with velvet revolver. That didn't help the fact that this just isn't music that I typically enjoy. At least it's not "napalm death"

turns out this really hits on a grey rainy day

I can leave without hearing Heroin again, but there are so many great songs on here

It's wild to listen to this album and hear the 50+ years of alternative music it inspired.

Reminds me of the summer I spent face down in a gutter in New York City.

Oooooo.... Velvet Underground with Andy Warhol cover art! I'm already feeling the transforming waves of cool and hipness just at the prospect of listening to it. This critical darling didn't exactly win me over but I didn't dislike it either. I liked it more than I thought I would but I found it to be pretty uneven. At times I was digging it and at other times it was grating noise. Nico's off-tone singing didn't do much for me but I can kind of understand the appeal in this specific context. The highs and lows average out to a solid 3 for me.

Some monotony / droning guitar. I would have liked it even more a long time ago. Still worth adding to rotation.

Over-rated.

I just don't like it. I really want to but it's not musical.

Sunday Morning // I’m Waiting For The Man // Femme Fatale // Venus In Furs // Heroin

Annoying to my ears. Have never been able to get in board with them. Might be because I’m not crazy about the genre they so heavily influenced

It’s a great album, no wonder why it’s so influential. Great songs and good sound

It was okay I was mostly aware of the album cover more than the music. It was interesting, and I can see the influence they had but this isn’t my jam.

Not a fan. Too trippy.

As this is a Cultural Artifact, I was very happy to be able to listen to it in its entirety, which I haven't done in years and years. I enjoyed very much of this, although the last 5 minutes of "European Son," being the last song, made me think I hated it. Ignoring that, it's pretty cool.

Yes, this album was definitely a must-listen-to-before-I-die one. Although, I guess I thought that we already had...

I don't know that this music is actually good but it is undoubtedly cool.

I thought The Velvet Underground was going to be like taking musical history medicine before starting this project - as I knew they were important, knew they'd be on this list, but didn't think there was any way that this was going to be something I really enjoyed. I couldn't have been more wrong. While I loved my first album from The Velvet Underground on this project - the self-titled one from 1969 - and this one is even better! It's varied, interesting, the song craft is impressive, and I love listening to it. Terrific!

I forget just how good this is. They really were one of the oddest and most innovant bands to have existed. This is their most accessible album and is packed with their most well liked tracks (I count 9/11 biggies). There's a lot of variety here too- from dreamy pop to raucous rock. Iconic

Enjoyable album!

I was culturally aware of this and knew a few of the songs, but this was my first time really listening to this album. I loved it. It felt very cinematic to me, the song order is essential to the feel of the whole thing. The journey from Sunday Morning to Black Angel Death Song and European Son is wild.

Woof. Another masterpiece. That's 3 five-star albums in a row, 1001 Albums Generator. Keep 'em coming.

this album is so overrated what the

Fun and inspiring 3/5

Banana album good old chill nice rock

Ok album with one good song

soft, calm. just what i needed, i liked it

NIET mijn ding. Ken venus in furs ivm bdsm maar de rest is echt matig.

yllättävän mielenkiintone albumi! kuitekaa ei ehkä omaa mieleen the one mut kansikuva oli cool ja ilmeisesti banaanin sai auki which was very cool!

While this album may have been revolutionary for its time, this is proof that not all innovation is good and music has really evolved for the better over these past 55 years. I shudder to think what music would be like if it followed a path like Heroin or The Black Angel's Death Song.

Cool album I liked the part on European Son where he had a heroin overdose while nailing that guitar solo, Andy Warhol really outdid himself on this album

Heroin despair next to beauty: It's the Velvet's alright, without some sandpaper grit glued on anyway. That's better for strings in the end, which end up sounding almost familiar on a record that almost goes pop. There are even flourishes which read Indian, albeit recognized crudely and in the background.

I enjoyed this. Kinda off the wall and fun. The playlist generated from the album was also amazing.

Shoot this album straight into my veins

Good most of the way through, some really annoying squeaky bits though that bring it down a lot (tracks 7, 10, 11). Sounds like a 2010s alternative album at times, so I guess ahead of it's time. Favorite track: Sunday Morning

One of the most influential albums of the 20th century...even if people don't know it

This album gets interesting when Nico isn’t bogging along in her god awful drone. By interesting I mean somewhat endurable.

Very unique album! Can’t say I love it, but the moments I like are very good. Unfortunately there’s also some freak out moments where they totally lose me. 7 out of 10

This is one of those weird albums. That sounds like a different member of the band did different songs... Definitely a huge 60s vibe. I recognized Lou Reed's voice. And Femme Fatale is the first track that I recognized.

It feels like a mix of The Doors and The Ramones. It is undoubtedly good, but it's a style I only want in small doses.

Vulnerable lyrics, cool alt sound. Very experimental, can see how it sets the stage for other genres/bands

big fan! big feelings, some vibes of songs could slot in nicely as like soundtrack songs to my life kinda

One of my all-time favorite albums!! It is essentially perfect, not a single misstep from the first song to the last. It's a dark and intricate story of New York, addiction, desire, loneliness, regret, and love. I got to know the Velvet Underground from a best of album I bought in my grad school days, when I yearned to move to NYC. I had read a review of an album by the band Luna (which one? I don't know) that said their entire playlist was derived from the bridge of a Velvet Underground song. I decided I had to learn more about the Velvet Underground, and what better way to learn a band's music than from a best of album? For many bands that's probably true, but not for VU. This particular album is such a brilliant experiment in sound and storytelling that it belongs in context. Waiting for My Man and Heroin are incredible as paired auditory descriptions of the grip, the power, and the rush of addiction, mimicking in sound the feel of adrenalin and the crash at the end of the high (to be fair, they are also both on the best of album). But they also pair well with the other songs that don't appear on the best of album - the same intense, adrenalin-pumping musical themes are echoed in The Black Angel's Death Song and European Son, for instance. Nico's peculiar and haunting voice is the perfect match for this album. At some point I lost Luna but I kept the Velvet Underground. I've graduated from the best of album to appreciating all of the albums in their original contexts. A definite win. The opening track, Sunday Morning, is my particular favorite (also James does an incredible cover of it).

This album has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember being a music lover. Nico’s cool detachment and Lou Reed’s achingly beautiful lyrics were a combustible combo. It’s perfect, from start to finish, but if I had to pick some favorite songs then “I’ll Be Your Mirror”, closely followed by “Sunday Morning” and “Femme Fatale,” would probably be on such a list. But it’s an impossible ask, because then I remember the incredible storytelling of “I’m Waiting For The Man” and how, the first time I found myself walking around Lexington Ave and 125th St after I moved to NYC, this song sprung from some corner of my subconscious and I immediately started singing “ I'm waiting for my man/ 26 dollars in my hand/ Up to Lexington 125/ Feel sick and dirty/ more dead than alive/ I'm waiting for my man.” No, I cannot just love a few songs - I love them all. 10/10, all killers, no fillers.

好牛逼的一张专辑😭

Listened to this and it was so-so. I did notice that some of the lyrics were outstanding. Musically it was a bit underwhelming and mixed like it was recorded in the 60’s… which it was. Can definitely see the influence thy had on more contemporary artists. But probably won’t listen to this again.

Classic and iconic. The inspiration for a million other bands. The songs swing in tone from sweet to harsh yet it all seems tonaly together. Lou Reed is at the heart. 4.5

Superb album. A true classic 4 stars