Reviews (page 13 of 15)
Already familiar. Great stuff, spans multiple genres. Highly influential.
You know what? I bloody well liked this, which is a surprise given eras past we've been dished up prior. It has held up well minus the world's most heavy handed glockenspiel player in the opener. Venus in furs had that early naughties wrestlemania video package vibe to it, which is to me apparently what final fantasy is to Wiggins. But on the whole the tunes differ a fair bit and there's something for everyone. It doesn't get 5 stars as I would hope there is better to come, but if others like this I will depressed at a missed opportunity to knock Neil Diamond, who is inexplicable as SRL golden boy, off the top.
Nice mix of soothing vocals, classic rock and roll sound, pretty sounds and jingle jangle noise. i approve
Rock & Roll is one of the greatest tracks of all time but none of this gets near to that level. Alternates between quite good, unlistenably crap and just a bit dull. Not bad but not exactly good either
5/5
Great album!
Like if Safe as Milk was really bad. Possibly the most over rated album of all time. 1/5
Phenomenal
1. Sunday Morning - i liked this one it had a nice mellow sound 2. I’m Waiting for the Man - this one was ok, nothing extra memorable for me 3. Femme Fatale - I did not like this one, the lyrics were odd and the sound was not that great for me. 4. Venus in Furs - I kinda liked this one, it had more my kind of lyrics. 5. Run Run Run - this one was ok...i did not like the guitar solo in the airpods it sounded static-like or distorted, I think it's a sound quality issue. 6. All Tomorrow’s Parties - this one was also not my type of sound. 7. Heroin - i actually like the sound of this one, but again I really don't like the lyrics, i don't want to hear about heroin so i knew i'd hate this one from the title. 8. There She Goes Again - again not loving the lyrics...the music is catchy. I'd like to note this song goes for 2:41 so what's all this about short songs being a new thing for the tiktok generation. 9. I’ll Be Your Mirror - 2:14!!!! also another nico feature, i just don't like the way she sounds. 10. The Black Angel’s Death Song - this one has quite an interesting sound, it's eerie which fits the theme 11. European Son - weird sound effect of crashing, it kinda worked. now the tempo's faster so that's kinda cool. the rest of the song is instrumental and it's seven minutes long... overall, i appreciate parts of this album, some parts are ok and the overall sound is nice for me. I don't like the lyrics of many of the songs and I think it is the feature of nico where I do not like the vocals.
I didnt hate it but i didnt enjoy any of it. wouldnt listen again. sadge. not on this album but 'walk on the wild side' is an annoying song to me. love sweet jane though
I don't know. I think The Velvet Underground is overrated. I find Lou Reed to be overrated. Frankly, Andy Warhol is overrated too. He certainly doesn’t deserve a bridge named after him in Pittsburgh. I’m not sure who Nico is or what songs he sings. All of the vocalists are mediocre. The album is pretty dark and covers some seedy topics. I am coming to the conclusion that “art rock” is not my thing.
I think at a different point in my life I would have really enjoyed this one, but it just didn't excite me this go around
Overall, I liked listening through this album. I realized that I’ve actually never listened to this one top to bottom! The album starts off strong with recognizable classic tracks like, “Sunday Morning” and “I’m Waiting for the Man.” Something about “Venus In Furs” makes me think the song would be well suited for a historical fiction television show, like with vikings or the like. “All Tomorrow’s Parties” is a bit chant-like. The guitar part almost sounds like a sitar at times. Maybe my favorite track on the album. The guitar distortion / feedback is a bit like nails on a chalkboard at times, especially in “Heroin” and the very beginning of the guitar solo in “Run Run Run”, in a way that feels good but also feels awful at the same time. If that makes sense. Overall, this was an interesting listen. I can definitely hear how this is an influential album moving forward musically. While I enjoyed listening, the silence following the last track at the end of the album was welcome relief to my ears after the final track.
Venus in furs is a 10
This album is a mixed bag of nuts with no song being particularly great or memorable. It’s very much a sleeper album with an underlying theme of late 60s early rock. The lead singer sounds like a combination of Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones if they made bad music.
ok.
folky rock; 1/5
Great album, some of the tracks are a bit too high pitched for my ears though
Some incredible songs on this album. Then a lot of good songs that aren’t quite on their level. Not perfect, but very very good
Nico can’t sing, and neither can Lou Reed. The subject matter is odd and foreign and the lyrics are sometimes frightening. Nobody on this record is an instrumental virtuoso, in fact some of the playing is barely adequate. None of that matters. It’s cold and bleak and at the same time sunshiny. Is it the songwriting? Is it the haunting way the songs follow you? Who cares? This record is mind blowing.
For an album as famous as it is, it's not as exciting as I had expected
The album that launched 30,000 bands. A remarkably good album which still sounds fresh to this day.
Not really my style.
An album I've known about for a very long time, but have never listened to. Listening to it, you can hear why it was influential but nowadays, it's hard to judge. It's fine but nothing really blew my mind. I guess being so far removed it just isn't as great as it was.
Classic sound
pleasant.
A true classic. This album helped set the stage for punk rock in the 70s. Many of what people think of as classic Velvet Underground songs are on here including Venus in Furs, I'm Waiting for the Man, Femme Fatal, All Tomorrow's Parties, and the penultimate Velvet underground song, Heroin. If you can own only one Velvet Underground album, this is the one.
um.... ok. i think if you were there it might have been super.
Influential, but I find it overrated. Often dull and drab, sometimes grating but not in a good way.
It may sound harsh, but I was slightly dreading the day I would have to review this. The last thing I really want to do is piss someone off over a music review. But saying what I'm about to say might be one of the ways of doing it. First, let me start with one thing. I am very aware of how widely influential this album is. Across many different genres and spaces of music, and through many different songwriting styles. Many of which I love deeply. And I am not going to try and take that away from this album. This is an important piece in the history of modern rock music. But I'm also not going to sit here and pretend like I enjoy this anymore than those bands this album had so much influence on. This, to me, gets far outclassed in many ways by the other albums that exist because of it. I will say, because this is such a landmark album, it feels like an actual experimental rock album compared to some that are given that tag that are considerably more tame. But the record is almost experimental to its own detriment. Songs like The Black Angel's Death Song and European Son are cool sounding, but slightly novel and not that enjoyable. The lyrics are also dark, sexually charged, and borderline macabre. On the surface, you might not really notice it, but if you dig deeper, you can see why this album's content upset so many at a time where people weren't supposed to write about things like that. Of the two singers featured on this, I find that Lou Reed's voice fits this sound far better than Nico's. Coincidentally, the songs featuring Nico as the lead vocalist are the ones I don't really enjoy all that much. I fully understand why so many people hold this album to a level many artists dream of reaching. Some audiences prefer this gloomy, stripped back, and more lo-fi sound, and that's totally fine. But is this objectively #15 of all time material? I'm not so sure. I just don't think it is fair to judge and review an album so positively purely based on the merit that it inspired so much amazing music, when the actual musical foundation the album is built on isn't all that strong to begin with. Rating: 6/10
It's ok. Better than 1969's The Velvet Underground. Not bad for some interesting ambient music.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Sunday morning, Femme fatale
"The Velvet Underground & Nico" is the studio album by the American band the Velvet Underground and German singer Nico. Art rock, experimental rock, proto-punk, pyschedelic rock and avanr-pop. Yes and in many cases the defining example of that genre. The music has experimental aspects with controversial lyrics such as drug abuse, prostitution, sadomasochism and sexual deviance. The album was recorded in 1966 while the band was featured in Andy Warhol's Exploding Plastic Inevitable tour. The music of album was primarily produced by Tom Wilson with Andy Warhol also listed as a producer. The band consisted of Lou Reed (vocals, guitar), John Cale (electric viola, bass, piano, celeste), Sterling Morrison (rhythm guitar, bass), Maureen Tucker (drums , percussion) and Nico (vocals). The album initially sold poorly which prompted the famous quote by Brian Eno that "everyone who bought one of the 30,000 copies formed a band." It was also initially ignored by critics but later recognized as one of the most influential albums of all time. In 2006, the Library of Congress put it into the National Recording Registry for its artistic significance. "Sunday Morning" opens with Cale on celeste. Reed comes in singing softly. It's about paranoia. A charging guitar begins "I'm Waiting for the Man." It got a melody and beat. Jangly pyschedelic guitar. The guy needs his heroin. Nico joins the album on "Femme Fatale." Melodic guitar. A distorted feel with the highlight being Nico's lead and Reed and Morrison's backing vocals. A great ending in Nico's "Ooh ooh oh." This was written about about actress/model Edie Sedgwick. Cale has his electric viola droning in "Venus in Furs." Reed's guitar is weirdly tuned. This is pyschedelic. And, oh, about sadomasochism. Nico adding an emotionless voice in "All Tomorrow's Parties." Slow guitar, tambourine, viola and piano. Singing about the people at Warhol's "Factory." "Heroin" starts with a slow repeating guitar note. The rhythm guitar, viola and soft drum comes in. The song speeds up, slows down and finally ends chaotically with feedback and distortion. Just a brilliant song. Reed describing the feeling of a heroin rush. The last Nico vocal-led song is "I'll Be Your Mirror." Sort of a surf-sounding guitar and a tambourine. Lovely dual vocals by Nico at the end. This is a great album. Cale's unique electric viola. The distortion and feedback. The counter of Nico's haunting vocals and Lou Reed's. The pyschedelic guitar. Sometimes sounding of the 60's with the pyschedelic guitar and garage rock and others thirty years in the future with the distortion, feedback and musical notes. The influence is immense with future rock genre's punk, garage, post-punk, krautrock, shoegaze, indie and goth. Needless to say a must listen..
I will be honest I didn’t get this and don’t really get the hype for it. Its not awful but I don’t think I will ever be cool enough to like this
Is it cool? Yes Is it interesting? Can I see why it’s held up as an all time classic? Yes Am I ever likely to listen again? Probably not Definition of a 3/5
Brilliant album. Sounds really modern still in places other than some unintentional fuzz. Other songs sounding a bit more like Bob Dylan were slightly less interesting to me. Nico's voice is perfect for the sightly uncanny thing they have going on through the whole album. Highlights were anything sung by Nico, Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting for the Man, Heroin
I've always known this group existed but knew nothing about them. Had no idea they were connected to Andy Warhol and that Lou Reed was in this group. I really appreciate how unique the sound of this group is and how experimental they are. The song "Heroin" really hit me.
It was ok
Personally, a top 10, most influental album.
Sunday Morning - 9/10 I'm Waiting or The Man - 8/10 Femme Fatale - 9/10 Venus in Furs - 7.5/10 Run Run Run - 7.5/10 All Tomorrow's Parties - 7.5/10 Heroin - 7/10 There She Goes Again - 7.5/10 I'll Be Your Mirror - 8/10 The Black Angel's Death Song - 7.5/10 European Son - 7/10 TOTAL - 85.5/110
Bizarre. Not really my vibe, feels like I should be in a hookah cantina. Has some neat songs though.
Lounge music for tomorrow’s parties. I understand why it’s influential, but I think it’s kind of boring. Good music to vibe to, tho.
Not bad, but sometimes feels like little more than Lou Reed wailing over an obscure art project. Very influential, though.
Sunday Morning Femme Fatale I'm Waiting For The Man Heroin European Son I'll Be Your Mirror There She Goes Again The Black Angel's Death Song All Tomorrow's Parties Venus In Furs Run Run Run
p114. 1967. 3 stars. The perfect response to the Summer of Love, and very much a mixed bag. There are some stone cold classics on this (Venus In Furs, I'm Waiting For The Man) and it was hugely influential on late 70s punk/new wave. Set against that is a lot of filler - European Son is just noise - and Nico can't sing. Still worth a listen after 50+ years/
Interesting, almost pre-punk. But dated.
ну это творчество мне исходно непонятно, несмотря на восхваления со стороны адвенчурленда например
ein klassiker
God s. Funfact: eg trodde veldig lenge at detta albumet bare hadde dei første 6-7 sangane
It's the album with the banana on the cover. It's got Andy Warhol's signature. It's been praised to the moon and back by guys who are "into music" the same way that guys who are "into craft beer" talk about session-brew IPAs. Because deep down, you kind of know that they're right. They've had way more craft beers than you have and have been drinking them for way longer. Obviously, they must know what they're talking about. But on the surface, you only know that it tastes horrible. Just an overly bitter, hoppy mess. You might think that they've bought into their own bullshit as a way to save face, avoiding a certain amount of cognitive dissonance. What the fuck is at the bottom of the glass? "Oh, that's just sediment", he explains, "that means it's fresh." Yeah, sure man. You'll just order something that you know you'll like. Here's the thing about the craft beer guy: maybe he doesn't like it either. However, he's probably also ordered the same safe drinks for years and got tired of them. He had the same reaction as you when he started drinking IPAs too, but at least it wasn't another Coors Light. And the more he drank IPAs over time, the more he could start to appreciate them. Flavor profiles and hints of this or that. He likes how bold the flavor can be. He can talk about it with other craft beer guys and gain new insights, learn a few things about the brewing process. He becomes invested in trying all sorts of different craft beers, seeing what's out there and figuring out what he likes best. Perhaps he's happy with his bitter, hoppy mess of a hobby. People often drink just for the sake of drinking, and that's perfectly fine. There's also people who want to enjoy certain complexities to their drink. It can be fun to be challenged and try new things. Consider this your challenge for today.
I have been listening to this album for over 20 years and it's still a pleasure every time I hear it, probably the favourite album I am going to hear on this 1001 list.
Nico is a distraction but the Velvet Underground are *chef kiss*
Classic Velvet Underground. Standouts: Femme Fatale, Sunday Morning, Others: I'll Be Your Mirror, I'm Waiting for the Man, All Tomorrow's Parties, Heroin, There She Goes Again,
New appreciation for The V U! Really enjoyed it.
пи пи пи
Я послушал вельвет андеграунд на общем хайпе после просмотра фильма Лето. Я тогда много чего послушал: T-Rex, Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed... ну собственно, и вельветов тоже. И ничего не понял. А потом, когда пересматривал - понял. И всё встало на свои места. Однажды, правда, я поставил маме - она не поняла. И я тоже засомневался, что понял. Или всё-таки понял...
classic rock
An absolute classic. "Venus in Furs" is worth the price of entry by itself.
Sunday morning e poco altro
This is such a landmark album it's hard to give it anything but five stars. It's artistic, it's poppy, the switching between Lou Reed and Nico gives it a funny sort of dissonance. Heroin is such a standout, experience of a song too. Deserves it's place in history.
not bad
5 I love Lou Reed and think he is a musical genius. I feel I learn something new about this guy every time I read a story or article. I never realized this was Velvet's debut album, but I am starting to recognize the influence he had over music an other artist. If there was another artist I can compare his diversity, change of sound, willingness to push his fans to open their mind, shock you and some times just rock you, that would be Prince. Yep I'm talking Lou and Prince in the same conversation of musical genius and creativity. Two different genres and a different topic for another day. This album has it all. Songs that make you feel good, songs that are dark, songs that rock you and songs just that just blow you away. His voice, presentation and delivery are simply awesome. Something about the way he sings, I just love. I have most of this album downloaded my LOU playlist so it's difficult to state my favorite. The studio version of Heroin is bit more reserved than his live versions (his live stuff is even better than his studio versions), but has to be up there as one of his best. Along with I'm Waiting For The Man. I mean who the hell can make scoring some drugs such a great song? Sunday Morning is such a great opener with Nico's voice such a contrast to Lou, but together just beautiful. And then we just roll into one great song after another. Whenever I hear Venus in Furs, I think of Shankar. Great song with a very unique sound. I could probably spend a few minutes explaining why I like each song, but I can probably sum it up by saying I was introduced to Lou and Velvet late in life. They quickly have become one of my all time favorites. I wish I had the opportunity to see him live. I wish I would have introduced to his music decades ago. Great, great album. Great musical talent. One of the all time best. I love Lou! 5
I find this album to be unlistenable. If you have the vinyl the banana is a sticker so that's kinda cool. 0
4 I’m starting to see why my Dad likes these guys and gals so much - there’s a lot of really great stuff here, and I can’t help but respect Lou’s style of songwriting, which is seemingly a rejection of pop standards. I mean, an album glamorizing heroin, drug dealers, sadomasochism, and prostitution? Yeah, I can see why this was a bit of a controversial release in 1967. But I think that’s a part of the charm of the album, and paired with a competent songwriter like Lou and a talented vocalist like Nico, I found this to be a really good listen through and through. Right out of the gate, Sunday Morning had my full attention - it’s one of the most enchanting openers I’ve heard to an album, the kind that you can’t help but sit back in your chair to fully acknowledge and that imparts you with the feeling that everything might just be okay, ya know? An LSD trip meets catharsis in song form. I’m Waiting for the Man is a solid follow-up track from there, transitioning into what’s probably Nico’s finest moment on the album, Femme Fatale, but really, I thoroughly enjoyed her full trifecta of songs here - kind of shame Lou fired her after his album. Unfortunately, I don’t feel like this album finishes quite as strong as it starts, with Venus in Furs being the first miss for me of a few - whatever the hell is going on with the strings in the background is incredibly grating and made this song feel so much longer than five minutes (Dammit Cale). Things pick up again with the stretch of All Tomorrow’s Parties to I’ll Be Your Mirror, with the track Heroin in particular probably being the album’s second-best. The slow/fast dynamic of the song is really cool, the lyrics are incredibly strong, and… look, idk man, he just makes heroin sound really cool - I want to feel like Jesus’ son. Unfortunately, the comedown gives way to musical lows, and this album ends with two tracks basically comprised of a bunch of noise. Wish it could have ended as strongly as it started, but I’m sure there’s some kind of genius buried in there somewhere - let me know what I’m missing, Dad. As a whole though, I think this is a very well composed album with quite a lot of good tunes on it. I can definitely see why it’s regarded as a classic, and I can definitely see myself coming back to it. Hell, like my Dad, it sent me down a little bit of a Lou Reed rabbit hole over the weekend, and I found myself listening to his solo stuff during the commercial breaks of college football (Lol @ Bama). No idea if this is common knowledge, but I didn’t realize Can I Kick It? by A Tribe Called Quest is a sample of the guy. Learn something new every day, huh?
3.2
as you get older you realize your idols were degenerate and broken, but you also realize all of us are broken so they still have a place in your heart
2.5 good album. Can hear a lot of modern bands in some of their songs. Kasabian jumped out at me
I expected this album to be on here. It's one of my absolute favorites and the album cover is iconic. Each song can sound like modern indie and some raw 60s. Beautiful. Nico is a wonderful touch added in and I simply can't choose a favorite song.
3.5
Quite like the Nico ones, they are usually nice and melodic and well sung. The Lou Reed ones less so, trying too hard to be edgy at the expense of musicality. Again I get how influential they are and how this sets the template for punk etc but not my kind of thing
Bought it as a student, because that's the law. Tried it, didn't really get on with it - Reed's voice in particular is too flat. But undeniably influential - classics everywhere and across pop culture
Definitely a trend setting album. They slowly started to turn the old blusey, big bopper swing, 60s rock n roll into their own sound. You can hear many different bands sounds from this one album.
Uskomatonta ajallensa. psykedeelistä rokkia eli heh huumeita käytetty, huumeita käytetty ja tämä tulos, uskomaton icredible innovation voi vaan tehä aivan päissään... hubert einstein... daltonin velejjet, marin kurin... ei pahemmin huumeiltu sillon, joten miksi miksi pitää musiikki joo tarvii huume EI TARVI... TEKOSYY... LAISKAMADOT SOSIAALITURVALLA TEKOSYY HUUMEILLE....avant-gard european son
Starts off ok and then just keeps getting worse.
I think it’s a 5/5 just for venus in furs honestly but the other 10 tracks are pretty great too only flawed by the last track being just not as good as the others but this is still brilliant 5/5.
Nico draagt weinig bij, maar grotendeels goed
I'm so glad I listened to that. There is such an obvious straight line from Lou Reed to Bob Dylan and in the opposite direction to the talking heads. That was magnificent, so familiar and unlike anything else. Brilliant.
2/5. I have to be objective and not rate an album based on the name of the band, and as a result I’m giving this album a 2/5. Heroin is such an awesome song, but the rest of the album is rather lackluster and too psychedelic for my taste.
If there was a 5+ rating this would get it!
Classique des classiques, mais j’arrive toujours pas à digérer les distorsions stridentes de guitare et de violons, ça me tape sur le gros nerf à chaque fois
4- Femme Fatale
Respect 4... Uskomatonta ajallensa.. Harmi ettei ole vitosen albumi...
I've not listened to them before. From the band summary I was expecting something a bit more original and dynamic than this. Seems to be more 'exploratory and innovative' than any good
Not as good as I remembered.
Nice, the day after the almighty Generator gave me my first Lou Reed album, it gives me my first The Velvet Underground album. I liked this a lot! It's got that distorted and psychedelic feel that I'm really beginning to fall for. Not every song was a real hit for me but it was still very good, and it's amazing seeing what effect this album had - Featuring a lot of controversial subject matters and lyrics, and generally being very progressive and ahead of its time. I can absolutely see how The Velvet Underground was a real inspiration for many bands that came after them. I learned a lot about Andy Warhol from my research into this album too. This is a very interesting album for sure, as well as being a very good listen. Favouite: I'm Waiting For The Man
den är väl rätt så bra
Highlight: Sunday Morning, Heroin
Banana
I can see in 1967 this album would be radical but it doesnt quite hold up for me now.
Good stuff
Met vlagen is het goeie muziek, maar regelmatig is het ook vervelend dissonant. Neem nou dat luchtalarmachtige geluid bij Heroin wat maar blijft doorgaan. Ik trek dat heel slecht. En zo zit er meer valse herrie in dit album. Jammer.
The first thing I noticed here was how much better this album is than the Nico "Chelsea Girls" album I got not that long ago. That was definitely one of those "I must not be cool enough to get this" album, but with VU, I genuinely enjoyed listening to this album. Some great songs. A bit overhyped and still "cool kid" but a legitimately solid album that was ahead of its time. Highlights for me are "Venus in Furs" and "Run Run Run." 5/5 Deserves to be on this list, has some great songs, a good album.
banananananannaanannananannan/10
Not a big fan of Lou Reed or his sound, but this wasn't bad. Relatively mellow but I'm sure it was much more groundbreaking in 1967.
The most influential album ever, unlike some people, I love Nicos voice, I’ll be your Mirror and Femma Fetale are beautiful melancholy. Sunday morning is another example of a drug-fused melancholy that can only be described as pure bliss. However the hard rockers like Heroin are also amazing, this album is great.
I enjoyed the first three songs. They're upbeat and catchy. The 60 was a great time.
Zou een 7 geven, het is goed dat hoor je. Wel een beetje gedateerd
Legacy and influence on modern music is clear from the first song. Less punk and more folky than I was expecting, but definitely picks up as you go through the album. Solidly put together and coherent. Running rating: 6/10
Don't listen sober. Hasn't aged well.
Og
Rating: 4.4
I thought this was just an alright record. I think in this record I'm hearing the difference between 'heroin music' and 'coke music' haha (this being heroin music obvs) One in my listening group noted it is 'unsatisfying' and that maybe it was important to the hipsters in the 60s but not to me. It's hard to believe this ranks 13th on the Rolling Stone list... actually that was the biggest let down of this experience - so much hype for what felt like such a droning and repetitive and self-indulgent record.
Was going to rate higher but that last song... ugh
Pleasant album with a nice vintage sound from the recording equipment of the time. Feels like something to listen to on a road trip and very nice vibes. Very upbeat stuff that just makes me feel good.
better than the eponymous record
While I can understand the significance this must have had on alternative rock - especially considering it came out at 67, which feels crazy I early - I’m finding it hard to name songs that are actually good. ‘Sunday Morning’ is a classic that I’ve heard many times, but it’s a song more fitting of a soundtrack or something, rather than something I want to listen to like this. Same goes for many other songs. It’s just not something I really want to listen to.
Such a modern sounding album. Different, groundbreaking while still being accessible. I hadn't listened to the album as a whole before but had heard most of the songs before. The song "Heroin" was a discovery for me. There is such a good mix of simple production tracks that still manage to be different and interesting. Well worth a listen although I think the last few songs are the weakest of the album.
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It’s on every list ever written and it deserves to be. Classic record.
Bits of it were interesting but in no way was this worthy of any critical acclaim
I really liked most of this album. Good background working music
Albums ok. They are supposed to be one of the pioneers of punk but really it’s mellow music to drive to or cook dinner on a Sunday.
This Album is in my top ten, absolutely great.
Þetta er rosa broody. Gott broody.
The brilliance of this album always seems to be lost in the chaos for me, but I'm always impressed that it's from 1967.
It all sounds a bit pretentious and the screeching guitars are unpleasant to listen to. Altogether quite boring, which is amplified by the droning voices. Ending song is really just noise and screeching, not at all plesant to listen to.
This made me relapse into my alter identity as an insufferable lesbian who ardently adheres to the cynicism and dissatisfaction Sylvia Plath imparts upon her readers in The Bell Jar. She is one crazy bitch, but I adore her to pieces.
So here's the thing: I like it. And I actually understand the influential nature of it, which is rare for this genre with me. It transcends musical eras and inspires creativity in the truest form. Still, maybe I'm not musically cultured enough to relate with that. I don't think I'm begging to come back to it from a listener's perspective, but from a student of music perspective I will definitely be returning. After enough studying this may become a 5 star for me but based purely on the first listen at this moment, I have to go with my heart.
Liked I’m waiting for the man, Femme Fatale, Run Run Run, and I’ll be your mirror. I didn’t like this overall it was boring but I think I might give it a 3 if I gave it another listen but I’m so far behind so f that
C+ Sunday Morning - 4 I’m Waiting for the Man - 2 Femme Fatale - 4 Venus In Furs - 3 Run Run Run - 3 All Tomorrow’s Parties - 2 Heroin - 3 There She Goes Again - 3 I’ll Be Your Mirror - 3 The Black Angel’s Death Song - 3 European Son - 1 Self-Titled is better.
Liked the beginning, but the end of the album my ears hurt.
This is definitely one of those iconic albums I very much appreciate but don’t fully enjoy from start to end. The opening track is still iconic but some of the more psychedelic guitar heavy songs start to weigh on me and I begin to get tired of the whole album. Despite those moments, however, I understand why this is such an important album and can still enjoy tracks like Sunday morning and heroin.
As per the velvet underground, it had undoubtable style. Last song did my head in a bit though
Ok
- Sunday Morning - I'm Waiting for the Man - Femme Fatale - Run, Run, Run - Heroin - There She Goes Again
"Alright boys, you are going to play with shit, canned production because it is more real. You are going to add those unnecessary last 4 minutes to Heroin (which could've been fantastic) and European Son (which never have been saved) because it makes it real. And you are going to add unnecessary noise guitars that add nothing to the songs because, you guessed it, makes it more real" - probably Andy Warhol at some point
Áspero al principio, pero está en Dolby y suena de puta madre
A great albumJust so good,I wish there was more nico I actually really like her voice and signing style even if she says clown weird.Most of this album is straight bangers.I really love Sunday morning and femme fatale.Heroin is what I wish bob dylan songs were like,full of story and atmosphere with the pounding drum simulations a heartbeat quickening and quickening until slowly decreasing it’s just amazing I love it.
Does not make me want to hear more. What stood out to me were the dissonance of instruments and Lou Reed’s not very melodious talk-singing.
Ok. Seeing the hype. So many styles, all somehow blending really well across the album. Also, they are clearly doing music the way they want. Solid album.
Banana album
I'm familiar with some of the songs (Heroin and Sunday Morning) but I've never really gotten into the Velvet underground much. Just doesn't hit me right I guess.
One of the nastiest albums ever made. I love it.
Not bad
Have been meaning to listen to this album for awhile, I'm really enjoying this album so far. Love the Psychedelic sound of the late 60s early 70s so this is right up my alley.
Good classic psych rock with the most chill I've damn ever seen. Some cuts such as the druggily brooding Venus in Furs persistently push the over-bearing boundaries both for the better and worse. The overstayed Heroin is an example of the worse. European Son is a psychedelic masterpiece though.
Heard it before: Yes Enjoy it?: Yeah, it has a very smooth feel and charm to it Favourite song: Track 2 - I’m Waiting For The Man
Visionary.
It has some moments of genius, but some of the record is just bad. Favorite song: there she goes again
Brilliant album but a little too experimental towards the end for me.
Meluisaa ja aika taiteellista rockia. Kitarat epävireessä, mutta luo tietynlaisen tunnelman. En tiiä mitä tästäkin sanois. Ei oikein kauheen miellyttävää musiikkia, mutta kokemuksena ja tunnelmallisesti ihan ok siisti levy.
I just don't get it
Nice to have an album I'm already familiar with (and have the t-shirt!) Obviously a solid 5*.
Listened to this while stress writing an article late at night and it definitely accentuated the vibes in a good way
This album exists largely On its reputation. Although it is markedly better than white light white heat it is still not easily digestible to the common music fan.
The Velvet Underground seems to be a group that makes albums that I'm not crazy about, yet I still look back at listening to fondly. At least, that was my experience with this and White Light/White Heat. The songs that I like make me ignore the boring parts. But then, I remember the amount of time I spent during this album waiting for a boring song to end. I wouldn't say I'm super into either of the albums I've heard, but I do think they're cool and I understand why their albums are so acclaimed. I assume that I will grow to like the songs I do like more and this will become a 4 in my eyes, but only time will tell. My favourite songs were Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, and Venus in Furs.
Classic, has a good mix of bangers and skips. 8/10.
Oh, yes, I do like this band and this album. In many ways, the culture of the band and in which the band lived and worked happens to be interesting to me. Maybe because it's quite different from my own path, and I see quite a few of the people involved with it to have been brave. I'm sure I'm romanticizing that whole world, as I think one always does when imagining what it would have been like to participate in it, but it's a lot fun to do so. Musically, I like the songs on this album and on their other albums. I like the style and sound of their compositions and performances, and both Lou Reed's and Nico's vocals draw me in. It's pretty wild how listening to it now, well into the 21st century and over five decades after the album's recording and release, I can hear elements of so many musical acts and genres that spread out in the years since. The little write-up mentions them and it's fascinating to my ear.
2/5 Best: Heroin Worst: The Black Angel's Death Song
Meistarastykki sem þau náðu aldrei að toppa. Hafði gaman af þá og hef gaman af nú, þrátt fyrir að vera annars lítið hrifinn af Lou Reed. Tabú textar, hrá production en merkilegt margt að gerast í tónum. Merkilegt samt hvernig European Son er miklu flottara disonance Black Angel Death Song.
This is the birth of "alternative/indie" aesthetics of rock music, or, more exactly, rock music as we know today. Tucker's no-bass-drum sounding, Cale's "avant-garde" arranging, Morrison's guitar-rocking, and of course, Reed's revolutionary Ostrich noise with decadent lyricisms, we have the rock music that totally abandon the "blues.", thus sets the musicians apart from the bluesy-rock-'n-roll fundamentality but still remains the music in rock context. Fav Track: Venus in Furs
Strong 9/10
Idk, heard a lot about this album but did not love it
it was fine but whatevs
It’s hauntingly good. A mad musical experiment but with really good songs peeping through.
This is the second Velvet Underground album I've been served up. The first one was grungy. This one was folky and easy to listen to.
The Velvet Underground & Nico is groovy enough and pretty ahead of its time. Doesn't entirely enthrall me but I respect it. 3.
Amazing that this is 55 years old, I know we've got the White Album coming up and from memory I think it'll struggle to compete with this, but both deserve their places in the 'crazy experimental stuff that inspired so much more' pantheon. Is there a single song on there that is brilliant? Other than Heroin, probably not, but there's so much variety in the sound across the 11 tracks, it's probably the best prog rock record that was out there by 1967 without even being prog rock. That said, it's not a good enough listen in its own right to get a 5, so 4 it is.
Fundamentales Album für so viele Genres und das schon 1967. Auch heut noch immer gut hörbar und kaum gealtert. Zwischen 4-5.
When ibsaw this album come up... I thought... Velvet Underground, this will be hit or miss!! Listened to the album, and yes I can get why, back in the day, these guys were rated as out there and experimental with sounds, and I'm sure there's many a "music" critic who will criticise me for saying this... but listening to it as an album of work, without all the nostalgia and meaning from way back in the day... its really not that great, and I'd say more of a miss than a hit, for me anyway. Just sounded like they were having a jam session where each of them came up with a track and they had a go at playing it, because it was quite rough and unhinged in many places... European Son being the worst by far.
A hedonistic masterpiece! I can imagine a bunch of comatose hippies in the 60s/70s with this album on repeat 😂
C'est somptueux
Un méga classique
Le 5/5 le plus facile de ma vie PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN
Awesome álbum from the art-rock old school!
love it
• Re-listen • Nico is problematic (racist lol) but this is a classic • Venus in Furs and I’ll Be Your Mirror are my favourites • Reading about how this was a flop at release vs it’s perfect score now - I want to dive into the controversial lyricism and overall lore of the band
I really don't get the hype. Don't like the vocals from Nico. Lou Reeds vocals also are all over the place. Weird ending to the album.
Banana album good. But really though, it's simple perfection. It seems almost too basic to be good, but that's where it really shines. I know this might sound stupid, but you don't have to work too hard with this album. It feels almost musically accessible to everyone, which is part of the reason it works. Maybe it's not for everyone, but at least it's ACCESSIBLE to everyone. That's in large part due to Lou Reed's poetic lyricism dealing with some mundane, some risqué, topics. I think the album grows as it goes along, with the first half being a lot more manageable than the second. Still fantastic, though.
HLs: "I'll Be Your Mirror", "Femme Fatale", "Venus in Furs", "All Tomorrow's Parties" (again with this song), "The Black Angel's Death Song" Finally sitting down with this oft-talked about album. Earns its reputation as prescient of many later genres of music- CureSonicYouthR.E.M.Morrissey and so on wasn't feeling all of the extended jams & drone elements, just *most* of them May 21 2023
I love how they embraced the tinny sound. An experimental wonderland that works around 90% of the time. European Son could have been cut or made better. Lyrics were beautiful and the sound was all original. 4/5
The album that inspired countless musicians. Some tracks are a little bit too experimental for my taste, but there's a couple od stand-out tracks like "Venus In Furs".
Didn't enjoy it that much
Noen av sangene blir litt for trege til noe høyere karakter
I really like the opener Sunday Morning. it's so pretty and stoner-esque. I like a few of the songs but overall i'm having trouble getting into this album. it's my first time ever listening to it in full. I like a lot if the instrumentals but some of them hurt my ears.
From Wiki: “ In 1982, the English musician Brian Eno said that while the album only sold approximately 30,000 copies in its first five years, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band". In 2003, it ranked 13th on Rolling Stone’s "500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” I recognize many of these songs as cover and I can understand why this album was so influential. Would I listen to it over and over? To be determined. I might give it a second spin today. I enjoyed the song Heroin.
First listen through, I very much did not enjoy this. I recognized the album cover but knew nothing going in. The first song or two was decent, but the longer it went on the more I struggled to enjoy it. Like I was genuinely annoyed multiple times.
-didn’t write a BL- AL: I came into this album expecting a lot. One of the most famous albums of all time and frequently lauded by the critics as one of the best albums of all time, and the album cover in my opinion, is probably the most famous album cover of all time. Andy Warhol of course being the eponymous painter of the cover. If only the album was as good as the cover… I thought this was just very ok. I got excited with the first track because it’s very well orchestrated, however the rest of the album just sort of devolves into noise, in my opinion. I understand that this album is kind of an amalgamation of all that was relevant at the moment which is why it’s seen as so culturally significant but these days the early experiments in distortion leave a lot to be desired. It also doesn’t help that I think Nico isn’t a very good singer. Lou Reed and the other members of The Velvet Underground are very clearly talented and for a record made in the 60s to sound so modern is quite interesting. But it just doesn’t cut it today and it generally felt pretty underwhelming. It was good to experience one of the most iconic albums of all time. But I’m not a big fan. FT: “Sunday Morning” 2/5
I've known this album since the late eighties and listened to it many, many times. It still holds up and it's unquestionably a landmark in the alternative rock landscape. The extreme roughness in parts of the production detracts at least a little, but I think it manages a top rating for sheer audacity in its time.
ada very nice sound to this album. ye olde timey i guess? sounds soft and old and nice and yes
i like the parts without nico
some very good solos with the droning guitars going on too, however ultimately disappointing.
I love VU and Lou Reed and have listened to this album many times over the years. That said, I don’t think it’s their strongest work and I’m not as big of a fan of Nico. Need more Lou!
Feel like I’m in a Wes Anderson movie and getting bullied by bohemians.
I find it very interesting how ubiquitous droning instruments became in the mid-60s. Sitar, hurdy gurdy, even some organs. What was it about that period that made stasis such a fundamental part of the sound? This album is pretty great. I really dig the writing. Some of the guitar playing sounds a lot like when I was learning and just messing around. Maybe it's genius and I'm just missing the boat.
It will always amaze me that this record didn’t sell well. There’s a famous quote from Brian Eno I heard on a podcast recently that said something about how despite it only selling 20/30000 records in the first few years, everyone who bought one formed a band. As influential as anything we’ll come across on this list. I’ve loved Velvet Underground since a teenager (it was the old Hyundai advert that peaked my interest), and I still love them today. If anything that grew over the years. This record in particular is the quintessential VU record. If someone has heard of them, theyve listened to this, and if someone’s new to them they get recommended this. So experimental for its time, given the polished pop acts which were popular in the late 60s. It often gets cited as the record that kick started the whole ‘art rock’ sound, but there’s bits of rock, punk, pysch, the lot. It’s mint. One of the most important records of all time, and for me makes it’s peers in the day seem boring.
Seems my review of this went missing, I basically said it was more interesting and psychedelic than Sgt pepper and I quite enjoyed it but on the whole it's not a genre for me.
Can hear the influence on loads of other music, and the lyrics are generally excellent throughout. Still couldn't get into it and wouldn't return though.
Had never listened to Velvet Underground before but thought this was pretty good. Apparently it was very influential in its day, I can see why. Highlights: All Tomorrow's Parties Heroin Venus In Furs
Really like Lou Reed's voice and writing. Very simple but emotive. I'm much more familiar with his solo work though. I don't really know who Nico is, but she has a really nice voice and it complements Lou Reed. This album is fantastic and clearly influential. My favourites are: I'm waiting for the man Heroin I'll be your mirror Run run run At tomorrow's parties There she goes again For me, I'll be your mirror and in waiting for the man are a cut above the rest
I really understand the Brian Eno quote when I listen to this (even though the album sold only only 30,000 copies in its first five years, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band!"). The music is loose and cool, very exciting, and perhaps because it is unpolished it makes you think "I could do that!" Of course, you probably can't do that, the band captures a magic that is elusive and only they could capture in the way that they did. But what is more amazing and powerful than something that makes others want to create something too?
This is obviously a landmark album, they are undoubtedly pioneers in many ways, and there are some amazing tracks on it, but as an album there are two things that bug me about it: 1) It feels sort of inconsistent - especially going back and forth with Nico as vocalist, but also simply going from songs that sound so poppy (even if the lyrics tell a different story), to such abrasive and experimental material. 2) It was recorded horribly. Some might say that adds to its charm, but it was not a joy to listen to for me. It could use a good remix/remaster in my opinion. I much preferred listening to the Mono version on the super deluxe edition. All that is to guiltily explain why I gave it a 4 from an expected 5. I still like it, it's absolutely a landmark album, but by no means their best work.
Brian Eno quipped that while the album only sold approximately 30,000 copies in its first five years, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band". -Wikipedia
This is the 3rd Velvet Underground album. I am still trying to figure out why. I did not really care for it. It was not a super long album which is helpful. There is nothing to revisit.
Too discordant and experimental for my tastes
it has a banana. I've heard very mixed opinions about this album personally. I find it kind of appealing sometimes, but overall it just gets me closer to a headache. The last track is nice though.
Admit mild weariness on seeing I was to listen to this again; how many times can I play and still enjoy it? But it sounds as live as it ever has. Still perfect, “European Son” included. Piano still hammers like a cheerful Tommy gun. Electric viola still simulates a jet engine. Guitars still aggressively exotic, Nico still atonally brilliant, Reed still a man knowing he’s singing something entirely new into being.
incredible album, especially good to hear those tracks sequenced again
5.0 + I've listened to this album dozens of times and I'm still noticing new things. This time, having just heard Nick Cave's rendition of "All Tomorrow's Parties", I was especially curious about that song, which for me had been overshadowed by the more immediately gripping "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting For My Man." The lyrics, the jangly insistent piano, the spare marching band-like drumming, the meandering guitar line, Nico's androgynous voice - how could they knew these divergent elements would come together to create such a subtly spectacular song?
perfect. perfect. maybe the last song isn't that much, but anyways. perfect.
Very interesting stuff. It's kind of hard for me to pretend I like it though. 3.5 stars
I think this banana is gonna get peeled until the end of human history. Is there anything that can be said about this masterpiece that hasn't been said a thousand times before? First, it's an incredibly influential record, whose ripple effects can still be felt on a lot of the music released today, more than 50 years after the fact (when it was indeed *underground*, and ignored by most music listeners). But most of all, it's an incredibly *versatile* record, that can adapt to settings and environments that are totally at odds with each other. You can play this legendary debut album on a "Sunday morning" as you drink a cup of hot chocolate and watch the rain fall outside from your living room--wearing a comfy old sweater and daydreaming until the album stops playing... And you can play this record on a Saturday night while "waiting for your man" in a drug-fuelled/booze-propelled party taking place in the flat rented by some of your wildest friends. And the craziest thing is that, as this album goes on, a bit of the "opposite" atmosphere will surreptitiously seep into the locale and circumstances of the place you are in. Odd feelings will disrupt your sunday routine. A sense of calm and peacefulness will be experienced as the rest of your friends keep on getting drunk or high. It's not so much that the record adapt to its settings. It's the *settings* that can adapt to the record. Such is the sheer genius of this LP, and one of the many reasons for its timeless appeal. 5/5, obviously. And a mandatory listen whenever you travel to NYC. When time, place, cultural history and music can be condensed into a single artefact, you know you're dealing with an "essential" work of art. Number of albums left to review: 588 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 198 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 92 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 122
Started out slow and boring for me, until I read up on the album and decided to actually read the lyrics. Kind of crazy how that can change your whole outlook! The screechy mic feedback effects I can do without. That’s an automatic change the song in my books. Nobody wants to hear that! Listen again: maybe Purchase for my collection: only for collectibility Favourite Song: Run, run, run Worst Song: Heroin (with the mic feedback constantly)
It is what it is.
A trippy album. Not sure I get it, but I'm glad I listened to it twice.
Watch out! The world’s behind you.
This album absolutely belongs on this list. There is a lot to listen to here; while not all enjoyable it is all interesting. It is like art I would go visit in a museum, and appreciate and talk about, but not buy to take home to hang over the couch.
So I’ve seen this album around quite a lot before and came to recognise how much of a classic this album is seen as, so really I had high expectations and I’ll be honest they weren’t met. I’ll start by saying that for the time this album was made I respect the sounds the band were going for as some of the harsher instrumentals seem even a bit alien to someone like me listening to them now but I’ll be honest, half of these songs gave me a headache and were genuinely not the nicest to listen to. The album opens up with ‘Sunday Morning’ which is a lovely almost lullaby-esque start to the record which genuinely feels like waking up on a peaceful Sunday morning. The chimes in the background really help to cement this feeling and the backing vocals on the latter half of this track are a great addition too. This goes well with the next 2 tracks, the first “I’m Waiting For The Man’ is a nice upbeat rock song which sounds really typical of the classic rock era and the second ‘Femme Fatale’ is a gorgeous track with a female vocalist taking over and a slightly stripped back instrumental which makes way for such a nice listen. I also have to mention ‘Run Run Run’ and ‘There She Goes Again’ which give some more of this classic rock sound that is so pleasing to hear, and ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’ which follows the female vocalist again giving a very soft vocal performance which makes this another stand out track. For the other 5 tracks on this record I really don’t know what to say, I do kind of hope that just because this is my first listen they throw me off guard as I’m sure at another time they might click for me, but the instrumentals on some of these are honestly painful. It’s just hard to tell where the band were going with these as the vocals are completely overshadowed by these harrowing screeching tones as in the song ‘The Black Angel’s Death Song’ or in the last 2 minutes of ‘Heroin’. Then there are songs such as ‘Venus In Furs’ which is just covered in this horrific bagpipe-like sound screeching in the back which really takes away from the rest of the song. I have to say I don’t actually mind ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ it just goes on a bit too long for me with that instrumental. Finally there’s the closer ‘European Son’ which starts off quite promising reaching for that classic rock sound again until it is overwhelmed by this screeching and unorthodox guitar fill which for the nearly 8 minutes this track runs for can get pretty tiring. Overall, this record left me with mixed emotions, I feel that over time I will probably come to love each of the tracks that I’ve criticised here as they’re just a bit harder to swallow initially but this is based on my first listen and right now I’m pretty divided on this album, so I’ll leave it at that. 3/5
Honestly I like this more and more with each listen
An incredibly influential album that I enjoy but has never entirely clicked with me
It feels a bit blasphemous only giving this a 4, but it is what it is. Obviously very influential in many ways, but a several of these songs just aren't great. Nico's singing is way off, and Lou Reed's isn't much better. although this is probably his best.
I don't even need to hear it. But of course I'll take advantage of this moment. This is as good as it gets.
Whenever a big album like that comes up, I'm thinking - it can't be that good, right? And then I play it and realize that it is even better than I remembered. It's one of those where you can't overstate their influence. I mean you can hear all types of indie rock tracing their roots back to this thing. And it was made almost 60 years ago? You'd expect it to lose at least some appeal due to age, right? But no, it's as enjoyable as ever. This is one of those albums that this list was created for.
Enjoyed
Classic! The most celebrated album by my favorite band. 10/10. I love it. What a great way to start this :)
Not bothered
I listened many times. I like it when it's Lou Reed best
Listened through twice, can't really get into it. It's a bit droney.
How to listen again to an album I've probably listened to thousands of times before and where three of the tracks are on my heavy rotation Spotitfy playlists? It also feels like a record whose influence loomed over most of the music I've loved in my life. I actually remember the first time I heard it, when my brother played me the vinyl copy he had, and I remember when I bought my own copy, at a CD fair in Southampton. Trying to listen afresh now it's still an amazing record. I realise, however, that I'd got into the habit of stopping it at the start of the five minutes noise at the end of European Son :D
Some bearable songs but they aren't very good, with two average singers.
Good stuff
Any discourse about the Velvet Underground’s debut is likely to include hyperbole after hyperbole, all of which you’ll have heard before. Saviour of music in the 1960’s, progenitor of punk, progenitor of grunge, progenitor of indie, post-punk before there was punk, God’s favourite album. For as long as I’ve adored “Sgt Pepper” or “Pet Sounds”, I’ve had people try to tell me this is cooler, more daring, all round better. In fifty-six years since its release, it only seems to have grown in stature, never losing its allure as a gateway drug for hipsters and inspiring generations of sixteen year olds to get into music, drugs, art-school, or S&M. My instinct tells me it’s an overrated dud, with nothing here to match most of the other 60’s albums we put on a pedestal. Listening with fresh ears today, I’ve tried to reconcile my bias with “Velevet Underground and Nico”’s undeniable forward-thinking approach and revolutionary legacy. For what it’s worth, I much prefer Velvet Underground’s later work when they leaned further into lush melodies and conventional rock and roll, before Lou Reed peaked in his early solo career. It follows that “Sunday Morning” has always been the track that’s stood out to me most here. Absolutely gorgeous melody, lovely use of celesta, featherweight vocal, somehow weary with the weight of the world… it captures its title perfectly. “Waiting for the Man” is also a classic, somehow managing to draw a compelling song from two chords and insanely simple instrumentation. “Heroin” is a masterclass in well-paced intensity, from its blissed out intro, the funereal toms, through to the primal build up and ensuing chaos at the gates of hell. Nico’s vocals are a really welcome addition as well, giving “I’ll Be Your Mirror” and “Femme Fatale” a lovely elegance. The rest of the tracks tend to veer from vaguely interesting to forgettable or obnoxious. “The Black Angel’s Death Song” doesn’t do a lot for me. “Run Run Run” and “There She Goes Again” are gnawingly ordinary, only edgy on account of their poor recording quality, shaky performance and badly tuned instruments. Finally, “European Son” begins well but ends with a strung-out jam lacking any nuance or skill. “Velvet Underground and Nico” is frustrating, maddening, head-scratching, wilful, bold, out there… and I must admit, highly commendable. Ultimately, most of my instincts telling me not to like this album are an aversion to those snotty hipsters who proclaim this album as the second coming. Listening as freely and objectively as possible today, I must concede that it might not be a favourite, but it is darn good.
Love this album. Sunday morning is great. Love Femme fatale, very Marlene Dietrich. Not sure about the lyrics to There she goes 🤔
Classic album that I think lives up to the hype. Funny in my “VU phase” I only ever really got into their post-John Cale albums. Definitely much more experimental.
One of the best records in my opinion. Highly influential regarding everything that is not mainstream.
it's good, I like it
Oh Christ, not another one of these 'seminal' albums. You need to consume the same amount of drugs as they took during recording to truly appreciate this. A handful of good hooks, like the opening to Venus in Furs. You sort of swim in the sound, a haze of drone and jangly guitar line while the vocal wends its way around you. But most of this album is a drug-addled mess. It's lounge music for 60s crack addicts.
A couple of good songs. A lot of dross. Never understood the hype. Lou Reed was much better as a solo artist.
Why is this popular with anyone. Noise.
Un poco lentillo, pero como es Lou, le pongo un 5.
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C'est les émotions
bien joué Nico
Boring.
What can be said about this, one of the most important album released in rock history, that hasn't already been said before? The western music world was introduced to Reed and Cale and never looked back. That tuning (!) and that viola (!) on 'Venus in Furs' lives in perfect symbiosis with Reed's chanting vocals. The mix of psychedelic instrumentation and traditional folk melodies on 'All Tomorrow's Parties' is a perfect example of the album being extremely re-listenable - with every listen a new layer uncovers itself. Of course, the absolute centerpiece of the album is 'Heroin' which must be one of the most haunting musical creations ever. A stark contrast to McCartney singing about his retirement at age 64 or Ringo singing about his friends. Oh and 'Sunday Morning' is perfect.
It’s hard to fathom that this was released in ‘67. It’s even more unfathomable to what extent The Velvet Underground & Nico influenced not only future bands but future genres altogether. Lulling you into a state of false safety with “Sunday Morning” everything involves into a state of frenzy the further the album progresses. In the end you don’t even know what hits you as “The Black Angel’s Death Song” and “European Son” collapses into sonic dismay. I’m not always sure that this record wants for me to stay. But long ago I firmly decided against it’s possible wishes.
Some people get Lou Reed. I'm not one of those people.
Maybe I’m lackin importance in context oh this album. But , it felt like any pop album for. The 60s. Great production l.
Une atmosphère glauque mais pas lourde. Des textes curieux, des sons inusités. J'ai tellement écouté cet album. Je l'adore.
Not quite my cup of tea but I can appreciate it.
Casi un 5. Pero la última canción es muy pesada. Me gustan There She Goes Again y Femme Fatale
I'm usually a sucker for rock, but nothing truly stood out to me on this one
overrated piece of crap
Head songs off this and was aware of this album and it’s impact in both the rock and room and art scenes, fist time listing to it cover to cover. Very beautiful album through and through, what was considered “controversial lyrics” at the time just paint such a good picture of everything Reed was dealing with and what was going on with the other unseen sides of life. Yet with these harsh topics Reed and Nico still make the album sound so beautiful and at times dreamlike. An album that helped open the door for more experimental sounds to flood the airwaves.
Very poetic lyrics. Lots of Indian/eastern and medieval influences.
Bastante bueno la verdad
I think Sunday morning is probably my favourite song from this album, simply because it's something I'd really like to wake up to on a Sunday morning.
Great songs.
Lou Reed > The Velvet Underground. That's just my opinion.
10/10
It’s alright
One of my favorite albums of all-time. Sunday Morning is just so gorgeous with its sweet playful melody. It gives no clue as to the mayhem to come. Waiting for my Man is simply the best song about scoring drugs EVER. Femme Fatale introduces the deep sultry voice of Nico and her unconventional voice fits the song perfectly Things take a turn for the macabre with Venus in Furs, showcasing John Cale's viola. Side one ends with my favourite vehicle for Nico's vocals; the utterly gorgeous All Tomorrow's Parties. Side 2 is just as provocative and ground-breaking. My only gripe, I wish the sound was better. Possibly my all time favourite album. 5 stars...DUH!
Memorable, impactful and unforgettable, a vital album for this list and everything that this inspired. Changed production, shook up music - feels like the first song of the seventies. Hard not to rate this five stars.
Aina hyvä, monipuolinen
Kaksi persoonallisuutta: vaatimattomat parin minuutin rallatukset (Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, There She Goes Again..) vastaan kunnianhimoiset kokeilut (Venus in Furs, Heroin..). Edelliset ovat loistavia, jälkimmäiset eivät koskaan ole erityisemmin puhutelleet minua. Eli... hyvä debyytti?
Got this back to back with 'Goo'. This one is a little bit better. I don't get most of the songs though.
Fine I guess
of course i love it, ive already listened. top 25 album oat
A solid record...Loaded is better though
Okay, I guess. Definitely enjoyed Reed's solo effort Transformer a lot more than this. I'm also not a big fan of Nico's voice. Kind of a mood record and it's a mood I'm rarely in. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding
3 stars.
Solid 3.5, much prefer it to other albums of its time
meh, nothing special.
Easily a masterpiece and 5 stars. This album is so iconic and crucial to a sound that inspired so much after it and since. Listening to it today, it still sounds urgent and unique powerful. Just an excellent record.
Nästan i ens dna.
Not an easy listen in parts
Liked some songs but not all. It was good to study too, but sometimes the screeching got to me. I would only listen to this if I was doing something that required me to focus because I would zone it out.
overrated
An album that's brilliantly dark and harrowing. Nico's vocals were great in this, amplifying the haunting lyrics. Reed's non-existent vocal range was also perfect for the songs on this album. Heroin is a perfect example of this, as he sings this 7-minute masterpiece in the most monotone yet dark way possible. Great album.
I wonder if they know what they have done, its too eraly in the 60s to make such a thing. When i discovered this album (just for the popular cover) i searched for more and more, i think this was the beggining of a lot of music and bands that we still listen today. Sunday morning, Femme Fatale, nice
I think you need to be in the right mood to enjoy this album, but when that's the case, it's perfect.
5/5. It’s hard not to praise this album for its originality and creativeness. Each song is great, although not all accessible at first. Anyone can find a different favorite song here.
1st February 2023 Listened while driving to the dentist and in the morning. Supper at mum and dad’s in the evening after dad worked on the house. I love the softer songs rather than the heroin induced escapism of the last few but they are a totally unique band and the androgyny of nico is really interesting.
Traditionally I've always put this down as an album that I don't really "get", especially not to the extent that I feel like I should. I've engaged with it several times over the years and always come away a bit perplexed that it didn't blow me away as much as it seems to almost everyone else. This time was a little different, I've got much more into experimental music since I last listened to this album and I think that was the context I was missing. Tuning all your guitar strings to the same note and pushing all the faders up till everything is clipping and calling it a day is a very bold production decision and I totally respect it on so many levels. But because at the core these are good pop songs it leads to this weird fusion of "Is it experimental? is it not? what's going on?" that you tend to get from much of John Cale's output. Its on the edge constantly of turning into a mess, occasionally crossing that line but not quite enough to totally descent into farce. Definitely the star of this record is how its made not in the songs themselves, that's what I was missing before.
Great album
Not my kind
Anthony Bourdain music
o engraçado é que faz mais ou menos 1 ano q eu ouvi esse album pela primeira vez, e olha ele aqui. atualmente ele taria facilmente entre meus top albuns, mas na primeira vez ele me soou só ok, nada de mais. umas ouvidas mais atenciosas mudam mesmo tua perspectiva das coisas. ele começa normal com sunday morning, seguido de puro rock and roll de 2 acordes e mais uma baladinha, e ai do absoluto nada explode. venus in furs com a repetição irritante pra quem não conhece, run run run que te da vontade de fugir mesmo, all tomorrow parties que te assusta com aquele piano e a voz que não se sabe se é masculina ou feminina. heroin entra, a minha preferida, a maneira como tudo progride pra parecer uma overdose é perfeita, a barulheira violina do john cale junto com o "solo" do lou reed e a bateria de coração da tucker explodem em ti. depois disso um rock que eu me pergunto como não ficou no topo das paradas. uma baladinha e mais duas loucuras cacafonicas. simplesmente o album perfeito e que em segredo iniciou uma nova geração artistica na musica.
I've always been a bit reluctant to embrace this album as it fails to live up to all the hype. But, to be fair, nothing could live up to the amount of adulation that gets poured over it. On its own merits, it is a very good album that was decades ahead of its time.
A classic, i guess you could claim it to be the most influential rock album? possibly? alongside with their other ones ofc
All Nico all day please.
listened to again still feels like 80s spirit and creativity for a 60s album
How have gone 40 years in my life without ever hearing this? I’ve of course heard of Velvet Underground but I guess I’ve never sat down and listened. It’s brilliant. Lou’s drawl and apathetic approach sets the tone.
While I enjoyed how raw this album felt at times, songs like Run Run Run actually hurt my ears. 3/5. Favorite Track: Heroin
I LOVED IT! It was way better than I expected it to be. Reminded me of a little U2 or Rolling Stones.
This is one of the best albums of all time
Not my thing, but not a bad album
At first I was wondering how they went from what seemed to be a more enjoyable and coherent album to the cum bucket that is White Light/White Heat, but then I hit the halfway point. Andy Warhol just found a bunch of stoned beat poets and threw some guitars and trash can lids at them and said play, didn't he?
Feeling this. Makes me wanna drop acid and hang out at The Factory. The 60's were something else.
I'm biased because this is one of my favourite albums so I believe that the Andy Warhol album is one of the most remarkable records in history.
One of the most overrated albums in history in my opinion. Not much stands out to me at all.
"Peel slowly and see". Four words have never conjured up so much mystery, so much intrigue and so much mystique quite like those. When Andy Warhol stamped his name on an album cover that, belatedly, became one of the most iconic of the last half-century, it became both a blessing and a curse. For Lou, Moe, Sterling, John and Nico, it formed a whole world within forty-eight minutes; forty-eight minutes of which has served as the basis of a million other worlds that have turned on the world's axis ever since. And a world that, more or less, has come to define them for better or for worse. After this, Nico, Andy and John Cale would be gone and the VU painted themselves black, gray and bright colors that suggested organic and logical progressions that wouldn't have been possible had they stayed in The Factory. But, if they had, and this album never became known to the public, they might have been better off. Yet it'd be a travesty for us. European sons and femme fatales, may this be your mirror, your wife and your life; with your shiny shoes of leather, just run run run. Watch out, though, for the world is behind you and what costume shall you wear for all tomorrow's parties? Absolute classic.
Not the type of music I thought they were. Heroin !
Easy, just easy. Bonus for Lou Reed's voice
idk why this exists
ground breaking and fresh even now.
This remains amazing and Venus In Furs is a top 100 song
head this a million times. loved it a million times. can skip this one as the songs are tattooed on my mind
Cool album. Early Lou Reed.
What an album. Messy and beautiful. Heroin is the stand out track for me, Lou Reed is an unpretentious yet profound lyricist. Nico’s odd vocals are some how hauntingly powerful. A dark and sexy album. What a year 1967 was for psychedelic music.