Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Good bits but droll. Doesn’t have the charm of transformer
Olipas Lou Reedillä surullisia lauluja. Hyviä kyllä mutta koko levyllinen itkukamaa. Kyllä oli kuuntelun arvoinen.
I had high hopes for this album after the opening track, but it allllmost fell off a cliff for me shortly afterwards. Almost. I dont really like Reed's vocals. It's stylized talking and it's off-putting to me. That said, there are some cool songs here, I just kinda wish they were instrumentals. The only spot the vocals hit for me was "The Bed," and damn that song hits hard and instills feeling of dread. The upsides: The piano on "Berlin" is wonderful. Jack Bruce crushes his basslines. Guitars shred and drums are pretty tight throughout. Standouts for me were "Berlin" "Men Of Good Fortune" "How Do You Think It Feels" and "The Bed." In a surprising turn of events, I actually ended up liking this album more than I thought even in spite of the terrible vocals. The concept of the album was good and depressing. It's haunting. If I enjoyed the singing a little more this would be a 5, but as is it's a 4 for me. It actually made me feel something by the end. I do think it deserves a listen.
Great album. My fave VU is with Nico, but Lou is pretty great on his own.
I definitely like this one more that Transformer (my very first album of this project). This was my 856th album. This had a good attitude to it. His voice is a bit monotone, but he owns it. Would listen again
Yea not bad. I liked it ok. Probably need a few more re-listens to really rate it properly.
It was fine. A couple of the songs got too long.
Pretty good. Solo Lou Reed is not my favorite, I love the Velvet Underground. There were some good songs on here, and some really sad ones. Some were just okay.
I'm a sucker for well done concept albums especially when the music matches the story being told really well. This is one of those albums. The story was sad and it's even more sad to learn that he kind of based it off of his own life in that moment. The music was eerie and sad but at times it was big and ambitious. Sad Song was such a great way to close out the album. I don't know if I'll ever come back and listen to this one but it's not because it isn't a solid album.
I've been a fan of Lou Reed and (especially) The Velvet Underground for a long time, but somehow, I've never listened to this Lou Reed record. On first listen, it wasn't really doing for me. However, the longer that I sat with and upon relisten it started making more sense. Generally speaking, I don't think concept albums ever *really* work. There's elements that work for me, but they usually have issues. This record for sure has issues. Its kind of all over the place, but I like his earnestness in trying to make this. I love Lou's kind of dead pan nature towards heavy things. I love how he's playing with lots of sounds and genres throughout this record, but kind of keeps evenkill the entire time. Classic. I feel like the 2000s NYC indie craze is all just a self-fulfilling prophecy of the coolness of Lou Reed. He's just so freakin cool. The guitar solos, the blues, the direct R&B rip offs, the fact that he then gets super weird and starts playing like Bowie. Its all so cool and keeps this record really interesting. One of the coolest moments for me was Caroline Says 1 & 2 and how he directly homages Stephanie Says (VU song) in Caroline Says 2. Super cool. Does this count as the metaverse? Is that universe building? IDK. Lou Reed was one of the coolest motherfucker's to ever pick up a guitar and sing into a mic.
Dark atmosphere, heartbreaking lyrics. Pretty good
Blind album, know the name from Velvet Underground. I couldnt wait any longer for this to end cause I may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. At least the last song was a little louder.
I was ready not to like this. I typically don’t go for the David Bowie extended universe cast of super friends because I find them all to be cheap copies but there was something so darkly sincere about this album. The first couple songs in I was ready to agree with the Rolling Stone that this was “a disaster” but the album strikes a real chord in a twisted sort of way and really won me over.
Every track bleeds drama, every lyric cuts deep. It’s not just an album, it’s a masterpiece of chaos and beauty that proves Reed could turn despair into pure art.
Decent album.
I don't often rate anything this low, but I was already struggling to enjoy this album when I was startled by the screams of a baby. I understand this style of music (lyrical) is and was super influential to music, but this album was a slog to get through.
It took a while for me to get into this album but by the end I was quite caught up in the storylines that wove throughout, the darkness of the content juxtaposes with Lou Reed's soft and tender vocals. Nice
This is the best Lou Reed or Velvet Underground album I've heard. It's not my favorite style of music but he is great at writing songs that make you feel bad.
Reed has many shades of bowie in him. First thing that comes to mind. Praise of course, but also prolly selling him short, since this talented musician deserves to be seen by himself. Really admire this very thoughful, calm and emotional display of music. Interesting concept to write a rock opera. Works for me.
This is a pretty bleak album. The subject matter is mostly dark. Reed's poetry is brilliant and evocative, the production mostly sparse. Once was enough though
Reality is grim enough for me, thanks.
3.5 cool but sad concept album, works well when you listen to the whole album as opposed to a song here and there
Музыка: 7/10 Разнообразие: 7/10 Тематика и вайб: 8/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 7/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 7/10 Итог: 7.2
I’m sure this is very good but I don’t like it. Musical theatre rock. Not for me.
I have previously listened to this album once or twice. It's a little bit out there, although that is not uncommon for Lou Reed. I would not call this a light and accessible album, but it is very good for what it is. That said, I would listen again, but would definitely have to be in the mood for it.
okay es wird sentimental und depri hä. yay ich cha de text vom lied ufem cover mitlese. wohoo. lady day grooossi instrumentierig. und teempowechsel hobla. er singt no cool. dünni stimm. okay ich gseh wases macht glaub. sochli rock opera. men of good fortune cool, de delay findi chli viel uf de stimm. uuuh de bass ide zweite strophe isch suuuper. wow bass soo cool het au soo viel platz. ah es isch de jack bruce vo cream. okaaay. caroline seit sache apparently. bass immerno fucking cool. huere guete song. okay s wird chli chaotisch mit de ziit. aber no cool. und vorallem wies gad in nögste song witer goht wo sehr chli und spärlich afangt. riese drumfills uf how do you think it feels. das isch coool! gebrüder brecker! sehr coole glamrock? song. oh jim au ehner cool, vieeel gitarre haha. caroline seit no meh sache okay i listen. glaub d caroline het nöd so e gueti ziit. glaub sie wird gschlage. föck. ah und etz nemeds ihre au no ihri chind weg. shit huuere depri da album würkli merci lou. merci nocher echti chind vo noch ihrere mueter schreied würkli danke. bass mega schön tony levin danke. aso huere schön aber fuck. the bed au wieder uuuhuere sad brooo. aso au mega schöni chords. gitarre tönt super. er isch scho en verdammt guete erzähler. yooo was macht s chörli am schluss whaaaatt das goht jo crazy. huuuuuere geil. gad s vieri uf lock. DE LETST HEISST SAD SONG. okay lou es isch fuuuuucking trurig ich has checkt. de isch cool de sad song. er seit afoch acht mol sad song und denn lap steel giti macht wuiiiii. und flötiböti au sehr whimsical weiss nöd a was es mich erinneret.
berlin sochli irgendöppis? hettmer wahrsch müsse d lyrics mitlese ok er isch jz kein dynamiker mussi sege caroline says I isch na cool gsi und nachane how do you think it feels isch na en geile übergang ohh und de zweit teil vo caroline says isch au mega cool, sehr intimi stimmig au the bed isch megaa schön! iwie komisch wie hüfig er eifach sad song wiederholt, nöd gad mis lieblingslied joo han mich chli müsse gwöhne aber rig na es schöns, intims album wird aber glaub trz nur es starchs 3, vlllttt knapps 4?
Top track: Sad Song
Eeehhh, asså det är inte min stil bara. No thanks
#707. Honestly I found this to be kinda generic and somewhat boring. 2/5: meh
virkelig spændende album
Kæmpe plade, lyder ret unik
Unique, but I never really "got" it
Cool but not that good
Music is so beautiful and so depressing. Should only be allowed to listen in short runs. A whole album requires a bottle of Rye.
Lou Reed consegue cantar com Doçura e passar uma sensação de perigo incrível. Musicalmente um álbum muito rico. QoA Adonis New.
An ambitious song cycle about a doomed couple, *Berlin* has Reed moving into new musical territory with big arrangements and complex musical passages. Some of the production choices don't work well though - at times his vocals are too dry and upfront, and they don't mesh well with the music. In addition, Reed's tendency to talk-sing on some of these tracks makes them sound less like songs and more like dramatic recitations with instrumental backing.
I listened to this three days ago and I don't remember my opinion except transformer is better and I assume it's also on this list..
Great concept album. Will come back to take a deeper dive.
Not my fav Lou material; much bigger fan of VU-era stuff.
This one was a little tough for me to get into, until it grabbed me. Patience is key here, and you're rewarded with all the feels that Lou Reed has a knack for delivering. You'll be musically challenged at times, but there is real genius in here. When the strains of Sad Song fade you might find yourself thinking "Well done, Lou. Well done."
Lou Reed and associated projects have always been hit or miss for me, and I've never been crazy about any of it in any case. Another case where I can obviously see the taproots of other genres and artists and sensibilities rising up from the earth of the work, but I do have to "be in the mood" occasionally. Not sure how much of a plebe that makes me, musically. This album is also a mixed bag for me, and it didn't help that Spotify (that old chestnut) played it on shuffle for the first half.
Really artistically impressive and interesting on the surface but kind of ends up feeling pretty forgettable 7/10 Favourite: Sad Song Least Favourite: Caroline Says I
Bruce Springsteen if he were less gruff and more self important
so obnoxious geez louise
The music is great, but the lyrics sound like someone just got on a mic and adlibbed for an entire album. Very poor writing. BUT THE MUSIC is fantastic.
I didn't really think I was into Lou Reed, but I liked this album so much I listened to it twice.
not my fav
i don’t get it but as jackie’s doppleganger, i have to give it something.
listen to this for the first time earlier this year already Berlin - 3/5 Lady Day - 5/5 Men of Good Fortune - 4/5 Caroline Says I - 5/5 How Do You Think It Feels - 5/5 Oh Jim - 4/5 Caroline Says II - 4/5 The Kids - 3/5 The Bed - 5/5 Sad Song - 5/5 Average score: 4.3/5 (rounding down)
This appears to be a controversial album. I get it, I really do. It's a concept album about domestic violence and heroin addiction ending in suicide with kid crying sound effects and a singer who can't, notably, sing. I get it. HOWEVER, holy what an album. The music and instrumentation/production provides a haunting (the piano work on the opening track & Lady Day is phenomenal) backdrop to tragedy. The strings on the album are also really nice. I'm not incredibly familiar with Lou Reed - his writing (on at least this album) is quite Hemingway-esque, which may turn people off due to its simplicity and conciseness, but it makes the story much more personable and sharp. It's either a love-it or hate-it album. I loved it. It's not one that you can just throw on casually, or re-listen a bunch, but it's truly a great album.
hard listen
First song thought this was 5 stars, second song thought it was 4, by halfway through I think it's a 3
This one didn't land for me like other Reed albums.
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 👥📸🎸 Production: 🔁🤔🤷 Music: 🌃🕯️🌧️ Rating: 🧱🧱🧱/5
Good album if you are a Lou Reed fan. Otherwise 🤷🏻♂️
Sometimes the rhymes are silly, requires a specific mood
Funny thing with Lou Reed is he made one of my favourite albums, Transformer, but I’ve never really connected with any of the rest of his output. This album is a case in point! I downloaded it several months ago and have tried several times to listen all the way through but haven’t managed it yet!
Not as strong as Transformer.
Decent
didn’t really get through it, not a fan
First time hearing this album. I thought it was a good classic rock album but didn't blow me away.
Had no idea what to expect before checking this album out. Not an easy album to listen to. Like its really affecting in ways that are not easy to describe. It was tough listening to the crying children in The Kids. Then the chills i got at the end of The Bed are like none ive ever had. Usually I love that feeling but it was tinged with such an uneasiness. Really powerful stuff. Then ending on Sad Song was just perfect, like it took me back where I needed to be. This 3 track run was incredible. Really moving stuff. Overall the album is beautiful. Aloof vocal delivery juxtaposes with the lush orchestral movements. There is tension then ascension. Some truly horrible sounds followed by glorious, dramatic, spine tingling beauty. I loved it so much. 9/10
Good, thanks to Bob Ezrin.
Oh, thank God.... yet another Lou Reed album. What a surprise. Instead of trying to cram Reed's more controversial works down our throats, why doesn't Mr. Dimery give us the agreed-upon masterpiece, "New York"? THAT'S the one Lou Reed album that you must listen to.
I love Transformer so much. This album though...
This is my first exposure to Lou Reed besides Walk on the Wild Side. I don’t hate his voice, but I don’t love it. I’m not even sure I can say I like it. I will say his voice is pleasant at times on this album, but not enough times for me to really enjoy it. I don’t typically like it when artists incorporate spoken-word delivery. All that aside, sonically, this album is achingly beautiful. I might’ve gotten more out of it if it were a fully instrumental album. The concept is strong throughout the album though and I felt as if I were watching a film with my eyes closed. It’s gut-wrenching when you get to The Kids; I almost had to turn it off. As far as a concept album goes, I would probably give it close to five stars. It moved me in the same way a thematically deep movie does where I’m glad I saw it once but I probably couldn’t sit through it again. I definitely wouldn’t revisit this album. It’s too heavy for my hypersensitive nature. However, I’m glad I listened to it and allowed it to take me on its tragic journey.
Another day, another Wikipedia entry, another opportunity to reflect on the shitty opinions of Robert Christgau. This is Lou showing the rest of the 70s how to do a concept album and look cool doing it.
boring bastard
Live. Laugh. Love. Lou Reed.
I didn’t hate, I didn’t love it either.
In the middle of listening to this album, I listened to several songs from the original cast recording of Les Miserables, and it somehow unlocked how deeply theatrical this whole album is. I'm still not really sure what's happening with a lot of it, but it was much more appealing when imagining him strutting around like a peacock during a performance.
good listen nothing fancy
it alright. thanks louseph.
Not great tbh, all the worst aspects of Lou reed and not many of the good aspects. It's no transformer that's for sure.
Rating: 2.8 Leonard Cohen if he wanted to sit and fuck around with song structures and arrangements instead of bang out good songs.
Lou doing his thing type shi
Unlike pretty much anything else
3.5
Hauntingly beautiful story telling. Wonderful instrumentation. Vibrant yet sad at the same time.
Lowkey, great. Idk where the Metallica collab comes in but decent.
Really liked this one, sad but managed to still be interesting throughout, really liked his vocals aswell. 4 stars
I thought this was great and not what I was expecting at all. Aye it gets a little dark at times, particularly towards the end, but I’m sure this is a concept album about heroin addiction so it was never gonna be a walk in the park. Will definitely be back on this
Wasn't very impressed with this, felt like Lou thought it was a lot more trippy and interesting than it actually was. Some of the music was quite nice in parts, liked the guitar in the last one but generally think it was focusing more on trying to be arty than sounding good. Found that song with the kids crying at the end particularly off-putting. Think I liked previous velvet underground despite the pretension as opposed to because of it and this album is missing most of the bits I liked.
I was in the perfect mood for misery. Never heard of the chap, but I vaguely recognised Lady Day. Men of Good Fortune, and The Bed were also standouts. I'd say, on balance, the track with the baby crying was a bit much, but generally jolly sad. Will be back. 4.5.
I listened to this on holiday last week, but decided it probably wasn't the place for it. Listened again today, it was the right call! I really like Lou Reed's voice and style, heard it a lot growing up too as my dad was a fan, although not sure I recognised most of this. Perhaps Caroline says. As a rule, I'm not usually a big fan of concept albums, but I really enjoyed this. Yes, it's dark and on holiday isn't the time to listen, but first morning back at work was 4.5
I enjoyed it. Busy playing catch-up at work and on my album list due to being off for a week. Only thing that stood out was the crying child at the end of The Kids, but I didn't pay attention to the lyrics of the song. I may check it out again when I'm not focused on other things.
Not too bad. Kind of weird but to be expected from lou reed.
nice stuff - little morbid
6.9/10
I appreciate who Lou Reed is and what he means to many but he’s not someone I would seek out. This album was ok - but didn’t make me wanna slap my momma because I was so overjoyed listening to it.
ez nem nekem való.
Maybe my new favorite album. I love concept albums and I love rock operas. Just the idea of a running narrative through an album gets me going. "Hazards of Love" by The Decemberists is one of my all-time faves. This album follows the two characters from Reed's song "Berlin," Jim and Caroline, and describes their abusive and tragic relationship. Sad themes, but really a wonderful album.
A tough listen, but good.
I feel that Lou really wanted this to be some kind of dark masterpiece about human tragedies but it kind of fall short in the songwriting. Songs like The Bed, Sad Song and Caroline Says II are really powerful and I would spend my life praising this album if all the songs were as great as these ones
There's good moments here and there, but nothing great for my taste.
I love this one more than expected... Dark and creepy vibes were well rendered, but I can't say it was catchy and something I'll go back to. Nice one, tho!
When those kids started crying I felt that Jesus fucking wept and so did I (tears of relief) when it was FINALLY OVER
yeah another Lour Reed Album, was ok
A bottom heavy, classic Lou reed offering. How Do you Think, Oh Jim, CSII, and The Kids is a crazy sequence. Bit something I’m always gonna reach for but this is excellent. High 4.
I like Lou Reed but this album is a bit too maudlin for me. On the positive side, there are great musicians in the backing band but the material doesn’t do it justice
I liked the instrumentation on here a lot. The horns were a great addition to the sound I expect to hear from Lou Reed.
Ok, pero prefiero otros de LR
Lou hadn't had a very nice time of things, and channeled his experiences into a unique body of music. Drugs are bad, m'kay? Beautifully bleak. Favourite tracks: Men Of Good Fortune, How Do You Think It Feels, The Kids, The Bed
I normally like Lou Reed but this didn’t really do it for me. A couple of good songs and a lot of filler. 3/5
This is a sleepy, meandering, lifeless effort from an artist that is capable of way better. Might as well have been titled Take a Walk on the Dull Side.
The lyrics are needlessly gloomy and provocative and I’m not sure the album makes up for it with anything else. It’s pleasant enough though.
Objectively, it’s good but I just couldn’t get into it
Too much talky singing
"Men of good fortune, often cause empires to fall." Did Lou Reed predict what's happening in the US now (2025)??? A dark and interesting listen.
A beautiful but equally tragic album. One I’m really glad to have listened to twice as I first enjoyed the songs without listening to them too deeply, and then was blown away further upon actually listening to the lyrics. One I will certainly come back to again and again.
Québecois's Comment : Pas fou, mais pas mauvais non plus. Beaucoup de mots pour peu de complexité musicale, si c'est ce que vous aimez. Écoutable. Translation : Not crazy good, but not bad. Lots of words for small musical complexity, if it's your jam. Listenable.
My previous experience with Lou Reed has basically been limited to the albums Velvet Underground & Nico and Lulu with Metallica, and I can't say I enjoyed those ones (although I should go back to Lulu just out of curiosity, it's been years so I don't really remember it). Couple that with seeing the psychedelic rock tag on the generator along with hearing it's a "challenging" '70s album (generally, I struggle with those. Gave Talking Heads' Fear of Music and Iggy Pop's The Idiot both 1s), and I wasn't having high hopes for this one. Lucky for me, this doesn't really sound like either of those albums, nor does it sound psychedelic (although I get why the tag is there). To me it sounds closer to if David Bowie and Frank Zappa worked together. Feel like the highlight of the album to me is the drumming. If I'm not mistaken I think I hear double bass in there at some points? Great drum tone and sound. Really feels a lot like Pink Floyd's The Wall, just cut down to a manageable length. As for it being challenging, perhaps, but it manages to have some good hooks and can be pretty upbeat when it wants to, despite the dark subject matter, whereas with some of the other "challenging" '70s albums I've heard, it feels like they are allergic to hooks and catchiness. Think my standout track might be Oh Jim. Maybe not an album I'd go back to, but it is really good. Shocked this got savaged in reviews when it first came out.
Pretty chill. Mostly music, few lyrics. Might be a good vinyl. 6/10
instrumentals are good but lou reed's voice and lyrics are too weird
When I reviewed Lou Reed’s previous album, I wrote that Transformer "sounds like demos for a musical about living in New York in the early 70’s that never got made because it was too precious even for a musical about living in New York in the early 70’s". And what does Lou Reed go and do next? Makes his follow up album a literal musical about living in New York in the early 70’s but fictionalizes it by setting it in Berlin, a city to which he had never been at the time it was recorded. Absolute mad lad! Look, the guy wanted to write musicals but writing musicals doesn't pay so he made rock albums instead. He just made his rock albums into “everything but the cast and stage directions and actors” versions of musicals. But here is the thing: I don't like musicals (except Annie) so I don't like this. If you like this, maybe go watch Hamilton on Disney+ or something because you like musicals bruh. (I also like Hamilton).
Never thought I would say this, but I actually liked something by Lou Reed. I do not like his "talking" style of singing. However, with this album it works for me. I thought the songs were clever and the music/arrangements were very good. Doesn't hurt that he had an all-star band (Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Aynsley Dunbar, Tony Levin) playing on the tracks.
Another one of my 6/5. This album rivals VU & Nico for me. The music, the storytelling, the lyrics, everything is perfect. One of the saddest and greatest album of all time.
Decent album, just not really for me I think. Reminds me a bit of Leonard Cohen.
Don’t think I’m cultured enough to enjoy Lou Reed
My god incredible. But also wtf are the racist (and sexist?) lines.
It's got like a smoky bar room type vibe
And Welcome back to everyone’s famous game, Do You Believe In Life After The Velvet Underground! This time we have frontman Lou Reed and his album Berlin. I’ve listened to both The Velvet Underground and Nico, and Nico’s Chelsea Girl, and never really gotten into either. In all honesty, I think there are two main problems with this album. But first, I’d have to say that this is a step up in quality from my last couple albums I’ve gotten, Lo: songwriting is pretty good, and the instrumentation in the whole thing is really good, my favorite part being the piano in the opening track. I think my main problems with it are, number one, it’s too raw for me, Lou’s vocals are unpolished, in a way that kind of makes him sound like he’s imitating Bob Dylan at some points, and the song topics can be unpleasant at times, especially near the end. The songs are also really long, and they don’t change in a way that keeps them interesting for that runtime, when they could have been pared down to 3-4 minutes and been practically the same. So while I didn’t really get into this album, this is one instance where, if you like Lou’s stuff, I’d say give it a try, it might not be my thing, but it may be yours.
holy dude you shoulda gone to couples therapy
I’ve possessed “Berlin” for three decades, but had spent little time with it apart from the opener and “The Bed”, which has sadly gained pungency over the stretch. Every song does its part in the exquisitely grim whole. How had I not picked up on “Oh Jim” before?
Lou's best, a masterpiece, a tragedy packed full of thrilling parts - the piano on "Berlin" - the bass on "Men Of Good Fortune" (never knew it was Jack Bruce!) - Caroline Says I and II (get outta' here with your "Stephanie Says" is better crap) - the guitar on "How Do You Think It Feels?" - the desperate clunkiness of "But since she lost her daughters It's her eyes that fill with water And I am much happier this way" - second prize to "Just like poison in a vial Hey, she was often very vile But of course, I thought I could take it all" - "The Bed" (jesus fucking christ) Notes on Ezrin (as I always seem to bring him up): - felicitous production makes the album unique and poignant, this has to be the best material he's worked with - "The Wall" is *so derivative*, from the opening sample collage of "Berlin" through the kids in "The Kids' to the arrangement of "Sad Song", which is evidently the blueprint for "Comfortably Numb" - Fun fact (for Mark): Ezrin also produced the 4th Berlin album but *not* the Top Gun song! So close.. "I never would have started if I'd known That it'd end this way But funny thing I'm not at all sad That it stopped this way"
Beautiful guitar played on a classic rock album with all the exponential wonder of a 70s album
70s psych rock concept album about a couple struggling with drugs. Rocky Horror vibes. Bluesy influences. Somber, sad and beautiful. More about the tragic story than the music. Love a concept album.
Transformer was OK, but Lou Reed isn't for me I think. There are a few decent songs, Oh Jim is good and the second half of Sad Song reminded me of later Swans a bit Not really into how this is produced, its pretty muddy and chaotic. At points it feels like they just threw in as many instruments as they thought they could fit and it just feels like a mess Lou Reed's voice is quite drole, hes always singing in the same key. He sounds half asleep on The Kids. That one actually reminded me of something Pink Floyd might do, but I just wished I was listening to them instead Not for me Highlights: Oh Jim, Sad Song
Only Lou Reed could have a song about child protection; followed by a song about suicide; and THEN follow with a song called "Sad Song"
Cabaret feeling
Favorite songs: Oh Jim, Men of Good Fortune, Caroline Says I, Caroline Says II, Lady Day, Sad Song Least favorite songs: The Bed 4/5
So the singing might not be more than talk singing but that didn't stop me from enjoying it!
I had already written up some notes about this thing, but I went back and listened to the album again because something was sticking in my craw. I was struggling with the questions - Who can make music like this? How does a person make this kind of art? Because it is sooooo bleak. The B side here is unbelievably heavy emotionally. And on the one hand it seems manipulative and on the other hand, I think Reed is able to do that with these songs (especially the final four) because the point of view he's adopted is so incredibly apathetic. I try to think that albums are an artist's way of taking us on a journey. Lou Reed isn't taking us anywhere with Berlin so much as chucking us into the mind of a completely awful human trash bag and showing us what he sees. Which is both unbearably depressing and totally engaging. FIVE STARS
2.5
"Can't really sing" singers don't really do it for me.
Lou Reed has the unique privilege of being unanimously the biggest asshole to ever appear at work. I'll spare the specifics for now, since it's not like he'll be making a comeback. I like the idea and ambition of the rock opera, I'd say it gets 80% there. So music gets 4 stars, and the person gets another -1 star.
Let’s get this out of the way - Lou Reed seems to be one of the spikiest, least pleasant people on earth, and is also a crap singer. Further, the first track is very shit. But then the rest of the album waddles along, and is extremely enjoyable. Really good psychedelic rock, and it fits Reed’s voice and persona well. I like this, crying children and all.
Interesting story. Put me in mind of Rocky Horror a bit
It's a grower, not a shower. I'm not a huge Lou Reed fan. After multiple listens, it did grow on me, but still not something I'd revisit much. I think it's indisputably a great work of art.
Meh, it's not really my cup o'tea and I like Lou Reed. More of a thing I might have listened to in my younger, stoner days.
This is a genius album. I wasn't really expecting the band to go so crazy but I'm glad they do. It sounds fantastic. The intro to "Oh Jim" sounds very goth. Sounds like where a lot of those bands got inspiration from.
It's not Lou Reed's best work. It's fine, but mostly forgettable.
Excellent
Interesting listen 2/5
Pretty good album when you are high
Love this.
Lou Reed’s music very rarely does much for me. In fact, I usually find him quite annoying. Thankfully, this album did not follow the pattern. It still felt very much like a Lou Reed album, but with less weird noise going on. I’m still not the biggest fan of his voice, but I did genuinely find myself enjoying this, and being unready for it to finish. That really says a lot for me with Lou Reed if I’m being completely honest.
I liked this album! The vocals and the instruments sounded raw and authentic.
not a lou reed fan - and this is not even good lou reed i think
Meh
The music is by no means bad, but is not a stand-out album either. Just some good tunes with an oddity mixed in here and there. Looking forward to Transformer 3/5
Oooo I've been wanting to check this one out. I love a good rock opera and this one definitely hits the spot. Favorite track: Lady Day
#21 Lou Reed ~ Berlin Lou Reed is a bit of a funny figure. He's a seminal figure of the New York music scene of the 70s, but unlike Iggy Pop, who has somewhat of a populist appeal, Lou Reed was more the opulent pretentious critic baiter with seeming delusions of grandeur. And sometimes these delusions are pretty valid, but they definitely come with a lot of words. Let's start off with the tone of Berlin. It's pretty depressing, and although I like a lot of good depressing albums, something about Lou Reed's apathetic loathing is a bit aggravating. It's mostly due to those acid lyrics, bordering on histrionics. They are written almost sarcastically, as if Lou is cursing perceived notions of himself as the songwriter rock star the music canon will praise him to be. To this effect, it perpetuates this story he's trying to tell in this album, that of a drugged up musician trying to perform every vice available in New York. It's very deliberate in creating this alienating world that is the persona's delusional mind state and his thoughts on the family drama that unfurls. Now the instrumentals, which is a lot more straightforward than the lyrics, and also very very pleasing. Lou paints an almost orchestral rock sound, with a trademark mix of a jazz big band and punk guitar band, which he had with the glam rock of 'Transformer,' his previous album. And with this band, he can definitely string out a multitude of emotions, from quiet introspection to radiant nostalgia to self-destructive freakout. In fact, I'd say the music is where you feel the motivation that drives the miserabilism of Berlin, egging Reed's persona to continue on and find some happiness, whereever it is. That happiness of course never comes, and so the instrumentals serve as a vehicle to add more drama to the apathatic delivery of Lou, to translate his morbid, depressing lyrics into audible turmoil. This album is definitely like an opera. This is definitely not the easy listening experience of Lou's contemps in Bowie and Iggy, but rather the sound of a 1920s German expressionist drama about broken families, childhood trauma, drug overdoses and suicide in the form of a punk band. Fortunately, I like Wozzeck, a German expressionist opera that basically follows a story similar as the one told by Reed, so I can stomach this sort of sound, but definitely others might not. The highlight of Berlin is definitely the second half, but I guess people might have to slog through the impressive combination of sounds and emotions Lou manages to draw to make you feel that this is the most miserable listening experience on Earth.
I actually quite enjoyed this? Which is weird because I haven't liked any of The Velvet Underground albums I've listened to.
Gross. Well executed, but disturbing. I get it - Lou Reed telling a story that didn't fit as a single song. Great musicians play on this, the Bob Erin production is very dramatic, everybody here bought in. So it succeeds in taking the listener into the dismal world of the people being depicted. No disrespect intended, but the sincerity of the delivery is chilling, the craftsmanship painstaking, and it reveals something about the artist. Like horror movies that are hyper-realistic. How do you conceive of and execute these disturbing images? What is in your head that makes you pass it off as entertainment, rather than a kind of off-label therapy? And everyone around you is saying "Yes! You should absolutely record and sell this to the public!" instead of: "Hey, Lou, are you okay?" Edgy, though. So if that's your thing, have fun with this.
Can't really review this after only 1 time listening to it. It is too complex for that. So can only give it a neutral score as the final score could go either way.
Vähän musikaalimaiset vibat, mutta ei liikaa. Osa kappaleista vähän liian taiteellista mun makuun, mutta ihan hyvä kuunneltava. Parhaat: How Do You Think It Feels Caroline Says II, Sad Song
Closest to 5 stars. Amazing record. Great lyrics beautiful. Storyteller and drug user is apparent
It left me speechless.
I know very little about singing, but the singing on this album seemed awful. Every other part was good, though. If they weren't it'd be 0 stars.
What an incredible city!
Strange album dynamic. Doesn't flow well.
It is a cool album but you get tired of Lou Reed’s talk singing about halfway through. Its well done but just doesnt produce anything that great. I did find Men of Good fortune stuck in my head for a bit
I thought I was going to hate this but it turned out to be a bit better than I expected. I finally can put a name to "How Do You Think It Feels", which I've heard a bunch before but never cared enough to look up. The bassline is great, and it honestly feels like the most "complete" and accessible song on the album. I have to mention the more than a few minute length of the crying children in "The Kids". I don't say this as some sort of bleeding heart "think of the children" person, I say this as a father who was driven insane by these kinds of noises and I do not wish to relive any of that. The concept is good, and it tells a sad story well, but the music doesn't do it for me. I've never been a huge fan of Lou Reed's voice in any case so that didn't help. I can see how this was influential, and why people like it, but eh.
Idk if I was in the headspace for this one
I like the Velvet Underground more than I like Lou Reed left to his own devices
There are some highlights for sure. I liked men of good fortune. Mostly this doesn't scratch my itch though
Telling a sad story doesn’t make shit music any less shit
God if I was attracted to men I’d have the worst taste. I just love sad boys. Simpsons: Yes
It was alright. Not much to say about it. Probably won't listen again.
I wasn't sure at the beginning, but it grew on me. With a few more listens, I might give it a higher rating.
I did not massively love this. I thought it was going to be a live album which I was not looking forward to but it still wasn't good. Very on the nose lyrically which I always find so dull. Musically it was interesting enough. "Sad song" You can't just have your songs announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!
Not a Lou Reed Fan, not bad but nothing to make me listen twice
Despite being a concept album, I don't really care about the story. Why bother when you already have an album of deeply affecting and great songs? That that said, Berlin definitely skews towards darker subjects matter. I really do like Lou Reed's talking/singing style. Especially when paired with these dour lyrics. It just makes sense to me. The entire back half of the album is a gut punch., but It's so good. Highlights: "Caroline Says II", "The Kids", "The Kids" "Sad Song"
Hard to get through. Didn’t finish.
Weaker Lou Reed
мир не простит тебе коллаборации с Металликой
Meh, 1 star
This was middle of the road for me. I was braced for a weaker sound, but the album was good sound and understandable.
I’m indifferent about this
This was incredibly boring. The lyrics were meh, just super melodramatic sad lyrics. Don't like his voice at all. Really boring don't get the hype.
Still not a fan. Don’t get why he’s held up as an amazing songwriter. Like the US version of Leonard Cohen.
Nah, this ain't it bruv. 3/10
Really sad album. I was not a fan of the vocal performance. The delivery was kind of awkward. But you can tell that Lou put a lot of thought into this album and the production on The Kids is haunting.
Unremarkable but somewhat enjoyable
first listen meh
Anyone for heroin cabaret? This wasn't really working for me. Did like a few songs (How do you think it feels, Sad Songs) but not enough to like here.
I was going to give this a 4 but then I realized that while this album makes plenty of impressions, it makes me feel bad. So I'm deducting one star from it because this shit is just too sad. The Kids is a phenomenal number though. Oh Jim as well. There's great songs but the ending gets me too strongly. I'm going to listen to Loaded to freshen up. (7/10, 3/5 on this scale) (Update: Bringing it down to a 2, it's just too damn sad)
There are a couple of moments in the back half of this, but even those (Sad Song, I'm looking at you) go on waaaaay too long. Two stars and Lou can thank me for them.
Rock operas that feature naive people who seek out drug abuse and lead themselves to inevitable self decline are so boring and cliche, but BERLIN has the prestige of being able to claim that it was one of the first to kick off that sorry sub-genre. I was a bit letdown that some of the arrangements are just repurposed songs and bits from earlier Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground works instead of brand new compositions. I was also not a fan of the stripped down guitar and piano sound. Personally I would have preferred a set of dense and polished arrangements with full instrumentation near the beginning of the album and have the song arrangements and instrumentation stripped away as the couple's relationship declines, but whatever. It also seem odd to me that the songwriter and the album doesn't seem to notice the irony that the characters pursuit of a countercultural life led to the disagreements, the drug use, and eventual self decline. It ends up being an indictment of living the recreational drug life, not a tragedy of a couple caught in an uncompromising divided society, as it was advertised at the time. The themes of Berlin on either side of the wall being also divided against itself are lost now that the Berlin has been reunited and the wall has been down (30+ years) longer than it was up (28 years). No matter the interpretation it is undeniable that BERLIN does tell a complete story and should be applauded for that. Many, if not most concept albums of the 70s, struggle to tell complete stories, or make them clear enough that fans could sort it out for themselves. Favorite song "Sad Song". Who hasn't been that pissed at someone before? Most of us just have the self control not to give into those impulses of rage. Not an album that I will ever listen to again. Honestly I am not much of a Lou Reed fan. I tend to prefer the work of his wife, Laurie Anderson, with her album HOME OF THE BRAVE being my favorite.
I like Lou Reed. But he sounds a ton like David Bowie. So I don’t know if they’re ripping each other off???
Never heard this before, but it was a great listen
Very good very sad. The first half was good but the second was amazing.
Compared to how "just ok but also not that great" Transformer was for me, Berlin is so much more interesting. Maybe it's the grand presentation of everything as a rock opera, the sadness thru all the songs, the large ensemble but not too showy instrumental or even the irony of something this conceptual against Lou Reed's deadpan (but emotional) vocals saying some of the most heartwrenching lyrics ever. It's truly a lot of things and more that make it the kind of rock opera that I don't wanna tune out of 2 seconds into the song or feels too long or is too theatrical and ambitious for its own good. It's like the saddest play you've seen in a small theater, I like it.
Pretty good album, great opening songs. I'm not really a Lou Reed fan, but that might change soon.
When I read that this was a concept album about a couple in the throes of addiction I was excited thinking I’d love the storytelling. Not exactly, it was flat and at times uncomfortable. The kids song triggered me hard. I do like how “dark” the album is and there were a couple of songs I’d listen to again on their own but I can confidently say I’ll likely never listen to this album in full again.
At least Transformer had some reasonably uplifting music to accompany the dark lyrics. This is just total and absolute darkness, like a black hole of music. Sucking all the enjoyment out of life track after track. I like The Velvet Underground and I like Lou Reed, but this is just soul destroying listening to this.
Jätte bra platta, fiilis o bra story! Många bra melodier
I've never been a huge fan of Lou Reed, I think he's kind of overrated but this album was not good, especially that weird ass kids song ugh! I was listening to that and it instantly made me want to stop listening lol I get why people say he's so good but I just never thought so 🤷
Emotionally raw, vocally reminiscent of others who couldn't realllly sing but have immense musical talent. Hard to not to appreciate what Reed brings to the table here, despite it feeling very different from his previous solo work.
😬
Why is he talking to me with music. nothing crazy musically, artsy but not good like David Bowie. Agree with rolling stones initial declaration of it being a disaster. Skipped many halfway through. Jesus my least favorite song has a part II, like a worse reprise of beating his wife. Don't care if it's about struggling with drug abuse, not my vibe
I really dislike Lou Reed's sing/talk style; this was not enjoyable. "The Kids" was particularly horrific, I couldn't even get through it. Several of the songs were very depressing.
It was an ok album with a bleak subject matter, but the songs didn’t really engagé me in any way. It’s nice to listen to, but not much more
Lou Reed wrote some good songs here
Some of the music was nice. The voice - not so much.
Not as good as his other work. Doesn't have any standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again
The meandering carelessness of this 50-minute question mark gave me the sense that Lou Reed really wants the listener to feel something, but lacked the musical prowess and vision to follow through on it. I wonder if the lackadaisical performance was meant to edge the listener into manifesting their own frustration on his behalf. Regardless, he failed spectacularly to produce anything of value with this "effort". If he is playing 4D chess by intentionally withholding any sort of sonic engagement in the face of strong subject matter, he has betrayed the purpose of music in its delivery. On the other hand, if this was intended as an authentic, intentional musical accompaniment for said subject matter, it demonstrates his lack of direction, ambition, and understanding of the intersection of music and lyrics. If there was enough reason on Reed's part to develop this conceived idea into a piece of artistic self-expression, he probably should have chosen literature as his medium here.
Back half solid. Caroline songs are the atandouts.
Previously rated: Transformer (4/5) ******************** I'll begrudgingly give this a 3. I didn't enjoy it all that much, but some of the instrumentation and lyrics are admittedly interesting. I don't really like listening to songs about drug use and wrist cutting though. I probably won't revisit this.
A harrowing and depressing concept album about drug addiction, domestic violence, and suicide that’s not the kind of record you want to spin that often. But it mostly works because of a strong set of tunes and a great backing band, even if it sometimes devolves into maudlin theatricality. Lou Reed sometimes gives off the vibe he’s phoning it in, but this remains one of the most ambitious statements in his catalog.
Repeated listens are rewarded w deeper meaning and grower tracks
Very good!
Second album proposé avec Lou Reed, le premier étant 'Velvet underground' où le groupe éponyme jouait avec Nico (noté 2/5). Pour ce nouvel album je suis d'accord avec les critiques du 'Rolling Stone' de 1973 : un désastre. Il ne génère qu'une 'émotion' : une ennui complet. Je n'aime pas le 'chant' de LR, et il est omniprésent. Il faut attendre les 5eme/6eme morceaux pour avoir des chorus de guitare. Pas désagréable, sauf 'the kids' et les pleurs à la fin que j'ai passé et qui lui font perdre le point durement gagné par les chorus... =>1/5
Decent
gammel kending - ikke den mest spændende.
If ther first couple of tracks hadn’t put me so off I think I’d have scored this higher.
Ugh. Rock opera shit. "Et tu, Louté?"
"Berlin" has neither the highs nor the lows of the Velvet Underground. It's also not as good as Lou Reed's "Transformer." It's fine though. I gave "Transformer" a 3. "Berlin" is an inferior 3.
Why are we repeatedly asked to listen to this atonal garbage. No woman would ever be allowed to put out an album with a voice like that.
I like the album. I don't hear anything dissonant here. But it might be that people who are used to pop music won't be able to relate to it. Hey, but I also like ABBA. I don't think "Berlin" is his best album; I'm not interested in the story at all. But that's Lou Reed's subject matter, so whatever. I also like Lou Reed's voice, that somewhat drawling rapping; it fits his songs perfectly.
Reed is one of those guys who runs hot or cold, and it helps to be in the right headspace to listen to him.
Lou Reed makes me wish that zero stars was an option
Berlin is the third studio album from Lou Reed, who began his solo career after his time with the Velvet Underground. Berlin is a concept album; it is the story of a couple's struggles with drug abuse. The album was panned critically, and did find much commercial success. Over time, retrospective reviews have been increasingly positive. It is not clear why the album's reputation should improve. These are not particularly interesting songs, that wander past melodramatic into an "oddly contrived" space. Reed ends the album with "Sad Song," in which Reed repeats "Sad Song," over and over again. It's so stupid that the album lost a star for this song, alone.
I like his vocal delivery.
Ugh
Not initially what I expected from Lou Reed but was enjoyable enough
Bob Ezrin's precursor to The Wall
Generated this one right as I landed at Berlin airport
I didn't think it was possible at this point in the project, but I think this might be the most depressing album I've ever listened to. It's also amazing. Lou Reed is an artist that I'm pretty familiar with at this point. Between his other solo album on the list, Transformer, the 2 Velvet Underground albums I've listened to so far, and now this, this is the fourth album I've listened to that predominantly features him. I can't say I'm upset though. He's a talented guy. While I wouldn't call Berlin a better album than either of the Velvet Underground albums I've heard, I think I actually prefer Berlin to Transformer. I can explain why that is. Firstly, this is a concept album, and I love concept albums. Obviously, not every concept album is good, but I love the majority of ones I've listened to, and Berlin is no exception. I really like the overarching story that the album tells between the characters of Jim and Caroline. If I had to compare this to a more well-known concept album, I think the closest comparison would be Pink Floyd's The Wall, which is fitting since the two albums actually share a producer in Bob Ezrin. How cool! Another reason why I think I prefer Berlin is that the singing feels more fitting here than it did on Berlin. Lou Reed's singing is an acquired taste. I myself have become accustomed to it. It's really growing on me. I do think it works best on more somber compositions like the ones on Berlin. Admittedly, there are plenty of things that are either roughly equal between the two albums or slightly better on Transformer. The instrumentation is about the same level of great on both albums. I think Transformer does have some more standout songs than Berlin. Berlin's songs are great, don't get me wrong. However, I'm not sure if any of them on their own stand out as much as a song like "Perfect Day" did on Transformer. Berlin is more of a cohesive album experience type deal rather than a collection of some good songs. Ultimately, I do feel that this is a personal preference. I can't confidently call Berlin better than Transformer or vice versa. However, I have a preference. That could change though. It's been a while since I listened to Transformer. Berlin is great. High 4/5.
Brutally depressing. Also getting tired of albums about heroin addiction.
point7.
Awesome, no notes :P
Lou Reed is folk music for punks I suppose. This has pretty bleak subject material which didn't really resonate with me. It was tolerable, except for The Kids, which I really didn't enjoy.
Rating: 3/5 | Favorite Track: Sad Song --- Lou Reed is a great musician; Transformer is amazing and Rock 'n' Roll Animal is one of my favorite live albums. But I didn't find myself connecting with this album and found it to be a bit too much of a downer to really enjoy.
Not my tempo
Berlin ***** Lady Day *** Men Of Good Fortune *** Carolyn Says I * How Do You Think It Feels ** Oh Jim * (Sounds like a rocky horror number until the second half) Carolyn Says II **** The Kids The Bed **** (sad) Sad Song ***
An alright album, no real standout songs.
Good, definetely enjoyable. Just not exactly the mood I was when I listened.
This isn’t terrible, but this project is making me realize that I like the concept of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground more than I really like their music. 2.75
Kinda shite
I think I listened to this once like ten years ago and remember not feeling it at the time. I know it has a reputation for being out there and divisive, and is considered his best by many (even over Transformer). Revisiting this as part of this project is a great reminder of why I’m enjoying this project so much. It’s weird, pretty depressing, and pretty fantastic. I’d need to give it several more spins before fully understanding it. Perhaps drugs are required as well, though I’d never touch some of them that probably contributed to Lou’s output here. How Do You Think It Feels and Sad Song especially rule.
Not as bad as I remember, but certainly not good.
1. berlin - 2 2. lady - 1 3. fortune - 1.5 4. caroline - 1.5 5. feelz - 1 6. jim - 1 7. zayz - 2 8. kidz - 1.5 9. bed - 2 10. zad - 1.5
Very dreary. The song with the crying children was particularly horrible. Not my cup of tea
After giving transformer a 3 I wasn’t expecting this to be so good, especially considering transformer is meant to be his best. The storytelling is so good on this, the theme of a sinister, dark mood with a very uplifting ending was really well done. Musically it’s not the best all the time but Lou Reed is mostly known for his lyricism and storytelling (I assume) but it wasn’t bad by any means, his guitar work was good though and the drums were a strong point at multiple parts. There were quite a few moments where songs would drift into the next seamlessly but my favourite was definitely from the quiet, acoustic, dark “The bed”, into the ironically named, orchestral, uplifting “Sad Song” which was a great ending to the album. The Caroline dongs were definitely a strong point as well, other favourites were “men of good fortune” and “Oh Jim”, this album definitely works better as a complete package listen though. Overral 7.5/10.
For Lou Reed albums, I’ve been unfairly judging it by Transformer. It’s tough because that album has been as influential as some VU albums. But Berlin should stand as its own perfect work. It’s a story and really shows the composition skills of Lou Reed.
Classic voice but the album is actually very rounded off and easy listenable. Enjoyed it a lot
4/10…art rock / glam rock
Not feeling it at all. One listen was enough
This is a very consistently good record. It tells a story and the use of piano and other instruments serves his somewhat monotone vocals well. Highlights were Lady Day, Caroline Says I, Oh Jim, and Sad Song.
The bizarre wailing at the beginning made me think I was in Discord with Josh Ash, hut the rest of the album is listenable.
I never really understood the point of any Lou Reed solo thing. It's nothing special. Really nothing.
Excellent!
I used to have this idea about the kind of artist Lou Reed was based on some of the singles I'd heard before, then I heard Transformer and I was pretty sure that I mostly didn't like Lou Reed. Or at least at his albums were slow, depressing and boring. This album has restored some faith. It's also depressing, of course--kind of Reed's vibe--but there is a lot of character here, and it doesn't get too cheesy like Transformer. I don't know any of the songs on this album, but it was a pleasant overall listen and concept album. 3/5
Sometimes I think about how a lot of acclaimed rock music is depressed.
Not very immediate, but it wasn't until after I had finished listening that I discovered this was a concept album, so I will need to revisit with that in mind.
didn't grip me like his other work but was an enjoyable listen
Didn't enjoy this as much as Transformer but still a solid album
Loved this
Enjoyed this! Yes, I'm back.
This was like a Sad Song that you listen to when The Kids are in The Bed. How Do You Think It Feels?
It's kind of middling. I'm not super into Lou Reed's talking-singing style. But the songs are fine as background music.
Not as relentlessly depressing as I was worried it would be (some songs are borderline jaunty), but also not as interesting and compelling as I had hoped it would be.
Wasn't always super keyed into the lyrics, so was surprised by the energy in the music given the depressing subject matter. But even when I did pick up on the dark material, this was surprisingly enjoyable. Will definitely give this more listens.
A misunderstood gem. It’s bleak, but very effective.
Pretty good album. I was not expecting that when I read the description of it being a concept album, as most of those have been awful in my experience with this list so far. 4/5
Brilliant, but the darkness and nihilism is a bit much.
Lou Reed continues to be not quite up to snuff with John Cale's solo material, in my opinion, but this is certainly interesting. I just sometimes wish Reed would get to the point, as his poppiest tracks are almost always his best.
This album is a clear evolution on the music from just a couple years prior and it's quite beautiful. It's much more restrained than a lot of the hard rock that was devloping around this time. Lou Reed has a calming voice and subtle guitar that can pop off in spots, but is generally a tone setter. How Do You Think It Feels, Caroline Says II, and The Kids are great. The Bed is hauntingly emotional, and then the album ends on the great Sad Song. I liked this album on first pass, and on a second pass really loved it.
Great concept album. Loved it
Love the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed but this isn’t my favorite. Still pretty good
Elevated by Sad Song from lower 3 star to middle 3 star
4.5 A minor masterpiece? Took a second to get on its wavelength but about halfway through I realized it was a concept album and locked in! Ended up listening to it twice! Extremely complex in its themes and instrumentation. Harrowing lyrics, somehow beautiful. Sad Song might be one of the best songs I’ve heard during this project so far. Loved this!
Jesus Christ, this is the most depressing shit I've ever heard.
This beat my expectations - I had previously only heard Lou Reed's more popular works, and this surprised me by having good musicianship and arrangement.
my rating might be more heavily weighted on the last song in this album but i feel like the vocals didn’t match the instrumentals very well. i was left wanting more a lot
Lou Reed has such an iconic voice, but there isn’t a lot he can do with it. It is what it is. If you don’t write songs with some interesting instrumentation or production, it gets difficult to stay tuned in. I will say, there is no quicker way to turn me off than to play the sounds of crying children. Blegh! Grow up. Not interested in that. The lyrics are great. At least, they're very Lou. Songwriting, though it lacks range, is pretty good. It's really impressive that he can expand a song he made from a previous record into an entire album. Not my favorite Lou Reed album, but definitely a solid piece of work right here. 4/5
Haven't listened to this in like five years. Feel like I was just like into the horns on "How Do You Think It Feels" tbh. With a little more age and context definitely understand how it was controversial in its time. I feel like Reed is weirdly funny (in his solo stuff at least) which this kind of lacks. Other than the juxtapositions of occasionally jubilant music vs. bleak lyrics, this is close to being deathly serious which I don't love. It's sorta like the proto version of 1989's New York which is much more listenable in general and stuffed with more dark humor.
"Berlin" is the third solo studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed. Rock, art rock and orchestral rock are the Wiki-listed genres and they're about right. It's a concept album about a couple's (Caroline and Jim) struggle with drug addiction and abuse. The album was produced by Bob Ezrin and was recorded in NYC and London. Lou Reed was lead vocalist and guitarist. An all-star musician line-up was brought in including Steve Winwood (organ), Steve Hunter (guitar), Dick Wagner (guitar), Jack Bruce (bass), Tony Levin (bass), Aynsley Dunbar (drums) and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The album initially had mixed reviews that have warmed over the years. Commercially, it was considered a disaster from his previous album "Transformer" hitting #7 in the UK and #98 in the US. The opener "Berlin" begins with piano and crowd noise. Reed singing softly from Jim's point of view as he meets Caroline. "Lady Day" amps up the drama and theatrical with drums, piano, bass and strings. Jim is watching Caroline perform as a singer and getting sucked down a spiral. "Caroline I" starts a string of three really good songs. Pounding and tremendous drums/drumming. Strings and a vocal chorus. Dramatic vocals as Jim realizes Caroline prostitutes herself. And why does she do that? That gets answered in "How Do You Think It Feels." A Ziggy Stardust-esque guitar and horns sounding like stripper music are the highlights. Jim realizes Caroline is addicted to speed. The album takes an even darker turn in "Oh, Jim" as Jim abuses Caroline for her druggie connections. Reed with snotty vocals. Electric guitar and horns stand out again. I didn't have a good feeling that this was going to be a happy ending. It sure doesn't start happily in "The Kids." Musically stark with acoustic guitar, drums and bass. Jim is watching as the kids are taken away from Caroline for her bad behaviors. Heartbreaking at the end as there are sounds of kids crying. Another stark song is "The Bed." Strings, flute and bass. Reed is talking as he tells about Caroline being found in her bed with her wrists slit. A Haunting and droning vocal chorus at the end. The album ends with "Sad Song." Strings, bass, drums, flute and the horns. A song that builds. Jim shockingly saying that he should have beaten her more. A vocal chorus repeating "Sad Song" ends the song. Woah! A harrowing and compelling story. The music can be stark or dramatic. Solid musicianship and production. Great drumming, bass, electric guitar and horns. An album that needs to be listened to as a whole. I initially did not think I heard a really good song but upon a repeat listening, "Caroline I,'" "How Do You Think It Feels" and "Oh, Jim" are all very good songs. I don't know if everyone will like this (I did) but if you're in for a compelling rock opera look no further.
Sad Lou reed is sad
I didn't use to be a great fan of Lour Reed, but this record has kind of changed me, even though I didn't think the record was anything particular? I don't understand the logic of that, but that's how I feel. While I still don't think he sings particularly "beautiful", and it's sometimes borderline false or out of tune, I've come to appreciate the rawness of his style somehow. It's definitely unique. 'Men Of Good Fortune' was a banger to me, really good song. Not many elements, but you hear the few there are very clearly and it's just got a lot of power. Didn't find any other song that delivered that well, but I overall thought it was a pretty decent track list with some twists and turns here and there. Solid 3.
Hard to review this one. I thought it was quite good but to really give a proper review I think this requires more active listening than i did since the lyrics are important in a rock opera (duh). Whenever I did listen to the lyrics it seemed super depressing. Rock operas generally have some very catchy hits (pinball wizard, Another brick in the wall) but this one lacked it I think. Still, would like to come back to this one when I have more time.
Lou Reed: A guy you really want to like but who disappoints you more than impresses. This album was tedious and boring.
Quite enjoyed this, worth another go
This was a wow for me. I found it quite compelling but the darkness holds me back from giving it a 5. By the end, it was unrelenting.
It’s crazy how much more I like Lou Reed’s solo records above Velvet Underground. This one isn’t quite Transformer though.
Meh. Not my jam.
Sad Reed is bad Reed.
The rich son waits for his father to die, the poor just drink and cry. And me, I just don’t care at all.
A rare re-listen on the same day. Not as immediately accessible as Transformer, but not at difficult a listen as I’d been led to believe. Really enjoyed this and will return.
Not a fan of this one. I felt like it was quite boring and I was not a fan of his voice.
A haunting concept album, that, for me at least, was a bit ruined through the meandering voice of Reed. He almost seems like he's telling a bedtime story, which doesn't lend well to making me perk up and listen to him. Guitar work is quite decent.
Another one that falls in the category of disturbingly fascinating. The sheer apathy of the storyteller in the bed and sad song is haunting. I had to physically step away midway through. So although deeply unpleasant, it can not leave you unperturbed. Kudos but also concern.
I wasn't super into this, but some of the songs were decent. Maybe something I'd need to give another try down the road.
Was surprisingly taken with this one, especially after learning it was a concept album. I liked it on first listen and it feels like a grower. 3.75/5
1/5
tedious
This ain't it. Too much of nothing and too little of anything