Reviews (page 5 of 8)
I started off liking this but it got increasingly morose
I've tried many times to "get" this album, because I like a lot of Lou Reed's stuff, and had a friend when I was younger who was obsessed with this one. He had parents with addiction problems though, so he probably got a lot more out of it emotionally than me. A lot of this does resonate with me, but in places it meanders too much and is a bit too self indigent in its melancholy. Seems like it would have worked better as a film than an album to me, some of these don't work very well as songs (Men of Good Fortune, The Kids, The Bed).
I found his music soulful but bleak and dark and authentic but don't recommend if you are in a really dark place yourself
A lot of bands I like list Lou Reed as a influence. But this album didn't really do much for me. Mostly a bit to slow and melancholy for me.
That's not my taste in music. But ok.
too slow
Didn't know the album but know Lou Reed of course. Expected more ...
Lou Reed is cool, but his album can get a tad boring..
Reminds me of early Alice Cooper. I like it.
I like this album in places, but it's nowhere near the level of Transformer.
It wasn't bad but very bleak.
I didn’t get what the album was about in the first half and it felt very all over the place. The second half decided on more of a serious tone and I found enjoyment in that. If the whole thing felt more uniform it would be better. Standouts: How Do You Think It Feels, Caroline Says II, and The Bed.
It’s kind of funny this came up so soon after Paris 1919, the 1973 solo album by Reed’s former Velvet Underground bandmate John Cale. Both albums are very interesting and theatrical, but while Cale’s record leans into an ornate and baroque direction, Reed’s is a bleak concept album about poverty and divorce. It’s like comparing a Chris Columbus film to Ken Loach (in terms of tone, not quality)
Not into it but I can see why he was successful 2.7 stars
Caroline says it’s alright
Not my style but very nice Sounds a bit the same all the way through Favorite tracks: Caroline Says I, Sad Song, Berlin 6/10
not in the mood - too dark and angsty.
Not as fun as "Transformer" I feel. A noticeable departure from the glam rock sound that Reed featured in the album prior and also what initially drew me in. There were some hints of beauty, but otherwise it was mostly bleak.
Alright. Solid 3
Not my favorite album, but listenable. There's not much that evokes excitement while listening to this. Middle of the road solo album that's a chip off the old block.
Certainly not my favorite Lou Reed output, but I can understand the inclusion here.
Kinda depressing but I like storytelling albums so maybe revist someday
Cool
A piano and a crying child? Hell yes. Ok, not really. But no fear when heroin is at play, am I right? Good pairing of music and emotions.
It's interesting to listen to this as someone who loves Lou Reed's live output. Many of these songs have an urgency and clarity live but these studio versions are way more dressed up and frankly significantly more depressing or generally negative feeling because of the slower tempos and the orchestration. I strongly prefer the live versions to these, though I appreciate that listening to the studio originals gives me a bit more insight into the songs.
Fun, but nothing very familiar to me. Would listen again but nothing really caught me.
Reed has made some of my favourite music of all time, this largely ain't it
Приятная музыка, но не сказать что это прям мое
Somber, lonesome, but beautiful. His voice sounds sullen yet hopeful and the music makes it very charming and easy to listen to. A record I’m happy to have discovered via this project.
I love Lou Reed, but this one was a bit patchy. I liked the tracks I had heard before - Caroline Says, How Do You Think it Feels. That track The Kids is awful with the crying - had to skip it
Look I know this is conceptually a pretty good album but it fell a little flat for me. Maybe the lyrics didn't really hit right?
Pop album I guess. Kind of a slower affair, but I liked it. No real low parts, but no real high parts either.
this guy is processing some shit
I feel like Lou looked hard at the Berliner scene, but was unable to incorporate it well. Also, his ‘singing’ is so understated… he’s just reading poetry 🙈
A bit boring at times, but better than other albums
Eh
Bad form to put crying kids on record.
Unique album and I liked most of the songs, but the ones with kids crying just gave me the icks, so minus one star. Would listen again, but only after a few years.
It was alright. I felt like some of the later songs drug on a bit long. And the actual kids crying on The Kids really took me out of it, I did not like it at all.
Love the instrumental but some of the songs are just not my style. Pretty mixed bag
I'm still not a big Lou Reed guy.
Why do all of these albums have to have these found sound intros? I love The Velvet Underground, I'm not loving this as much. This could be a Tom Waits album. Stephanie Says by the Velvet Underground > Caroline Says by Lou Reed. His delivery has a William Shatner quality to it. It should be noted that Lou Reed basically repurposed Stephanie Says for Caroline Says Part II...don't like it. There's something about this album I like despite itself. Sad Song is the perfect culmination of this album.
Guess I'm gonna be depressed today? OK, not to jump on that band wagon. When you break it down, it's not terrible, but it's no masterpiece either. Maybe I really need to be in a different frame of mind for this one, but I'm not, so I can't. I respect it for what it is.
Berlin gets better as it goes along, though unfortunately, it also gets darker as the album goes along as well. I can see after Transformer how Berlin would get more negative reviews. It never fails to make me laugh how certain publications will pan an album when it comes out, then after it ends up being highly regarded the publication will give the album a much better grade. Not that they are affected by public opinion or anything. The Kids, The Bed and Sad Song is just a trilogy of darkness to end this album. There's not a hope to be found. My struggle is that I can't seem to determine when I would recommend this album to someone or whether it is a must-hear album. If a person has gotten into Lou Reed, then I would probably eventually recommend this album. I like how Lou Reed just did something different coming off Transformer, so listening to him extend himself is a fun listen.
Solides Konzept-Album mi einer Rock-Oper, die ähnlich wie die Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo die Probleme mit und ohne Drogen im Berlin der frühen 70er behandelt. Die Stücke sind abwechslungsreich und sinnvoll aufeinander abgestimmt. Trotzdem löst es beim Adressaten keine fesselnden Begeisterung aus sondern belässt es bei schlichtem Pragmatismus.
i am in love with the bass on this album, the bass is very much there and you know it’s there, this album sounds like an album i would listen to just doing stuff around the house to
I enjoyed this. I liked the orchestration used throughout and its got quite the star studded list of musicians.
I didn’t quite give this the attention it deserved but it was okay. I had an idea what to expect based on Apple Music’s write-up. It didn’t really capture my attention either way.
Words are good. Music okay
Slow musically, appreciate the narrative. Reminds me of Evelyn Evelyn (2010), whom he likely influenced. Perhaps I’ll listen to Bowie’s Berlin trilogy to flesh out my thoughts on Germany. More interesting than aesthetically pleasing. Enjoyed The Kids, Men of Good Fortune, and Caroline Says.
Always hear about this one as a Lou Reed highlight, has never grabbed me. There's always something cool about a Lou Reed project, reaching its potential less and less as he works with Professional Session Musician types. A standout of VU/the best Lou Reed is that there's no blues guitar solos etc., & some of these post-VU albums have moments that sound like Musical Theatre Presents: The Songs of Lou Reed. Musically, Caroline Says pt. II is very nice and I would probably like it quite a bit if there wasn't Stephanie Says already. Lyrically/vocally I don't think Lou Reed pulls off the sensitivity for this domestic violence story.
This is musically probably my favourite Lou Reed thing I’ve encountered (though I know he worked with a wide variety of people through his life, and I’ve barely scratched the surface over the years). But I think it’s kinda hard for me to engage with this kind of bleak/tragic story. It’s very well done, it’s just the sort of thing that tends to not connect with me. My rating here is more about my taste than the album’s content, but aren’t they all.
Accidentally listened to the live version. Not sure I got it as there’s clearly some kind of narrative but I liked it anyway
Schön uu hören sehr abwechslungsreich gute Texte
The instrumentation of this albums is great, even the poetry is really thoughtful but man, his voice is just so boring and I don’t like the style of speak singing that he does that it makes the songs kind of bland and forgettable. I kind of figured that it had some kind of story before I read the description but sometimes these concept albums make a lot of sacrifices for the sake of the story, and I think the melody/lyrics kind of make focus on telling the story and not on expressing it musically. C teir
I absolutely love Transformer (the album he released just prior to this) but have never dug deeper into Lou Reed. Album opens in a hazy drunken state with some piano plinking with messy, overlaid vocal samples. The samples give way to a melancholy piano melody and Lou's typical deadpan delivery. Lady Day is a more boisterous tromp of a song that makes use of traditional folk elements (horns, woodwinds, organs). Production kind of sounds crappy tbh. This album is very very different from my memory of Transformer (will have to relisten) and almost isn't fair to compare. Whereas Transformer is a straightforward rock album, this is a cohesive opera telling the storyline of two drug addicted lovers. While both feature Reed's deadpan in full, this feels more "full" with all of the additional instrumental flourishes through the front half. I will say that comparatively, I like this album far less; there aren't as many individual songs to sink your teeth into. Also this is significantly bleaker in its tone and subject matter (drug addiction, children being taken away, suicide). The songwriting is solid, but in service to the progression of the central plot, and therefore are not as catchy in their individuality. I would say for the concept this scores high, but for musical enjoyment this is low in my regard. 3 at its best of days for me.
Such a strange album but it was pretty cool. Took a while for that style of music to grow on me with the way hew as singing. But the backing instrumentals kept getting better and better. It was kind of like the whole album was composed of the interludes that are in The Wall. Had some good highs but also some pretty bad lows. But all around enjoyable
Such dark lyrics a quite the story. Never really went into any crazy highs or lows for me. Solid 3. Really love his voice though throughout with the instrumentals and I feel like on a different day I could get more into this.
There's something about Lou Reed's music that makes me kind of bored. It feels like he has a lot to say and even has plenty of emotion in his vocals and performances, but almost like he doesn't say it loud enough. It makes it so when I listen to him I really have to lean-in and listen, because he's not going to grab me and pull me in. I did really like "Oh Jim" and the midway shift from heavy electric to soft acoustic vibe. I don't know if I'll ever really get Lou Reed or he'll cross that boundary from "listenable music" to "desirable music" for my personal tastes. I will say that I also don't find myself reaching to turn off his music when it comes on.
Good album. Lou Reed is not really my flavor but he is clearly very talented
I'm not a fan of Lou Reed's "singing" but he's got a great band. I love what's going on behind the vocals.
I admire the ambition of this album way more than the execution. Caroline Says II, which is a remake of The VU's Stephanie Says, is a great example. He took a pretty, albeit straightforward, song and deconstructed it to the point of sabotage. It could have worked, but his singing really got in the way. Frankly, his singing was my main complaint on this album. But damn, The Bed—a song I'd never heard before—absolutely floored me, and mostly because of his singing. And that's the thing with Lou. His use of Sprechstimme can make or break a song. With the Velvets, it almost always worked. In his solo career, it often seems like self-parody. But this was my first listen to Berlin. I could see this album growing on me.
# Playlist Track - Sad Song # Notes - This is a profoundly weird album. It has a janky opening, awful samples of real kids crying and strange transitions and theme changes. - Not that I would expect something different from Lou Reed. - Still, I enjoyed immensely the final bang with "Sad Sond", and not just because the album was finally over.
I like Lou Reed, but I'm not sure every single one of his albums needs to be on this list. Still, it's a solid album - probably not my favorite of his, but classic Lou.
Opener was great but I just can't get into Mr. Reed
3.5, great at parts and at times dragged on
Fine. Not really my thing. I love some of Lou’s solo stuff and VU stuff, but this album did not grab me. This album makes me think of Rocky Horror. Or do I have that backwards? Did Berlin (1973) influence Rocky Horror (1975)?
While, I prefer Velvet Underground, I do like some Lou Reed solo stuff. This didn’t do it for me, but was pretty good.
This is one of those a,bums that you’re supposed to like. Like vegetables, it’s good for you. And it’s ok. The only song I knew was Lady Day, and I strongly prefer the version from Rock and Roll animal. The record songs really great, especially the bass. But overall, the songs are just OK. And nobody will ever contend that Reed was a great singer. I suppose this is a charming album, a solid 3/5
This sounds like a bad Bowie album. I didn't mind some of it, I hated the rest of it.
I really wanted to like this one, but sadly I didn't get all that much from it. I listened twice through and both times round my main takeaway was that Sad Song is by far my favourite track here. Fave Tracks: Lady Day, Sad Song 2.6/5
Some interesting things, but not enough for me to recommend it.
I think this is what I want Bob Dylan to be lol. Probably better than Transformer, but I'll have to relisten and compare
Prefer Rock and Roll Animal
Very different album. Ups and downs. And one moment in particular that was very off putting. But definitely all Lou Reed.
Felt like the back half of this album had a lot more to it.
Lou Reed is always welcome at a listening party. I can't say I was fully taken in but this will get more spins, probably.
That's a whole lotta Lou Reed doing Lou Reed things. I like his music, I have a few of his albums, a couple from the Velvet Underground, but tellingly I don't own this. I'm no stranger to a concept album or rock opera, but a whole narrative arc buoyed by Reed's halting sotto voce is a little exhausting. Despite that, some of the songs make an impression, whether poignant or harrowing. I'm sure Alice Cooper was taking notes for Welcome To My Nightmare, perhaps having heard 'How Do You Think It Feels' in particular.
Sad, emotional, but a truly story teller album! 51 yrs old album still looking actual. 3,5/5
As a rule of thumb, I prefer albums with heavier production and less lyrical focus. I was prepared to make this album an exception, if only because Lou Reed has a reputation as a musical storyteller and for being incredibly influential on his contemporaries. The album is decent, albeit incredibly lyrically-focused and without much melodic (or, indeed, musical) regard. There were some musical peaks, namely the brilliant horn-focused production in some of the later tracks. However, I did drift away from the lyrics a few times and found myself thinking "This music is kind of nondescript... where's the energy?" And with the exception of a few tracks on side 2 (Sad Song, Caroline Says II, The Kids), the music does feel somewhat lacking energy and emotion. Maybe that was the point. I can see someone of Reed's calibre asking his bandmates to "Play simply!" for the sake of driving home the album's concepts of introspection, lost love, and coping with hitting rock-bottom. Perhaps as a result of this, the concepts are communicated clearly and capture a vivid image of a doomed couple's lives falling apart. Even someone as thick-headed as myself could pretty much understand what was going on. As a concept album, it's tough to fault it. I've listened to a couple of Velvet Underground albums prior to this (their first two albums), and I do prefer them to this one. Still, I can acknowledge the influence this had on artists such as Bowie (Low-era) and some later Pink Floyd projects like The Wall and The Final Cut. 3/5
I had not heard any of the songs before, not bad.
So horrifying. So real. Couldn't look away. I was going to give it a 1 star. But it haunted me all day. Does that mean that it should get 5 star? I'll go with 3 just because I can't decide.
I would have loved seeing this at an easy village club. Hearing it on a stereo isn't quite doing it for me. I'm liking it but not loving it so far (Caroline says I). My enjoyment picked up. I think because the production got more sparse which made it more clean and raw at the same time. By the time Caroline Says II rolled around I was way more inside the album. It's still getting a 3, but 2 is totally off the table now.
This was interesting - I don't have opportunity to listen to many concept albums for the first time. "Lady Day" seemed like a good intro track. The next one was forgettable but I liked "Caroline Says I". I could've done without the screaming kids in "The Kids". Overall, not bad, but I won't ever return to it.
I don’t think I really got it yet, it I liked it.
Bit of a direct innit? This is actually pretty good and I'm tempted to go 4 here, but I think the fact that I will probably not go back to this for the most part probably keeps it a 3.
It wasn't bad, but I didn't notice anything super exceptional either.
Started strong, ended weak. 3/5
life is far too short for me to get into this in any meaningful way
Hard to get past a cool voice. It's a different album for sure.
perliini. ja englanniksi tulee virttä.. kuiskutellen etenee kunnes bombastinen, jättimäinen lopetusnumero.. hyvä ääni kaverilla, haavoittuvainen, pikkupoika...elämä ohi nipsnaps, miksi olemme näin heikkoja? sairas paska lyriikat. And no one showed us to the land, And no one knows the where's or why's.. lady day
Probably my favorite Lou Reed to come across here, and I liked it alright. On the whole, though, Lou Reed solo and Velvet Underground both have a lot of albums on here, and while I think Velvet Underground deserves about that amount of exposure, the glut of solo stuff on top of it pushes Reed over into territory of "OK I've had about enough of this guy"
this was a strange album for me. i think the first half i was sort of adjusting to this album. it's a little off-kilter. by the second half i was really enjoying myself, especially with the songs that had a horn section. not an album i think i would have expected lou reed to make given my previous context on him listening here, but still, a fun time, a little challenging, but i could see myself listening to this album a few more times and really appreciating the quirkiness.
Muy buen disco. Tiene cosas de joya pero sobre el final se vuelve medio somnífero. Está para escucharlo bien profundo con auriculares. La calidad de Lou Reed es innegable.
Some of it was very nice. Some of it was not.
Thoughts before listening: I don't know much of Lou Reed's solo work outside of the hits, but I do know a lot of it can be challenging. I feel like I probably won't like this all that much, but I'm definitely interested to listen to a full album. Review: This is a very nice surprise. I am rather enjoying this album even if I have never heard these songs before. I always loved Lou Reed in the Velvet Underground, and his talk singing vocal delivery is one that instantly draws me in. This is much more of a rock sound to this album than I was expecting, especially the guitar solos on "How Do You Think It Feels". I also like "Lady Day" and "Caroline Says I". There are some songs that don't work for me, and the lyrics are all pretty dark, but overall this was a nice listen. 3-star album.
Piano bar/basement lounge singer vibes. A "sit-down" mind of album. Hadn't listened to this lou reed album before and while it was good, it wasn't my favorite.
I liked this album. Nothing incredible but also not bad.
I liked the music, but couldn’t stand his voice. Also the children crying and screaming during “The Kids” was disturbing. I do like when music makes me feel emotions, but I don’t know if I liked that emotion.
I like big crescendos and the motifs but I don't think I like the topics much at all. nor some of the other choices made
I'll just say: if it weren't for those 30 seconds on "The Kids", this 3 would be more of a "leaning towards a 4" than the "straight 3" it is. I get those 30 seconds, I get why they're there, and I can appreciate what Reed was doing there, but they were seriously one of the most unpleasant times I've had with music in recent memory. No thank you, Lou.
more of a 3.5/5 for the slow start, but still a decent album nonetheless.
Ok
Ben correct, ça me fait ni chaud ni froid
quite bleak, a melancholic mood needed to enjoy this. however i quite enjoyed a few tracks for the combination of lou's singing with the wide use of instruments, quite "hypnotically" good. the vocals are not traditionally amazing, but i don't think that's what lou was trying to express with these songs anyway
As usual with concept albums I didn’t really like it much, though it wasn’t terrible
a day is never enough for a concept album. the first four songs are half-baked. second half is good. I like the concept for an album. I feel like people live lives with struggles similar to this more often than music like this is made, so I just appreciate that it exists. the second half has more energy than the first, and the slower songs sound like they spent more time in the oven. second half is more cohesive and solid all around. definitely glad I kept listening through.
Absolutely not the kind of thing I enjoy, but an undeniable accomplishment. Deserves to be on this list. I am struggling to come up with a rating so I think I'll just average how much I liked and how much I respect it.
A Boxing Day road trip jam - traveling with an actual kid meant that I skipped the end of "The Kids" but otherwise this was a cool listen - a sort of punk folk cabaret musical - complete with piano, orchestra and even a reprise.
Very Dark
12/14/23. I get Lou Reed as my musical birthday treat. I'll always respect his work as an artist and pushing the boundaries. This album definitely does that for me; doesn't follow a specific formula.
Rakende teksten, maar de muziek deed me weinig
Loe Reed's chanting is an acquired taste that I've never acquired. Nevertheless, Bob Ezrin's production and Steve Hunter's guitar make this record listenable.
While I love Lou Reed, many of the tracks on this album can only really be described as "interminable". Sad Song appears to have been going on for at least two hundred years.
Nice album. Excellent listening experience
:'(
I liked it.
not my cup of tea
Dette likte jeg egentlig ganske godt! Men tekstene manglet dybden til de andre snakke-sangerne vi har hørt. Men skal undersøke mer av musikken hans!
Lou Reed rock opera sounds cool in concept, but this just doesn't come together for me for whatever reason. 2.5/5
Funky but sad
Album triste. Similar a Bob Dylan, solo como Rock Alternativo. Letras buenas.
great concept album and definitely haunting at times. however, i'm a bigger fan of transformer ☺️
Dit was euro’s gap. Men of good fortune was zo behooooorlijk lekker
prima album, Kan z’n stem niet helemaal plaatsen. Niet echt een favoriet nummer
I'm not always into Lou Reed, but this is a pretty solid album. Some acoustic songs that sound way more contemporary than the '70s. It took the first half of the album for me to settle in but the second half was really good. The kid crying on "The Kids" was a nice touch too. No big hits on here, at least that I'm aware of, but I'm saving a few. Maybe I'm becoming a Lou Reed fan. Favorite tracks: Men of Good Fortune, Oh Jim, Caroline Says II, The Bed. Album art: A shot of Lou I'm guessing, with a couple other people, framed in another shot of a ton of people with a little poem about Berlin. Lots of things going on here. It's not a bad cover though, the contrasting colors help. 3.5/5
7/10
Good bass and drums, the first half is much better.
Better than I thought it was gonna be
Quite sad. The crying kids in "The Kids" in particular is artfully disturbing. I really don't like to hear kids crying. Other than that, it's folky and has a bombastic production and a nice melody. Just what I expected from Lou Reed.
I’m struggling to connect with this one. The storytelling across the album has been highlighted as its strong point, yet I’m not as moved as I should be given the heavy subject matter of side two. It’s not like the music is completely tuneless either, but again, it’s not grabbing me either viscerally or cerebrally. 2.5... but I usually give albums that attempt to be cohesive (musically or narratively) the benefit of the doubt, so I’ll round up.
I didnt love or hate it. Was a real middle of the road album.
J'ai plus aimé que j'anticipais considérant que j'ai jamais été un grand fan de la voix de Lou Reed. J'ai particulièrement aimé la 2e et la dernière chanson. Je comprends pourquoi tant d'artistes l'adule, mais ça reste un goût acquis pour moi et il n'est pas encore acquis. Je serais curieux de réessayer par contre. 6/10
Well, I did NOT need the song “Kids” this morning, no not at all. But all in all a good, solid Lou Reed album.
There's a lot of emotion in this album. I loke lyrics on many songs. The sound of the songs starts to bleed together after a while, which makes it less fun to listen to.
Very good. Standouts: Caroline Says II, The Kids, The Bed. The Kids and The Bed are gut wrenching songs. So sad. Oh what a feeling…. 3.5/5
Bleak af
Ganska bra platta.
Surprise. I liked this a lot. Not the angry bitter Lou Reed. This was sweet sound.
Not available on spotify
Not too bad, all a little the same
In the last year, I have become a very big fan of Velvet and Lou Reed. The album right before this, Transformer (produced by David Bowie), arguably had his biggest hit, Walk on the Wild side and I was expecting something similar. Wrong! Everything I've listened to up to this point I have really enjoyed. Then we get to Berlin. Holy shit. May be the most tragic, depressing an tragic album I have ever heard. I know music should be able to move you and make you feel, but damnit, it made me sad and heartbroken for both Jim and Caroline. More Caroline because the shit beat her, she loses her kids and she takes herself out. I made the mistake of reading the lyrics while I listened, just verifying I was hearing what I though I was hearing and I'm sorry I did. This could be the soundtrack of a movie, but I think most would not like this movie. I still don't know what to think of this album and how to rate. Not sure why, in Caroline II there's a line that says she puts her fist through the window pane, it was such a funny feeling. I think of Hurt by NIN, I hurt myself today to see if I still feel. Anyway, I've sat on this for a few days and still don't know how to score. Lou's voice is awesome. The lyrical content absolutely fits the tone of this album. I really could have done without the crying children when they are being taken away. I actually liked a few songs when Jim was falling or in love. Berlin and Caroline I come into mind. The Bed was just too much for me. Love Lou, but this an album I do not care to ever revisit or listen to again. Doesn't make it bad, as I have a few songs I think are great but hit spots in in heat and soul I don't want them to reach. I just don't know. But I will continue to dive into all his music. Hopefully, not much more of this out there and I am happy to put this album behind me. Again, can't even come up with a score I could justify, so I'm giving my love to Lou and rating a 3. 3
3.5 “The album is a tragic rock opera about a doomed couple, Jim and Caroline, and addresses themes of drug use, prostitution, depression, domestic violence and suicide.” Well, here we go. My Dad mentioned he was going to need to give this one a deeper listen with headphones before putting a review in, and about halfway through my listening, I realized I was going to have to do the same - this is definitely not a “play in the background while doing work” kind of album. So, at night I popped my buds in and really dialed in, doing my best to follow along with the lyrics and story online, and I gotta say, even doing so, I don’t feel like this is the most structured or organized album I’ve heard, especially by rock opera standards. Supposedly half the songs here are repurposed outtakes from Lou’s Velvet days, and I think that kind of shows. It wasn’t until somewhere around Caroline Says I that the album started coming together for me, with the first true sense of narrative coming together in exploring Caroline’s cruel nature. While I don’t think the song itself was amazing by any means, what really sold me on the track was its contrast with Caroline Says II, which turns things around and explores Jim’s abusive tendencies, ultimately creating two complementary pieces that highlight the all-around toxicity and dysfunction plaguing the relationship. So, shoutout to Lou’s songwriting there. However, the true gut punch of the album is in the one-two combo of The Kids and The Bed, which, although probably far from Lou’s most deep or complex work lyrically, the relatively straightforward songwriting here is painfully effective, and it’s hard not to feel absolutely devastated by Caroline’s tragic ending. I had mixed feelings on the closer, Sad Song - though it honestly may have been my favorite song on the album musically, it just felt a bit too on the nose lyrically and thematically. This was a hard one for me to rate. As far as rock operas go, I don’t think this stands among the best, but when this album decides to throw an emotional punch, it hits hard. So while far from perfect, this was a memorable listen and I can’t say it was anything less than good. It’s no The Wall, but it is a nice reminder of the power of storytelling in music.
Pretty good album. I liked listening through the story. I can see why listening to an album that is so bluntly about such a uncomfortable topic might not be the most easy listening. Not exactly something I'd throw on. Could have been a bit more articulate with some of the lyrics
sånn halvveis
medio me duermo en vivo la vdd 6.5/10
A few strange songs and often sad. But the lyrics are well written
I really like some Lou Reed stuff, this was just ok
Berlin is really interesting, musically it's not special but the content and story is captivating and the music then becomes a vehicle to tell it. Which is fine, not especially my style but I can respect it, 3.
A true, full concept album. It's a well written and sad story about the ravages of addiction including ups and downs, all still smattered with Lou Reed's iconic NYC sound. It would be worth going back and trying to read through the lyrics or listening more consistently to the lyrics.
I was never all that impressed with Lou Reed. He always struck me as a wannabe whose reputation for being a bold innovator was unearned. The real genius behind the music of Velvet Underground was John Cale who had to drag Lou along to do the stranger things that VU did.
Dude's got good lyrics and a good voice, just traditionally good songs. The music portion didn't knock my socks off though.
Nice sad album where i never heard of any songs off it
Was happy to listen but man that was depressing
4 Probably 3
+ captivating storytelling all the way through + spoken word / poetry elements elevates the first point further - monotone vocal performance --> less interesting. At times you wish for more raw emotion out of Lou. - lack of catchy riffs/basslines etc..
Not my cup of tea 3
3.5 pretty good, feel like his voice holds it back a bit, but I know he is iconic for a ton of people so trying to appreciate it for its uniqueness.
Well that was sad
I think this is probably quite a great record actually but it was just too sad for me today. The babies crying/calling for mom was just over the top for this middle-aged dad. Tons of emotion but not much in the way of 'hummable' tunes.
I liked it better than I thought. Musically pretty expansive - Lou reed could never sing.
A record I've never heard before, but seems familiar because of some recycled VU ideas. However, some of the newer ideas don't really work that well (The Kids, which is just too bleak). Lou Reed's speak/sing delivery doesn't bother me nearly as much as it does others.
I like a decent amount of this but there is not enough to keep me coming back repeatedly, unfortunately. Men of Good Fortune is good but like, corny? Like i love The Bed a bit but it's a little too heavy handed for me to ever revisit. Then some of them are just a little too bland rock song-ey for me. Idk. maybe it would change upon relisten. Sad song was prolly the best on the album.
First time listening. From the get go, no question that this one is a grower. Lyrical content is pretty bleak. Production is a smidge over the top throughout. Didn't hate it, didn't love it.
I like Lou Reed but jesus this was fucking depressing. I cried at the track with the children :(
Seems pretty good. Would have like to heard it more today, but overall I enjoyed it.
3.5
Not my fav of his, but good.
Felt like it was building to something and then never got there. Best track: Sad Song
This was just okay. I had never heard any of Reed’s music but have heard the name a lot so I guess I had higher expectations.
I love Lou but this isn't his best work.
I don't know how I feel about this. On the negative side, a lot of this feels too lose for my liking. Like he is making it up as he goes along. Also, as someone who has kids, hearing crying in a song is grating and I HATE it. It almost doesn't matter if the song is good, it's an auto turn off. The guitars and piano are very floaty. Not a lot of instrumentation. Which I can get down with. But there isn't much here for me.
Des choses intéressantes, mais ça ne vaut pas les meilleures heures du velvet. Ça reste assez anecdotique, parfois plutôt cool.
Love Lou Reed. This would fall under deep cuts for me. I think the standout stuff is the lyrics and the way he paints a picture with his words.
More accessible for sure.
ну опять практически разговорный альбом) я пение люблю
There’s better examples of Lou Reed’s talent out there.
Lou Reed seems to be one of the go-to's from the predictable and annoyingly limited roster of musicians this list repeatedly pulls from. Hence this is already the 3rd album with him that I've received, but admittedly it's the best one so far. Very impressive musical arrangements and performances, the jazz influences seeping through here and there, the proto-punk vibes, the dramatic rock-opera theatrics all contribute to the listening experience, even if thrown together somewhat haphazardly. Unfortunately Lou's monotone speak-singing does less than nothing for me. I award this 3 meters of Berlin wall for Lou to sit and listen to guitars by.. 🧱🧱🧱
While I love Lou Reed's attitude and vocals, something about how he brings the whole package together in his solo stuff never really does it for me and this is no exception. The songs are great and I really commend him for making it so heavy lyrically, its a pretty unrelenting album. But much like John Cale's solo work I kind of want him to commit to being a bit more experimental rather than packaging his music in a singer songwriter type fashion. I get the impression that I might be more into his later works which Wikipedia tells me he got more into ambient experimentation.
Reading up on this album, it's so odd seeing people say it's one of the most depressing albums ever made. Sure, the story itself is incredibly bleak - just the kind of gritty story that lou reed excells at - but the music on this thing is so hilariously made-for-theatre that is lessens the impact of the lyrics. I still really enjoy the music though, but I end up viewing it through the lens of cheesy rock opera rather than harsh dipiction of underprivileged domestic violence. It's both, I suppose, and only Lou could have such a juxpatosition and it still have any impact at all.
Pretty good for an old punk.
Almost skipped based on the first song and the album being a “concept album” Bleak story album, love the lyrics, a few songs a little too concept-y. But really not too bad 3.5
Disco tranquilo y con una instrumentación clásica en muchos temas que al principio me pareció aburrido pero que tiene mejores canciones de lo que esperaba. "Sad Song", "Oh Jim" y "Carolne Says II" merecen la pena.
Reminds me of some different voices / groups of classic rock. Simple voice. 3.5
Ik kom hier niet uit. Flarden vind ik verschrikkelijk. Andere flarden geweldig. Ik zie gelijk dat deze puzzelstukjes bij elkaar horen. Maar ik krijg ze zo uit mijn hoofd niet altijd aan elkaar gelegd. Dus wat moet ik hier nou weer mee? Vooruit, Lou. 3 sterren. Met je soundbites
Lekker vaag met fijne basloopjes en de rauwe stem van Lou Reed, doorleefd van het coke snuiven met Bowie en Iggy. Conceptalbums zijn vaak een beproeving voor het oor en voor velen zal dit wellicht ook zo voelen, maar dit bevalt me wel.
Paskaa kai...ajansa kiirtikoiden mukaan hehe.... SE ON USKOMATONTA MITEN HYVÄÄ TÄMÄ ON KOSKA 1973 ALBUMI.... 1972.. Ilmeisesti tehnyt myös albumin.. 1972 albumista oikeestaan kaikki top tracks spotifyssä.. ei löydy tätä 1973 albumia tarjolla edes suosituissa töissä.. Rolling Stones sano albumia disasteriksi.. Heh.. Myöhemmin top 300 albums of all time..
Idk, didn't bother me, didn't interest me either. Sad Song was kinda nice.
I enjoyed this album! Lou Reed is an interesting artist, I know a lot of folks who love him and a lot that can't stand him. This record was interesting, the songs varied enough to keep things fresh and it all culminates in this very climactic ending with "Sad Song." I dug it.
Overall there is just something I like about Lou Reed, even if it's depressing he has a sense of humor in his music. I would have given this 4 stars, but the song "The Kids" loses a star for the sounds of children crying. It takes something with depressing subject matter, and makes it basically unlistenable, which kind of ruins the album on relisten. Still, "Berlin", "Lady Day", "How do you think it feels", and "Caroline Says II" are all great Lou Reed songs.
Autant j'aime Lou Reed, autant cette album live est moen pour moi. Les 3 dernières chanson on complètement sauvé l'album pour moi. Mais je sui quand meme moins fan du Live. 3.15
Slightly pretentious and depressing rock opera about two drug addicts in Berlin. Best Tracks: How Do You Think It Feels; Caroline Says II; Sad Song
Not entirely my cup of tea. It's got some good and catchy pieces, but the overall atmosphere is far too melancholic for my tastes. Considering its a concept album about a heroin addicted couple as parents, that's unsurprising.
Grand, saved one song.
Wow I really liked this more than expected! 3.5 stars, but rounding down because it was pretty sleepy in some parts.
Ekkert uppáhald en alveg fínt.
Not his best album I've listened to. I thought this was about average, not anything amazing.
Estilo personal y único de un gran cantautor, con buenas melodías, ritmos lentos y fácilmente escuchable
Cooool liked men of good fortune and Caroline 😜
Boy, I like Lou Reed - I even saw Heart of a Dog because it was about Lou and Laurie Anderson's dog - and I couldn't enjoy this album. Maybe the poetry was just too deep and I was not focused enough. Or it was because the music seemed so dull? I'd say stick with Blue Mask, Transformer, and anything Velvet Underground. ....But then again I guess it deserves another listen, maybe a dark room with headphones.
It was fine.
fine
Bellissima voce, come sempre.
I wish I could say I loved this record like I've seen other people love it, but something about this album and The Velvet Underground & Nico make me feel guilty for not enjoying them as much as others do. By no means do I dislike either album, but I'm just struggling to see what makes other people value them so highly. Favorite tracks: Sad Song, Men of Good Fortune 6/10
I wasn't a fan when I first listen to this album years ago and still cannot get into it. I love the Velvet Underground but there's really on few Lou Reed albums I really like and this is not one of them.
Glad i listened to it. Probably won't listen to it again.
I like Lou Reed, but this was my least favorite of his solo stuff that I listened to. Some of it was interesting, but a lot of it was, unfortunately, forgettable.
Mid. The world would be the exact same if this weren't made.
I never liked this album &, even though I’ve owned it for decades, I haven’t played it for that long either. Released in October 1973, it was bookended by the only 2 Lou Reed albums I was ever passionate about - Transformer(released November’72), the album that made him famous & Rock’n’Roll Animal (recorded live December’73 & released February ‘74). These are great records. Not sure what Berlin is. There’s nothing wrong with the band and a lot of Lou’s music is beautiful, but I can’t stand the vocal delivery. And the same was true when I saw him live - first at the Hordern Pavlova in July1975 and ten years later at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle. His bands on both occasions were great, but he just wasn’t engaging. At both concerts, the opening bands stole the shows for me - in ‘75 it was a Kiwi band I’d never heard of - Split Enz - and ten years later it was a band I was very fond of - the Hoodoo Gurus. Anyway, I’ve given Berlin another listen and discovered that there are a couple of songs on it that I do enjoy - How Do You Think It Feels & Sad Song. Apart from that, it leaves me cold, although, as I said, the music is often terrific.
Prior to this i have never heard of Lou Reed and not aware of his connection with VU but so i was looking for some different with this new listen. Halfway in the tracklist there’s some good and bad things. The tracks have some good storytelling especially with the Caroline says tracks and the psychedelic influence is definitely there and can be heard. But some of the tracks are very forgettable such as Lady Day. Caroline Say 2 was one of the best songs on the record with its storytelling from Reed and sombre vocals and vibes. The Kids started so well with its sobering lyrics but had to skip when the kids started crying just automatically put me off the track. The last two tracks, The Bed and Sad Song were an okay down end to the album however doesn’t stop the fact that this album wasn’t really my cup of tea but still have some decent tracks. 3/5
3.4
Ok for Lou Reed. Not too cringe.
This album feels like a really great EP. I like all the songs that have that great orchestra backing them, the others, not so much.
i’ve always loved lou reed. this seemed like a great one but v sad, just didn’t want to put myself in that headspace today so i didn’t finish. first couple of songs were good tho - gonna test again today and see if i’m negative 🤞🏼 hopefully i’ll be able to go to school tomorrow
Fine.
favorite song: sad song
This story is depressing as hell, but I do love a good story. I'd revisit about half of the album just based on musicality, so not too bad. Here's where I wish 3.5 was a thing because 3 isn't right but 4 isn't either.
Very mixed feelings about this album. When I was distracted it was ok as background music, but not very noticeable. When you listen to it properly, it's pretty, but also utterly depressing. The Bed is very beautiful, but also quite messed up. Might listen again if I feel like sobbing.
very soothing album! that said, it’s very very slow. i’d really need to be in a certain mood to listen again.
Not bad. But not for me.
liked his intentions, style, made me blue, sometimes repetitive in a way I wasn’t a fan of
22nd August 2022 Listened throughout the day while working from home and watched United Liverpool in the evening. Took a while for me to warm into this and wasn’t until the last couple of songs that it felt like he sounded like Lou Reed to me but maybe that’s because I associate him with the Velvet Underground so much. Not his fault.
Sad Song is really good
When something is new and revolutionary, it can later feel like a melodramatic imitation. The Kids and Sad Song seem self-indulgent in that “look everybody at where I’m willing to go” way. That diminishes the shine on a rather solid, mellow album.
I like Lou Reed's slower stuff like Men Of Good Fortune.
The way the lyrics are delivered ruins the flow of the songs. It feels like the texts are prose instead of poetry.
Mellow. Starting to grow on me. Not much my style
I enjoyed this album. Big fan of the orchestral backings.
eh. 2, but catchy for 3.
Sad af. Need to look into the lyrics more to get the full gist of what the tracks mean.
The closest thing to a true rock opera I've heard. Story is very easy to follow with clear lyrics and basic yet tragic concepts of domestic violence, drug abuse, prostitution, corruption, and suicide. Personal and emotional. The sound is more acoustic-driven but follows his glam rock sound from Transformer with gospel and baroque influences. Reed follows his usual performance, which is fine except when the songs go for so long. But I found the music itself to be fairly boring. There are cool effects like the angelic synths of "The Bed" or the bright ensemble of "Sad Day." Songs are too focused on the storytelling that it doesn't pay enough attention to the melody. The guitar riffs I heard suck, and sometimes the lyrics suffer, but they can work quite poetically. I can see why "Caroline Says II" is the most covered song. Honestly, I'd listen to this again if I wanted to watch a movie with my eyes closed. If you think about it as an art piece rather than a rock or folk album, your perception of it will be higher.
How do you think it feels is a tune. Bit weird this album. Almost spoken word over a 70s Bowie style. Could be a musical. A depressing musical.
6/10. I am fond of concept albums, but the songwriting, especially when it came to rhyming, could be so predictable that it just made the album feel a bit pointless. Like, say something original about your life being ruined by drug addiction in Berlin, I already know that shit's sad
Berlin is Lou Reed's third solo album, and it's also a tragic rock opera concept album telling a story about a couple's struggle with drug abuse/addiction. The dark lyrics can be heavy at times, but some of the album's tracks' beats are too infectious to forget about. This is an interesting concept album, but the music doesn't disappoint.
Kolejny Lou Reed na liscie w kolejnosci chronologicznej pojawia z Berlinem z 1973, ktory jest czyms atakujacym w sztuke wyzsza, wiec nie ma tutaj latwosci odsluchu jak u Transformera i zabiegow Bowiego jesli chodzi o produkcje, bo nagrywany byl w skladzie Lou na wokalach i gitarce, w tym wypadku na akustyku i poteznej ekipie muzykow sesyjnych, zaopatrzonych glownie w instrumenty srednio rokowe, wiec klawisze beda pianinowe czy organowe, trumpety, saksy, puzony, znajdzie sie jakis synth na traku lub dwoch i elektrykowe gitary, ale jednak plyta ma charakter mocno akustyczny, a odsluchem lekkim z pewnoscia nie jest, bo jest to cos na ksztalt rokowej opery, ktora jest dramatem pary ukochanych i znienawidzonych osob i ich dramatycznych walkach problemami, wszelakimi, bo od narktykow w naduzywanie przemocy, czy sutenerstwo po utrate dzieckow i samobojstwa, wiec zycia cud na 10 trakach i 49 minutach, jakos nie moglem sie wczuc w ten odsluch, czy moze on ma byc tak szorstki i odpychajacy, wokalnie pan Reed jest nie do poznania tutaj w porownaniu do Transformera czy czasow Velvetowego podziemia, malo jest tutaj spiewania i radosnego chorkowania, a wiecej prostej liryki rzucanej do akompaniamentu instrumentalnego, na plejke dodam traka men of good fortune, ktory jest niby banalny w swojej prostocie, ale tak jak cala plyta swietnie sie zestarzala pod wzgledem lirczym i w dalszym ciagu watki na niej poruszane sa aktualne, ale jednak nie jest to moj ulubiony krazek w dyskografii pana Reeda
I wanted to like it but the production was a little rough around the edges and I didn’t think the lyrics were as compelling as other Lou reed songs
This was pleasant, but nothing more.
Not as good as Transformer but still solid. I like Lou Reed’s vocals so that helps.
legalzinho mas achei que seria mais empolgante
Mostly solid but unremarkable throughout, but the last couple songs are kind of annoying. I absolutely do not want to hear whining children when listening to music, thank you very much.
Don’t mind Lou Reed but nothing to write home about.
Good musicianship from the stellar band. Bit overly sad and depressing towards the end. Better than expected, but not going to be playing in the future. 3 for music, but 2 for overall enjoyability.
Oooo, I like this one. Dark and intriguing to me. I'll come back to it to listen better to the lyrics, but musically I found it rather engaging.
An interesting listen, where Lou Reed's poet conversationalist approach makes the songs compelling without them necessarily being catchy. They are sparse, but do well with a dark tone and style. Lou Reed does "cool" well.
This one did not draw me in as much as I expected it to.
Nooit eerder gehoord, vond het niet slecht, ook niet heel spannend.
It was similar to Transformer with it's use of orchestra/piano/genre hopping but the songs are nowhere near as memorable. It was pleasant to listen to and I like Lou Reed's voice (he's not a great singer but knows his limit and how to make it an effective instrument). Not bad.
It was not terrible.
Lou Reed is one of those artists who is very hit or miss for me. Also depends a lot on my mood that day. Today I was digging this. Not the worst thing he has done but not the best either. 3.5/5
Nice, would listen again I liked it a lot; extremely torn between a 3 and a 4 Didn't enjoy the vocals though; they felt much too lazy and dispassionate for the really good music. I have a hard time remembering any specific songs after listening, but I remember it being pleasant. I'll come back one day
Rough listen 3
ok sound, definitely retro music. the song with kids crying was awful.
You have to be in the mood for some Lou Reed, otherwise it just sounds like a dude trying desperately to halftalkhalfsing about bleak shit in order to seem edgy maaaaaaaan.
Weird Lou but it did get musical. Crying baby freaked me out. Thought it was someone still logged on Teams. I'm a Lou Reed fan from afar.
Better than I expected, 'Men of Good Fortune' and 'The Kids' and 'The Bed' stuck out. Still feels like a 3.5 to me. I am glad I listened and respect the influence, but just not a 4 in terms of my music taste.
3.5/5 Love a concept album. The songs on their own are nothing special but together they make a great album.
love lou reed but he definitely has some stronger albums.
Damn this is some sad subject material
Wow. Raw and painful and awful and so important. I didn’t enjoy the first half; I HATED the second half and that’s why it’s so good. I need a warm bath.
Weitgehend uninteressant aber Songs wie „Kids“ heben den Gesamteindruck auf 3.2
6/10
Weird
Lou has a great voice. Some brilliant songs are written in 5 minutes. Some songs sound like they were written in 5 minutes. I'm sure this album has both.
On Berlin, old school Lou Reed sings in his crackly drawl It was very nice Candlelight and Dubonnet on ice We were in a small cafe You could hear the guitars play It was very nice Oh honey, it was paradise
I like Lou Reed's voice, but this album doesn't seem particularly special. I listened and didn't mind it, but it never fully arrested my attention.
Theatrical
A very interesting album. Lou reed never does things the traditional way, which is what made him pretty special. This album probably required more listens than I gave it but what I heard it felt ok. Pretty average. 5.2/10
It's fine. Very Lou Reed-y. 6/10
Didn't hit me in the right mood
Good lyrics Good voice Stop-starty Gets good on side 2 The Bed is an amazing track
Weird, strange, and offbeat in a way that only Lou Reed truly ever was. Unfortunately, he never really clicked with me, and this album is no different. It's fine, and I enjoy it in spots, just not as a whole. Favorite tracks: "Caroline Says I", "How Do You Think It Feels"
Folk
On my own I don't really listen to Lou Reed. In general, there are a few things that I like from Reed, and a bunch of stuff that I would be fine not listening to. This was an interesting listen. Most of the music was okay. A few of the songs had some odd background audio, and I wasn't sure what I thought of some of the backing from instruments from the orchestra. Maybe I'd get more out of it on a second listen. The album probably hangs on to an official "okay"
Not as good as Transformer
It's so full of sad songs it's actually called one of them Sad Song. And another song has kids wailing in the background. This ain't an easy cheery listen. But a good album nonetheless.
Bueno... este disco tiene una letra y una temática super densas. Fue un poco como escuchar “wish you were here”, pero con tema de pareja en lugar de tema de padre-hijo, pero no sólo por la letra, sino también musicalmente. Llama la atención el uso de elementos como el llanto, los gritos, etc. Algo muy conceptual, pero que ayuda a la atmósfera sombría del disco. Aunque sí me gustó, lo calificaré con 3 porque no me imagino escuchándolo muy seguido, creo que me deprimiría. Sólo guardé “sad song”, que fue mi canción favorita del disco.
Un disco difícil pero del que reconozco su valor, mezcla por un lado elementos musicales muy estándares y bonitos (casi pop) con letras súper crudas y desgarradoras y su propia voz que nunca es fácil. Me gustaron algunos arreglos de bajo y el solo de guitarra de Oh Jim.
Talk-singing piano dirges. Liked it but some misses, wasn't feeling Caroline Says. Had a rock opera feel to it. Overall ok, one of those musician names I heard a lot but never really knew the music. Interesting concept album I think.
There are a few hints of greatness here and there, but I mostly couldn't get into it. Treat it like the concept album it is, and you'll get more out the experience. I probably wouldn't revisit most of these tracks individually. I liked "Men of Good Fortune" and "Caroline Says II" the best.
Interesting. Completely new to me. I heard a lot of similarities to other rock operas.
I love Lou but this one is not my favorite. It has its moments but the arrangements and production are so farcfrombthe velvets as to be almost unrecognizable. Ii does have its moments but just a 3 for me .
ok very chill but the one with the crying kid freaked me out
was goed
The tempo is slow, but has a good build up, and that makes it interesting to listen to 3/5
Couldn’t keep interested but a few bangers
I liked this one more so than transformer, but it's still a solid 3 to me. Not a bad album, by any means. but not super my style.
Dark?
Some nice tracks
*i liked this one a lot *bluesy/rock
Sombrio
je me suis tormpé lors de mon commentaire precedent, rupwert n'existe pas je parlais evidemment du detestable robwuppert
It’s okay. Always liked the Lou Reed vibe but this album not the best.
Dark!
Lou Reed tem semelhanças com Bob Dylan a meu ver, a maneira como expõem as ideias é semelhante. Contudo, Lou Reed musicalmente é mais interessante, com instrumentais mais complexos e interessantes. No geral um bom álbum mas não a minha praia. Nota: 5/10
Ting tings
Pretty good, expected. Like Lou a lot
Stand-out tracks: Lady Day, Men Of Good Fortune, The Kids, Sad Song
Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit
Enjoyed it. Good background music.
Okay album. Vocal heavy, nice guitars and piano.