The Velvet Underground

5

However flawed he may be, I am a Lou Reed fan. This is the first VU album after John Cale left the band so the experimental weirdness that came from him and Reed together is lacking here. This makes for a more widely palatable VU sound, which is not a bad thing. I love this album! There are lots of standouts for me, the biggest being "Pale Blue Eyes," which is one of my favorite love songs/songs in general. I think this record is also a testament to albums as a cohesive piece of art as opposed to a handful of singles and supporting tracks. The pacing is fantastic. It goes from serene to rollicking and back again throughout, which creates this wonderful feeling of tension and release. This is especially apparent as the wacky, intense "The Murder Mystery" plays into the cute little ditty "After Hours." I also love that track as a closer because it feels like I'm being tucked in and sung to sleep as a night of partying, and the album, concludes. A classic.

5

The Velvet Underground albums with black covers are better than the Velvet Underground records with white covers. …and this is the best one.

5

During a heroin zonk-out on their previous album, Lou says, “and I know that I just don’t know”. He probably says it a few times. Heroin is like that. Here, considerably less heroin’d, and aided by melodies and vocals so affectless they’re almost childlike (just joking—you ever heard a kid make music? it’s shit) he shows us in exquisite detail just how much he doesn’t know. “What do you think I'd see if I could walk away from me?" “Between thought and expression, lies a lifetime.” “Here comes two of you. Which one will you choose?” “That's the difference between wrong and right. But Billy said, ‘Both those words are dead.’” They’re the questions, thoughts and feelings the great unwashed have every day. They just can’t put them in such a way that they retain their allusive, liminal quality, yet feel entirely accessible. Happily, Lou shows us he can brain-fart, too. The whole of Murder Mystery, for example, or the one where he says, “I wore my teeth in my hands, so I could mess the hair of the night.” Sure you did, pal. Elsewhere, After Hours may be the most unassumingly beautiful song ever recorded.

5

I really liked this. Actually, reflecting on it, I really, really liked it. Every song had something that caught my ear by way of darkness, tenderness, beauty, despair - usually all of the above in some transfixing you constellation. Then came the one-two of Murder Mystery and After Hours, which really sealed the deal. Murder Mystery staggered me - so many of the (emo) songs of my youth lifted wholesale the double-voices murmuring gnomic, dark lyrics - it was truly surprising to hear this approach on a record 45 years older than those songs. Then After Hours acts as a gorgeous counterpoint to all that fevered intensity, and sealed the deal - the deal being that I really, really liked this.

5

8/10

3

You would think The Velvet Underground were the second coming of Jesus or something with the way people hype them up, but the reality is they actually had little commercial success during their time. Honestly, I can see why. This is just your average underground rock album from the '60s. There is some interesting instrumentation and are an interesting enough mixture of rock and avant garde things, but it's very middle of the road to me. I wonder if the "myth" of the band is greater than the sum of its parts. The standout song is "Candy Says" which was actually surprisingly progressive and sensitive for its time. Excellent song. Other than that, meh.

5

Phew I was worried yesterday's gem was a happy blip on an otherwise trashcan radar. If yesterday's album got me imagining ripping a giant bong and sinking into a couch while jerking it to Zooey Deschanel, this album makes me imagine dressing in all black, injecting just the tiniest amount of heroin, and squeezing lemons on Nico's cheek bones. I don't know if I've ever fallen in love with a voice quite as hard as Moe Tucker's in "After Hours". She was also their drummer—Matt, maybe this is an opportunity for you to lilt a tune while drumming during our next jam. Who knows what bulges will emerge. It's hard to not feel cooool, maaaan, while vibing to the Velvet Underground. Lou Reed will swallow you whole and shit you out into Andy Warhol's Factory.

5

I’ve heard this album a lot over the years, but I’m really enjoying it more now today for some reason. It’s nicely cohesive for a VU album, and far more musically accessible. The absence of John Cale gave the band an opportunity to be a little more restrained, moving into fresh territory while still retaining some of their trademark grit. The album also feels like more of an all-band affair, and frankly just sounds like they’re just having fun. The lyrics are more contemplative and emotionally earnest, with less of the cool cynicism you might expect from VU. The band really nailed a certain moody, melancholy vibe, one that other artists have been chasing unsuccessfully ever since. I really like the collaborative aspect of the vocals that the band took this time around. Lou Reed had a strong pop sensibility, which I don’t think a lot of people give him credit for. He didn’t want to do the vocal on every song, and the other band members were brought in to do lead or harmony depending on who he felt was most effective for each song. Doug Yule probably doesn’t get enough acknowledgement for the quality of his vocals, but his work on “Candy Says” is really lovely. Also, Moe Tucker on “After Hours” at the end is such a bright blossom of a song. When the band ventures into more energetic fare, the commingling guitars of Reed and Sterling Morrison are riveting, the sonic equivalent of a sneer. I tend to favor tensely melancholy songs like “Candy Says” and “I’m Set Free,” but the punchier little rockers like “What Goes On” and “Beginning to See the Light” are great fun, full of the old VU jangle and burn. “The Murder Mystery” is some kind of wackadoo madness that you’re only going to find on a VU album. It’s noisy and outlandish and so very 1969, but weirdly fascinating. The album would have been better without it, but you just know they couldn’t help themselves. And I can’t help but love them more for it. Fave Songs (all songs, in order from most to least favorite): What Goes On, Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, Beginning to See the Light, I’m Set Free, Jesus, Some Kinda Love, After Hours, That’s the Story of My Life, The Murder Mystery

5

Mellow and reflective with the aggression dialled down from their other efforts. A sobering soundtrack for that inevitable moment when all tomorrow’s parties turn to morning-after, makeup-smeared, self-loathing introspection.

5

Love all of this ("The Murder Mystery" included), probably the VU album I listen to most (sorry, John and/or Mark). I could play "What Goes On" on repeat ad infinitum, love that proto-Motorik drone groove (see also "Foggy Notion" elsewhere). Just so good

5

The machine has started the week kindly. I won't try to write something new about a record that's been dissected, scrutinised, extolled and rolled between many a sticky hand. My experience of listening to this today was marred by some randomizer I couldn't switch off in the car that kept jumbling the record, usually to play 'After Hours', one of the two songs on this record that I find a little irritating - the other is 'Murder Mystery' - though I'm glad they exist. The randomizer also threw 'Foggy Notion' at me, which is not on the record, but should have been, and is one of my favourite rockers in their repertoire, so irritated me in a different way. So I'm knocking one star off their six as punishment.

4

Never been a huge VU fan because my only point of entry was Lou Reed's solo stuff, and my one coworker who only played their live stuff. I like this quite a bit. "The Murder Mystery" is an absolute mess, but I really enjoyed the rest of it. Lackadaisical, subdued, easy listening. Favorite tracks: "Candy Says", "What Goes On", "Beginning to See the Light"

4

I think this album is really gorgeous. It's deceptively simple, but the chord structure is nearly always flawless. Reminds me of a bit grittier version of the Beatles. Banana album will always be my favorite, but this rocked.

4

This list has definitely made me a Velvet Underground fan. I love this stuff. Nothing really sounds like them, even in the decades since, everything they do is interesting because it's unique. If nothing else good comes from the 1001 albums, opening my eyes to these guys will be worth the time spent. I feel so at home with this music.

4

'Down for you is up' is maybe my favourite lyrics of all time not because it is difficult or clever but it's performed with such beautiful simplicity that I want to die a little bit every time I hear it. Does anyone else think I look a little like Lou Reed on this album cover? Just similar energy. He's got good posture though.

4

'The Murder Mystery' is easily the best and craziest song on this album. Two verses at the same time by different people hard-panned to each channel, with strong instrumental backing. 8/10, want more like this song, but the banana album is better overall.

4

Why have I never listened to this album in full. Simply outstanding from music to lyrics to overall vibe. Going in the keeper pile.

4

I really enjoyed this one. The songwriting is intriguingly subtle (especially for The Velvet Underground), the performances have an enchanting energy, and the production is appropriately raw. "What Goes On," "Pale Blue Eyes," and "Beginning to See the Light" are absolutely fantastic examples of alternative songwriting. It's a power album for The Velvets where they flex and show their depth. My guess is that most detractors get stuck at "Murder Mystery" which is admittedly extremely avant garde. But it's not enough to tank the whole album and, if you take the time to dig into what's being said, it's actually a really great piece of poetry about existential identity confusion brought on by an onslaught of popular culture. It's often considered to be a great example of the power of modern poetry.

4

Aside from the iffy experiment "Murder Mystery", this album is tight from top to bottom and shows a lot of craft. Reed's vocals and lyrics are their characteristic mix of enthusiasm and apathy and ruminate on love and morality.

4

Surprisingly gentle and charming. This had a lot of sweetness to it backed by strong songwriting. And while we lost John Cale and subsequently a lot of the bite that I loved in the debut, we also got rid of Nico. So, you know, trade offs.

3

i love them but a lot of the songs sounded like they didn't have energy in them

3

Interesting but can’t get me excited.

3

Songs were a little hit or miss but overall a nice chill album that felt relaxing and easy to get through

2

Fell asleep briefly in the middle of the day listening to this. When I awoke it was to a cacophony of babbling. Then Mo Tucker sang a song. Most unsatisfying.

2

This album is boring and is not interesting. I don't know why this album has 4.10 on rym

2

More late 60s, hooray. Lou Reed sucks, his band sucks too. 2/5.

2

This is terrible. Lou Reed has just never clicked for me. This does nothing to change that. It’s just boring, meandering, and pointless.

1

Super boring. One long section of chord vamping made it sound like the mixer forgot to layer in the guitar solo. Least interesting 60's album thus far.

1

The Velvet Underground should stay buried. Sounds like the soundtrack to some bad romcom movie. I couldn't sleep at all lest night but this album almost cured my insomnia.

1

Mellow, bland, dull, boring. I guess I'm just not hearing what everyone else is hearing. But reading the reviews, and the book entry, I still haven't found anyone who was able to articulate exactly what makes this essential listening. One confused shoulder shrug. 🤷‍♂️

1

Abysmal, barely a single coherent thought in the whole shebang. Absolutely rubbish, but still better than the Nico album! 0.00000001 🌟

5

A stunning collection of songs. Side One has some of Lou Reed's finest work, and then Side Two sees the band branching out. Bands based entire careers out of the ideas on the final two tracks. I'd argue they are both more exciting than the noise experiments of the first two albums. Although it was not to last, this album presents the Velvet Underground as a cohesive, collaborative unit, adding magic to Lou Reed's masterpieces.

5

Classic album

5

кэнди сэйс айв кам ту хейт май бади

5

Great album

5

I had only ever heard the song "pale blue eyes" on many mixed tapes - the rest of their music I only knew with Nico. Much better without her.

5

Beautiful album. I've never listened to this VU album all the way through. It may be my favorite of all their albums.

5

So good

5

Oasis musical en medio del desierto de sonidos iguales.

5

One of my top 5 favorite bands, and second favorite of their albums. No good words to describe it, but the storytelling + the music are excellent

5

Fantastic album!

5

AOOOOOOOOO DELÍCIA DE SONZIM, AMEI

5

Awk sure this album isn't as fried out as the one that came before it, but you can't really expect me to dislike it can ye?

5

I love this, it’s a (mostly) pleasant listen with great songwriting. Murder Mystery is so strange but in an interesting way. gets a 10

5

This shit rocked hard. Really enjoyed it, but the final song was kinda strange.

5

this is why i started this thing

5

The first Indy Rock album—inspired so much that came after it, strokes, shins, Elliott smith, the list goes on. This is my idea of a perfect album, every note seems minimal to the point of feeling essential, Lou Reed’s poetry shines and every song is good, it’s fun, it’s melancholic, it’s hard, it’s soft, it’s about drugs, drinking, love, friendship, enlightenment and nostalgia. Whether it’s the the or the softness of “Candy Says,” the driving road trip vibes of “what goes on,” the jug band vibes of “some kind of love,” the perfectly soft darkness of “pale blue eyes,” the rock and roll lullaby of “Jesus,” the swinging good time of “Beginning to See the Light,” the enlightened release of “I’m set free,” the folksy, “That’s the story of my life,” even the avant- guard juxtaposition of “The Murder Mystery” its grating chanted poetry dissonant against the softer hazy moments create a sometimes skippable but still excellent song, and finally twee notes of “After Hours” this album never misses a beat, it’s relentlessly good. Easy 5

5

What a lovely relief from the previous albums. I hadn't listened closely to Candy Says before, but holy trans that song is so bittersweet and beautiful especially the final lines. The whole album is pretty, and it sounds like they're authentically having fun. Even the moody murder mystery song - the closest thing to their experimental previous stuff - sounds a bit playful among the stereo poetry jumble. If I had to program my mind to sync with one album, it would be this one. Tasteful. Well paced. Open eyed. Accepting. Empathetic. Authentic. Energy-giving. What a goddamn delight. A+

5

All time

5

O wiele przystępniejsza niż ta z bananem

5

Such an uncanny thirst for heroine after listening to this a few time

5

great album!!!

5

My favorite VU album,which means one of my favorite albums of all time. From the needle drop and the delicate strains of Candy Says barely a note out of place on this incredible album. Some Kinda Love, Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, I'm Set Free, wow! 5 🌟

5

5

My favorite of their four records

5

Pale Blue Eyes, Candy Says, and After Hours - Three GREAT Tracks.

5

Absolute classic. Is 1969 the greatest year in music history?

5

I was looking forward to some Velvet Underground as I wasn't very familiar going in. This was good! I especially liked Pale Blue Eyes and That's The Story of My Life

5

Würde man dieser Liste 2 Nullen streichen, diese Platte wäre unzweifelhaft immer noch drin. Und zwar völlig zu Recht, weil das hier nimmt aus sich selbst heraus so viel vorweg, dass mich ernsthaft wundert warum man nicht ein eigenes Genre danach benannt hat. Aber gut, Punk, Garage, Glamrock auch das sind ja schöne Namen. Solange ich das mit dem Heroin nicht selbst ausprobiert habe, ist das hier auf jeden Fall Ersatzdroge of Choice. Oh, but I guess that I just don’t know.

5

Lou Reed is a legend. Such great melodies, such a raspy, dry voice. It works. I love it.

5

Funcionou bem demais com o clima acústico, e mostrou a origem da candy says.

5

Хороший альбом, но не такой яркий как первый их

5

I actually think this is better than "Velvet Underground And Nico".

5

60-S rock

5

I am being blessed by this random generator. I am a huge fan of The Velvet Underground, but I had not yet listened to this album in full before, so the amount of serotonin that entered by body upon seeing the cover was...quite a lot! Much like The Velvet Underground & Nico, the album that first got me into the band, The Velvet Underground (the album lol) is a calm (for the most part) and introspective series of songs, layered together with thoughtful instrumentation, delicate vocals, and intelligent lyrics. But what really struck me about this album in particular is how full each song sounds. There are never any instances where some element of a song feels unnecessary; everything fits together perfectly, and nothing feels "tacked on". When music sounds complete to me, that is when I know that I have found some musical geniuses. And The Velvet Underground, both the band and the record, without question, are fucking genius. This album is much shorter than The Wall, so I was able to pick out some favourite tracks on my initial listen, and they are Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, I'm Set Free, The Murder Mystery, and After Hours! Another big recommend to anyone.

5

VU's first album is the obvious one to get a 5 rating given how influential it was and how it redefined avant garde. This third album one was also a game changer and transformational for Lou Reed. This was the start of what we all think of as Lou Reed's sound as Lou's speaksinging became the main attraction and a lot of the White Light / White Heat experimentation with sounds not really made by the instruments were tossed.  The cover photo is hilarious with Lou looking so young and wholesome. He doesn't look like a guy who two years earlier wrote a song about his heroin dealer always showing up late.  Candy Says is a fine song although Lou does fuck with my memory with Candy Says, Caroline Says, Lisa Says, etc.  I can't remember which woman says what but I like them all. Pale Blue Eyes is probably the best song on the album. I like the Christian trilogy starting with, duh, jesus and continuing on Side 2. I'm sure some will say  they aren't a trilogy and who knows if Lou intended this but hey the customer's always right!  Lou sums up his religious experience so well in I'm Set Free:  "Let me tell you people what I found. I saw my head laughing, rolling on the ground" I'm guessing our Jewish friend either didn't find jesus after all or didn't like the religious narrative he found wrapped around jesus.  Hallelujah Mr. Reed.  After Hours is a great way to finish the album and works so well with drummer Mo's haunting voice.I even like Murder Mystery. All the talking over each other is quite rhythmic.  It's interesting that the album has the same name as the band.  Many bands have an eponymous first album. Examples include the first albums by Elvis Presley, The Doors, Miriam Makeba and Black Sabbath.  When bands get around to their second album,  they usually give it a name. The VU's second album had a name (White Light/ White Heat) but its third album reverted to being eponymous.  It's much less common not to give a separate album name to later albums.  One other case I can think of is the Beatles' eponymous ninth album. I guess Pater Gabriel also did this but all of his first four solo albums were eponymous. He was on a roll! I like the 6 CD set that the 1001 app leads to on Spotify. This allowed me to listen to the live versions of most of the songs. I know this isn't how we are supposed to play this game but Lou is so much better live especially in the early days when his studio budgets were tight.

5

281221 15:28 4.5

5

Alright my first album on this website... aaaaand I've already listened to this one. Regardless, it's a classic and arguably better than their debut.

5

Prototype indie album. Must have been so far ahead of the times, couldnt beleive it was a 1969 album.

5

Classic album. Pale Blue Eyes a highlight. One of the best songs ever written. Rest of the album is great also.

5

I mean, it's a classic. Revolutionary album.

5

Idk why I never got into this band before. I dig this a lot.

5

Wonderfully reminiscent album for me. So unique, inimitable sounds.Andy Warhol did good creating the VU

5

Un poco lentillo, pero como es Lou, le pongo un 5.

5

Não conhecia o álbum. Achei sensacional! Meio rock progressivo, meio experimental; uma junção de bons toques. Vou pesquisar mais.

5

What an album. Outstanding.

5

fremragende arbejde boiz

5

Love it

5

Every indie alt rock song pretty much ever is seeded here.

5

Amazing album. 2nd favorite VU album. 9-10/10

5

my second fave tvu album. the vibes are pristine. I LOVE the murder mystery.

5

sandy says: i find this album very beautiful. i was only familiar with pale blue eyes, which i loved obv, but i had not noticed the last verse, so i didn't know it was about infidelity :o first and last track of the album are masterpieces, and the one that grew on me were What goes on, the jesus one and The murder mystery. The latter captures anxiety impressively.

5

Good album, somehow slow and melancholic…

5

Honestly might be my favorite VU album or at least the one I revisit the most.

5

Brilliant album from start to finish. I can even appreciate Tucker's slightly-out-of-tune singing.

5

One of these superclassic albums (just like VU albums 1,2,4) and probably the most perfect album on the list.

5

Enjoyed

5

Pretty much perfect

5

What the fuck is this? It's fucking brilliant that's what it is. Why have I never heard this. That's on me really.

5

Un poco lentillo, pero como es Lou, le pongo un 5.

5

HOW DOES IT FEEEEEEEEEL TO BE LOOOOOOOOOOOOVED Prefs: TOUT Moins pref: RIEN

5

if you close the door

5

Just a classic druggy album… these tunes are dripping in narcotics; but they don’t suffer from it at all. Amazing!!

5

Nice album :) "After Hours" is so cute

5

Wow, sometimes the 60s is music that makes you feel like you are on drugs, and sometimes it sounds like it was made on drugs. This is both, in a really good way.

5

i love john cale most of all but also i think this is my favorite VU i cannot square the circle

5

Like a party that hasn’t quite fizzled out yet

5

oh lou

5

Listened while doing astrophotography. It was really enjoyable, and the setting made it better.

5

I’ve always loved this album. I wonder what substances they were on.