Reviews (page 4 of 13)
Quite a mesmerising mismatch of styles
This record is arguably more cohesive front to back than their debut, however I still prefer the debut for laying the foundation for this lane. (My girl Nico as well) I also appreciate the more upbeat jangly guitar driven songs here, which is a nice switch up from the debut staying in the somber, muddied out vibe. It’s hard to put these records against eachother because I love them all. But being this is my 3rd favorite VU album, someone’s gotta take the 4 star. #InLouReedWeTrust
Listening to the underground while underground. It’s beautiful it reallly feels like stepping into a small concert. So unique and comfy. Lou Reed has this softness that he finally find with his voice and all these deep cuts really bring it. The story of my life feels like a children’s show intro and that never gets started and thus stays in limbo yet it feels full and complete scary stuff. Such simple lyrics but the band just feel so in sync. It’s a folk album disguised as a rock record. Nico on after hours is just perfect ending fodder. Lou Reed found his vocals with this where it’s the perfect mix of silly and good singing. I have more velvet underground to bump now I can’t complain murder mystery didn’t hit though
I really enjoyed this album and was glad to discover what the VU was really like. Great sounds, with the exception of the Murder song which is weird and punishingly long. Interesting Jesus song. This is an album I will probably come back to and explore other VU albums.
The velvet underground have a way of making songs that I could listen to forever
A nice and relaxing one. Pale blue eyes was lovely. There's a certain je ne sais quoi with the velvet underground where I just find them very cool???
The album that introduced me personally to the Velvet Underground. It wasn’t the first time I heard or even had friends tell me to listen / but the first time I “got” the Velvet Underground. Candy Says and What Goes On felt like “my” songs.
Aku suka lagu shoegaze di pembuka album ini tapi variasi genre di dalamnya sulit untuk membuatku benar benar jatuh cinta
Liked it but not as much as Nico
Sometimes simplicity and noise can come together and make a beautiful baby. This album is basic but what Lou Reed captured when he was drugged up is far and away anything he did in his later years. After Walk on the Wildside of course. Oh and Perfect Day. These guys didn’t get enough of the mainstream recognition that they deserved but then again, I’m glad they didn’t. I like this secret. PS listen to Blind Melon’s cover of Candy Says Choice cut: Pale Blue Eyes
A disrupted and unfocused listen meant I came back for a second listen, which I was more than happy to do based on the vibes I had picked up on. There’s something rather chilled about this album, it’s almost effortless but always interesting.
amazing, gentle sound - makes me feel like lying down in the grass, maybe a walk in the rain. great album. best song was pale blue eyes.
I like I like
It’s not really up there with Loaded (which isn’t on the list) or the Velvet Underground and Nico but it’s still a good album.
Strong 4
solid 4 LISTEN WITH HEADPHONES IT WILL BE SO MUCH BETTER i liked the first song the rest were kinda meh also murder mystery was unique and i liked that
The Velvet Underground was a one-of-a-kind band. I already owned a physical copy of this album since my early 20s when I first discovered them. Not every track stands out, but they’re unique in their own way. Pale Blue Eyes will always be a personal favorite from this album.
very cool. i like velvet underground
녹는다 녹아 베스트: Candy Says, Pale Blue eyes, After hours
Kinda devolves into spoken word at the end but good stuff regardless
Formative album in my teenage years. Still holds up today. Sort of remarkably timeless. 9/10
Just got shouted at to turn "The Murder Mystery" off as it's "fucking awful". Reader, I LOVE "TMM". Sonic-Youth-inspiring noise. Other than that, great collection of songs, where you can hear the band starting to really branch out...
...
Project 1001 ABID #5 Pre thoughts - I have listened to this before and really couldn’t get into it with modern ears. Maybe the relisten will improve things Post thoughts- now I’m old enough to appreciate the lyrics and the time it was done, certainly can respect it. It’s just really not for me.
I liked it a lot more than their other album on this list. Pale Blue Eyes is a classic. Overall it sounds really polished and focused, with some interesting production choices for the 70s.
Rating: 8/10 The experimentation is gone here, it's just good old straightfoward rock at its finest. Soft and mellow now instead of noisy. It starts off really strong with the A side and then dips just a bit, but there is not a weak song here. I swear the folky lo-fi nature is a decades long precursor to the mellower side of indie pop rock. Afterhours is twee as hell. A very pleasant album to just put on and enjoy and hopefully will grow on me further
High four for enjoyment but not planning to relisten
A few great songs and an amazing sound
Slower than other VU. Pale Blue Eyes was a throwback 😂 didn’t realise it was VU
A mostly very chill listen that carried the vibe from start to finish, with the notable exception of The Murder Mystery, which was honestly a bit much for me. It was definitely the most interesting track and was worth including, but it’s awfully long for what it’s doing. Eventually it gets difficult to let it wash over you just because it’s so chaotic.
Sweet and calm, rock songs and ballads, this album has everything. It's very cool.
A great Album !
The Velvet Underground lives in the 4 zone.
Several greats. I didn't like the Murder Mystery at all.
4.5/5 - Not quite a 5, but I’ll listen to this more than White Light
4.5 /5!!! I like it, it’s good to relax
3,6/5 Este álbum de 1969, o terceiro da banda e o primeiro sem John Cale, apresenta um arco narrativo fascinante que vai de letras sobre amores impossíveis até uma jornada espiritual de libertação, passando por mistério, festas transgressoras e uma canção de ninar sombria para fechar. O arco espiritual e emocional Pale Blue Eyes A banda reflete sobre um amor que poderia ter sido, mas que é impossível — possivelmente um amor por uma mulher casada. Lou Reed explora a idealização desse amor proibido, reconhecendo que viver isso seria um pecado. A letra diz diretamente: “The fact that you are married / Only proves you’re my best friend / But it’s truly, truly a sin”. A música alterna entre felicidade e tristeza, capturando a instabilidade emocional de quem vive um relacionamento cheio de limites: “Sometimes I feel so happy / Sometimes I feel so sad”. Jesus Na sequência, vem uma súplica sincera por ajuda espiritual. O narrador pede a Jesus que o ajude a encontrar seu lugar no mundo e a enfrentar suas fraquezas: “Jesus, help me find my proper place / Help me in my weakness ‘cause I’m falling out of grace”. Com um som mais contido, é possível ouvir as cordas da viola de John Cale (que já havia deixado a banda, mas cujo som permanece como assinatura) e o piano de Lou Reed. A música é uma oração direta por orientação, não necessariamente por perdão — é sobre quem se sente perdido e precisa de direção. Beginning to See the Light Depois das preces, o narrador começa a ver a luz. O ritmo se torna mais animado, vibrando em guitarra e percussão. A letra reflete uma nova confiança: “Há problemas nesse tempo, mas nenhum deles é meu” — está resolvido com suas questões interiores. Esta faixa marca a transição da busca espiritual para a descoberta da fé. I’m Set Free Enfim, após pedir ajuda a um ser superior e começar a ver a luz, o narrador declara sua libertação: “I’ve been set free and I’ve been bound / To the memories of yesterday’s clouds”. A frase central é clara: “foi libertado, foi aprisionado, mas agora está livre”. A guitarra e a percussão levam a um ritmo crescente e empolgante, coroando a sensação de liberdade. A música explora temas de libertação, auto-descoberta e a quebra de ilusões do passado. That’s the Story of My Life Para fechar esse arco espiritual, a banda mostra que não há diferença entre certo e errado — é apenas a vida. A letra diz: “That’s the difference between wrong and right / But, Billy said, Both those words are dead”. É uma aceitação da ambiguidade da existência, onde os conceitos morais perdem seu significado absoluto. O arco experimental e transgressor The Murder Mystery Minha faixa favorita do álbum. A mixagem do diálogo torna o som intrigante: quatro membros da banda leem narrativas diferentes simultaneamente, criando uma atmosfera de mistério densa e desconcertante. A faixa experimental utiliza todos os quatro membros (Reed, Yule, Tucker e Morrison) falando letras diferentes ao mesmo tempo, fazendo o ouvinte escolher em quem prestar atenção. Faz referência aos métodos artísticos de Andy Warhol e às festas da Factory, explorando a ambiguidade de quem é o assassino e quem é a vítima. After Hours Para fechar o álbum, falam de noites que terminam soando como uma canção de ninar — depois da festa e do mistério do assassinato. A batterista Maureen Tucker canta em vez de Lou Reed, dando uma perspectiva nostálgica e sombria sobre a vida noturna. A letra captura a dualidade da vida noturna como espaço de liberdade, mas também de isolamento: “If you close the door, the night could last forever”.[letras +1] A frase final é poderosa: “se você fechar a porta, a noite durará para sempre” — seja para um dia ensolarado ou para alguém especial. A música reflete o desejo de permanecer na escuridão, longe da realidade que a luz do dia traz, e o anseio por conexão humana: “Oh, someday I know someone will look into my eyes”. É um fechamento melancólico que contrasta com a empolgação de “I’m Set Free”, sugerindo que a libertação não é tão simples quanto parece. Vale ressaltar: Faixa Candy Says Aborda a insatisfação com o próprio corpo e as dificuldades de autoaceitação de Candy Darling, uma mulher trans e musa de Andy Warhol. A letra começa com: “Candy says I’ve come to hate my body / And all that it requires in this world”. A música é um retrato sympathético da disforia de gênero, anos à frente do seu tempo, mostrando a solidão e alienação vividas por Darling. Os “pássaros azuis” simbolizam o desejo de liberdade acima das limitações impostas pelo corpo.
this album is amazing. i loved it. the whole album gives off the vibes of countryside. the strings are spectacular. i enjoyed the strings the most, for no reasons. it's just so calming to me and so humane. listening to 70s or old music in general just makes you feel close to the groove they made. it's just to humane. my fav tracks are "candy says", "pale blue eyes" and "jesus". "pale blue eyes" just does something to me. the lyrics are so dreamy and doesn't really make sense unless you really break the whole thing out. "jesus" is just so me. like literally. never felt related to this. "the murder mystery" is genuinely chaotic. i like the effects and the voices overlapping. the way they wrote the lyrics are very straightforward, but still not understandable. it's just fun word play and the words they put in has like 2 sides of meaning. so cool.
proto punk
Prima en leuk, lekker rustig ik heb genoten
Better than I expected. I've never much of a fan of Lou Reed's vocals. They work well on certain songs, but not on others. On this album, they mostly work.
B+
Album #153 The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground and Nico has become as revered as it is today because it was not only one of the first albums to delve into experimental and noise rock, but also one of the first albums with a lo-fi indie sound. That contrast of soft and harsh noises is what made the Velvets so appealing and unique. White Light/White Heat was the band fully leaning into the experimental side of their debut, and this album, their self-titled, is the Velvets going full indie ballads. One of the most comforting albums that I’ve ever heard, whereas listening to White Light/ White Heat is the equivalent of hiding from your drunk, abusive step-dad, The Velvet Underground is the equivalent of your mother’s safe embrace. Countless bands and artists have tried to recapture the effortless cool and calm of Lou Reed on this album, but unfortunately, no amount of money can buy the stuff. One of the reasons for a more straightforward sound (aside from The Murder Mystery) is due to John Cale’s departure before the album came out, which allowed Lou Reed far more control. Though I still do prefer the debut, there really isn’t any album better than this for when you just need some simple reassurance; it’s the sonic equivalent of a hug. Best Songs: After Hours, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes Worst Song: That’s The Story Of My Life Score out of 10: 9.5
a true classic but certainly not everyone's taste. Lou Reed was a visionary.
While the music on this album is mostly very good, I am not sure it coheres as an album very well. The album opens with a really tender and melancholic folk ballad about gender dysphoria (easily the highlight of the album), which is followed by a blues rock banger, which is followed by a very laid back bluesy-country type song, which is followed by a couple more ballads. These songs are great in isolation, but there is a lot of whiplash here. The second to last song (A Murder Mystery) veers hard into experimental territory with a 9 minute spoken word song with overlapping vocals that are panned hard left and right (I respect it, but there is not 9 minutes of ideas here). Kind of a mess as an album, but I'm glad I listened to it and there are absolutely songs I am going to go back to
This album seems a little bit more accessible compared to there first album, although that one has my two favorite Velvet Underground songa, Waiting For the Man and Heroin. While this one doesn't have the upper tier songs like those two, they have more songs that are almost there.
Really enjoyed this. Loser energy but great instrumentals.
Actually loved the drum and musical direction of this one
A good head nod to the beat listen, can see the appeal of these guys and another name finally connected to a sound for me. The Murder Mystery was an unexpected and fun treat at the end
Big thumbs up from me (really freaking love The Murder Mystery)
This one's great! I've never really grokked with the Velvet Underground banana album, but everything else they've put out has continually been right up my alley. The return to a more traditionally ballad-heavy sound is an inspired and unusual choice following their controversial noisy prior album and it works great here (White Light/White Heat is also excellent in its own way, it's worth mentioning, and there's shades of it here like in 'The Murder Mystery'). Hard to believe the sound quality's so good considering the time of release, too. Obvious winners off the tracklist are the classic Pale Blue Eyes and the strangely too-late-for-its-time, too-early-for-its-time twee-indie sound of After Hours which is an excellent dark-saccharine listen. There's something so straight about the delivery on After Hours that has really captured me. Lou Reed puts it best, perhaps: "You still don’t hear that kind of purity in vocals. It has nothing to do with singing. It has everything to do with being. It’s completely honest. Guileless." Fav tracks: Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, The Murder Mystery, After Hours
Chill
Pale Blue Eyes is one of the greatest songs of all time, it’s so so so good. A perfect song. TVU had a few of those. This album is great, gentle and brutal I love it. I don’t think it’s my favourite, but god they were good weren’t they. 4.0/5.0 Best Song: PBE
- primera impresión: chill de cojones y mola. - canciones largas pero mucho instrumental. - segundo track y ya no es tan chill. - buen rollo. - cuarto track chill otra vez - noveno track (penúltimo) bastante caótico - ultimo track nice
Nice. I like the softer vocals. A few experimental songs. I really like indie music, so of course I will love The Velvet Underground. 4/5-5/5
The start was a bit boring but it really picked up towards the end. Great album
I really enjoyed listening to this one sitting in the sunshine drinking some tea.
I felt like I progressively got more bored throughout, although it was still nice! I really loved the first song, like a lot, Candy Says. But the rest just left me chasing the high I had from that first soft ballad. Listened twice just to be sure, and on the 2nd listen through I got a mouthful of Christianity from Jesus, and maybe the following 2 songs? Although with some more investigation, I don't know if they really are about following the christian beliefs, since the first few songs are about sex and identity. Perhaps these next few songs are more about redemption or searching for something. The lyrics stay pretty surface level, letting the listener interpret them in any way they may like. Actually now that I'm writing this, this album gets kinda deep... especially for being released in 1969. I guess I should bump it from a 3 to a 4. Interested in hearing their other music, as supposedly this one is very different than their more noisy counterparts. 7.5/10
Stellar, and oh so close to the 5-star bump on this site. Give us half-star rankings!! 4.5/5
fuck yes
Candy Says - 3/5 What Goes On - 4.5/5 Some Kinda Love - 4/5 Pale Blue Eyes - 5/5 Jesus - 3/5 Beginning To See The Light - 4/5 I'm Set Free - 4/5 That's The Story Of My Life - 4/5 The Murder Mystery - 3/5 After Hours - 3.5/5
Moving from experimental noise to much poppier tunes and... making it work?? Sure enough, that's what The Velvet Underground did on their 1969 self-titled, following up on the out-there White Light/White Heat. It's still got the experimental track "The Murder Mystery", but is otherwise filled with much lighter fare. Not to say it isn't still great - songs like "Candy Says", "What Goes On", and especially "Pale Blue Eyes" are fantastic examples of late 60s pop-rock. Truly a versatile band!
Dark but I like it ! It reminded me of The doors, but the best albums of all time are really just rock ?!?
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
Candy says, Pale Blue eyes, are all great What Goes On has the classic Velvet underground this is just noise moments like the end of heroin And murder mystery is very experimental Overall good album 3.5
Candy Says - Hypnotic, calm - Bass is FAT What Goes On - PEAK psychedelia, that hammond organ tho Some Kinda Love - Tasteful dissonance - I love how cyclical the instrumentals on this album are Pale Blue Eyes - Literally a perfect song, one of my favorites - Trance like and cyclical - Those guitar bends are just, chefs kiss Jesus - Again, just another simple looping that's so compelling - Harmonies on this one are great Beginning to See the Light - Not much to say here, standard blues rock song I'm Set Free - That kick is giving this song a lot of SHMMovement That's The Story of My Life - Average feelings The Murder Mystery - The organ fully captures that mystery feeling - The dual voices in both ears are so weird, psychedelic rock, rules - I want whatever Lou Reed was smoking when he made this song After Hours - There's something about Tucker's vocals that are sooooo 60s and I love it - Also minor 4th mentioned
Rate: 8.5/10. Una voz tranquila que encanta.
Favorite Song: Candy Says
I was, of course, familiar with The Velvet Underground, but I hadn’t heard the album of the same name yet. Ultimately, though, it’s exactly what you’d expect from Lou Reed: catchy and absurd tracks ranging from dark ballads to straight-up hard rock. I find the song order on the album a bit hard to follow, but aside from that, I like it for the most part. The last two tracks could have been left out; unfortunately, Maureen Tucker can barely hit a note...
Solid album. You really cant go wrong with the velvet underground. I am not as familiar with this album as I am with the rest but thats going to change. This one is going into the rotation
- Some Kind of Love has the same vibes as Short Skirt, Long Jacket - the songs are very unique within the album which I like - nice noises in my head - they sound really good live
Really groovy, roughly three decades ahead of its time. Much easier listen than the other Velvet Underground I've heard. Wish "The Murder Mystery" was like half as long Highlights: "Candy Says", "Jesus", "After Hours"
Cool
It was a very chill and nice listen, good production. Would be something I’d come back to in a chill mood
I can see how this would have been extremely groovy when it came out. Some bops and some weird shit (complimentary).
This album often gets overlooked in favor of the banana album. And really I think it’s cause everyone makes such a deal of the banana album. Looking forward to it. Yeah! Very glad I listened to it. Don’t think I ever heard it as an album before. Definitely didn’t realize it was Moe Tucker doing vocals on After Hours. She’s a hero of mine. And Murder Mystery? What fun! 4 stars. I’d give it more, but… yeah I only gave Television’s Marquee Moon 4stars. I need to be consistent somehow. Boolean rating: yes, very glad I heard before I die.
Good stuff 4/5
Nice album. Funny vibe changes from chill to more upbeat rock, and a weirdly interesting 8 minute song in the mix I'm definitely adding some of the chill songs to my playlist, especially the last song!
It’s cool to hear the bridge between old school rock and roll and the progressive, punk, and new wave styles that were to come.
dang chill
great album. love the quiet tunes. "what goes on" is a fun little jam. "murder mystery" is a cool, experimental track. "after hours" is a delightful little number with maureen.
Não é meu álbum favorito do Velvet Undergroud, mas é muito bom mesmo assim
Strange (of course) album, but GREAT. Pitchfork: 10 Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #143 Best Songs Candy Says Pale Blue Eyes After Hours
Less chaotic and experimental than their other albums, but I think it still works and is an enjoyable listen. Likes: Candy Says; What Goes On; Pale Blue Eyes; The Murder Mystery; After Hours
Was never exposed to Velvet Underground, first time hearing this album, liked it a lot, reminded me of smooth Beatles
A very solid album. I had only listened to The Velvet Underground and Niko and Loaded before this. This may stripped down album took me by surprise. I think its a lot softer compared to those other albums. Almost a Psychedelic folk vibe at times. Overall, I'm very happy to have discovered this!
I liked it kinda indie hipster whatever but old school, vibes with it - murder mystery kinda giving me a headache tho
The last song was the best. Didn’t realize Lou reed was in the band.
Missing the edge that John Cale brought to the band. Still enjoyable. 4 stars. Fave track - Pale blue eyes
Great album.
Some songs are literally tearjerkers and I am here for it.
Beautiful Pale Blue Eyes. Lief, rustig album.
This is so pleasant and interesting. I'm a fan of Lou Reed's voice, but I liked his idea of having different band members sing on some of the songs in this album. "The Murder Mystery" is incredible.
The Velvet Underground at their cozymost, forging an albumful of gentle comfort rock. Pale Blue Eyes and After Hours stand out, paving atmosphere not previously seen in its time, but the rest is a welcome offering as well
Good but not as good as the first two albums, they need the John Cale weirdness. Rounded up from 3.5
Beautiful listening
I'm a big shamed to admit I haven't listened to this but you can see why they're still popular now. That album suits so many different generations. A great time
Ok, this may be the version of the velvet underground that makes me a fan. Some beautiful, understated songs that still are steeped in ambition and ideas. I listened to Murder Mystery 3 times as it made my head spin in a good way. There is a real body of accessible enjoyable music here.
Loved ‘Candy Says,’ the lyrics hit home.
muy bueno
Minimal velvet underground exposure going in. ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ is probably the song I know best so that’s how I think of their music. This album sounds like indi Doors, which makes sense since they’re around the same time. Reading up on Lou Reed. Music my parents would listen to. The National was obviously influenced
8/10
I do love this album but not the best musically. Lou Reed was a pioneer of pain… His lyrics spoke to an emerging community. Candy says… a must know song!
I hadn't really given the Velvet Underground a full listen. They are so pleasant and easy to listen to, I will be giving them more playtime in my rotation. The album flowed nicely, and my only minor gripe is the lack of a standout track(s).
Unexpectedly gentle at times, restrained, jagged, and punchy. Lou Reed is not a belter but really has a voice for the ages, and the lyrics are pretty brilliant.
Pretty good
I love how Lou Reed was always trying new things in these days; there’s an interesting lesson that anyone creative could take away from studying his projects. This is an album that I think gets easier to appreciate if you listen to it multiple times and with the full context of the work. Also, it is cool.
Cinematic
:P 9/10
A soild 9! My favorite song is 'The Murder Mystery' ! I don't listen to 60's music much but this is a great start!!
Even though this was the first Velvet Underground album without John Cale, there's still enough experimentation on here for me to enjoy it. The band hadn't yet fully mellowed out and neutered themselves, and despite the more relaxed delivery of most of these songs there's still some bite here. Lou Reed's voice arguably never sounded more angelic than it does on some of these songs, and Doug Yule's delivery of opener "Candy Says" is gut-wrenching.
Usually refer to this as my favourite Velvets, even if it is lacking Cale’s left field contributions. For better or worse this and Loaded both narrow the focus on writing straightforward songs, largely eschewing the variety or “experimentation” of the first two records. It’s a much more relaxed and contemplative set (I mean anything would be after WL/WH).
Several really good tracks, great mood
Muy rockero, me gustaron varias canciones
Some call it boring, but I find the calm ballads here to be beautiful. The only downside for me is the inclusion of The Murder Mystery on this album. I don’t think it’s bad, it just doesn’t fit the same nature as all the other tracks
Love it Another 60s wonder.
A good album with good songs.
I love you Lou Reed
Was just listening to this album last week after rewatching Perfect Days! Continuously surprised that VU never went more mainstream, but they definitely get the props they deserve. Pale Blue Eyes is fantastic, I could take or leave *most* everything else. Some Kinda Love is pretty good. The closing track is really appealing to me even if it’s pretty simple- it’s got that rough-sketchy appeal. I didn’t really care for the psychedelic Murder Mystery but I did lol when I realized I was hearing Chop Suey in the guitar riff. And the lightning quick “upon the carpet” vocals at the end of that track too.
I need to give this one another listen to say for sure, but it is definitely in the better half of Velvets projects, which are all fire. I loved Murder Mystery and how insane and psychedelic it was, and Candy Says is top 3 Velvet songs, period. The only issue is that it came directly on thr heels of one of my favourite albums of all time, so I will revisit in a month to see how I feel then. Until then? 3.8
estuvo piola, bastante experimental
Muy relajado pero si me agrada está excelente para una mañana tranquila
I liked it
Me gustó mucho, pero algunas canciones me parecieron medio repetitivas. También me encantaron las partes instrumentales. Le daría un 8
"Candy Says" and "Pale Blue Eyes! are such a good songs! I liked this album more than the previous one I reviewed (The Velvet Underground & Nico)
The Velvets' first album without John Cale is much less experimental than its predecessors. This is the type of self-titled album that feels like a reinvention. The band weren't strangers to pretty songs, but "Candy Says" and "Pale Blue Eyes" are basically pop songs, and beautiful ones at that. Not everything here is a departure; "What Goes On" recalls the band's garage rock riffage and "The Murder Mystery" is a big risky swing like the band took on their first two albums. I do find that the latter doesn't quite work - there's too much going on and not in an interesting way - and some of the lighter moments are too lightweight. But the closer "After Hours" ends things on a lovely note. While this is less exciting and adventurous than the band's earlier albums, the songwriting is still strong and it's charming in its own way.
Muy bueno
Iconic. Not my favorite Lou Reed output but solid!
how chill was that
So chill and lovely
3/25/26 - Listened at the computer. Was excited to listen to this album since I've heard much about Velvet Underground but have never listened to them. I liked it good enough. Definitely something I would listen to again but not sure if its an all time classic. PS - Lou Reed will always be associated in my mind with the night in Baltimore where Pearl Jam "broke up". Top Song - Beginning to See the Light
Raw underground riffs, reminds me of urban underground offbeat experimental rock.
Some great songs on here. Some others you probably had to be there and high for.
приятный альбомчик, который нужно слушать целиком в прохладный весенний солнечный день. не выделила для себя отдельных фаворитов, но слушать залпом ощущается целостнее и логичнее.
Great album
FINALLY something from the 60s with an interesting sonic palette and not another copy of The Beach Boys or The Beatles. Hope they didn't abuse any minors, I want to finally find a unique 60s band that didn't copy anyone else.
4.1/5 velvets tamest and most experimental for them by toning things down
Fav- that’s the story of my life 4/5
Will definitely listen again!
Listened to it 5 times at least. One of those days. Fav songs were: -Candy Says -Pale Blue Eyes -The Murder Mystery -After Hours The only song I didn't like, probably cause I didn't relate, was Jesus. Just to do with the subject, not the production.
I love that they all got to sing on it its adorable
Didn't realize that Doug Yule is already part of the VUs in this album, the transition from Cale to Yule sounds pretty seamless. Confused less chaotic for maturity. Even though WL/WH is my favorite VU album, pound for pound this album is better and only comparable to their debut. There's no weak points, the Murder Mistery might be their most listenable epic, Candy Says and Beggining to see the light are some of my all time favorites of theirs, Pale Blue Eyes is an all timer, great closer with After Hours. I'm tempted to give it five stars, but then i'd have to give 6 stars to the previous 2 albums, so i'll stick to 4.
Definitely listening to their self-titled (no Nico) without listening to their other stuff is a bit unconventional, but this was a good one. It's very whimsical with the guitar and vocal melodies, sounds like blissful hippie acoustic music. I think this is an album that would be good one to put on during a rainy day. I sense this album is one of those ones that I will come around to rather than totally get straight away. Highlight Song/s: "What Goes on", "Some Kinda Love", "That's The Story of My Life" and "Afterhours"
legalzin
For the tracks I like: pale blue eyes, after eyes and some kinda love I’d give this album a 4, otherwise it’s a 3
Liked: Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, Beginning To See The Light, I'm Set Free, The Murder Mystery Added: Candy Says, Jesus, Beginning To See The Light, I'm Set Free
again. really enjoyed!
I miss Cale here, and regret that no band would showcase as much discordant viola again. Murder Mystery would be better with him involved. But this album showcases what a fine and sensitive songwriter Reed had become
I remember not liking this one when I first heard it years ago. Turns out, I just didn't like Murder Mystery. Take that song out and this is a 5 star album.
I am always up for an album that isn’t afraid to commit to a particular sound and stick with it. That is exactly the case with the self-titled album by The Velvet Underground. There is a specific kind of melancholy that can be felt from the very first note. The lyrics are introspective and vulnerable, and the musical flow throughout the record is excellent. I also like how it subtly blends genres while remaining consistent in tone. The tracks that stood out to me are "Candy Says", "I'm Set Free" and controversially enough "The Murder Mystery". The latter has been stuck in my mind. While the execution of the idea of having two parallel vocal tracks may not fully pay off, is it so unusual that I can't help but find it fascinating.
This is a very specific sort of gentle alt-rock and sure it’s kind of one-note but it works. I liked it, and it’s fairly concise I have always loved the song Pale Blue Eyes
7/10 Coming off the back of White Light/White Heat, this is a pretty interesting change in direction. It’s much more of a traditionally structured, musically safe album, and whereas the former album was a challenging listen that I found to be a little too repetitive and a little to unfocused to completely connect with, this managed to present the ideas in a much more palatable way. It was the overall vibe of this that connected with me more than anything else. There was some decent melodic writing and engaging song structures in there, but it was all melded together with a really interesting blend of tones that added an extra depth to the recording. There were plenty of lo-fi elements in there, but they would also mix those up with more crisp and clear tracks that would create a really warm, engaging sound that helped to bed everything together into something that was sonically interesting and cohesive. There were moments of experimentation on here, not least The Murder Mystery, but even that track felt a bit more focused and coherent, despite its more menacing and avant garde bent. While I wasn’t completely in love with this, it definitely had something about it that made it worthy of further consideration and repeat listening. I can kind of see why Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground were so influential, because this sounds really interesting for a record from 1969 and I can hear some of the ideas presented here echoing over the music of the decades that would follow. This may be one that I need to dip back into over the next few weeks and months, and my fondness for it may grow, but for now, it was an enjoyable, if unspectacular record. Candy Says - It’s a tonally pleasant start and an interesting and dramatic change of pace and intensity from their previous record. The chord structure is really pretty and it roams around really nicely, but does manage to maintain an edge due to the subject matter. It’s pretty intriguing to hear a song about gender dysphoria and transgender issues as far back as 1969. What Goes On - And now the pace picks up a bit. It’s another more traditionally structured song, but the experimentation in sound design gives it an interesting twist. It’s a slightly muddled mix, but that gives it a bit of a DIY sound that I actually quite like. The driving rhythm from the guitar and bass give this a bit of force and zip, although the instrumental stuff in the second half perhaps drags on a bit too long. Some Kinda Love - This has a really nice blend of parts that drift and circle around each other, but it’s way too repetitive and relentless. I actually quite like it, but the same couple of bars of fairly laid back and pleasant music that only very occasionally dip into anything else is a bit much for me, which is a bit of a shame as the vibe and core musical concept are pretty good. Pale Blue Eyes - The vibe here is solid too. It’s laid back and has an almost hymnal backing with the slow organ chords. The guitar line is great too. There’s something really subtle but effective about the whole presentation here. It’s nothing groundbreaking from a songwriting point of view, but it has a little edge of something that makes it an endearing listen. Perhaps its the time and space they allow for everything to breathe. I don’t love it, but I still think it’s really good. Jesus - I really like the blend of tones that they bring to the table here. They meld really lo-fi aspects with some much crisper and clearer elements and are happy to not strive for musical perfection. The vocals waver a little here and there and sometimes slightly miss the mark, but it all combines to create such an interesting sonic palette and a really engaging vibe. The sparing dynamic lifts they use are really effective too. Beginning To See The Light - Now the pace has picked back up again. It’s got a nice groove to it too and there are some nice bits and pieces of range and variety to the songwriting too. Some of the vocal harmonies are pretty cool. It’s got a great raw edge and it sounds like they’re having great fun recording it too, which is sometimes a difficult thing to put across, but can be quite infectious when it’s done well. It’s a bit repetitive in places, but the vibe continues to be great and it’s got some decent melodic hooks too. I'm Set Free - This is a slow build of a track. It starts off subtly but increases in intensity and then drops away before building again. It’s a nice idea to build a track around and it works well here. Again, the tonal mix is really cool and it all feels very warm and welcoming. There’s nothing overly complex about it, but it’s a really effective presentation. That's The Story Of My Life - There’s a nice little swing to this and it’s subtle but effective. Again, I really dig the tonal vibe of this, it’s sonically very interesting and engaging, despite the fact that it’s a simple composition. That being said, there’s enough melodic quality to hold it up and backed by that sonic vibe, it all just comes together really well. The Murder Mystery - And we’ve arrived at the most experimental, traditionally Velvet Underground track on the album. It’s weird, it shifts between various phases and it’s musically and sonically more challenging, but it’s really interesting and carries over that warm tonal vibe. The panned dual vocal lines are a really interesting effect, as is the shift in intensity between what you might consider to be the verses and choruses. It’s a pretty tasty piece of experimental work and doesn’t sound like the kind of thing you’d expect from the late 60s. It’s quite pretty in places, it’s unnervingly intense in others and it has this delicious undercurrent of menace about it, and then it ends in this increasingly intense, hypnotic and threatening way. Great stuff. After Hours - We close with something more delicate and pretty. It’s melodically pleasant and is a really nice palate cleanser after the previous track to close us out, as well as echoing the sense of fun and camaraderie that is sprinkled across the album.
8/10
I loved this. The poignant questioning songs were a perfect fit for my rather morose mood of today. I added “Candy Says” to my Generator -playlist.
Great music. Great length.
Biasa
Heel vet ingetogen album
Really enjoyed this. It felt like a complete album and I know if I listened to this when I was 16 I would have eaten it up. It felt like the soundtrack to a film, something close to submarine. It felt like a more complete version of the mama and papas record we listened to before. Just a more mature record. Think I’ll be checking more of them out. I really like after hours. Felt like a great closer.
Cool
Felt like when the weather in spring starts to get consistently warm
I love boring music :)
Why did I think the Velvet Underground was similar to the Clash???
Wow, A third Velvet record I get here, after almost 200 albums. And their three first albums in order. Some nice coincidence. I'm a huge John Cale fan, and knowing this one is the first record after his departure always had an impact on me. With great respect to the other band members (I mean, Lou is one of the best songwriters to ever live) I view this one as a debut of a new band. Having said that, it's hard to not fall for this Album. The songs are incredibly good. Lyricly, while totally different from his previous work, Lou is shining. Finding a new voice and material that will carry him further in his career. Musicly, it's hard not to think of it as a step back. But it's not. It's just a new, much simpler beginning. The exploration of their first two masterpieces is replaced by the coziest sound you can imagine for a rock band. Guitar work is just mesmerizing and shining out of its simplicity. I won't go in to detail on all the songs here, but as someone who's favorite velvet songs are sister ray and venus is furs, I have to note The Murder Mystery. What an incredible inclusion. As an experimental piece it's much more "friendly" then Sister Ray for example, but it's still so fucking thrilling, and may I say, fun. The music is rolling with the poetry in such a imaginative way, and it just works so well. You never want it to end.. I love the Velvet Underground. One of the best bands of all time, without a doubt. I gave Nico a 5. It has to be a five. I Gave White light a 4, only to distinguish the unique greatness of Nico. I think this one deserves a 5 and everyone giving it a 5 can be my friend, but I'll keep to this tradition A very very high 4. 4.9, if you want.
Me encanta. Ya conocía alguna que otra canción, pero escuchar el album entero me hizo que me gusten más. Me gustó mucho y es un álbum que volvería escuchar (solo si estoy un poco deprimido y el día me ayuda a estarlo). Muy adelantado a su época. After hours fue una premonición a la música therian de 2020.
que lindo para una siesta fresquita y chill. tkm lou
Honestly this was the right album for this moment. I like the velvet underground, and there's some great songs in here with a couple of misses towards the end, though after hours is an excellent song
Their 3rd might not be held in quite the same hallowed renown as their debut, but it has cast its own long shadow of influence across the decades. Largely mellow and restrained with just a couple of rockier moments here and there (“Beginning to See the Light”, “What Goes On”), the only overt nod to experimentalism is the 9 minute “The Murder Mystery”. We all know however that when VU make a straight pop song, that in itself is an arch art statement. Special shout out to under appreciated Doug Yule. It can’t have been easy to step into the shoes of such a significant band member. Not only was he up to the task, but some of his contributions on vocals, harmonies, and organ are the icing on the cake of some of the songs here. His bass playing can’t be faulted either.
I love The Velvet Underground, but this one isn't their best. It's like John Cale took their teeth with him when he left. It's still the Velvets, so 4 stars, but I can't give it the 5 stars I've given the rest of theirs so far.
It’s a 4 from me
Great tracks on here, Murder Mystery intro is fire
Tan Lou Reed.. Chill
Very hippy Beatles
Classic.
Great album. Pretty soft and sweet. I’ll definitely be back.
Buen disco, muy digerible. Me gustaron mucho varias canciones. Pale Blue Eyes es una canción muy linda, The Murder Mystery es una joya experimental, se me hizo muy buena esa canción y muy atinado el lugar en que se puso en el disco, despues de una pista con disonancias (bien hechas, escuche varios tritonos que suenan increíble), con una polifonía vocal muy rara y arrítmica en varias partes, te llega una dulce After Hours para finalizar el disco. La experiencia es muy gratificante y genial. Buen disco.
Niice
Solid album. Pale Blue Eyes is an all time fave. I enjoyed this
Alright kinda liked it
Nöd s ganze album glost leider aber het mir eigentlich no gfalle
I had much lower expectations, and it was pretty decent (technically an unrelated note: I hate Andy Warhol)
4.2
This was so nice to listen to. Each song kinda blended together and felt like one thing.
Very chill and interesting album, would listen to again.
4/5 God.... yes. Just yes. This album was so well-rounded and lovely, and the last song ended the album in such a nice way. I love the Velvet Underground.
Interesting sound. 'Missing link' between classic 60s pop sound and punk. What Goes On is a good example of proto-punk. Some Kinda Love is fun, Lou Reed gets his classic delivery style, must have been very controversial at the time Pale Blue Eyes is quite a beautiful tender son From Jesus we see a drop in quality.. The Murder Mystery has an increase in quality with an avant-garde, psychedelic sound. Best track - What Goes On, Some Kinda Love, The Murder Mystery 4 stars - just enough to bring it up from a 3
I'm glad the Velvets were a thing. I'm glad they opened the door for so many bands. I'm glad I listened to them a lot in my younger days. I don't listen to them much these days.
love, listened twice
Listening to this album evokes a somewhat unsettling, flickering stillness. Purposefully underproduced and intimate, it is The Velvet Underground at their most vulnerable. It is easy to get lost in the tracks, some of which, admittedly, blend together in terms of sound. Most of the songs, apart from "Pale Blue Eyes", the dream pop of "Candy Says" and the experimental "Murder Mystery" are straightforward, rock songs about love. Resultantly, it is perhaps "After Hours" which is the most significant track on the album. It is a song offering respite from the relative messiness of the rest of the album, and is refreshingly simple; stripped back acoustics are paired with a thumping bass, clear vocals and a narrator dreaming. Of something impossible, yes, but still dreaming. And it is this naivete that concludes the album that has stayed with me the most.
Lou Reed wanted to switch things up after two albums and accidentally laid the foundation for shoegaze and countless indie rock bands. You may not appreciate his New York street poet delivery, but there's no denying the influence of this record.
left no notes but enjoyed a lot haha
86/100. The Velvet Underground’s self-titled album is an emotionally raw pop-rock record, exploring themes of love, longing, vulnerability, and personal reflection. The album has a chill, intimate vibe, making it a deeply fulfilling listening experience. Stripped down yet impactful, it showcases the band’s ability to create subtle yet powerful music.
Me gustó mucho, un sonido inesperado.
iconic tracks
gaby’s says listen!
This is one I hadn't heard before. I was honestly hooked even from the beginning song. The banana album gets so much credit, but I really enjoyed this.
I’ve listened before and liked them a lot but this go around made me want to get deeper into their discography
A classic.
Calm pleasant sound
Too sober to enjoy Murder Mystery, but I loved the rest of the album.
Not my favorite VU album which means I like it instead of loving it.
Really liked it!
A classic. I feel like half of my record collection wouldn't exist with Murder Mystery or What Goes On...
Well that was lovely.
Velvet underground is wel leuk vond het alleen beetje crazy toen het over jezus ging
4.5 - has some beautiful songs. I’m set free is one of my favorites.
The Velvet Chads 4.5
Favorite Track: What Goes On
While "The Velvet Underground" is undoubtedly charming, it fails to resonate with me quite enough to warrant the classic status others bestow upon it. It is certainly a pleasant listen, headlined by the standout brilliance of 'Candy Says', but it lacks a consistent identity. The inclusion of 'The Murder Mystery' is a particular sticking point; though it’s an audacious piece of avant-garde experimentation, it feels jarringly out of place against the hushed, melodic backdrop of the rest of the album. This album sits right on the cusp between three and four stars, but as I prefer to accentuate the positive and acknowledge its clear merits, I’m leaning towards the higher mark. Side one 1 "Candy Says" (5/5) 2 "What Goes On" (4/5) 3 "Some Kinda Love" (3/5) 4 "Pale Blue Eyes" (4/5) 5 "Jesus" (4/5) Side two 1 "Beginning to See the Light" (3/5) 2 "I'm Set Free" (3/5) 3 "That's the Story of My Life" (3/5) 4 "The Murder Mystery" (3/5) 5 "After Hours" (4/5) Total - 36 Average -3.6 230/1001 127/230 albums reviewed were new to me
I really enjoyed it. Very chill, subtle but profound songwriting. Enjoyable both in background music and in listening with attention to every word.
No drone rock like "Heroin", no long freak outs like "Sister Ray". Maybe with the exception of "The Murder Mystery", a pretty straightforward album; not quite what I was expecting. But still great, and ahead of its time.
62/1088 4.0028 There has always been a ton of hype about TVU but I never knew much more than Lou Reed's Sweet Jane and TAWOTWS. The music is beautiful, very unique and pleasant sounds. I must say that I'm a TVU fan after listening to the album 3 times. Great stuff from start to finish and I'd be excited to put this on for someone, young or old. Can't wait to get their other albums! Hits...candy says, murder mystery.
Nice chill album, pale blue eye a highlight
Ti accoglie e ti respinge allo stesso tempo, può essere un album di sottofondo quanto di profonda inquietudine se ascoltato (e letto) con attenzione.
Hat mir gut gefallen, lief den ganzen Morgen Nebenher.
My introduction to this group, the vocals can sometimes be a bit too quiet. But the instrumentals are great. Gonna revisit.
Kind of sleepy music for a Monday, but I enjoyed it. Some songs felt oddly spontaneous (in a good way); didn't feel quite like your typical late-60s rock album. This is somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4, but close enough to a 4 that I'll bump it up.
Gostei bastante. Lembra um pouco Beatles. Ouviria novamente
Rare for a band to have an eponymous third album. Doug Yule replaced John Cale and we now have a more mellow set of less obtuse songs but they still have electric strum DIY sound that became so influential. A yes from me for a band I don’t rate THAT much.
quitando the murder mystery que es más rara que un perro verde me ha encantado esta experiencia <3
No john cale, m0 sings What goes on Some kinda of love Pale blue eyes Beginning to see the light The murder mystery After hours
Album No. 0133 on my list. To me, The Velvet Underground was always one of these bands that, despite creating a lot of other good music, was mostly associated with one album. Like Fleetwood Mac and "Rumors", or Alanis Morissette with "Jagged Little Pill". You know they have other music to listen to, but that one album is always the first thing that comes to mind. Due to success, cultural significance, or just quality. For The Velvet Underground, this album would be "The Velvet Underground and Nico". I had reviewed this album before (it was actually one of my first on the list), and I found it... well... okay. Since I assumed this was their greatest album, I didn't have high expectations for this one. But I was wrong. I actually like "The Velvet Underground" better than "The Velvet Underground and Nico". Except for "The Murder Mystery", the experimental nature of which I can appreciate but which I find annoying, all tracks on this are pretty good! Compared to the uber-album, I feel there has been a maturation in the songwriting. The experimental nature is still there, but the tracks feel somewhat more concise and catchy without getting too boring. The album sounds better as well. I'll add "Candy Says", "Pale Blue Eyes", "Beginning To See The Light", and "After Hours" to my playlist. Good stuff overall! 4/5 stars.
Different than what I expect from VU, but pretty solid.
A bit more accessible than their other records. Quite a relaxing album and very nice to listen to which, whilst I'm not saying this is a bad thing, isn't an attribute the records they released prior to this have.
Except for that one song this is a great album.
Enjoyed this album, good vibes well written.
This was more tame than that album that has the banana on the cover...until that last song that was super heroiny sounding and made my skin crawl. But the album was a cool listen and is a low 4
I dig it. A little repetitive as the album goes, but can see the appeal.
I feel like I'm walking through house on the rock while listening to this. A bit hard to focus on it with how much stereo effects L/R sweeps and fades are happening it's a bit much on headphones. Album is enjoyable.
I was gonna give this album a 5, but if you guys can give Dark Side a 4, I can give this a 4. Let’s be honest, everything after Heroin is a drag. And I get you invented feedback, but where do we draw the line between important and enjoyable?
The whole album felt like the guitarists were constantly switching between strumming at their nipples and strumming at their waist. The change in pace and heaviness kept me on edge and helped me understand why this group is considered so influential. I LOVED everything about "Pale Blue Eyes". The guitar on this song was enough to make me want to dust off the old axe. "Jesus", "Beginning to see the light", and "I'm set free" made a great little story in the middle. "The Murder Mystery" was wonderfully chaotic and utilized stereo in a real cool way. Other random thoughts: "Some kinda love" - deadpan vocals reminded me of CAKE "Jesus" - Reminded me of Iroh's "Leaves of the Vine" from AtLA. "The Murder Mystery" - Sounded a bit like Chop Suey for a second Overall, an awesome album!
VU’s third album feels like the calm clarity after a hard night of indulgence. Melody has taken primacy, John Cale and his violin are gone, and songs like “Beginning to See the Light” and “What Goes On” suddenly don’t sound all that far apart from the then-current sounds emerging from Haight Ashbury or even the British Invasion. But it’s still the Velvet Underground, and a dark undercurrent still pervades. Their most approachable LP after Loaded, which had the hits.
I love the unconventionality of The Velvet Undergound.
Simpelt på ytan men med en väldigt speciell drömlik känsla. Eller helt enkelt "de har nåt".
Kul att lyssna på ett klassiskt band jag aldrig gett mig in på, och flera låtar höll jäkligt hög kvalitet imo - och håller himla bra såhär långt efteråt!
Quiet, contemplative and delicious VU album. Pale Blue Eyes is a mega tune.
For a group that eventually became a bit of a cliché, this album is a breath of fresh air. It’s easily the most listenable thing in the catalog because it isn't dripping in attitude. It feels like a band finally comfortable in its own skin. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Candy Says - What Goes On - Pale Blue Eyes - After Hours
dope
Very enjoyable background music
Surprisingly didnt fall in love with this one. With how much i like & nico I should be drawing out over this. But im not. Its still good dont get me wrong. Very good even. But im not saving a bunch of tracks and into every song. But as a whole piece I think it shines more. Really all I saved was pale blue eyes and after hours. But everything else is great too. Just not that eye catching. Or ear i guess. Its still the velvet underground and that counts for a whole lot. Good record overall though. Absolutely
A beautiful chill album from a usually chaotic avant garde band. Candy Says and Afterhours are my favorites from this album.
first album back after a pause, very special, i loved learning new facts about the songs, and actually trying to decode the lyrics like poems
it's cool but not my cup of tea
There’s a lot going on here. And it’s being done without much. This is (for the most part) stripped back, folky, jangly rock. Tracks like Candy Says and Pale Blue Eyes are so simple, accessible, empathetic, and lovely while a track like “Murder Mystery” is basically inaccessible between overlapped spoken multi-channel lyrics and crashing piano. I appreciate any risk an artist is willing to take and sometimes, as is the case with The Velvet Underground (self-titled), that risk is taken in attempting to appeal to the masses. I’m never opposed to the “you just don’t get it, but there’s nothing to get”-edness of some music. This album does the opposite when, at times, it is so on the nose, it comes off as dull for the sake of being dull like on Jesus and Beginning To See The Light. This project has moments that are delightful and genuine, bonkers, and silly. I just wish it held off on some of the self-aware irony.
The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground’s 1969 self-titled effort is a "warm and intimate" masterclass in atmosphere. It is the ultimate "lounging" record—a collection of songs that encourage "reminiscing" through their quiet, soulful simplicity. Tracks like "Candy Says," "Pale Blue Eyes," and "Jesus" hit the brain with a level of emotional "musicianship" that doesn't require volume to be powerful. While the experimental chaos of "The Murder Mystery" can feel a bit "overwhelming," it remains a "passable" detour in an otherwise "immaculate" body of work. It is a deeply "human" album that trades the noise of their earlier work for a sophisticated, late-night vulnerability.
Not their best, but damn good
I really enjoy Lou Reed’s work - I’m always so drawn to his music and voice. This was a good album, some really good tracks show up here - namely Pale Blue Eyes, The Murder Mystery, and After Hours. It’s got a timeless sound while carrying the softness that I hear in most music from the 60s. Not Velvet Underrated’s best work, but pretty darn good.
nunca entendi quem classificava esse álbum como chato ou quando diziam que ele dá sono. esse só é mais um álbum melancólico e introspectivo, e é lindo. o estilo que lou reed usa nas músicas é tão particular e própria dele, isso dá um toque muito especial ao disco pra mim.
They were really ahead of their time...I was pleasantly surprised with the whole album.
Personally not very into soft indie bedroom music but if there's one group I'll allow it it's the Velvet Underground esp because of Candy Says <3 Favorites: Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes
Although I love The Velvet Underground And Nico, I’ve never really listened to any of their other albums. Listening to this made me wonder why - I liked it a lot.
lindo dms
A really relaxed and nostalgic album
The low-key version of the Velvets opens with some stunners. Maybe drifts a little in the second half but still loads to love here.
Liker d! hørt før ofc. ikke min favoritt velvet underground da
43m 10 songs Pale blue eyes ❤️❤️
Awesome
Best Track - "Pale Blue Eyes"
Cozy Lou Reed
The lo-fi sound space works really well, the atmosphere is amazing and very cozy. They seem in full control while also being vulnerable. Best song: Candy Says Worst song: The Murder Mystery Cover check: That is in fact The Velvet Underground
Reading some of the public reviews for this one hurt. I love this album! It's so tender and endearing in a way that VU had never really done before. It was their most accessible album they'd made to that point. With John Cale leaving, they basically dropped the entire experimental layer of their music and went for a much more sweet and less aggressive sound. I think they nailed it.
Great Groove on What goes on, love this guitar. Feels like classic new york. Pale blue eyes is one of the best songs I've ever heard of course Beginning to see the light makes you sound like you're running through the streets of new york
While it still struggles a bit sonically, this album remains so groundbreaking in so many ways. Nico's raspy Bohemian voice with zero fucks to give and Lou Reed already showing what a powerful musician he was make this record a standout.
Great album, a definite listen again. 8/10
Very mellow and slow. Not really my thing
A great album brought down by an overly avant closer.
Nesse álbum a banda já mostra que seria diferente. Ainda tá em busca de um som mais singular, mas a genialidade está presente. QoA Cloudscape.
Love anything velvet underground
Well...middle of the day working in the office is NOT the best time to listen to this one. It's good -- really good -- but out there -- far out! I enjoyed enoigh to give it a critical listen at a later date, but until then, 4 stars.
Liked it better than I expected. I like a nicer slower tempo record
This, after The Band by The Band, put me on the back foot immediately but fuck me there's a gorgeous album waiting to be let out here. Pale Blue Eyes and The Murder Mystery steal the show, with the latter's chaotic instrumentation and panned vocals remind me of Circle Takes The Square, while hearing After Hours for the first time broke me
Great album from The Velvet Underground. Haunting vocals from Lou Reed being the highlight for me as always. Favourite Track - The Murder Mystery 7/10
So sweet, and I can see their influence upon…many
I liked this one more than the banana album.
Really enjoyed the vibes of the songs, very soft and relaxing
This is a Velvet Underground album if you like them you will enjoy it if you don't you won't. It's that easy.
Funnily enough, i listened to them for the first time yesterday at robert's (sassy's friend from vienna) recommendation 1. candy says: so dreamy and warm, like floating on a cloud at the beach, ve ry LA are they from la i wonder, nope new york, makes sense, they look like city slickers 2. a little more rocky more upbeat i dig it
Excellent display of experimental, often melancholic vibes. I appreciate the uniqueness of the album and band in general and think this is something I could put on to zone out to. One or two of the more experimental tracks are keeping this from being a 5 star for me.
Such good vibes. Really enjoyed listening to this album
good songs on it, some songs weren’t for me
Great songs with a couple of oddities I had not heard before.
C'est cool, c'est chill, c'est Velvet. 4.25 étoiles
Candy Says - 4/5 What Goes On - 4.5/5 Some Kinda Love - 3.5/5 Pale Blue Eyes - 4.5/5 Jesus - 3.5/5 Beginning to See the Light - 4/5 I'm Set Free - 4/5 That's The Story Of My Life - 3.5/5 The Murder Mystery - 4/5 After Hours - 4/5 A surprisingly intimate album. I had never listened to anything by the Velvet Underground (closest I guess is Lou Reed's sample on ATCQ) so I was going into this completely blind. Good through-line from beginning to end. A very mellow and intimate album that sounds like the sober realization of the morning after. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes
Man this was great! Top 3 - 1. Pale blue eyes 2. Candy says 3. After Hours
(3.7) I liked this better than their other album I listened to. Pale blue eyes is very good
I've only listened to this album all the way through once, but it actually shines brighter on this second listen. I don't enjoy this album as much as 'The Velvet Underground & Nico' but it's still pretty good! Sorry, but I do hate Moe's voice.
It was nice to listen to this and read about it and learn more. This album was an answer to the prior era of the band like when they had the one with niko case and also white lights or whatever it is. This is after they kicked out John Kale since Lou Reed wanted commercial success, but this sold even worse lol. There are songs on this album I've heard in movies like science of sleep for After Hours and Candy says and Pale Blue Eyes. I feel like understanding the influence this had on future bands and waves is important, and I think its like a cool guy thing to be "in" on this band and this album. I enjoyed it, I almost wish I did even more too be truly cool but I'm like one step back off that. If you really listen in on the lyrics of Candy Says it take son like a better meaning even since its about someone who is transexual dealing with that at the time in New York and there's a nice "anti mxing" going on all over so make the production very raw.
3.5
I wish Spotify had the non-deluxe version available. Pale Blue Eyes was the only song I had saved already. It reminds me of an edit or a Moment of a show that I can't place.
Very solid. Love Lou Reed and his guitar. Pale blue eyes and I’m set free were highlights. Didn’t like murder mystery. A little bit slow paced overall.
Actually hadn't listened to this all the way through.
Ah man I haven't listened to this album (or the Velvet Underground come to think of it) in ages. It's nice to be reunited with some of these tracks. I love 'What Goes On' in particular. What a tune, even if it does have weird, jarring moments of putting everything through the left channel. I'd say there's less stand-out tracks on this album as a whole, but it's pretty good throughout, and of course there's plenty of artsy weirdness as well, as is custom. 3.5 rounded up.
Good. Can tell John Cale is not in the band
Nice
I love the first song on the album "candy," but my favourite part of the super deluxe 1969 album is Disc 4 and some of 5/6, there's definitely a experimental element that you don't get in the first half of the album. I love the ballads, its simple, easy, yet very punchy. The lyrics are all so amusing and witty. Good on you Lou Reed.
You know, I went into this expecting not to like it since I don't really like Velvet Underground and Nico. That experimental psychedelic sound isn't for me. But the whole time I was listening to this though, I was enjoying it and wondering why it was reminding me of something. Mostly I was thinking "Does this sound like 90's pacific northwest music, like The Spinanes", which it does... but halfway through That's the Story of My Life it hit me. This sounds a lot like Belle and Sebastian. So yeah. This album honestly sounds way ahead of its time, which is why I'm enjoying it. Great record.
I listened to it twice yesterday, liked it a lot. It does not seem to be as good as the banana album, but still some great tunes, with Pale Blue Eyes as an obvious choice. I’ll be happy to give it some more time over the weekend
This truly great album as definitely something to say and work through music, and that I enjoyed a lot. It can be quite subtle, and therefore probably requires multiple listens. It also strikes a balance between being interesting avant garde and listenable gorgeous music. "The murder mystery" is really impressive, though I don't want to listen to it again, it is necessary, and at the right time in the album, just to let us know we can do songs you have never heard before, therefore every "simple" song means more, cause they are here with purpose. I just don't know that my mind was blown, or my heart truly moved to get to the 5, but I thoroughly enjoyed it
I don't think I've ever listened to all of this album in one go before. It somehow lacks the edge of their previous stuff, was that all John Cale? It's still pretty good though.
Very 60s-70s vibe, nice one
Good compositions