The Velvet Underground

Some real good songs on this. A little blues bbased locked, but nice. Best rock and roll always has a bit of jesus in it, and some sex. Amazing how dirty he gets without being obscene. Put the jelly on your shoulder!

Fav: I’m Set Free Least Fav: The Murder Mystery Better than their album w/ Nico imo

Lyrics are so good and everything sounds so clean and bright. Love it.

The vibe that spawned 1,000,000 vibes. Lou and company hit their chic palpatating stride on this album. Steered back toward pop from the total avant garde they find the scene. Yet still not complete. A few odd ones but overall probably the best Velvets release.

Consistently drew me in.

arelatively non eventful album right up until The Murder Mystery, which is insanely wierd and cool and a massive highlight from the album for me. the ablum without that song is a 3, but this one song elevates it to a 4 I think

Very enjoyable album, but I don't think it's as creative as some of their other albums. My favorite songs by them are the noisy ones, and there aren't really any on this album. This is my second listen to this album and I enjoyed it a lot more this time than the last, maybe I'll like it even more on a 3rd listen. High 4.

Ok but what if there was a banana

## In-Depth Review of *The Velvet Underground* (1969) by The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground's self-titled album, released in 1969, marks a significant departure from their earlier work, showcasing a softer, more introspective side of the band. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also evaluating its pros and cons. ### **Lyrics** The lyrical content of *The Velvet Underground* is notable for its emotional depth and exploration of complex themes. Lou Reed's songwriting continues to reflect his characteristic candor, but this album features a more subdued and contemplative tone compared to previous releases. - **Empathy and Identity**: The opening track, "Candy Says," presents a poignant portrayal of gender dysphoria. Reed's lyrics resonate with universal themes of identity and existential struggle, asking profound questions about self-perception and societal acceptance. The line "What do you think I’d see, if I could walk away from me?" encapsulates the internal conflict faced by the protagonist[1]. - **Love and Longing**: Songs like "Pale Blue Eyes" explore unrequited love through vivid imagery. Reed contrasts romantic ideals with the harsh realities of unattainable desires, creating an emotional landscape that many listeners can relate to. The lyrical simplicity paired with profound emotional weight is a hallmark of Reed's style throughout this album. - **Existential Themes**: Tracks such as "Some Kind of Love" and "That’s the Story of My Life" reflect on existence and morality in a light-hearted yet philosophically rich manner. The juxtaposition of breezy melodies with heavy themes creates a unique listening experience that invites introspection[1]. ### **Music** Musically, *The Velvet Underground* represents a blend of straightforward rock with elements of folk and country influences. The album is characterized by its understated instrumentation, which allows the lyrics to take center stage. - **Instrumentation**: The use of gentle guitar riffs, tambourine accents, and organ-driven melodies creates a serene soundscape that contrasts sharply with the band's earlier rawness. Doug Yule's vocals bring a softer touch to tracks like "Candy Says," while Reed's voice retains its signature edge[1]. - **Diverse Sound**: The album features a range of musical styles. For example, "What Goes On" incorporates a garage rock energy that is both catchy and contemplative. This diversity showcases the band's ability to experiment while maintaining accessibility[2]. - **Experimental Elements**: The closing track "After Hours," sung by drummer Moe Tucker, epitomizes the album's quirky charm. Its simplicity and vulnerability provide a fitting conclusion to an album that navigates complex emotional terrain[1]. ### **Production** The production quality of *The Velvet Underground* reflects the band's commitment to authenticity over polish. - **Raw Aesthetic**: Critics have noted that the production is intentionally crude, aligning with the band's ethos of rejecting mainstream norms in favor of a more genuine sound. This rawness enhances the emotional impact of the music, making it feel immediate and personal[2][3]. - **Contrast with Earlier Work**: Unlike their debut album produced by Andy Warhol, which featured avant-garde elements and experimental sounds, this self-titled record opts for straightforward arrangements that highlight songwriting over sonic experimentation. This shift may alienate some fans who preferred the band's earlier style but also invites new listeners who appreciate lyrical depth[3]. ### **Themes** Thematically, *The Velvet Underground* explores complex issues such as identity, love, faith, and existentialism. - **Exploration of Faith**: A trilogy of songs—"Jesus," "Beginning to See the Light," and "I’m Set Free"—delves into religious imagery as a metaphor for personal struggle. Reed's use of Christian symbolism conveys deep emotional resonance without overt irony; instead, it reflects genuine searching for meaning amidst chaos[1]. - **Existential Reflection**: Many tracks grapple with themes of longing and disillusionment. The recurring motif of searching for connection—whether through love or spiritual fulfillment—permeates the album's narrative arc[1][3]. ### **Influence** The influence of *The Velvet Underground* on subsequent music cannot be overstated. - **Pioneering Spirit**: By addressing taboo subjects such as addiction and sexuality in their lyrics, The Velvet Underground paved the way for future generations of artists to explore similar themes without fear of censorship or judgment. Their candid approach has influenced countless musicians across genres—from punk rock to alternative music[3]. - **Artistic Legacy**: The band's integration of avant-garde techniques into rock music has been recognized as revolutionary. They demonstrated that rawness could coexist with artistic expression, inspiring artists to embrace simplicity in their own work while maintaining depth[4]. ### **Pros and Cons** #### Pros - **Emotional Depth**: The album's lyrics are rich with emotion and introspection, offering listeners relatable themes. - **Musical Diversity**: A blend of styles keeps the album engaging while showcasing the band's versatility. - **Authentic Production**: The raw sound enhances the emotional resonance and aligns with the band's artistic vision. #### Cons - **Crude Production Quality**: Some may find the production lacking polish compared to contemporary albums. - **Shift in Style**: Fans expecting the edgy experimentation of earlier works may be disappointed by this more subdued approach. - **Accessibility Issues**: While many appreciate the lyrical depth, others might find some tracks less accessible due to their experimental nature or slower pace. ### Conclusion In summary, *The Velvet Underground* (1969) stands as a testament to the band's evolution while maintaining their core ethos. Through its introspective lyrics, diverse musicality, and authentic production choices, it captures a unique moment in rock history that continues to resonate today. While it may not appeal universally due to its departure from earlier styles or its raw production quality, its influence on music and culture remains profound—a true landmark in artistic expression.

Some kind of 'Beatels'-sound from the Westcoast

Really nice. Simple compositions, the most easygoing, graceful acoustic guitar arpeggios matching the docile, and surprisingly non-tone-deaf vocals from Lou Reed.

I love Lou Reed, and I own White Light, White Heat so I'm pretty familiar with this style. I have not heard these songs on this Velvet Underground release at all. Pale Blue Eyes is great and I think I've heard that before Beginning to See The Light was fun I'm Set Free I liked The Murder Mystery was good too, some crazy things going on in there and got kind of long.. oh I've heard After Hours before too, that's a great song. Definitely a 4 star album for me.

Good stuff.

Esperando que el próximo VU sea el que finalmente me haga click. Momentos muy chulos en este ("Pale Blue Eyes", "After Hours"), y otros un poco peores ("Murder Mystery"). Esperaremos a ver qué tal.

I thought it was good, in fact great for what I’m pretty sure is a debut. Weird and entertaining.

I'm such a sucker for The Velvet Underground. (I could do without the last two songs, so I always cut this album off early.)

Matices bonitos pero sutiles que mantienen la unidad del álbum. The Murder Mystery fue tremendo descubrimiento.

This was good but not as exciting as Velvet Underground and Nico which was a bit of a revelation.

After the abrasive noise of White Light/White Heat and the departure of John Cale, Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground made a striking shift toward a more melodic, emotional, and accessible sound on their third, self-titled album. The plain black-and-white cover reflects the album's stripped-back, introspective nature, signalling a move away from the band’s previous chaos. Despite the shift toward accessibility, commercial success continued to elude them. The Velvet Underground delves into themes of isolation and loneliness, especially in tracks like “Pale Blue Eyes” and “Candy Says,” where Reed’s poignant lyrics capture raw emotional vulnerability. The album also pulses with nostalgia and regret, notably on “Jesus” and “I’m Set Free,” where Reed longs for a past that cannot be reclaimed. His introspective lyrics and sombre delivery highlight the emotional depth that would become a hallmark of his future solo work. A standout moment is Maureen Tucker’s unexpected lead vocals on “After Hours.” Tucker offers a fresh emotional layer with a tender, unadorned performance that contrasts sharply with the album’s otherwise melancholic tone. Her sweet voice adds a unique texture, providing a rare moment of warmth amidst the album’s quiet sorrow. Musically, the album is defined by a minimalist approach that places the lyrics at the forefront. Sparse arrangements create an intimate atmosphere, allowing Reed’s vocals to shine. His emotional rawness, particularly on tracks like “Pale Blue Eyes,” draws listeners into his world of personal reflection, laying the groundwork for the confessional songwriting that would dominate his solo career. While The Velvet Underground doesn’t carry the same groundbreaking impact as The Velvet Underground & Nico or the audacious shock factor of White Light/White Heat, it marks a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution. This album foreshadows Reed's later solo work, particularly in its focus on intimate, confessional songwriting that would define albums like Transformer and Berlin. The band’s shift from avant-garde experimentation to personal, emotionally-driven storytelling is a sign of Reed’s growing mastery as a songwriter, one that would profoundly shape his solo career. Did/Do I own this release? No. Does this release belong on the list? Borderline yes. Would this release make my personal list? I'd still take the debut over this. Will I be listening to it again? Definitely.

næs

3.5, nice soft album

Pale Blue Eyes and After Hours are a couple of my faves by them. Great album although a little more mellow than most of my fave VU tracks/albums

Such a boring listen. There is nothing noteworthy for any of the songs and makes me wonder why it even is considered as on lf the greatest of all time

1001 albums #12 sexy

After reading about creating this album you feel like it should be more interesting than it is. Still for the time it was released it seems quite fresh and even today the music still holds up.

Alright... to było dobre. 1969... shit, aż ciężko uwierzyć. Miałem wrażenie, że słucham czegoś istotnego, przełomowego w swoich czasach. I dziś też to się broni. Przesłuchałem dwa razy i odbiór za drugim lepszy - nie byłem pewien części utworów, ale za drugim razem siadły, zobaczyłem, że mają sens. Kompozycja płyty ma sens. Teksty są dobre, emocjonalne, liryczne, ale nie cringe'owe. Doceniam eksperymenty typu "the murder mystery" - nie jest to najprzyjemniejszy utwór do przesłuchania, ale o dziwo to nie jest tak, że mi się nie podoba, zwłaszcza fragmentami. Nie mam wyraźnego faworyta wśród piosenek, nic też nie jest imo wyraźnie słabsze. Damn... ja tu słyszę Roxy Music, Myslovitz... pewnie wiele innych, ale to pierwsze, co mi przychodzi do głowy. Ciekawa lekcja i doświadczenie.

it’s a good album overall. and then there’s The Murder Mystery. i have no idea what it’s about but my god it’s amazing. does the heavy lifting but it does it well and easily

Very cohesive. Different sound than I'm used to hearing from this time period and I love it.

I liked this album much better than I expected. I have a lot of respect for The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed, but I have never really liked their output. Besides The Idiot and Transformer period Lou Reed, I tend to not personally enjoy his other work. However, this album was more folky and more smooth and enjoyable for me. I'd like to listen to it again to try to fully understand the reason it has been lauded so much, as not a lot stood out to me, but it is good songwriting, and it obviously had influence.

A very well named band bc this does sound quite velvety

55 years later everything laid out here still seems incredibly dominant within a certain type of person's idea of what it means to be cool

Super chill, but still upbeat and not boring. Spoken-word songs are a big damper, especially toward the end, but I can appreciate them as pieces of art. All the other songs are good for a listen on a slow day. Vocals are average, a little below at times, but not obnoxious in any way and fit the vibe. It's not a perfect album, but not trying to be. Favorite song: What Goes On.

First time of album. All good (although I deduct a star for Murder Mystery). Velvety tones by Lou. can't believe this is '69

Lou Reed escapes from some of the eccentricities of the Warhol factory and gets to grips with his music in this enjoyable album. The first track ('Candy Says'0 sets out his agenda and it appears to be actual songs and music that mean something to him, is it autobiographical? The tracks don't disappoint and the vocals are always clear with no over-produced arrangements, these support the lyrics and are well-played; although I couldn't make sense of 'the Murder Mystery' which does go on a bit. I hear a sardonic wit at work here and the seeds of his "Transformer" album (which I love).

What one tuner would have done for them!

8.5/10

pleasantly surprised

Lovely stuff. Coming at this expecting White Light, White Heat stompers will yield disappointment but there's loads of introspective niceness here.

already listened good psych rock album

Did The Velvet Underground get clean? I enjoyed this one a lot. Nothing groundbreaking, because it's really only possible to break ground once like this (with a few exceptions). But I did like this one a lot, especially the ending - I was transfixed by "The Murder Mystery", which works very will with the extremely ahead-of-its-time "After Hours" as a denouement.

First of all, this album sounds really good. Everything is so crisp and clear. The songs are also very good. I get the idea behind The Murder Mystery, but it’s probably not one I would go back to. I can really see how influential they are when one of my first thoughts was “this kinda reminds me of The Strokes”. Favorite songs were What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes, Beginning To See The Light, I’m Set Free, and After Hours.

Likes this one a lot more than the other album I listened to. I think it was because it was a lot more normal. Standouts: What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes, Beginning To See The Light, and After Hours.

Love this album.

While I do enjoy their more experimental work, I love this album for it's straight-forward approach. Rock, blues, and ballads galore here with very little of the weirdo stuff they are more known for. Solid release.

Favourite songs: What Goes On, Some Kinda Love, Beginning to See the Light, Pale Blue Eyes, That's the Story of My Life Least favourite songs: The Murder Mystery, Jesus 4/5

All-time great. Pale Blue Eyes is some of the most beautiful songwriting I've ever heard

Love us or just like us it is an important.

This was my first time listening to this album. It was a very laid-back and somber listen. Overall I liked it except, for "The Murder Mystery" which was a little out there. It was interesting to listen to the song with vocals by Moe Tucker, which reminded me a lot of when Meg White would sing in the White Stripes.

en loop todo el dia. top song: After hours

Very good. Velvet Underground just makes banger after banger 8/10

Creative and original, maybe too unpolished for my tastes. A few great ones. 3.7

Fun, slow, low key velvet underground

The Velvet Underground's third studio effort sees the band toning down their experimental tendencies to prove that they're no one-trick pony. Indeed, much of the self-titled album is a soft, tender foray into straightforward rock songs. No avant-garde songs about a guy mailing himself to his lover and getting accidently killed by a boxcutter, no, this has simply pleasant songs above love and faith. You'd think they lost their edge, but The Velvet Underground are sharper than ever with some frankly beautiful music to boot.

Subdued production and personal lyrics, my favorite VU album.

nice chill pretty cool

Always liked this album. Not perfect but most songs I would listen to again.

Shockingly amazing album. I know that The Underground has always had a cult following, and I love some of their tunes, but this album shocked me for sure. Extremely tender with well placed energy

Fun album. Not a lot of production just some instruments and vocals. Creative lyrics. Very entertaining. Singable ear worms coming from melodic chord changes. Wish it were longer.

This is a great album, I enjoy it.

good

4.5

Side one I loved a light 4½, but the second half lost me... Except for the closer.. I loved that one. I'm keeping the volume unit meter at 7.75 ★★★½

4.5 / 5

4.5

I can finally admit to liking Velvet Underground now I guess. Really cool album. 4 stars

Knew about half the album already, great listen. 4.25/5

Much better than other VU/Lou Reed albums. 5/5 except for "The Murder Mystery" which was very 60s, very psychedelic, but not for me.

Fun for everyone

This album is okay. There were quite a few good songs, but nothing too special in my opinion. I might give it a rating of 3/5, but I think that’s just my personal preference, and the album is objectively better. 4/5 It's a good listen.

Cool 60s Rippin cigs with Andy Warhol Don’t get the end of this one

There are two sides slugging it out in my mind to proclaim judgement on The Velvet Underground. In time, discovering this album may be looked back on as a significant victory for the ‘Actually Quite Good’ camp and a bitter blow for team ‘Heinously Overrated’. This is infinitely better than White Light / White Heat, and while the banana album has a greater mix of styles and experimental flair in its favour, this one beats it where pure melody and songwriting is concerned. It’s a grower, too.

Better the second time through.

I can imagine putting this on the record player and chilling to it while I got a nice heroin high.

I'd only really listened to the debut before, and loved the softer tracks so this is pretty good. I quite enjoyed the experimental ending, so this scrapes into the fours.

Like Zappa, I was expecting this to feel more experimental and out there than it was. Only "Murder Mystery" was outside the norm. Instead a lot of this sounded like they were writing the blueprint for how dozens of future Indie bands would construct songs.

I already had a few of these saved to playlists, but mostly enjoyed what I didn't know - from the sad, dreamy alienation of 'Candy Says' to the upbeat folk rock of 'Beginning to See the Light.' Only the experimental 'Murder Mystery' felt like a swing & a miss. & even then, I can see the through line from it's spoken word sound to bands like King Missile and Cake.

cohesive, some gems, the murder mystery alone deserves a star more

Pale Blue Eyes is the stand-out track here. I really liked "After Hours" too. I doubt I would have guessed it was a VU track if you had played it for me and made me tell you the artist. They were less noise-experiment here and seemed like they actually cared about melody and song structure on this album. Even "Murder Mystery" which gets a little noisy was still quite pleasant. Better than White Light / White Heat but not as good as The Velvet Underground and Nico.

I was entertained. Not life-changing. Some great songwriting, some weirdness in a good way.

Candy Says: absolutely stunning lyrics and so well produced, not overly musical but a full emotional experience What goes on: hated the guitar riff Some kinda love: meh Pale blue eyes: brilliant opening lyrics. “Thought of you as everything I had, but, couldn’t keep.” (J, E, M) Murder Mystery: purity cool, and new wave like System of a Down meets she wants revenge

While not fully developed yet, Lou Reed's lasting, indelible mark on the punk and new wave scene can already be witnessed here.

Definitely a classic, I'm not sure it is quite as exciting as their debut and therefore I never really put this album into my rotation. But that isn't a knock on the quality....it is there. Murder Mystery is probably the only song on here that really perks up my ears and makes me want to immediately re-listen. So I can't give it a full 5 stars even though it arguable deserves it.

I was ready to come in with the hot take that Velvet Underground is overrated and was only popular bc of Andy Warhol, but this album was actually really good. Good job folks

I can almost forgive someone for not immediately vibing with this album if it was their first exposure to The Velvet Underground. It doesn't smack you in the face with an overt message as to why this band is held in such high regard. No. Their self titled third album is a far more subtle LP and I think it deserves more than one listen for it to click. It is the definition of a 'grower' if there ever was one. The first 6 tracks, lyrically, cover subjects such as transgenderism, love songs, existentialism, and seeking redemption through religion (even though Lou Reed claims ‘Jesus’ is not a religious song); all layered on top of subtle, restrained experimentation that at first listen might not sound like anything special. But after another, maybe 2 more listens it can really start to open your ears up. Most of it is mellow and some of it certainly demands an attentive listener. But it is rewarding nonetheless. The second half is where I feel ‘The Velvet Underground’ really opens up. The lyrically genius and upbeat ‘Beginning To See The Light’, the minimal and catchy ‘That’s The Story Of My Life’, the absolute attack (in the best way possible) on the ears and many other senses ‘The Murder Mystery’, and the addictive quick two minute outro ‘After Hours’. It makes the first half seem like the calm peace before a storm of elements; and it is a stronger half all the more for it. I give this album a 4. A high 4. Because it certainly is not the band’s best work, in my opinion. But it is still a great album. It is simultaneously all-over-the-place stylistically, yet somehow feels extremely coherent. It features well written - often genius lyrics, and experimentation that doesn’t take away from it being accessible. It may not be the best starting point for new potential fans, but it is certainly is worth visiting nonetheless.

The album showcases some excellent work. The slow songs stand out as the best, and overall, the album is one of my favorites. My favorite tracks are 'Pale Blue Eyes' and 'Candy Says.' The experimental aspect of 'Murder Mystery' was particularly special, leaving me in awe

This was a more accessible album by The Velvet Underground. I enjoyed it! Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

Solid Classic Rock

Pretty good but a little disappointed. I might be in the majority but I don't care for After Hours. No instrumentals which is kinda what I dig about VU and vocals from the drummer? I get that its different and outsider music and the lyrics are deep but it's just kinda mid to me. Other songs are great, like What Goes On, Murder Mystery, Candy Says, and Pale Blue Eyes. The rest is kinda falls short of hype this band has earned. Excited to hear VU with Nico and White Light, which I think are more experimental

Loved it, all of it. Even The Murder Mystery. Especially The Murder Mystery.

are you a bad enough dude to self-title half of your discography? condemning generations to go "is that the one with the banana or the other one?" i think this album (and velvet underground in general) is so hard to talk about because they are so influential that they don't seem novel or groundbreaking any more. we miss why they mattered or what made them stand out. THAT BEING SAID THOUGH, i would only enter a room with lou reed in it en route to killing him with a hammer. lou reed is a corpse with a reputation hanging off of it. unfortunately his band is ok. but his band is also better when john cale is in it. i've got plenty more to say about that discount ben stiller-looking ass but I will save it for when this stupid fucking list probably forces us to listen to transformer

Very calm vibe w/ mellow production, good for a night listen. Was worried about this one cause of the John Cale earlier, turns out he wasn't involved in this one (maybe someday I'll find something of his I enjoy)

I really don't understand the Velvet Underground

Increíble álbum. No me imaginaba que el resto de su discografía sea así. Temáticamente me gustó mucho.

The album opens up with a hauntingly beautiful tune, with "Candy Says"( a song which is still very relevant). The album has some classic bangers, and some duds. "The Murder Mystery" sounds like a long lost System Of A Down song. They were ahead of their time, which makes me appreciate Lou Reed before his solo career(I do find it a bit questionable that their self-titled album is their third album, but I'll digress). Favorite Track: "Candy Says"

I love 'Pale Blue Eyes', but the self-titled third album from The Velvet Underground is just missing that special Cale magic to make it a classic in my book.

While I think Doug Yule is great, you can still sense that John Cale is missing from this line-up. “Pale Blue Eyes” is an obvious highlight, but the record truly peaks with the chaotic “The Murder Mystery” that is just pure imagination run amok.

4.5 rounded down i’d prob place it among the lower ranks of the vu discography, but its still pretty got dam good ! highlights: candy says, what goes on, after hours (aug 11 2024)

Understand Reed's influence, still a little slow even for my sad heart. Murder mystery a favorite

I'd only heard Stephanie Says until I listened to this album. What a breath of fresh air after Tago Mago by Can.

kinda interesting, v chill but a lot going on in the songs, i enjoyed it.

These guys are good at the sleepy vibes. Sleepy music that actually tends to be pretty dank.

A very different atmosphere provided here by The Velvet Underground. It's one of those albums that you have to listen in the right circumstances - slightly focused on the musoc, but relaxed, certainly not when you're not in the good mood. I had to listen to it twice, and only on the second try I started to appreciate the easy and peaceful melodies. Pretty good album to have on a vinyl, for those calmer evenings.

Gear: Letshuoer S12 PRO Artwork: 📸🔳🛋️ Mix: 🎧😘🤌 Musik: 😭😔💔 Wertung: 🧿🧿🧿🧿/5

I’ve never really gotten into their stuff before but I honestly really enjoyed this album.

Composed, mellow, experimental

definitely has a wide range of weird, but ultimately it's relatively chill and easy listening.

I like a bit of this, although not as good as the banana boi with Nico. Pale Blue Eyes is a banger. Simpsons: Yes

i really love this, it's polished and relaxing. Candy Says is an amazing intro. The only aspect that prevents it from achieving a 5 is that it can get repetitive at times. 4.5

didn't like it all that much, was much more of a VU fan a few years ago, but I would feel bad if I gave it a bad grad.e

The fact that this came out in 1969 blows my mind. I love John Cale and think this album suffers some from his absence but it’s still great. Lou Reed was undeniably a flawed person but also, the world is more interesting for what he brought to it. This is - without a doubt - an album everyone should hear.

Not the pinnacle, but we are getting there.

First song is pretty damn good Good laid back beat so far, little trippy Lou Reed actually sounds pretty good The Murder Mystery sounds like a Doors song in the beginning with the organ--also it's very meandering--nevermind I like it

Flatzby underground

Beautiful! This led the way for so many other musicians.

Pretty smooth rock, worth a relisten

Simple, happy, velvety

These are like candies to my ears and I loved it. It'll probably grow on me after a while but rn it's a 4

Great!

soft and sleepy rock music, something about this era of rock has just a specific sound that a lot of bands share and this one is no different. compared to the other bands i have listened to, these guys are very... like i said, soft. quiet. it's very much rock but it's low-key, instead of shouting in the mic and playing passionately they play gracefully, conservatively... even the louder tracks almost feel like the band members are holding back. not that it's a bad thing, it's just these guys like things mild and mellow. it feels like... prototype indie. and it's really cool.

Some tracks reminded me of the Beatles, some of the Kinks, some of Lou Reed (oh, I just looked -- Lou Reed was in the band, haha). Really cool, mellow stuff -- I like it a lot. Four stars.

I actually enjoyed this quite a bit. I sometimes feel like I “don’t really love Lou Reed/TVU overall but I know they have some tracks I really like”…. This strikes a good balance of what I like with the weird mopey-gothic-opiate-art that I don’t love. It’s the same tricks we’ve heard in other LR/TVU albums but just nicely executed Perhaps this one has a better producer? Anyway I’m feeling it today. Good 1st day of vacation vibes maybe haha

Wow is this contemporary or what, everything here sounds timeless, and pungent. 4.0

M'n eerste kennismaking met De Fluwelen Ondergrond was een zware en ik keek dan ook niet echt uit naar dit album, maar het blijkt mee te vallen. Dit is redelijk makkelijk luisterbare eind '60's rock. Het geluid is warm, het is sfeervol, er zitten lekkere bluesy rifjes in en een fraai orgeltje waar ik toch wel een zwak voor heb. Lou Reed klinkt als Lou Reed, maar van alle zangers met een herkenbaar stemgeluid vind ik hem lang niet het meest vervelend. Er staan weinig tracks op die me echt bij zullen blijven, maar in z'n geheel kan ik dit album goed hebben. Ik heb het idee dat dit een wat overrated band is, maar ik vind dit best een lekkere plaat van ze. En daar beoordeel ik het op. Ik ga voor een 4, ondanks dat The Murder Mystery een dikke kuttrack is.

This is amazing bro. The other 2 I listened to were fine but nothing too grand, but this one I think is my favourite one so far. GG VU! Really enjoyed. This is album #98 I think

Nice alternative to the Beatles and the Stones subverting my expectations a little.

I love their instrumental arrangements and soothing vocals.

This is music.

Most of my Velvets listening comes from the 2 that came before this but I have given this one a few spins before. It's more accessible than its predecessors & as close to a straight up rock record as you will get from them, John Cale had already left the band and been replaced by Doug Yule. The first side is by far the superior side with gems like Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes & What Goes On. Well worth a listen but if you want the weird stuff go for the previous 2 which are also in the book.

I had an idea in my head of what this album was going to be and this... wasn't hair metal. In a good way.

Some great, some good, some variable - the usual Velvet's stuff. I like it a lot.

01) Candy Says - 7,5 02) What Goes On - 8,0 03) Some Kinda Love - 7,5 04) Pale Blue Eyes - 8,0 05) Jesus - 7,5 06) Beginning to See the Light - 7,0 07) I'm Set Free - 7,5 08) That's the Story of My Life - 7,5 09) The Murder Mystery - 8,0 10) After Hours - 8,0 TOTAL: 7,65 (77/100) Current ranking: 106/218 Honestly, I was expecting a more boring album. Each song is interesting in its own way, and the most interesting is definitely "The Murder Mystery". Left and right ear each play their own song for almost nine minutes, and somehow it all sounds just right. The best song for me is "Pale Blue Eyes", but as I said, each one is interesting in its own way.

Always pushing forward.

4/5

its a good quality recording album.

Locker flockiges Velvet Underground Album. Gibt bestimmt Bessere, is aber trotzdem ziemlich geil.

More like 3.5 but on the high end of that.

VU’s first post Cale release. Reed leans heavily on Brill style compositions and early rock n roll influences. VU lite

I dont think it’s their best I just love Sister Ray too much and the nico album is just superior as well. Still some beautiful guitar play and just an easy to listen to record altogether.

3/5 but extra points for the sound which is sooo much better than jimi hendrix sounds which i listened to before

Liked this one.

не смог слушать. звук свернут гулом слушал на кобуз - нужно послушать еще на других источниках В наушниках на небольшой громкости альбом совсем по другому раскрывается. Музыка тебе как бы нашептывается бархатным голосом и мягкими гитарами. Не слушать после Лед Зеппелин!

⭐️ What goes on, pale blue eyes, beginning to see the light, the murder mystery, after hours Liked this before, listened many times, still lovely.

I was really digging this album and was thinking it might get a five — right up until the last couple of tracks dragged it down. This album feels timeless in a way I'm not sure I can really explain. It feels very much like late 60s/early 70s rock but also very different at the same time. It's an interesting mix of the type of psychedelic stuff The Doors and The Byrds would do and something more original and experimental. I can see why so many artists were influenced by them. It takes a weird turn with "The Murder Mystery" — the idea of the song is cool, and it's not totally unlistenable, but it's just so dense (not to mention long). Even trying to read along with the lyrics, I couldn't keep up because there are two different things going on at the same time. And nothing against Nico, but the last song "After Hours" was meh. Her voice isn't the worst, but it's definitely amateurish. I get what they were going for, but it's not the most pleasant thing to listen to. From an artistic/experimental perspective, this probably gets a 5. From a listenability perspective, I'll give it a 4.

I liked it!

Kinda torn between 4 and 5 for this one

Least favourite Velvet Underground album by far, feels like listening to a caged bird.

I have always known of the velvet underground but not really tied them to the era they’re actually from (seems like they were played a lot on rock stations that played newer rock so associated them with being from a more recent decade). I enjoyed this album, it reminded me of the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Bob Dylan all wrapped into one. Will definitely listen again!

I loved the ballads on here. This was the first full listen I’ve given to the Velvet Underground and I think they’re a band I’ll appreciate more on subsequent listens. This had some great writing and vocals, but remained minimalistic. Instrumentally, there wasn’t much on here that jumped out at me. However, the atmosphere is immaculate.

Soothing calm music that's sometimes a little weird but that's okay. I really like their banana album so was interesting to get to listen to more of their music. Made for a pleasant evening listen while I tried to learn how to code for my quiz on Friday. Favourites are Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, and That's The Story Of My Life. 4, lovely songs

I really dig this album. Not only are the songs good, but the pacing of the album was also great. Lots of diversity among the songs too, which helps keep things from getting stale. The penultimate track, “The Murder Mystery,” is a cool concept, but way too long.

Great album. I had heard "Pale Blue Eyes" from this album before, but I had not listened to a full album from The Velvet Underground outside their first album and Loaded. I really, really enjoyed this one. It's got great sentimentality and is just really well-done folk-rock. "The Murder Mystery" is weird 60s shit, but the rest of the album is phenomenal. ****

4.5/5

Very mellow and enjoyable

Great album, always like listening to this one

Very 60s but I’m into it.

Such a cool album

It’s not their best, but Velvet Underground is something

it was aight some tracks i really enjoyed some i didnt 3.6/5

Soft and slow very nice to relax to

A fine post-Cale effort. Highlights are Pale Blue Eyes and What Goes On. Murder Mystery, however, makes the 2nd side drag a bit.

If I had just heard this whole album rather than the songs that got picked out as hits I'd probably have been a VU fan for a lot longer rather than just starting now.

I really like this one. Better than the last choice I got from them. Torn for a rating. 4.5

I had never heard this album before. I like some of their other stuff. This is pretty good, great chilled out but up a notch sort of vibe. I will definitely listen to this again, maybe buy it on vinyl.

A righteous rollicker of a record

Close and charming

Surprisingly have not listened to much of The Velvet Underground. I quite enjoyed this. My favorite songs are probably "Candy Says," "What Goes On," and "Jesus." "The Murder Mystery" was totally a mixed bag for me; I loved and hated it at the same time, but that was the only song I didn't really care for, even though I kind of did. Overall a really good album!

So much I like about this, and then some not so much. "Pale Blue Eyes" is really good. Love "I'm Set Free". Did not like "The Murder Mystery" at all.

Like it Fav songs: What goes on Pale blue eyes After hours :^

Nice and chilled-out album, better than most of their prior stuff.

Awesome!!!

Great album. Feels contemporary in so many ways.

Far more accessible than the other albums of The Velvet Underground. I can see why it is derisively called Lou Reed's first solo album. I enjoyed all of the songs to one extent or another. My favorite track was "What Goes On". Least favorite "The Murder Mystery", which is an interesting thought experiment of song arrangement, but definitely not the sort of thing that I am going to want to listen to again.

great album, ending was a highlight, really good, pale blue eyes is so good.

The older I get the more I start appreciating this album

A lovely album to have a heroin overdose to.

Whilst I didn't enjoy it as much as the Nico album, it was still a good listen. I think it might be an album which improves with multiple listens.

Wonderful - two 4* albums in a row. ‘What goes on’ has been channelled by countless 90’s shoe gaze bands while the ballads ooze charm, regret and poetry. Dare I say it but the story-telling in this record might even be the basis for gems such as Screamadelica? Gasp! Why can’t they all be this good.

love this album. more straight forward rock than their other material. Can do without The Murder Mystery though. REM does a great cover of Pale Blue Eyes.

Other than "The Murder Mystery" this was great.

Lou Reed op z’n best. Dit album is een stuk minder experimenteel, en daardoor gewoon goed. Soms wringt het, wat een muzikaliteit. Bijna 5 sterren.

What goes on and some kinda love were my favs. Murder mystery was a bit too out there for me but I loved the rest of the album and it was weird in a good way?

4.5

Sehr schöne Melodien, Texte und Sounds.

Definitely some very interesting ideas and great songs

In places, this is absolutely superb; the first four tracks are clear five star material, but I think it drifts a little towards the back end. The Murder Mystery is hard work, and I'm afraid that After Hours just falls on the wrong side of tweeness for me (and I have an extremely high tweeness threshold). One absolutely cracking nugget I didn't know before though - the opening lines of Candy Says are borrowed by Sparklehorse on Maria's Little Elbows, which is probably in my top ten songs of all time. So that was a real treat.

I’ve always loved pale blue eyes but after hearing all of the other Lou reed/velvet underground albums on here I really thought I’d have a pretty tepid response to this one as well, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked what goes on and overall it was good listen but as I’m trying to write this review I literally don’t remember how to describe the music which probably isn’t a great sign. Oh well.

75/100

Listened to this while playing Middara with my partner. We won! I have to say, we both enjoyed this a whole lot more than we were expecting to. I was very familiar with the name, but I honestly didn't recognize any of the music from the album. What a thoroughly enjoyable album. The sequencing of the album was pretty great...with a wonderful last two tracks. Super solid 4.

The Velvet Underground a band I knew the existance of but had never payed much attention to. Probably my mistake. This was pretty good deserving a closer look. Added to favorites.

This was such a great album for me. Friendly, heartfelt, funny. You can really see how their sound impacted others.

I liked it

Began very well, ending was worse

Pretty good. Gave some Beatles vibes. Really dug “pale blue eyes”

Very nice

I usually feel that I'm not cool enough for the Velvet Underground. I grew up in Pittsburgh, not NYC, I've never done heroin. But I do own 3 of their first 4 albums... 'cause we can always try. This is the one I've missed. Anyway, It's a very good album, in a Velvet Underground kind of way. It's very relaxed, casual. What I'd expect from a bunch of people jamming around after a long week of hedonistic excess (perhaps White Light / White Heat). Not exactly "laid back", but more "come down calling". But it all works, really well. The album is absolutely worth hearing, just for "Pale Blue Eyes", but everything else works, too. I've heard it said that Velvet Underground didn't sell a lot of records, but everybody who bought one went out and formed a band. I get where that comes from. But they're certainly a niche sound; not something I'd listen to every day. I'm not sure how I missed this one previously, I think it is destined to be my favorite Velvet Underground album. But I can't QUITE give it a 5, just a bit too niche. 4/5

A little uneven, yet surprisingly mellow

First album listened to

Low key Velvets. This one doesn't grab me like their previous records, but I like that Lou Reed wanted to change gears and not get pigeon-holed. The ballads drag, but the up-temp songs are good and save this record for me.

I really liked this album. Not quite enough to give it a fiver but it was very pleasant to listen to (I could very well have such a high opinion of it bc we had to endure Korn a couple days ago so anything sounds really good compared to that). The only real critiques I have of this album is the fact that most of it is so quiet and slow. That’s not a bad thing but it might be nice to have just one or two songs that were a bit more upbeat but that’s a minor critique. Also I didn’t really love the Murder Mystery song, it was just weird and very hard to understand. I do really like the album other than that it has a very cozy feel, something I would very much choose to listen to on a dreary day while I sit inside and stare out at the rain.

Really great. All 4 discs of the same album. 4.4. Marginal regrets is it a 5? Closest album on the 4/5 star mark so far. Hmmm

"The Velvet Underground" by The Velvet Underground is a landmark album that has had a lasting impact on the music industry. Released in 1969, this self-titled album is often referred to as the band's third album, following "The Velvet Underground & Nico" and "White Light/White Heat." This album marked a departure from the experimental sound of their earlier works, focusing more on songwriting and a more accessible sound. Tracks like "Candy Says," "Pale Blue Eyes," and "What Goes On" showcase the band's musical maturity and Lou Reed's poignant songwriting. While the album wasn't a commercial success at the time of its release, it has since gained critical acclaim and is now considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Its influence can be heard in countless bands and genres, solidifying its place in music history. Overall, "The Velvet Underground" is a masterful album that showcases the band's evolution and musical prowess. It earns a solid 4/5 rating for its innovative sound and lasting impact on the music industry.

Velvet Underground are protopunk legends . I respect them, I can hear and see their influence on punk and other modern music. I have personally always had a problem listening to a whole VU album all the way through, I like everything on the albums, but they feel like a slog everytime and I'm not sure why.

Cool!

Great sound, simple and lots of character. Cohesive and genuine, my type of album.

Lou Reed doing a gay voice out of ten

pretty good!

Own

For no reason I had not listened to this old favorite for a few years. This adventure lured me into listening more carefully. I love this album. I love the raw urban tempos and tones. But what I did not recall is how well recorded and produced it is. Bueno!

one of those albums you can listen to

I've heard it before, at some point (college) I thought it was cool, but I was never in love. Probably a 3.5

Far more interested in what this album represents than how it actually sounds. About as sheer of a 180 degree turn as a band can do, leaving behind (for the most part) the abrasive, avant-garde noisiness of their first two records to do summer of love folk rock, albeit in their own signature fashion. Really fascinated by the way a couple of these songs “Some Kinda Love” & “Beginning to see the Light” in particular prefigure Pavement’s whole brand of talky sardonic slacker rock. Though I’m far more interested in Lou Reed’s suite of religious, but not religious songs. “I’m Set Free” was the first song here that really hooked me, with its soft slow build, and themes of ambiguous, existential rebirth. “After Hours” is so twee and adorable, the pure innocence makes for a nice ending after the weirdo experimentalism of “The Murder Mystery.” Feel a little out of touch, for just not caring for “Pale Blue Eyes” though, which seems to be the song for a lot of y’all, but it does nothing for me. I enjoyed spending a good deal of time with this, but for as comforting an album as this is I'm just not sure if I see myself returning to it all that often.

4.6

Really enjoyed this - need some more VU in my life. How to do a soft male voice without whinging!!!

The beautiful songs are beautiful. I’ve never liked the murder mystery.

Good stuff. Added

Not as onsanley brilliant as the banana one. But still a high quality album from the gang.

I kinda like it.

Am enjoying. Second album on this list I want to listen to more.

Pretty good album! I liked the words.

Very enjoyable. I could have done without the last song on the album.

I could do with a break from the BritRock, but at least this album is mostly chill. "After Hours" was my favorite, which is funny because it's not the normal vocalist.

Pas si underground que ça finalement

nico concentre toi

Now i want vinyl. it’s cool. Different sound make me feel so good. This album has touched my heart.

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Maybe easier/less trite to put on in the background?

I really liked this a lot. I was already familiar with the Velvet Underground & Nico album, but this one is very good too. It is definitely worth listening to again.

This is an album I spent a lot of my life not understanding, and today it smacked me right in the face. It’s quiet and it’s reflective and it’s got a point and I suddenly understand so much how it was so influential. Some albums are made for that quiet train ride when it’s raining outside and you’ve got your headphones in.

Really enjoyable. Good songs. Good writing. Murder mystery was a little weird but a super good album. Might have to listen to more of their stuff.

Me gusta, pero no me impacta - 8

It just sounds like a guy jamming on his guitar with a couple of friends. The drums are very subtle and back in the mix; sometimes it’s just a shaker. It’s more of a percussionist than a drummer as far as the space that the musician is filling. Even on Beginning to See the Light, the pulse is really driven by the guitar. It’s a lot more about the rhythm guitar strumming, with some nice highlights from the lead. Im Set Free fills up the most space with drums, but still very little is carried by a ride or hi-hat. Lou Reed’s voice has an earnestness to it - unornamented and not distracting, it makes me think of the beat poets. All of that until you get to The Murder Mystery which moves in and out of structure, cacophony, monophony, and limited melody. After that detour, you get closed out with the bubbly sweet pop of After Hours - the only track to feature female vox front and center, highlighted more so without the presence of drums, bass, or backing vocals.

The album that launched a thousand bands/albums

Man, I wish the rest of the album were like “The Murder Mystery.” I don’t think I’ve ever actually listened to The Velvet Underground before this, but that sort of weird, dark, experimental style was more what I expected. The rest of the album was pretty boring, unfortunately. Feeling charitable - 3.5 rounded up.

4.5 Candy Stay is phenomenal

Really liked it a lot! Mellow and cool, definitely my style

4/5. Super chill and definitely drugged out but there is a sweetness among the lyrics that feels innocent. There is a dark undertone among it all which keeps me on edge but that is a good thing. I enjoyed most of these acoustic songs but some misses (looking at you murder mystery and that's the story) but overall these are very accessible and simple songs that stand the test of time.

What can I say? I mostly live The Velvet Underground. Until they get too bizarre and screechy. That only really happens once on this album. Otherwise this is mostly filled with bangers. 4.5/5

Favorite Songs: What Goes On Some Kinda Love The Murder Mystery After Hours Pretty cool and solid rock album. Catchy but not hard and overall a fun listen.

A really relaxed album, i think velvet underground + nico is More experimental but i prefer this album

Nice introduction.

Kinda ethereal.

Ein wunderbares Album mit einem ganz tollen Klangerlebnis. Die Songs sind zwar etwas ruhiger, aber meisterhaft produziert. Candy Says, What Goes on, Some kinda love, Beginning to see the Light und I'm Set Free gefallen mir besonders gut. The Murder Mystery ist ein besonderes (Kunst)stück. Mit 9:00 Minuten ist es besonders lang und schon etwas crazy. Die Spannung des Songs bleibt erhalten. Ein Highlight.

7 - Cool but not my favorite style

my least favorite album by the velvets, if their other albums didnt exist no one would care about this one

Good stuff

Loved it! There were songs on there that I recognized but never knew who sang them.

A complete surprise. I have to admit to having been 1 of the 'oh, the Velvet Underground blah blah blah.....'. A bit of a large mistake on my part! Great tunes and melodies and quirkiness. It sounds to me like it's quite a simple album, nothing fancy in the recording or the songs but everything is really well crafted. Very tidy album.

some hits some misses. a classic album for a reason, I really enjoyed this one, particularly I'm Set Free, but majority of this album is worth a lesson.

Great until the Murder Mystery. I haven’t felt my enthusiasm die for an album so quickly. Loved the rest of it though!

Great harmonies while instrumental purposely sounding a little rough. I see why so many people mention this group. This was a delightful trip and I will add to my rotation.

3.5/5

I'd never listened to this before. It was really great to listen to it, but it's not something I'll listen to many more times.

This is my second Velvet Underground album and 3rd appearance by Lou Reed for this project. I've never heard any of the songs on this album. With the exception of "Murder Mystery Party" this is way less experimental and dark than "Velvet Underground and Nico" was. The sound and content is still very poetic and raw, but this album alternates between lighter sounding folk-pop and garage tunes. There are more songs about love and relationships and fewer songs about obtaining and using heroin. They still have the same hypnotic quality and the tracklist has the same cinematic build as "and Nico". This was a really good listen, I'm definitely starting to appreciate Lou Reed's position in the halls of great songwriters. I was going to write favorite tracks, but realized I couldn't pick one and that one of my favorite things about this album was the transition and building from track to track. Some songs were almost like punchlines to the previous song ("Jesus" into "Beginning to See the Light" lol). It was cool to hear the rest of the band singing, too, but these are all songs written by Lou Reed.

I loved the drums and the guitars

i have pretty limited exposure to the entire discography of velvet underground - really my entire experience is their first album, so this was an interesting listen. a very subdued, folky album, very different from the other music that i've heard. i really like that it has a different sound and feel than their other stuff. i think i could grow into liking this one a lot, on first listen i definitely appreciated its style.

Good music but not my jam

Just lovely. That song Jesus is terrible. Last two songs amazing, particularly second last. Long and unweildly. Will listen to this more than Nico, which is overrated AF.

Good mix of calm and more energetic songs; reminds me a bit of Parquet Courts, but not probably only because I do not listen to (Indie) Rock a lot. I cannot say much about the lyrics.

Great

Really enjoyed some of the more mellow and experimental songs on here. Lou Reed has unlimited singer/songwriter rizz. I would just like to point out how the song “Murder Mystery” on here is eerily similar to “Chop Suey” by System of a Down

Didn't think I was a Velvet Underground fan and this album surprised me. Nice and mellow. Makes for a smooth easy running. Not breaking any land speed records but I found it nice and relaxing.

Enjoyed, want to listen to this again

Pioneers

Found this album when I was 18. It changed my life.

The albums with Cale are more interesting, but I am not sure they're actually better, though they're also doing radically different things. At any rate, Doug Yule Rules.

wow I forgot how hard "Candy Says" goes.

Classic

And that's a wrap for all the velvet underground on the list. Verdict: not really for me, but they're good, and endless respect to them for sounding Like That back in the 60s.

Classic

Some good songs (what goes on, murder mystery, after hours and pale blue eyes). Can see why it’s seen as a classic. 7/10

really special album, I loved digging into the lore on the wikipedia page and seeing all the drama between band members that influenced the final sound! standouts are definitely the murder mystery and after hours, and candy says was extra special after having been a long-time fan of Reed's Walk on the Wild Side, without realizing they reference the same Candy :)) very cool

As usual, VU delivers a solid album that is streets ahead.

This album has one of my favorite songs of this generation! Rest of album overall is a little slower than I like.

This is a great album!

Na wat eerdere mislukkingen van Lou Reed, nu een best luisterwaardig album. Relaxte sound, af en toe een experimentje, een keer een vrouwelijke vocalist tussendoor. Lekker hoor.

4/5

спокойненько, приятно

Местами интереснее первого альбома, местами более проходное. Более взрослая и взешенная музыка. Но Murder Mystery имба!

Fav: The Murder Mystery

It's cool, it's dark, it murmurs along some important points. Lou Reed doing the production alone, to the disapproval of his bandmates, is truly the rise of an important asshole. I do like that everyone in the band was encouraged to sing and contribute.

Really enjoyed this. Pale Blue Eyes is a gorg song.

Summary: I've only heard their debut album prior to listening to this, and there's a marked difference in quality and professionalism with this album. The songs are mature and tightly arranged. Just an all-round incredibly solid rock album that's on par with Abbey Road for sounding like 1969's future. The majority of the tracks are fire. It's close to being 5 stars, for sure, but the weaker tracks and very questionable "experimental" choices on them hold this album back. Candy Says: A very pretty ballad with an excellent chord progression and melody. Love the confidence on this track compared to their comparably laid-back debut album opener, Sunday Morning. What Goes On: A stronger counterpart to the identically-named track off the Beatles' Rubber Soul. Organs are well-placed and the vocal ensemble lends it a bar-singing vibe. Distorted guitar/horn-sounding solo would be better without the piercing high organ notes over the top. Overall, the song gives a progressive early-70s underground feel. Some Kinda Love: The spread-out mixing on this bluesy, one-chord "talky" song is really fun. A little monotonous, but a good track. Pale Blue Eyes: I've just noticed how great the singing is on this album. Especially in this track, Reed's vocal has this quiet sadness and maturity that's difficult to describe but incredible to witness. Excellent guitar and bass playing here too. My favourite track so far. Reminiscent of Radiohead's No Surprises (which was recorded 28 years later). It's even in the same key! Jesus: Unusual mixing in the intro, but it rebalances after the 30-second mark. A beautiful, quiet track. Beginning To See The Light: A bombastic start to side 2. The chorus (or post-chorus? "Here we go again...") is excellent, and Reed's wild hollering heading into the next verse is pretty hilarious. A great track. I'm Set Free: A good track with a good guitar solo, but otherwise nondescript compared to other quieter songs on the album. Fitting choice of percussion. That's The Story Of My Life: The melody doesn't deviate much here, but interestingly the vocal still ends up shining. The Murder Mystery: A very odd intro with a convincing guitar riff that ends up being the star of the first portion of the song. Confusing two talking vocals at the same time is confusing. These are replaced by two completely new talking vocals, again different and played over each other. It's impossible to keep track of, so the listener tends to focus more on the rhythm section, which (fortunately) is kind of fire. New section at 6:30 is fun but makes the song sound like heavily discount prog. After Hours: Huh? Who's this vocalist? Honestly, this song bops, and it's difficult to explain why. The guitar and singing are extremely simplistic, and there's nothing else there. The lyrics are pretty but naive - and maybe that's exactly why the song shines. It's a simple, blind, naive, childish, beautiful lullaby concluding a great album. Key tracks: Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, Beginning To See The Light, After Hours

Jesus after hours

Soft and quiet. Could put this on any afternoon and a read a book, or give it your full attention. Lot's here to appreciate. Need to delve deeper and relisten to more of VU's catalogue. *Heard before

After hours

thoughts : big fan of the chill vibe overall and really enjoyed the nostalgic, almost childlike, feel of the album. I've only ever listened to some of Lou Reed's solo stuff, but this might make me look into that and VU a little more. favourite tracks : 'The Murder Mystery' and 'After Hours'

3 great tracks on here - (so good I though it might be late Beatles/early Wings) and a bit of experimental mess. Nothing so whacked out it that ruined the album though. A solid 4. My most enjoyable Velvet Underground experience so far.

Liked it more than I expected. Velvet underground is a classic.

Excelente album, te la pasas bien escuchandolo

I was familiar with this album already, but what a treat to listen again and with a new lens to see what I appreciate about it. I really enjoyed it and for some reason, perhaps the recording style always feel likes there's a sense of innocence and light heartedness about TVU. Which I like a lot. Beginning to see the light is perhaps my favourite. A lovely varied album too

Definitely a banger for sure. Not as good as Loaded but still a banger.

This is great, love the vibes. Experimental, fun, unique, original. Wonderful time was had by all. 4/5

Blue eye nice

Some great tunes. Nice chill music to walk to. Light airy

This is a great album. Lou Reed is clearly a major musical influence on a ton of bands that came after. Pale Blue Eyes is a masterpiece of a song.

I've heard the name so many times but this is my first listen. The production is solid. Excited to hear what else they offer. Murder Mystery and After hours are my favorite tracks.

I wasn't expecting such a nice album but I really liked the experience

Very chill album to listen to. I think it stands up nicely to their preceding albums, even if the sound is totally different

Classic.. Candy Says och After Hours är två av mina favoritlåtar och resten är bra

Pale Blue Eyes makes sense as their biggest hit on Spotify, definitely ahead of their time (late 60s but more artsy) Beginning to see the light is a bop - would love on vinyl

A great listen from start to finish, had some standout peaks and also some valleys.