Reviews (page 6 of 15)
Something about that guitar tone man, it's eternal
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
Whilst it doesn’t have the power of the debut album, it does sound like about 90% of the bands I listened to in the 90’s. A blueprint for modern indie
So sweet, and I can see their influence upon…many
This was okay. Some songs were okay (Candy Says, What Goes On) but others weren't great (The Murder Mystery, After Hours). I can see why Wes Anderson likes them; they have a twee, soft-spoken approach most of the time. Not really my speed, though.
Highlights: Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes
I liked this one more than the banana album.
Really enjoyed the vibes of the songs, very soft and relaxing
I enjoyed it, but nothing really stood out.
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.
Unlistenable.
I don’t think I would listen to this again from beginning to end. It started off strong but it felt dull after “some kinda love” but I will say the gem out of this album is “candy says” and I really enjoyed the guitar in “I’m set free”
I’m a Lou Reed fan and Pale Blue Eyes is a classic sad song, but the rest of the album is dull and repetitive until it gets weird and unlistenable.
This pretty much vanished into the background. Couldn’t say if it had a standout track to be honest. Don’t think it’s a bad album, just a bit innocuous.
A fantastic album - all the more remarkable because it's probably not their best.
After White Light White Heat letting me down I was worried about this one. Didn't need to be fantastic album.
First Velvet Underground project I like 3
Achei experimental demais. Pale Blue Eyes é a melhor do álbum.
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
#43 Not these guys again
(4.5) I do not play about Sunday Morning Favorite Tracks: Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, I'll Be Your Mirror, There She Goes Again, Heroin
good songs on it, some songs weren’t for me
Just not my thing ig
Love this album. Brilliant.
No private session used for Spotify. This is a much more approachable album for the Velvet Underground. I listened to it a couple times and should listen to it a couple more.
Great songs with a couple of oddities I had not heard before.
Not bad but some songs too similar for my liking.
C'est cool, c'est chill, c'est Velvet. 4.25 étoiles
Twas alright.
cute cute album!! i could def get into this band…murder mystery was kinda fun to listen to….maybe just a one time listen tho LMAOO but the album as a whole is great!! 7.5/10
Liked Songs: - Candy Says - What Goes On - Pale Blue Eyes - After Hours
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
Would’ve been 5 stars but then that song jail bait came on. Pretty dusty lyrics from a 35 year old. Eww.
Quiet, tender, and somehow more subversive than the loud stuff. Rating: 4.9/5 Short Review: This album is restraint as rebellion. Soft songs about loneliness, intimacy, and small human moments that feel radical because they refuse spectacle. It sounds gentle, but it rewires you slowly. Favorite Track: Pale Blue Eyes. Simple, devastating, and impossible to shake.
I love everything about this album! My favorite songs are Candy says, Pale Blue Eyes and Murder Mystery.
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
Not my vibe so I didn't listen to all of it but I'll definitely have another listen one day
so sad. :(
Took two listens to fully get it but great piece of work.
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.
Not my pick for Velvet’s best but a solid album
this was a good one to listen to while working except i really wasn't a fan of the murder mystery. and that's a long one so it's sort of bringing the rating down. i get why pale blue eyes is the most streamed one on here, i liked that one.
A bit more straghtforward than their previous releases, but no John Cale, so it's only so-so.
I realized I really only dig VU without some of the chore experimental stuff.
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.
7/10
3.5
I like the pared down sound. Peaceful and prodding. But the album didn't grab my attention so much.
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.
9 Minutenlied ist weird
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.
mid
Bland, repetitive, skippable
I just don't get the hype, I really don't. I almost feel kind of bad about it but :/ Some of what's happening on The Murder Mystery is pretty interesting. Pale Blue Eyes is alright. None of it is BAD, really, but it's not the kind of music I listen to and then immediately think "holy shit I need to start a BAND". I'm glad it works so well for some people though
(97/100)
Actually hadn't listened to this all the way through.
Was already a fav of mine - a go to album for when I'm trying to get to sleep or a rainy day. Every time I listen to this album I'm reminded of the first time I listened to it in full. I'd gotten the keys to my first ever flat in the city and spent so long getting my new room decorated that I had to get a late train back to my Parents' house so I listened to this on the walk through the rain to the train station. Pale blue eyes is one of my favourite songs of all time
not my cup of tea, non ho ascoltato tutte le canzoni
2. A chill rock album. When you wake up make/drink coffee and get ready and you don't want something loud, energetic(?). When you want to listen to rock but your head hurts.
Now I'm worried I'm getting too much in my comfort zone. Two albums composed by Lou Reed in the first ten selections. Not necessarily the best Velvets album, but they only made four and they're all great - and groundbreaking. This allegedly had some of those "pretty" songs that caused dissension with John Cale - but Cale himself wrote a bunch of pretty songs that sound a lot like these on Vintage Violence and Paris 1919, not so long after. Anyway, this is a wonderful record with very restrained performances of some of Lou's best songs, including "Pale Blue Eyes" and "Candy Says." I must admit I did not realize until recently that Leonard Cohen's first record must have made a huge impression, because you can hear his influence in "Jesus" and "Story of My Life." And of course, Mo gently singing "Afterhours" immediately after the fractious experimentation of Murder Mystery seals the deal.
This is more accessible than both White Light/White Heat and the stupid banana bollocks. That does not make it good.
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.
What a load of pretentious BS. Can anyone tell me what they actually like about the album? Because I couldn't really find anything. 1/5
Good. Can tell John Cale is not in the band
Nice
3.7 if i could
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.
achei repetitivo
Bored me to tears
I liked track #1 but every track afterwards hurt my ears bro
Too messy
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
Too religious, but ok
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
6.9/10 pretty good but lacks that something to make it great
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
As a beattle fan this album gave me a similar vibe. Pleasantly surprised. 3.7/5
Good compositions
Не мое но вайб классный
First track is very bass heavy almost to an unpleasant extent which is a shame because it's a nice song. Overall very easy listening. I understand the appeal and the musical significance of this era of music, not something I would really choose. Quite enjoying The Murder Mystery though
This challenging listen is essential to understand so many genres. Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground broke through as many walls as they could with this one recording. I'll probably never listen to it again but I am glad I listened to it now.
I liked much of this, but the more avant-garde tracks were unpalatable.
Great album did not know of the experimental portion of the catalogue.
I want to like this. I feel like I’m missing something.
Didn't really like it as the vocals are too drab.
While not a big fan of The Velvet Underground, I certainly recognize the creativity of their music.
I really like this band but this feels a little try hard. It’s borderline pretentious and it’s nowhere near as good as the Black Album.
For some reason not what I was expecting, but they're v chill, weird quiet stuff with gentle acoustic guitar, etc. Rating lower just because 1 v long song was actively unpleasant to listen to (The Murder Mystery), but otherwise enjoyed if in the mood for that vibe
4eme album avec Lou Reed =>2/5 Rien d'original dans ce disque qui présente un pop/rock très standard, sauf dans 'The Murder Mystery', morceau différent (structure) et intéressant. Par ailleurs les morceaux lents sont très ennuyeux, les plus dynamiques passent mieux. Certains présentent des plages instrumentales avec des chorus plutôt réussis. Un point positif : LR ne chante pas sur tous les morceaux, un vrai soulagement qui lui évite la note minimale ...
Gentle songs brought on by hard drugs. TVU&N might have launched a thousand bands, but decades later, more bands sound like this record. I could see this growing into a five-star. For now, I just feel a gap between my preference for this and their first two albums (especially White Light/White Heat).
Very beautiful album!
Not what I was expecting based on previous VU listening. Instead of another experimental rock outing, we were treated with something more beautiful. Really enjoyed this one.
Genius
Not bad. Very listenable but nothing I was super excited about. Kinda like you can just bop your head along and sing along a little
Eh? Sure?
Nice
Laid back rock, can tell its age. Somewhat jazzy with the beat. Very Very unique, so far like a 5/10. In my opinion not worth another listen final is like 5.6/10 3/5*
Not a fan
Crazy that this came out in 1969, way ahead of its time.
mid
Throughly enjoyed this. I’ve never listened to an entire album of theirs before and I’m glad this one came up, great stuff.
I feel like I’m missing something here with all the high scoring reviews but I didn’t really get into this. It was a chill album but felt slow and listless at times. The closing track was the only one that stood out for me.
Wish it would have snowed.
Loved this. Guitar tone and songwriting was great. Interesting and weird but moreish. Good stuff
Pretty relaxing album from cover to cover. Simple rhythms and meaningful lyrics.
Some laid back folk/pop rock. Not what I expected from The Velvet Underground as this was my first time listening to them, but it was ok. Hard to believe this is 1969 as it sounds pretty fresh to this day - smooth, laid back clear production and vocals. However, there’s nothing here that sticks out to me and I’ll likely never revisit. It’s fine to have on in the background while I’m doing something else.
Big fan of the Velvet Underground - although my listening never really went beyond the first album and a greatest hits - so I had not listened to this album as a whole previously although I know half the tracks. Its surprisingly mellow and a little bit slight - although it does feature one of my favourite songs of all time - Pale Blue Eyes - and on the basis of this one song alone it scores a 5.
Really enjoyable album. Not any hits of Velvet Underground that I knew, but a collection of good tunes.
Yeah nah, this is awesome.
Pale Blue Eyes is the obvious standout.
Day 109 My first tube listening to a Velvet Underground album despite how influential they are to a lot of my favourite bands 7/10 Highlights Pale Blue Eyes I’m set Free After Hours
Pale Blue Eyes - a banger as always, album very listenable even in 2025
The velvets go soft.
Good but they're better with Nico.
chicos que lloran pero rockeritos indie, algo bien
Thought of this record as my mountaintop. Thought of it as my peak. Thought of it as everything I had and fortunately I could keep. 20/10
posiblemente mi menos favorito de los cuatro discos de los velvet, pero la vara está altísima. pensé en darle 4 pa diferenciar pero un disco que abre con candy says y cierra con after hours no puede ser menos que un 5. the murder mystery rifa y me encanta que esté aquí aunque evite que lo ponga en entornos sociales xd
Quite a dreamy feel to the album with Pale Blue eyes the obvious stand out. Beginning to see the light injects a welcome bit of life to the latter part of the album. Enjoyable but by no means a classic
I remember literally nothing about this album - which at least means I didn’t hate it with an industrious fury, like I was expecting.
One of those occasions where I was incredibly aware of the artist name, but completely oblivious to the music (at least on this album), and I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't Candy Says, which is sort of 50s high school slow dance. This was a perfectly fine album to have as background music, but only made me properly pay attention to it twice. Pale Blue Eyes was the first occasion, when the lyrics made my brain go "Wait! Whose wife was Lou Reed shagging?!". The second occasion was The Murder Mystery, which was beautifully weird and clearly where The Strokes got all those "just ripping off The Velvet Underground" comments from. Were it not so long, I would say it's my favourite song on the record. A hard one to mark, but I'm settling on 3/5
Jeez, if I were trying to appeal to myself with a masterpiece record I’d definitely make the cover B&W at this point.
Pretty good (much better than White Light / White Heat, though that's not saying much), if not a bit light.
Velvety as hell. Always loved this one as a teen getting into the VU in high school. Candy Says as an opener is such a good lullaby into this new world of soft rock. The first alternative rock record? Pale Blue Eyes and Beginning to See the Light are my faves because I think they’re contenders for the best music ever put on wax.
Ett band dom hittat hem, sitt sound och dessutom lärt sig spela under tiden. Borta är den taffligt spelade flumrocken från bananen. Kvar finns enkla fina melodier fulla av sårbarhet och värme. Höjdpunkterna är förstås "Candy says" och "Pale blue eyes" som är fullständigt fantastiska i sin enkelhet. Men "I'm set free", "Jesus", "After hours" och "That's the story of my life" är alla också underbara. Var det Dagge som nämnde Belle & Sebastian förra gången? Jag tycket den referensen sitter mycket bättre här, så här låter B&S när dom är som bäst, i synnerhet "That's the story of my life". Sen får John Cale leka av sig ordentligt på "Murder mystery" också och han gör det med tämligen gott resultat, den blir rätt kul och bryter av förtjänstfullt. Det är egentligen bara "Beginning to see the light" som jag inte har mycket till övers för, känns som nån skåpmat som blev över från bananen. Här blir VU inte bara ett biktigt band utan ett bra band. En stabil fyra
Mjukare och mer melodisk, mindre avantgardistisk skulle man kunna säga, än bananskivan. Om det var orsakat av att deras instrument blev stulna eller ej, verkar bero på vilken bandmedlem du lyssnar på. Oavsett. Jag gillar verkligen låtar som Pale blue eyes, Candy says och Beginning to see the light och I’m set free.
Betydligt softare än bananplattan. Också mycket tristare. Enformigt. Det händer sannerligen inte mycket. Låtarna är i regel 4 min, men det känns som om VU maler på i minst åtta, nio gång efter gång. Det blir lite roligare med Begining to see the light och I’m set free, men det är marginellt. Sen kommer The murder mystery och gör det värre igen (8 min känns som 25).
Vissa album växer på mig. Det här krymper. Jag gillar det mindre för varje genomlyssning. Låter till sist som ett gäng pretentiösa estetelever som repeterar.
Delightfully weird as always, Velvet Underground
Blir bare bedre og bedre
Really great although didn’t hit as hard towards the end
Meh
I have a bit of a hard time understanding the greatness with Velvet Underground. There is not band that sounds quite like them, I'll give them that. But is that enough to warrant a page in the history book? Overall this was quite and eventless album. No energy. Most songs almost felt like ballads, or something closely resembling that. That can be fine for sure, but it does make the album a bit boring in my opinion. Lou Reed's singing can also get a bit too much after a while. Overall it was decent, but can't say I enjoyed it that much. Weak 3.
A snooze of an album. Only "Pale Blue Eye" is worth a listen and it's a really good song at that. Strong 2.
Meget anderledes end det første de lavede. Det her er mere slowcore / dream-folk og proto indie rock. Det har sådan en lo-fi lyd som er lidt skrattet. Det kom ud i en periode hvor hipsterbevægelsen var på sit største. Det er et mere poetisk take end provakatør take fra det første album. Det er meget tidligt inspiration til slowdive og hele shoegaze genren. Det er meget sårbart, melankolsk og til et reflekterende humør. Jeg synes egentlig det var meget godt, men det falder også lige i min smag. ER lidt bange for det bliver sådan en "jeg ved at jeg kan lide det her" og jeg så jeg nyder det meget mere end rent faktisk at prøve at lægge mærke til hvad jeg synes gør det godt. Så jeg føler lidt jeg skal revisit det her og gerne snarest.
I've listened to this album many times before. Not much to say, simply great.
I might not be cool enough for The Velvet Underground and it feels like one of those times where even asking myself that question means that it's probably true. Fortunately, by this recored, Lou, Doug, Sterling, and Moe also seemed to question whether they were cool enough for The Velvet Underground. Legend has it that Lou Reed pushed to make this softer/folkier/pop record instead of a more direct follow-up to 1968's White Light / White Heat. Choosing to subvert their own sound is the most punk rock think they could do, and that somehow makes this as proto-punk as their other albums. Sonically, there's nothing avant-garde here except for "The Murder Mystery" and, without the context of the preceding albums, there's not a whole lot to discuss about the record. The band all shared lead vocal duties across the album, so that adds some flavor. They must have felt similarly underwhelmed because they just let this record be self titled instead of bothering to name it. Welp, yawn to the next one! "Candy Says" "What Goes On" "Pale Blue Eyes" (a cult classic!) "The Murder Mystery" "After Hours"
Nice! Some songs were weird. But I liked it
Pretty good
Good
Had to go back to finish it. Experimental and not in a good way. Im certain it was influential given the time of its release but it is just such an unpleasant long tiresome listen i cant put up with it. I thought it was because i was listening on way back from work so listened when i was more energetic but it still put me to sleep and bored me senseless
absolutely one of the best albums ever recorded.
i thought this was like hard rock but it was chill. nothing stood out to me really
its alr! not my vibe tho but pale blue eyes and. after hours r lit
it's worth sitting through this if solely for the murder mystery
miss nico just wish I could have her back 😢
shame there are no half stars but it is what it is
gives me really nice nostalgia
Boring.
I didn’t really get into this, but kind of see at alternative music in ‘69 instead of the Beatles and such.
different. all over. songs? original.
It's a good album. A solid end of 60s rock album. Psychadelia, folk rock and straightforward rock n roll. Nothing mind-blowing, but a nice listen. 3.5/5
At first you’re like “cool” but after gmhslf the album you’re like “ok I get it.”
Wauw had het nooit geluisterd, maar echt onwijs vet.
Not the best they did but, hey, it's still Velvet Underground
Want to listen again, but extremely solid
I really enjoyed Pale Blue Eyes- very catching and I found myself singing along with it even during the first listen. The Murder Mystery Song was excellent. I miss the days of artist being free to bring politics and societal issues into their music.
This is super solid 60s underground rock. Good production value, good songs, lush music. I really like this except for The Murder Mystery, which is a confusing addition.
I do appreciate that this album is very diverse stylistically. The downside being that some songs I enjoy much more than others. The first half of the album felt more like classic rock, but then it felt like the band evolved into something more experimental during the making of the album. I didn’t vibe with a few of the later tracks but it was interesting to see the evolution.
I enjoy their first two albums more, but this one is pretty good as well. 7/10 Favourite track: What Goes On
Very good, a little experimental at the end but enjoyed the listen
Decent
Lowkey revelatory.
Es schwankte von nervig bis echt in Ordnung.
Nice
If I took LSD, then I think it would be cool to be listening to this when I did. Sounds a bit like I imagine the trip to be... mellow at the start, a descent into shite at the end (except for the jolly final track).
👍
Not their best
Groovy fun.
J’ai écouté cet album en travaillant, et je me suis surprise à m’arrêter plusieurs fois pour en apprécier certains passages.
Mueeeeh
Boh, non mi ha detto nulla
It's not bad per se, and miles better than I was anticipating after having experienced some of the material The Velvet Underground released with Nico. It's just ... a little boring. None of the songs were particularly noteworthy. 2.5/5
Read one review that said this is the studio album by The velvet Underground that sounds least like the Velvet Underground. It's interesting that this is the studio album by The Velvet Underground that I've enjoyed the most.
pretty solid. i hadn't listened to this album specifically before, but i'd heard other songs by them plenty before, so i was excited to check this one out. overall i really enjoyed it, but a couple songs specifically like jesus and the murder mystery i found a little lacking. i'll likely come back to this one for sure. standout tracks: candy says, what goes on, beginning to see the light
I didn’t really get this one. It’s not bad but it’s just like depressed Beatles imo
3.4/5 Surprisingly good, I expected a different vibe. Jamming out to this while shaving and cutting my hair means that it's solid. Not completely what I'd intentionally listen to, but it fills the role of background music really well.
Different than the other Velvet underground’s discogory. Shows their versatility.
2,9/5
9/10 I find it hard to believe this came out in 1969 - it's sound feels so much more modern than a lot of the other music from that time. One of the big influences on all things indie, so I got to love it
Weird Christian twinge on this. It's fine but not much special.
Well, that was a really fun art rock album. I can completely see why they got hype early and stayed hyped.
Beautiful album. Simpler and quieter than their later works. Vocals are fantastic. Very difficult to pick favourites. Favourites: Candy Says What Goes On That's The Story Of My Life The Murder Mystery
Not bad but a little annoying at times.
Inventive, fun, weird.
Good listen. Influential. Just not enough replay ability to be higher for me
Not a fan of Lou Reed, therefore, not a fan of Velvet , and they should stay Underground. 2
VU really missed John Cale
Every time I listen to the Velvet Underground I feel like I’m not cool enough to listen to the Velvet Underground. This was solid.
Decent folksy/rockly ballad album
I think this was better than the other album but just barely
Great Album. Experimental tunes stand beside great catchy rock/pop songs. Fav: The Murder Mystery
(3.5)
I’m not sure why I think this is a 4 star album but here we are. 🤷🏼♂️
Pretty good
I only liked the one album they did with Nico and Andy Warhol. I prefer her voice over anyone else.
It was the 60's. There were drugs. The only highlight I got was Pale Blue Eyes .. and that's a stretch. Listened before: N Saved tracks: N Favorite track(s): Pale Blue Eyes 🤷🏼♀️ ⭐⭐ No like. No hate. No saves.
On the cover they look how I feel listening to this: bored and kind of sad. I definitely do not like The Murder Mystery. If the goal there was to make me deeply unsettled, good job. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Beginning To See The Light. ⭐⭐: Didn't like it, didn't hate it. Saved no tracks.
The murder mystery is an incredible song. Everything else is unlistenable. Lou reed may have done some things first, but everyone else does those things better.
Places I don’t enjoy Velvet Underground: At the grocery astore. In my car. Perhaps I should listen to the next one in a box or with a fox.
Still not quite grasping what the big deal was.
A lot more accessible than I expected - I quite enjoyed it.
There’s a tension and disconnection that seems to permeate the guitars. A lot of the songs are folksy, but then you hear the electric guitar come in almost impatiently and overly assert its presence. It works, oddly enough.
Hammer Album
This is one of my go-to albums when I have a migraine. So you might say this album has the power to heal. ❤️🩹
I actually quit enjoyed this. It was a lot calmer than the debut. But, still kept up some weirdness (particularly the penultimate track). I couldn't resist and read all about it. It's a shame John Cale got the boot. Amps underwater! That would have been good! I will say, I didn't miss the droning guitars... But maybe I should not say that out loud. 4 stars.
This album is like taking a sick day from work because you’re stressed and feeling burnt out. You think it could be worth going and doing some sort of outdoor activity but you looked at your phone when you woke up and saw there was a hit and run not far from your house and it just made you uninspired to get out of bed.
I thought it'd be "cooler"
Beautifully gentle
I really like the track order. The songs flow together really nicely. I have known the closing track After Hours for some time, and quite like it
I've been a big fan of the debut for a long time, but hadn't listened to this classic until now, apart from some of the big hitters. Candy Says is a gorgeous opening track, and I was also familiar with Pale Blue Eyes as one of my favourite love songs for hungover mornings. After Hours was the other I knew going in although less well. Other tracks are more classic Velvet Underground, although with a more subdued feel than the debut (I've not yet listened to White Light/White Heat so can't compare.) Goes to show maybe how much John Cale was pushing the experimental side of the band. . The Murder Mystery is a cool experiment and develops nicely over it's run-time.
This is a tough one to rate. I dig it, but not enough to fully give it a 4 star. I can hear this as a predecessor to so many different bands and albums. From Radiohead to Belle and Sebastian to Sonic Youth, I can hear its influence being echoed. I played it a couple times and it stuck with me, but just not enough to land that 4th star. I might come back to it though. 3.75
pas mal, ca chante bien 4
Not my favorite VU album
This is #day442 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to my second VU record on this journey. It's a different beast, though: less edgy, more warm, but that's probably what makes it special. "Candy Says," "Pale Blue Eyes," and "I'm Set Free" aren't just some of their best; they're among the most signature songs of the '60s. Intimate and beautiful, there's still a "leftover" from the band's earlier days in the form of "The Murder Mystery." Still, this is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day443.
Some ok songs mixed with some weird stuff. More neven for me than groundbreaking.
pretty pretty good
I don't mind the Velvets, but this was a bit of a dirge if I'm honest, and didn't capture my attention. One listen perhaps isn't enough. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit 🫳 maybe I should ★★★☆☆ (5/10)
nop
Not surprising that I really enjoyed this, always loved Velvet Underground.
The Velvet Underground — третий альбом американской рок-группы The Velvet Underground. Выпущенный в марте 1969 года на MGM Records, он стал их первой записью с Дугом Юлом, который заменил предыдущего участника Джона Кейла. Записанный в 1968 году в TTG Studios в Лос-Анджелесе, альбом, состоящий в основном из баллад и простых рок-песен, заметно отличается по стилю от предыдущих записей группы. Вокалист Лу Рид намеренно сделал это в результате резкого предыдущего альбома White Light/White Heat. Рид хотел, чтобы в альбоме пели и другие участники группы; Юл исполнил вокальные партии в некоторых композициях, а заключительную композицию «After Hours» спела барабанщица Мо Такер. Тематически The Velvet Underground посвящён любви, что контрастирует с предыдущими релизами группы. Рид разработал порядок треков и основывал свои песни на отношениях и религии. Песня «Pale Blue Eyes» была названа одной из его лучших песен о любви, а «The Murder Mystery» была отмечена за эксперименты, как возвращение к White Light/White Heat. Билли Нэйм сделал фотографию альбома, на которой группа сидит на диване на «Фабрике Энди Уорхола». Процесс записи начался в кратчайшие сроки, и хотя у группы был высокий моральный дух, в конечном итоге они были разочарованы тем, что Рид создал свой собственный микс из финального варианта. Современные рецензии высоко оценили альбом, который стал поворотным моментом для группы. Тем не менее, The Velvet Underground не попал в чарты, опять же из-за недостатка продвижения со стороны звукозаписывающего лейбла группы. Рид играл доминирующую роль в процессе микширования, и был выпущен его собственный микс альбома, названный «closet mix», в то время как звукорежиссёр Вэл Валентайн создал более распространённый микс. Ретроспективные обзоры назвали его одним из величайших альбомов десятилетия 1960-х годов и всех времён, при этом многие критики отмечали его сдержанное производство и личные тексты. В 2020 году журнал Rolling Stone поставил его на 143 место в списке 500 величайших альбомов всех времён. 1. Candy Says - нежнятинка с самого начала. Очень успокаивающая. Гитара очень приятная. Слегка блюзовое? Из-за ду-воп мелодии. Мне очень нравится. 2. What Goes On - бодренькая. Ничего особенного выделить не могу 3. Some Kinda Love - достаточно простенькая. Приятная, но так же ничего особенного выделить не могу, на протяжении всей песни мелодия ровная. 4. Pale Blue Eyes - красиво. По настроению мне напоминает первый трек в альбоме. Не знаю, какой инструмент начинает играть в середине в правом наушнике, гитара? Хорошее дополнение. Эту песню как будто очень хорошо спеть под гитару в кругу семьи/друзей. 5. Jesus - очень нравятся небольшие акапельные вставки. 6. Beginning To See The Light - ничего особенного выделить не могу. 7. I'm Set Free - нравится инструментал в те моменты, когда затихает барабан. 8. That's The Story Of My Life - простенько и по тексту, и по музыке. Песня ещё и всего 2 минуты идёт. Как будто бы ничего в альбом не приносит. 9. The Murder Mystery - и внезапно песня на 9 минут. Уже интересненько, экспериментально. Очень выделяется среди других треков, вообще другое настроение. Читать текст даже не пыталась, что-то дико концептуальное, что я всё равно не пойму. У песни какое-то... тревожное настроение, что ли. Хаотичная, абсурдная. Это интересно на разбор и прослушивание раз в какое-то количество времени, а вот на постоянке слушать тяжеловато. Но и это имеет место быть, любопытно. Внезапно долбанули каким-то звуком в правое ухо. Дикая долбёжка по фортепиано в конце. Как я и говорила, тревожное настроение, надо бы почитать, о чём текст вообще. 10. After Hours - поёт барабанщица группы. Милый голос. Коротенькая песня, тоже на 2 минуты всего. Интересное настроение, почитала, что похоже на музыку времён "Великой депрессии", есть такое. У меня неоднозначные впечатления от этого альбома. Некоторые песни мне очень понравились, а некоторые не оставили вообще никакого впечатления. Если бы все треки были в духе первого и четвёртого, мне бы очень зашёл этот альбом. Возможно, некоторые песни зайдут лучше после ещё одного прослушивания. Девятый трек очень странный, я такое люблю чисто ради впечатлений, не представляю, как это слушать постоянно. В общем, я просто не понимаю этот альбом, наверное так будет лучше сказать. Добавила себе только Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus и с натяжкой добавила I'm Set Free. Но за эксперименты, некоторые приятные инструменталы и голоса поставлю 2 звёзды.
Amazing. I’ve listed before, but was happy to listen again. Took me way to long to give this a shot.
Probably my favorite VU album. Some of the songs on this album sound like they could've come out this decade. Neat stuff. Favorite track: Candy Says 4.5/5
Not having it, like they took the Beatles idea of being n LSD when recording without the creative product. Boring, slow and just confusing. Not sure what elements of the album can even be described as influential. Murder Mystery is god awful and a right mess of 8 minutes. Won't be listening again. Gets a 2 purely on pale blue eyes and some kinda love which were just alright.
As mellow, dull and boring as fall weather. While you are inside, and dry. With nothing to do. Maybe having a tea. Wait, this actually doesn't sound so bad.
Not bad at all. For 1969 it sure felt like I was listening to the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack but with a splash of the Beatles.
If they were part of the “British Invasion” (Beatles, Stones, Monkeys, etc), then they were the worst part. This album was milquetoast at best.
So quirky! I wouldn't go out of my way toto listen to this again but it was a fun time
Something something this is an influential group and album, but it didn't resonate with me. I'm becoming a broken record with a lot of these late '60's and early '70's groups. The production quality of this album in particular was really muted and poor. I have a weird feeling it was on purpose. But what else can I say? I just didn't like it.
on the border between forgettable and annoying
Hard and quiet
Võibolla ei keskendunud piisavalt albumi kuulamise ajal, aga minu jaoks jäid lood enamjaolt väga sarnaseks ja raske on neid eristada. Kõigil on nii sarnane kõla ja pillide balanss. Seega kahju, et midagi konkreetset ei jäänud meelde väga. Tore kuulamine iga ja 2 lugu (Candy Says ja Pale Blue Eyes) jätsin isegi Spotify Liked Songs sekka, aga album tervikuna pole tänapäeva kontekstis väga märkimisväärne. Tugevaim mõte, mis albumis minus tekitas, on see, et ma peaks rohkem ja keskendunumalt sõnu kuulama ning tekitama sellest harjumuse (sest praegu ma reaalselt ei oska sõnu kuulata). Jääb tunne, et kui teha need lood ümber natuke modernsema ja erilisema produga, siis nad jääksid rohkem kõrvu.
Muy adelantado a su época
I liked the other VU albums I've listened to better.
Strong start, was a nice album which I really enjoyed, track 2 was a bit noisy.
'Chill' is seldom haunting, and it's almost never visceral, but The VU typify both of those qualities on their third release, the 'chillest' of their five, the one that can be said to approximate easy listening, but which nonetheless cultivates a sense of the desperate and the tragic. Lou Reed's lyricism is as clear it's ever been, cutting to the bone, not only making something out very little but having the heart to respect the immensity of our living years: 'Candy says I hate the big decisions / That cause endless revisions / In my mind'; 'I wore my teeth in my hands / So I could mess the hair of the night'; 'I'm set free / I'm set free to find a new illusion.' And as always, tho unlike everything before or since, The VU don't just imply - they live - rock 'n' roll.
3.4 2x walking around Bozeman
3.5
OK sans plus.
Ah yes, another Velvet Underground album. I keep getting told how important this band was, and this is the third album from the band in this book. I do enjoy the solo records by members of this band, especially 1919 from John Cale, but I can't help but believe there isn't much on here that justifies its inclusion. I am starting to believe Velvet Underground is considered one of the most important bands ever simply because so many people say they are one of the most important bands ever. For me, including three albums by one band is saying, "This was a great band that consistently put out great albums," and I don't believe that is true for the Velvet Underground. They were influential and deservedly so. There are good songs on the album but if this were by a band not named "Velvet Underground" then I don't know if it would be in the book. My favorite songs were: Candy Says What Goes On Pale Blue Eyes Beginning to See the Light That's the Story of My Life
Classic 60s album, mellow and introspective. It captures the feeling of being an outsider, and finding yourself in situations that hurt you even as they feel comforting in the moment. Very strange and bittersweet space where you know you should move on and better yourself, but struggle to let go. Instrumentation has a very classical, restrained approach, nothing flashy, soft percussion, gentle bass, and delicate guitar strums. Gives the songs a fragile, intimate feeling. I like how the instrumentation is played harder or softer depending on the emotion being expressed in the lyrics, dynamics are used quite well. it’s subtle but it makes difference. Themes revolve around love, gender identity, drug addiction, and anxiety. Everything sound very tender, emotionally heavy and vulnerable. Candy Says is very powerful considering how progressive it was for its time, Pale Blue Eyes is a classic love song mentioning both guilt and repetition like stuck in the loop of an old affair and longing that person, or that feeling? After Hours is the one I relate to most in my personal life especially however.
That was a pleasant listen. It's nowhere as good as the first album but because of its less intrusive nature it goes on my background playlist. A solid 4 out of 5
I feel like this record was ahead of its time. I feel like some of the instrumentation sounds modern. Favourite Track(s): Some Kinda Love, The Murder Mystery Least Favourite Track(s): Jesus
Definitely not my jam
Lou Reed is so fucking cool. The Beatles are the most important band in history but I think Velvet Underground are the coolest band in history. I have no idea how they invented this sound, kinda glad it was such a pressure cooker/flash in the pan that just went on to live out forever in numerous influences, most nakedly and I think maybe my favorite in Jonathan Richman/the Modern Lovers, though I think it's fair to say literally thousands of bands built on this sound and aesthetic. But also thankful that we got all of Lou Reeds wild and wacky solo career. Pale Blue Eyes is a top 40 all time song for me and for some reason I was immediately compelled to put it on my funeral playlist. Not a band song on the album I don't think but beginning to see the light is also great. Huge pavement influence heard very clearly on The Murder Mystery.
Solid melodic pre-punk that gets a little experimental at times. Liked Songs Added: What Goes On Pale Blue Eyes
Perfekter Soundtrack für Herbsttag mit Nebeldecke...heute der Fall. Beginning to see light gibt Beatles-Vibes und The Murder Mystery macht mich wahnsinnig. Aber lovely ehrlich alles zusammen. Würde die Schallplatte mal auflegen.
balsam fuer d oohre
Tönt vlt blöd aber git mer mega Proto-Indie-Rock vibes? Han es paar Double Takes müesse mache ufs Release-Johr vo dem Album. Ja indie-Rock ish au eher es genre wo oft eppis älters emuliert aber glich sho sache ghört wo stärcher galteret hend als das Album. Also du chöntsh es ine Playlist tue miteme Mac DeMarco & The Cooks und es würd ned usesteche. Usnahme zu dem Statement: Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus. Defür den Tracks wie Murder Mystery wo wieder so modern töned. Ish au so de Stand out Track für mich. Letscht Track (After Hours) het mich jez au easy ghitted gha als epper wo sich au selber gern mol isoliert. TLDR: Sehr toll, sehr moody, ziitlos und sweet
Decent album. I just found The Murder Mystery quite messy.
85
I had no idea what to expect, and this was oddly comforting. Interesting experimental tracks that sounds like schizo-audio hallucinations. Wierd. I like it.
I get it is influential and creative, but as a pure listening experience I can get why nobody cared at Andy Warhol's party in the 60s.
Høyrt masse på denne, held seg godt.
Kinda dull and lame? Nothing that I will remember.
Just got back from the gym, still buzzing - figured I’d cool down with The Velvet Underground. Honestly? Bit of a letdown. I was expecting raw edge or at least some punch, but this one's all soft tones and quiet introspection. I get that it’s more reflective than their earlier stuff, but it drifted by like a daydream I kept forgetting I was having. Some tracks are tender in a good way (“Pale Blue Eyes” is nice), but most of it just kind of floats - too hushed, too tame, and too samey by the end. After lifting heavy, I needed something with spine. This felt like a shrug.
Very easy and fun album to listen to, best way to describe is a vibe, definitely more accessible then the banana album (not saying that’s bad, just that this is a very easy way to get into the velvet underground) a few songs as well that are some of my favourite from the group too, maybe not as iconic but should not be slept on
masterpiece
o álbum inicia de forma bem agradável, a primeira música é extremamente tranquila e deu uma aquecida no coração, seguindo para a segundo que deu uma agitada mas sem perder a essência.
Не мое…
The Velvets ... one of those things that are cool because they're cool, or cool people thought they were cool ... Whatever. I never understood the appeal.
Some days this is my favourite Velvets album, What Goes On the best song. What a band
Surreal experience. I hadn't listened to this album before, but I've listened to a lot of bands and artists who were clearly inspired by it
Schönes Album. Sehr ruhig. gut als hintergrmusik oder zum nachdenken
Not much reaction to this until The Murder Mystery came on, which I found excessively irritating. I understand it's experimental, but I hated having to hear it. I don't think the Velvet Underground are for me.
I don't know how to feel about this one. It's not bad but I didn't really like it that much.
Good but not as memorable as the banana one.
After two very.....transgressive albums, the Velvet Underground's third is a huge departure. The dissonance is almost entirely gone, as are most of the exotic topics. There is still some experimentation going on, as with "The Murder Mystery," (which I'm honestly not even sure how to listen to), but overall these are low-key, noise-free tunes, melodic and quiet. "Candy Says" and "Pale Blue Eyes" are some of the VU's best songs. And as much as I'm a big White Light/White Heat guy, this album is far more listenable. FOUR STARS
Very solid, but it helps that I know this music already
*1967. Psychedelic rock. *I had trouble getting through this one - it was fine, just boring. *Decent background music. RATING - 6/10
Wasn't really a fan back in the day, and I'm still not. The music on "The Murder Mystery" reminded me of The Doors.
Fun fact: Better than most Beatles albums
First time listening to this album. Some very good songs. enjoyed it.
Candy Says What Goes On Pale Blue Eyes Jesus
Mastering is pretty bad. Instruments bleed into each other and the bass is overdone in post editing. It sounds like everything has a low pass filter. Music itself was dull, made worse by the already bad mastering.
Such a beautiful album. Thank you Lou Reed for writing Candy Says. 🏳️⚧️
Interesting listen because I'd always listened to either Loaded or Velvet Underground with Nico (the banana Warhol album). This one was a lot more down tempo and didn't have the bangers. Glad I listened but not my favorite of theirs... yet.
Solid stuff
I don't care for Lou Reed's voice and I think The Velvet Underground are largely overrated. But this album wasn't too bad. It was cruising for a high 3 star rating but then it ended on a shitty note with the bizarre (and not in a good way) "The Murder Mystery." Left a yucky taste, so I grant this album a begrudging 3 stars rather than a curious and optimistic 3 stars.
Ok, pale blue eyes is a great song
It has 3/4 classics but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece. Very folky in a way, an intersection between that and beat poetry in many ways. Lou could really sing and had a lovely voice.
Stark 3a. Fin musik, unik, före sin tid. Lite för långsam och tråkig för min smak. Inslag av blues. + after hours , pale blue eyes (lyssnat på förut)
Had not heard this before today, loved it. Don’t know why I shied away from VU, but I suppose my taste has become more eclectic as I have got older.
questo + the delle 5 + studio di funzione
Cutesy vibe, for chill atmosphere
It was ok. The good songs were very good but a few of them were annoying
A gentle and melodic listen with a couple songs that stand above the others, and one that stands far below (The Murder Mystery).
Monster of an album!
I do love this one!
Great, mellow album. Highlights: "Pale Blue Eyes" and "I'm Set Free"
This is an outstanding album. I can't say I disliked any song on here, and that includes The Murder Mystery, which I really liked.
I do enjoy the velvet underground, but I prefer the andy Warhol album and lou reed stuff to the Jesusy songs. Warm production fills out the old tape recording sounds, great beach day album where you can tune in an d out of it while listening to the ocean, so you can filter out half the b/s that’s on this one.
There are good songs on here but as an album there are a lot of dull points. Still worth listening to though
Whats goen on é legalzinho até mas eu Concerteza nao sou o público alvo é bem paia
og classic
Yeah, this is not it for me. From what I have heard through the years, I was expecting a life changing music session, and a glimpse into Lou Reed and a VERY influencial band. I do not get it. It, for sure, captures the time and place it was recorded very well, and someone who lived through it can better contextualize this album. Not me, I do not feel anything. I sort of understand how some say this album "generated indie" and a ""lo fi rock"" sound, but I guess you REEEEALLY needed to be there ro understand. Did not like it at all, but my taste is taking over this review, not objective facts.