Reviews (page 9 of 15)
I didn’t realise one of my favourite songs was by them
Fair score. Reed is an out of tune stoner poet of the 60’s, and now sits on that pedestal of east coast legends. New Yorkers probably think he invented the wheel too. Average, not Art.
Kinda boring tbh, only interesting thing was The Murder Mystery.
Very good instrumentals
Pleasant enough (probably a 3.5, really) though I prefer the banana album to this one.
Didn’t like this as much as the last Velvet Underground album I had here, maybe I got this on the wrong day or am too worn out to listen with full attention. Or maybe other VU albums hit on a good day.
Classic so good.
i am just not a fan of this style of music, at least from this era. i love about half of the rock music from the 60s and can't handle the other half.
Amazing band pretty good album
Não é pra mim, muito modorrento.
Just overall meh
Lou is a fun character. I always assumed a lot of these phychedlic art rock bands were actually on to something and were enlightened in someway. Looking back now it's clear they were just fucked up. It's still fun to listen to though! This album in particular reminds me of summer/having a good time. Not the worst images to conjure.
I expected to feel a strong sense of nostalgia listening to this, as VU was one of my favorite bands in high school. Now though, hearing this fills me with something like self-loathing, as I really don't hear what I ever thought was so great about them, and can only assume I was just being pretentious. Simplicity can be a virtue in rock music obviously, but here it strikes me as affected and, at times, a little mawkish. Now that I'm older, the edginess in Lou's lyrics sounds like it's coming from a middle class Long Island teenager imagining 'gritty' city life (yeahhh dude, transvestites prostitutes everywhere wow crazy). On other albums, the experimental and innovative aspects of VU, brought mostly by Cale, help overcomes alot of Lou's deficiencies on other albums. But here that is mostly absent (Cale had left the band, probably because Lou was a legendarily huge prick), and the one time they try it (Murder Mystery) feels kind of tacked on and uninspired. I still like Pale blue eyes, and the organ on What Goes On, but all in all, this is pretty weak.
Not loving this just to be cool. I genuinely think the VU were on fire. I like most of these tracks, but my favorites are Some Kinda Love, What Goes On and After Hours. Call it melodramatic rock, I think it was wayyyy avant guard and aged incredibly well
I've always wanted to like Velvet Underground bc it seems like a cool band to like. Now that I've listened to an album, my overall take is that they're a little too arty for my taste -Pale Blue Eyes was a fun playful contrast between lyrics and music -The Murder Mystery was a real trip, man. I didn't like it but it was distinctive - Overall just doesn't do it for me. I rate on vibes, and the vibes were MID
Didn’t enjoy this as much on first listen, but started to hear a lot of similarities to Wilco, a favorite that took me some time to come around on. Like Wilco, VU can cover the range of slow contemplative to driving rockers. Stand outs: What Goes On, Some Kind of Love, Pale Blue Eyes, and Beginning to See the Light. Murder Mystery was like some arty Philip Glass shit, but have at it Lou.
Not my favorite VU album but glad to have the guided relisten
This doesn't need to be on the list. There's 2 more VU records on the list. They're both better and this doesn't add anything new. Plus it's boring for the most part. One of the few highlights is my favorite song: murder mystery.
Respect it, but not my thing
Too sleepy for me
I liked this!
likes: what goes on, the story of my life, after hours it's nice to listen to. 3.5/5
Just enough weird shit to keep a chill album interesting, plus I love Lou Reed so definitely biased going in. Newfound love for Moe Tucker for After Hours. Liked the chaos of Murder Mystery, and Pale Blue Eyes, Candy Says and I'm Set Free are classics for me.
I like this a lot more than the rating would suggest. Reminds me how inflated vibe reviews are. Really excited to check out more of their music, learn about it! Very subdued, but beautiful and not overdone. Candy says or After Hours for me. Sadly a stretch of forgettable songs in the middle but enough gold to be a 4 star! 3.5/5
Vind het tweede album een stuk beter
Not the best of their albums. I did like the fact that they all wrote songs.
One of those “I didn’t know they made music like this back then” albums. You can hear a lot of small indie, acoustic-ish bands in this record. If I knew more about The Velvet Undergound, maybe I would appreciate the change up even more.
Amazing Album! Areal moment in time captured perfectly
Definitely not for me. I found it boring, but listenable.
Glad I noticed there are 2 mixes of this album, because I prefer the Closet mix. I feel like one's appreciation of this album will largely depend on how much you like their musical output. For me, The Velvet Underground has always been a band whose music and influence I respect, but it never fully connects with me. This album only reinforces that. The songs are good, but I feel like other artists who heard it built better music from it in the years that followed. Granted, we also got a lot of poor imitations, compared to which this sounds brilliant. Judging it on its own merits isn't easy over 50 years later, unless it's somehow the first music you ever heard. But I did listen to both mixes, and it's a good collection of songs. I don't love it, but that's OK.
I end up just feeling really disappointed by this album. And sure, part of that is on me for having certain expectations before actually listening to the album, but it's just so bland. Murder Mystery is by far the best song on the album, and it's the second to last track, and you have to wade through 40 minutes of bland ballads before you get to it. I want to like Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground, I just don't think I do though. Favorite Song(s): The Murder Mystery
Classic album but I wasn’t really feeling it
As always, if a band can take its foot off the gas a little and still come with all the mastery, you know you’re listening to a really good band. A bit of elegant and beautiful softness from some of the best ever.
Booooooorrrrrrrriiiiiiiggggggg.
okay
Obviously I've heard of The Velvet Underground before. The Warhol cover is inescapable, but I had only listened to that album. Mostly for Nico's vocals, I mean, "Femme Fatale" is incredible. So, going into this, I sort of had an idea of what I was going to get. With a lot of 60s rock albums I expect to hear what I can only imagine the most cliche 60s vision is. You and a bunch of smelly hippies piling into a VW bus and hitting the road from your podunk small town to head to Woodstock. That's what the first three tracks sound like. As the album goes on, every song starts to sound the exact same. Until you get to "The Murder Mystery." I have never heard a song like this before. They mixed different vocals to two different audio channels so the different vocals are talking over each other and my brain can't decide if it likes it or not. All that to say, I'll probably never listen to this again, but you can always appreciate something that laid the groundworks for an entire genre.
Pretty easy to listen to. I enjoyed it.
Not bad. I have heard this one before and it was a nice refresher. Just don't go looking for White Light/White Heat.
A little too understated next to some of their other albums, I just didn't get much enjoyment from this one.
Great!
One of the best, not a new discovery.
I have heard the name of the band throughout my life in various media but I have never listened to the velvet underground and its not at all what I expected. For some reason I thought they would be a lot more punk-ish. That being said this is a really nice album with some good songs and some I didn't really like. Not my cup of tea for everyday listening but not bad at all.
4- Stars (10/15)
The Velvet Underground are one of those bands whose discography will always be overshadowed by their debut. But when you listen to the rest of their music, you realise how amazing it actually is. And that's exactly what it's like listening to this album.
I dont like this song i dont like the song jesus because of the rhythm I don't like it
I rate Blue eyes a 4 stars because I used to listen to it all the time. I don't really like this song because its not for me and I give it a 3 star.
Song: pale blue eyes i like this song because it is quiet and calming Song: Murder mystery i dont like this song because it sounds like they're saying random words and it's kind of crazy sounding Song: Jesus I like this song because i love Jesus and it talks about him.
I do not really like this album because I feel like the singer is mumbling. I also feel like all of the songs sound the same.
I did not really like it because the beat and lyrics did not match up
I rate Pale Blue eyes 3 stars because I don't really like this kind of music. And for murder mystery I rate it 4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ because it had a little bit of rapping in it. I rate Jesus a 3.5 because i just don't really like it much.
I don't like it because it is too calm and boring . I didn't like it because i cant hear it
0 it's depressing 0 I don't like it 5 I like Jesus .
it seems very classy and calming song but its not something i would pick if i was looking for songs it seem very quiet also.the second song the person singing was diffent then the first song the 3rd song seem calm like the first one
the first song in a 1 it sounds sad I don't like it at all. the second song 0 I don't like it either it sounds like he's sad I don't like it.
I don't really like this album because I don't really like this type of music.
I like the song "Pale Blue Eyes" because it's gentle and sweet. I don't like "Murder Mystery" because it sounds messy and strange. I think "Jesus" is not the greatest but not the worst because I don't like the organs but the singing sounds nice.
it sounds okay It's just really slow. the background music sounds kinda weird.
I don't like pale blue eyes song becuase the beat is faster than the speaker. Murderer mystery song i dont like it because the lyrics are wierd and the beat is kinda good. i dont like the jesus song because it very calm but the music is good like the guittar
Pre: I've listened to some Velvet Underground before but that's mostly been from their debut with Nico and some from Loaded. It just occurred to me that I'm familiar with both Nico's solo work and Lou Reed's but not John Cale (I'll confess I did have to Google that). I do at least know Pale Blue Eyes well but I have been meaning into more VU anyway. Post: Okay I forgot about After Hours. On the whole this album is decent but to me it rarely goes far enough off the path to become that interesting. The Murder Mystery feels like the track oddity that tries enough to pique interest at least, not that it really seemed to work. On the whole it does seem like a transitional record between avant garde beginnings to traditional rock of later. Highlight: After Hours (even though Pale Blue Eyes may be the overall better song)
Was enjoyable to listen to while running and making dinner. Great melodies to listen too
4.5/5 really good VU record. Their limited discography is so stellar though that this sometimes falls through the cracks
Some music is commercial and some music is art. Some are both, some are none. And in the Velvet Underground's case it is purely art and authentic tales from the banished and scorned 1960s NYC dingy artististic movement. Pre summer of love, and political revolutionary era. It is particularly just a testimony of the streets of New York in which one could very well lose their life for self expression. Creatives like Lou Reed, John Cale, Nico et al epitomize cool because they unabashedly express themselves in said fear state unapologetically. Its boring if you lack context and an artistic mind. But, definitely is an iconic piece of music for the devout historian and listener.
Most of this has been fine, the Murder Mystery was just noise at points though.
My first Velvet Underground album, and it won’t be my last. A simple album with beautiful melodies.
Some really beautiful songs on here, and Murder Mystery is just so ahead of its time!
Wasn't really thrilled about this one, and the intro didn't really helped. But by the second one to the end I discovered an incredible album and avant-garde. Sounds that I never listened in '60s music except for the monks. One of the best tack for me it's "jesus" because it precedes the slightly more emo punk of the 90s for the themes 8-9/10
Not a bad album. I do listen to VU once in a while but i’d get bored of the sound quickly if i were to ever listen to them as much as i listen to other bands. Funny thing is some of those bands are said to be inspired by VU and Lou Reed which makes me believe they are a bit overrated because i don’t see how can they be put unto them same level of inspiration as The Beatles or Pink Floyd. Maybe i’m being judgemental because of the Warhol scene they were a part of. Anyway even though i may sound harsh by my previous words, i enjoy 60’s rock music so this wasn’t a bad time. Candy Says and Pale Blue Eyes are constant songs on my playlists but The Murder Mystery was hard to get through.
Murder mystery was weird
Candy Says - 5/5 What Goes On - 3/5 Some Kinda Love - 3/5 Pale Blue Eyes - 5/5 Jesus - 2/5 Beginning To See The Light - 4/5 I'm Set Free - 3/5 That's The Story Of My Life - 3/5 The Murder Mystery - 2/5 After Hours - 4/5 Average score: 3.4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Singers could not sing on pitch, drums were really random (like a 2 year old played them) every song is a ballad apart from one or 2 songs. I actually ended up skipping some songs because they were predictable and repetitive. The upbeat song consisted of the lead singer trying to belt off their part. It was very repetitive and boring. I can at least say I gave it a chance.
The first half of the album is brutally boring, but after you hit Beginning to See the Light, interesting things start happening. Not sure if it's enough to make up for the miserable beginning.
It’s OK
Pale Blue Eyes, beginning to see the light and murder mystery standout tracks. Enjoyed the album but not a classic
In honor of Severance season 2 releasing tonight I will be playing "The Murder Mystery" on loop until I officially have brain damage
Not as good as I was expecting which surprised me, some solid tunes
Really good record.
Really enjoyed this, have never really listened to them but there are some serious tunes on this
I don't really like the Velvet Underground that much but i didn't hate this like i do Nico. I really enjoyed Pale Blue Eyes
This was better in the afternoon than in the morning but that’s ok we have an afternoon a day anyway
Absolutely loved this. My favourites were Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, After Hours and the best of them all The Murder Mystery, this song just blows me away every time.
Really enjoyed this one some proper bangers
Properly hate this, a chore to get through
This album shows a softer, more reflective side of The Velvet Underground while still experimenting with their sound. Their influence on music since the 1960s is undeniable, and you can hear echoes of their style in so many artists that followed. Some of the experimental parts don’t always work for everyone, but you have to appreciate their willingness to push boundaries (that said, Murder Mystery is still a thrilling listen). The standout tracks for me are Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, and After Hours.
Great!
Everyone knows the famous Velvet Underground album with the Warhol banana but it's nice to have this on the list as well. I think a major factor in liking/disliking Velvet Underground has to do with your opinion of Lou Reed. I enjoy Lou's vocals so I like Velvet Underground but can understand it's not for everyone. Some lulls (Jesus) but the album as a whole is a worthwhile listen and I will likely listen to it in its entirety again. 7.75/10 (3.875/5)
Awesome. Great band. Great sings.
Overall, the sounds, the vibe on this album is moody and melancholic. Musically, it's pretty impressive. The fact that this was released back in 1969, it makes it quite before its time. Classed as alternative and experimental underground sound, it would have been ahead of its time. This album was released when Lou Reed was in his 3rd line phase (HD detail). "What Goes On" is probably my favourite off this album. Great guitar riffs, beats and catchy lyrics.
It starts off a little slow but I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Kind of easing you in maybe? But for the most part it is a pretty subdued record. Sound-wise anyway. It seems to be a super personal album, the lyrics are fantastic as they are with most Velvet Underground. I think what sets this apart from similar albums from the same time period is just that this seems more experimental. I mean it may not be avant-garde, with the exception of The Murder Mystery, but you can definitely see them leaning in that direction and inspiring New Wave to follow. All in all I like this album but not as much as some others from Velvet Underground or Lou Reed. I think this one would rate a 3.5/5 for me and I'll round down because it's just not quite there to give it a 4.
Svag 4a. Riktigt stark första halva. Blir lite för avant-garde för mig andra halvan
Side one isn't great, mostly sounded like demos (I liked Pale Blue Eyes though). Side two rocks. Murder Mystery is a notable song, although not sure how I feel about it to be totally honest. Incredibly unique regardless.
Candy Says: 10/10, very chill, as a trans person I really like the meaning behind the song What Goes On: 9/10, it's a fun vibe, I love the guitar and organs Some Kinda Love: 9/10, instrumentation is great, and I love how Lou Reed always sang about taboo things without hesitation Pale Blue Eyes: 10/10, I tend to prefer VU's more chill songs, I also think it describes impossible love perfectly Jesus: 10/10, Holy shit the vocal harmonies and guitar are AMAZING Beginning To See The Light: 10/10, again very fun and i love what it's about I'm Set Free: 10/10, Does a really good job talking about still feeling tethered to someone after a relationship That's The Story Of My Life: 10/10, not much else to say but I loved it The Murder Mystery: 10/10, It's so fucking weird I love it After Hours: 10/10, probably my fav track from this record, i love it Final Rating: 9.8/10 This is my favorite VU Record
Better with Nico
Not worth a listen.
Not my cup of tea xd roquillo de chil
It’s fine. The Velvets did better in their time.
Fantastic classic album from one of my favorite bands - of course. Pale Blue Eyes is just really amazing and tilts this album up. If you close the door...
Ondergewaardeerd album met echt goede nummers. Niet hun beste, maar wel echt de moeite. 3.4
A perfect encapsulation of this time in music and the band themselves.
A lot more tame then I expected. A pleasant listen. But not quite what I expected from one of the forefathers of punk rock.
Nico’s voice sounds like a cello waking up in the morning.
Helt chill 60 tals underground rock, har sina moments Bästa låten: I'm Set Free Stark 2
7/10 Album sounds homely, like smoking weed and jamming out with your friends. Although I agree that The Velvet Underground gets more praise than they should get, there are definitely some songs I would return to. Favourite songs: Candy says Beginning to see the light Least favourite tracks: Murder mystery After hours
Epic. Weird. Banger
mag de gfühlt alti vibe wege uufnahme-eigeheite. song mit de ziit chli samey aber gefalled mer grundsätzlich. angenehm ruhig oft
There's something about of The Velvet Underground. The pared back simplicity. The driving momentum. The effortless cool that just oozes out of each track. Imagining someone listening to them for the first time I could see them missing what makes the non-single songs special. But the album is better than the sum of its parts. There is just something about The Velvet Underground. Candy Says - 2/5 What Goes On - 3.5/5 Some Kinda Love - 3/5 Pale Blue Eyes - 5+/5 Jesus - 3/5 Beginning to See the Light - 2.5/5 I'm Set Free - 2.5/5 That's the Story of My Life - 3.5/5 The Murder Mystery - 4/5 After Hours - 5/5
Meh
Har potential att bli bra. Måste lyssna lite mer bara.
2,4
This album is lush in its guitars; it's almost like being carried down a river in a float. The lyrics are standard fare for the late 60s, but "The Murder Mystery" threw me for a loop with its abrupt switching in pace. Overall, I enjoyed this album, which was apparently a departure to the band's previous releases.
Really felt nothing towards this album, feels like there isn't all much there. I understand the significance of this band but it doesn't do anything for me Best Song: Pale Blue Eyes Rating: 4.0/10 2 Stars
Favorite Track: What Goes On
Nice relaxing tunes, didn’t enjoy the murder mystery as it was chaotic having 2 songs at once. But no real complaints just nice chill music :)
Pale Blue Eyes is a top ten song for me. The Murder Mystery is wild and After Hours is great. Everything is more polished than other VU albums, but Beginning To See The Light harkens back a bit to that wildness that I love so much.
Not something I would usually listen to, but a good album, especially modern considering when it came out.
4.5
Beatlesy aber garagiger und experimenteller, Album nach Bananen Album und ohne Nico. Möchte ich nochmal hören
The Velvet Underground always sounds like New York. Lou Reed is a troubadour poet that conjurs a world around you with his storytelling. This album is a more straightforward rock album than previous forays, but still another excellent outing.
They gave us Lou Reed, so I love them for that, but there were only a couple of songs that I thought stood above their peers. I recall that they inspired a lot of bands. Maybe they’re a victim of their own success?
This isn't a bad record, especially not for when it was released. However, it does pale compared to their other output (and Lou Reed and Nico's solo outputs). Pale Blue Eyes is a classic, though
Liked the start. Nice and chilled. Last few tracks a bit too eclectic for me.
My favourite post John Cale VU. Love it when Moe sings. "average underground rock album from the 60's". Examples please?
suddenly i’m 16, wearing a diy screen print band tee and smoking belmont blues
undeniable but HONESTLY not as electric as i was expecting
Feels wrong to give this the same rating as the Kiss album I had yesterday, but that just narrowly avoided being a 2, and this just narrowly missed being a 4
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!
Decent album. Enjoyable laid back ballads and rock tracks.
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.
I quite liked this I think
Yeah, think this is one of those that is a bit over my head, not for me.
Not quite to the iconic sound that made up their greatest hits here.
Nice album
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.
3/5
A delightful album, great to listen to with a toke and a drink late at night while reading a good book.
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
Great tunes and vibe. The psych influences and retro rock are so easy on the ears.
It was ok but didn't excited me
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.
Better than I expected at the start but turned into a cacophony at the end and Nico still can’t sing ! 2/3*
Enjoyed this. May have even gone higher if I was at home.
Ok but what if there was a banana
I can see why many of the artists I love cited this group as an influence.
Not really my type of music.
very good i didn’t like the eight minute song thougu
Some interesting stuff but some stuff that sounded boring too. I think it needs a few listens.
Not my favourite velvet underground album!
Groovy. Some great vibes but a few weirdos.
I wish I liked this more, I get that it's technically very good but none of the songs stood out to me
## 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.
Better than the last VU I had.
Maybe my favourite Velvet Underground album. It has so many hits but is still noisy and forward thinking.
The Velvets without John Cale certainly have a different sound. Much more straightforward -- the psychedelica less subtle. It's still good -- Uncle Lou's songwriting is solid as always -- but it doesn't quite hang together as well as some of the other entries from the VU. Unexpected bangers: Some Kinda Love, After Hours, I'm Set Free
Chill
There are so many tracks on this record that are instantly enjoyable and timeless to say the least.
The first song gave me hope I'd like this album but ended up getting bored. Didn't save any songs.
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.
Solid album. Didn’t click with me, but i would for sure enjoy later.
一開始聽起來是很舒服的專輯，溫暖民謠的感覺。但是「The Murder Mystery」這首歌真的很特別，交替的方式呈現一組男女合唱，像是講故事，另一組像是旁白或是兇手，快速唱著像是rap一樣。另外一首「Jesus」的旋律很喜歡。
What's really funny is that I was listening to my previous generated album by the Kinks (also '69) and I jumped straight into this one and for a moment I swear I thought it's the same band. It's like this whole decade melded into one huge band. Everyone sounds the same. I thought I enjoyed 60s/70s rock. This website made me realise I don't. I'm quite done with those decades.
Clearly a revolutionary band. But aside from a few songs, I never really got too much into them. This album was okay, but not my favorite.
A little too raw for me.
2.5, just not my thing
had some very interesting tracks, not necessarily what i expected but not bad. prob not in the rotation but nice to work to, 3.5?
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.
Not a fan. Nothing here for me. I disliked it less than the Lou Reed solo album that was served up to me a while back, but that's just because he doesn't sing every song on this album. 1 star.
Long, repetive lyricism. Did not finish.
This is great. There are some real gems on here - especially Pale Blue Eyes. But I do think that the record is front loaded. The closing song, though, is wonderful
# Album Name: The Velvet Underground # Artist: The Velvet Underground # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Ive never listened to a full VU album until yesterday. Then i get this the day after making it 2 VU albums in two days! Nice vocals on Candy Says. Its very chilled and mellow. I like it. Pale blue eyes is a banger. A truly lovely song. Overall this was a pretty average album. I enjoyed candy and blue eyes but the rest past me by. Shame, because the VU and nico album was real quality. # Top Tunes: Blue eyes / Candy eyes # Would I listen to it again? Unlikely.
Average 2.5/5
Good stuff.
I had no idea Lou Reed could sing like this, even though most of the tunes are too mellow for my liking.
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.
My least favorite of the first four VU records. That said, Lou Reed's choice to have additional singers was a nice choice. This is a more straightforward Velvet Underground.
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.)
76% Best: What Goes On; Some Kinda Love; Beginning To See The Light; After Hours Must-Hear? Not quite
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.
Thought provoking
I understand this is an influential album, it just doesn't speak to me musically at all.
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
It just gets better and better
Legendary
3.5, nice soft album
I liked half of the songs, but the rest of the album wasn't for me. My favorite was Pale Blue Eyes💙
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
It's fine. That's it. It isn't mind blowing or anything but fine.
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
Wonderfully weird, varied, fuzzy and a bit inaccurate. All of that adds up to an album that is right in my wheelhouse.
Skasowała mi się prawie całkowicie napisana recenzja, fml... Nie podszedł mi ten album za bardzo. Przesłuchałem go kilkakrotnie, bo chciałem go polubić, ale jakoś tak nie trafia do mnie i przelatuje przeze mnie. Kiedy jakiś czas temu przypadkiem trafiłem na ich wcześniejszy album o tej samej nazwie to zainteresował mnie dużo bardziej. Nie dosłuchałem go wtedy do końca, ale często na niego zerkałem. Czekam na okazję, kiedy pojawi się na tej liście. Z utworów, które zapadły mi w pamięć - na pewno "The Murder Mystery". To jest genialne akurat, mega ciekawe, eksperymentalne dzieło. Te nakładające się ścieżki i dwugłos są niesamowite. Zabawny efekt uzyskałem próbując ekstrahować pojedynczo raz jeden, raz drugi głos. Bardzo ciekawe, jak bardzo synergia zwiększyła moc. W pojedynkę brzmią po prostu słabo. A w dwugłosie dosłownie podnoszą tętno. "Pale Blue Eyes" też ze mną zostało, ale w mniejszym stopniu. Reszta była dla mnie (muzycznie) jakaś taka beatlesowa, nie podchodzi mi takie granie do końca. Nie jestem w stanie do końca powiedzieć, dlaczego się odbiłem, bo bardzo chciałbym lubić ten zespół. Ale jakoś tego nie czuję.
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.
Fantastyczny album. Dużo mniej agresywny i wyciszony w porównaniu do poprzednich albumów Velvetów od których totalnie się odbiłem. Godly songwriting i produkcja. Parę przemyśleń to niektórych trackach (pierwotnie napisałem "top tracki", ale to cały album, lol) Pale Blue Eyes to przepiękny heartbreak song, oczy mokre. Jesus - desperacja, która doprowadziła Żyda do szukanie sensu w Jezusie? geniuszzz Beginning to see the light - ta piosenka przypomina mi moje tripy na kwasie, duchowość i połączenie ze światem. I'm set free - damn, heroin sucks. Ale mając ADHD i skłonności do uzależnień ta piosenka uderza w mordę mocno. The Murder Mystery - błagam, przesłuchajcie to na słuchawkach. Niesamowity eksperymentalny kawałek. Nie do końca jeszcze go rozumiem, najbardziej wymagający kawałek na płycie(?). Muzycznie miazga. Piękny krążek, 5/5, laur konsumenta i emmy.
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
It's kinda meh, only a couple standouts for me
Very cohesive. Different sound than I'm used to hearing from this time period and I love it.
By coincidence last week, I reviewed the Velvet Underground's album, "White Light, White Heat" the album released before the self-titled, third album, "The Velvet Underground". These two albums couldn't sound any different as White Light was abrasive and noisy, "The Velvet Underground" was a mellow, soothing record with slower songs, ballads and some rockers. This just might be my favourite Velvet Underground album, a toss-up with Loaded, but for different reasons. There are some great songs on here, Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes, Beginning To See The Light and one of the best ever closer tracks, After Hours sung by drummer, Maureen Tucker. Aside from maybe, The Murder Mystery this is a near perfect album that I've always felt was a bit under the radar and underrated. Since I gave WL/WH 4 stars, this has to be 5 stars! A classic!
Perfect album.
For me this is from top to bottom the Velvet underground's best most consistent album. A quieter affair than the 2 previous albums but that doesn't mean that it doesn't rock out, case in point, Beginning to See the Light and What Goes On both showing off Sterling Morrison's rhythm guitar chops which are substantial. Of course John Cale's absence is felt but Doug Yule's bass playing is massively supportive of the song which helps make this Mo Tucker's best performance on record. Just to listen to the dramatic I'm Set Free for all the proof you'll need. This record has 2 of Reed's most achingly beautiful ballads in Jesus and Pale blue Eyes. Throw in Candy Says and you have the foundation for the Velvets greatest achievement and, perhaps, my favorite album period. If I could I'd give it 6 stars
This album was a lot better than I thought it would be. I listened to "The Velvet Underground & Nico" a few years ago (the album with the banana peel) and didn't like it so either my music interest changed, this album was a lot better, or both lol. "The Murder Mystery" REALLY lost my interest tho lol. I had this album as a 4 and this song dropped me to a 3/3.5. Overall this album had some really calming and intricate parts and some up-beat rock parts. Liked Songs: "Beginning To See The Light" , "I'm Set Free" , "Some Kinda Love" , "What Goes On" , "Pale Blue Eyes" , "Jesus" , "After Hours"
Everything written about this album keeps referring to it as "rock & roll". Is the rock & roll in the room with us right now? I'm Set Free has the worst guitar solo I've ever heard. I think The Murder Mystery is about awful vocalists murdering an extremely simple melody. The mystery part is about why anyone would want to listen to this. I wish I could unlisten to this. Unfortunately, I know there's another Velvet Underground album on this list coming up at some point. At least that one has a good album cover to look at. 1
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
4/10 but overall quite nice and interesting 40%
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!
So incredibly boring that I just don't have anything else to say about it
Eine sehr einflußreiche Band auf die sich viele Musiker beziehen. Dazu spannende Themen wie Drogenmissbrauch und Sado-Maso. Und ich hab wieder nix davon mitbekommen. Na toll. Ok, dieses Album habe ich jetzt gehört (kommen da noch mehr?) und das fand ich abwechslungsreich, unkonventionell, manchmal schräg. Schön.
I love this album. It really helped shift my mood on a bad day.
8.5/10
pleasantly surprised
This was not an enjoyable listen.
Lovely stuff. Coming at this expecting White Light, White Heat stompers will yield disappointment but there's loads of introspective niceness here.
Better than the previous one.
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.
3☆/5 11.04.2024
Mixing so good at one point the guys voice scared me because I thought someone was talking behind me. Lyricism and songwriting are both really interesting and well-done, but overall it isn't really for me. I liked What Goes On and After Hours
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.
I really didn’t know what to expect out of this one, but I really didn’t expect to like it. I was a bit surprised, I enjoyed the simplicity of it. Certainly have heard of the velvet underground, but actually it never heard them before. I loved the song Jesus, but hated The Murder Mystery. Overall, I would give it a 3.5, so I’m going to give it 3 stars.
It's too slow. That said there are two or three songs that were just amazing. Pale Blue Eyes is an amazing song.
The Murder Mystery Track is trippy with the L and R audio. They play two different songs almost but it somehow fits as one song... It was weird but cool haha. Pale Blue Eyes was the best song on the album
Only song I've ever heard before is Pale Blue Eyes, which I absolutely love. So I was excited to hear the rest of this. Starts out nice. Then goes to Pale Blue Eyes. Then it just tanks. The rest of the album is just eh. And then you reach Murder Mystery which is an utter mess. No, music producers, playing two vocal tracks at the exact same time is not interesting and quirky. It's incomprehensible. Best Song: Pale Blue Eyes
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.
It was okay. I'm not the right person to make the call on how influential it was, or whatever. I'm not sure I really needed to listen to this before I died.
Love this album.
I’m excited to listen to this album. I don’t know any of the songs. So far I like “candy”. Ok so I’m not sure when it started. But from pale blue eyes into the next song, the songs sound the same with different words. Could explain why I thought “pale blue eyes” was so long. 😂ok, beginning to see the light is clearly different. 😁 I really like the beginning to murder mystery.
This was fine.
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
thank god i have actually been waiting for this one while i don’t believe this is a perfect album, i personally am giving this one a 5 because i love every song on this album and this album and i wish all of velvet underground/ lou reed sounded like this but that, as we’ve seen so far, is not the case but this. is. gas.
Pre-listening thoughts: 😕 Post/during listening thoughts: this is… not bad? Velvet underground is listenable??? Lou Reed isn’t completely insufferable??? It’s still just okay but I was so prepped for terribleness today so hallelujah. Maybe I’m just sad but this is kind of hitting on the low 5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: oh definitely not Fav tracks: Some Kinda Love, Pale Blue Eyes Least fav tracks: The Murder Mystery
Love love love love love love
This is my second Velvet Underground album to review. I really enjoyed their album with Nico, so I have some pretty high hopes for this album. I’ll get to review all of the Velvet Underground albums on this list in reverse chronological order, and I wonder if that will have any impact on how I feel about their albums. I thought this effort from The Velvet Underground was fine. With the exception of “The Murder Mystery,” it was a pretty straightforward rock album from the sixties, but it was still well executed. Most of the instrumentation was pretty simplistic, but the guitar playing was crisp and clean, and I enjoy Lou Reed’s unique vocals. Even though this album was well made, I found a good portion of it to be fairly boring. However, I thought “I’m Set Free” was really great. I loved the booming drums, the guitar playing was great, and I really enjoyed the backing vocals. “The Murder Mystery” was great too. I really enjoyed the ‘dueling’ lead vocals, Maureen Tucker’s vocals were great (they reminded me of Stereolab), and the guitar and piano playing gave this album a great psychedelic sound. Other those two songs, I didn’t find anything particularly noteworthy about this album, but it certainly wasn’t bad, just not really my cup of tea.
Me like it
This was an okay album, nothing too exciting but I had it in the background and it was alright. It is a pretty outdated album, so the tunes are quite old-school but not too bad.
Good album overall. Standout songs What goes on I'm set free
What a classic - except for some of the experimental stuff! 3.5
All-time great. Pale Blue Eyes is some of the most beautiful songwriting I've ever heard
One of the best albums of all time.
I'm not sure if I'd give this one another listen, but it was enjoyable while I was listening to it
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.
Good for sleeping on the highway.
I only knew of The Velvet Underground by reputation, so I went into this thinking: “Okay, show me what’s so great about his”. After listening, I fully get it.
Nicht meine Richtung
en loop todo el dia. top song: After hours
quedó viejo
Es un buen disco, no es el mejor de la Velvet pero tiene (me pongo de pie) pale blue eyes
Very good. Velvet Underground just makes banger after banger 8/10
Incredible. I thing my fav VU album. The songwriting and production is gorgeous
God these mfers are too influential it’s insane. The Murder Mystery (while probably my least favorite song on the album) is just like a sonic youth album that came out 20 years before they released music like what.
Pleasant experience.
meh
Pretty frickin dull in my opinion. Felt myself falling asleep to this. The whole thing felt very twee.
Creative and original, maybe too unpolished for my tastes. A few great ones. 3.7
Not their best
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.
Great great record.
I was on board with the this album until the last song, the Murder Mystery, which is very jarring and odd. Overall, a very mellow album.
Subdued production and personal lyrics, my favorite VU album.
nice chill pretty cool
eh. not my vibe
Yeah, well...
Another band I never took much notice of at the time. I knew of the banana album with Nico but nothing more than that but decided recently that as a collector I should have the banana album in my collection due to its iconic status. So i wasn’t has dismissive if this album as I might have been a few years ago. All in all a good collection of songs which I am sorry to have missed first time around. So another thumbs up to an album I would have had no knowledge of if it wasn’t for this list. 3/5 11/10/24
Amazing
Loved it. I had only listened to it once before and was great to revisit it again.
Always liked this album. Not perfect but most songs I would listen to again.
never been my thing, but their style is undeniable. last song is a real heartstring-ripper.
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
Arrancamos segunda semana de octubre con éste bellísimo disco, que marida muy bien con el día nublado y fresco que tocó hoy por San Juan. Álbum que contrasta con la obra de The Velvet Underground y que es lo que seguramente hace que sea más bello. Gracias y hasta mañana.
Maybe I’m the problem, but I can’t seem to get along with this band.
A timeless treat.
I love
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.
Pretty decent, with some of the more experimental stuff lacking. Top track: What goes on
Just too out there
Ich verstehe schon warum das ein wichtiges Album für die Musikgeschichte ist. Erinnerte mich ein wenig an Johnny cash nur als Boyband. Bester Song: The murder mystery Skipped Song: Jesus
Maybe you had to be there but this didn't really do it for me.
It’s a cool album of slow psychedelic rock tunes, and I enjoy most of the tracks. Reed’s singing is great. Pale Blue Eyes is my favorite song on this album. Murder Mystery is too spoken word for me. Overall a 3/5!
This is a great album, I enjoy it.
good
I just can't understand the hype around this band. I've been led to believe they were some sort of trailblazing act but this is a relatively boring and standard 60s album.
The most normal VU album up to this date. I like the crazier Lou Reed songs in the previous albums so I’m slightly disappointed despite having good songwriting here. I find this slightly boring in spots and I don’t care for the last two songs but good stuff especially in the first half helps. Highlight: “What Goes On”. 3.5 stars.
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
Incredible record! Love it from start to finish!
4.5 / 5
Beautiful album. One of the best of the late 60s. Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes, What Goes On, Jesus --- some of Lou's best songs. 5 stars.
4.5
Partial classic. Partial sham. There are some sweet, tender melodies like on the first track and the stripped back, lo-fi production and stylisms still sound very cool and modern but many of the songs are actually too minimal and humdrum and plod on forever. The Slinty sound collage piece The Murder Mystery is also just repetitive and annoying. The Ain’t Misbehavin’ style jazz number at the end with Moe the drummer singing is almost cute.