Transformer

Whatever Lou Reed is up to, I'm not digging it.

The good songs are quite good, but the rest don't compel me.

His absolute best.

Visjes 🐟🐠🐡🐟

i think i liked it but need a relisten

Nice to see more of Bowies influence (although there are already 9 albums lol), promoting another artist too. But idk, it started good but it kind of lost me on the way. I liked Perfect Day and Satellite of Love if I have to name anything in particular

Walk on the wild side muy buena, tranquilita

A revelation of an album. Lou Reed has an effortless style of songwriting that shines

It was fine Fave song: walk on the wild side

Someone once said to me “Who told him he could sing”. Where is _she_ now? Also, the one album with a tuba to listen to before you die.

Banging - totally different from Velvet Underground.

Some good ones, mostly not

Great album, pretty sure I've heard it before. I obviously know the hits (Satellite of Love, Wild Side, and Perfect Day), but even the songs I didn't know were a great listen, easy to hum along and groove. I don't love Lou's vocal style, but overall still four stars.

Enjoyed this album a lot. And I learned that Lou reed was in the velvet underground and that Bowie also helped produce transformer. Definitely gonna listen a view more times to the album. What a cool voice has Lou reed!

Partially known.

Like the style kinda goofy

Vicious - 4/5 Andy's Chest - 4/5 Perfect Day - 4.5/5 Hangin' 'Round - 4/5 Walk on the Wild Side - 4.5/5 Make Up - 3.5/5 Satellite of Love - 4.5/5 Wagon Wheel - 4/5 New York Telephone Conversation - 4/5 I'm So Free - 4/5 Goodnight Ladies - 3.5/5 A surprisingly relaxing album filled with fairly controversial topics for the time. I've heard Can I Kick It? so many times that hearing the source sample from here just sounded weird. This album is really a delivery method for two of his most famous songs with the rest still being decent but not as good as the two singles. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side

Bueno, no me ha pillado con las ganas que necesita este disco

I already liked "walk on the wild side", but the rest was pretty boring. Not bad, just nothing that excited me. (2.7/5)

I really enjoyed this one

Alweer een van de beste absolute vibe guys

3.5 Paar ongelofelijke knaller ertussen

Beetje saai. Wel twee absolute klassiekers. Anders had het 2 gekregen

Echt een heel erg leuk album. Niet wat ik had verwacht bij Lou Reed. Echt een mooie combi tussen goed, mooi en goofy. 4 bangers! Zal zeker terugkomen naar het album

it was more so like a 90’s vibe witch i dont love nor i hate but its like i would listen to it when i wanna feel that vibe yk

Ihan ok

Lou is a storyteller and with most his voice is very pedestrian and dull. I felt most of this album could have faded into the background and I would not have even noticed the change. There were a couple of good hits on this album but most of it was forgettable for sure. I saw someone else that mentioned Perfect Day and that they thought the cover by Duran Duran was better and I would agree with one caveat, even with their rendition being better it is still a boring song and you can only do so much to make it better. I was able to get through the album and would give it a solid 6/10, so 3 stars is what it gets.

Bless Bowie. I really like Lou Reed. I think the velvet underground was really shaped by him. But this album is really shaped by Bowie. And I’m not angry with it. Some of the best art is influenced, in this case directly, by your friends and collaborators. Hell of a combo. Perfect Day Walk On The Wild Side

2 Bangers but the rest is too repetitive

Despite loving the Velvets and Bowie, I’d never actually sat down and listened to this album in full. In the spectrum of 70s glam rock, “Transformer” is odd—while more sophisticated than something like “Electric Warrior” or “Hunky Dory,” it largely lacks those records’ flair and finesse. Reed strips these songs down to their sketchiest state, and while that approach works wonders for something like “Walk on the Wild Side,” at times it can feel as though you’re listening to unfinished VU demos (several songs are literally just that). I still like it, but I wouldn’t say that this holds a candle to any of Reed’s Velvet Underground records. Shoutout David Bowie (as always) and Mick Ronson, as well as “Perfect Day” and “Walk on the Wild Side.” Fav Tracks: Vicious, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Make Up, Satellite of Love, I’m So Free, Goodnight Ladies Least Fav: New York Telephone Conversation Score: 7

Walk on wild side is only decent track - I do not enjoy his singing

5/5. A solid argument could be made that outside of the Beatles, the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed are the most influential artist/group of all time. Punk, alternative, a lot of indie, etc. can all find their DNA somewhere in the Velvet Underground’s first four albums and Lou Reeds solo material. Transformer sees Reed at his most accessible, with songs that could easily be played along side other 70’s rock hits without anyone batting an eye like “walk on the wild side” or “perfect day” (the former being in part about a trans woman in the 1970’s without being horrifically transphobic which is genuinely cool!) Part of the equation was David Bowie who was on production duty, and you can really tell as there is Bowie-isms all over this thing especially on “Andy’s Chest” which sounds like it could be straight from Ziggy Stardust. You also get some songs near the end which kinda sound like showtunes like “New York telephone conversation” or the closer “Goodnight ladies.” Just a fantastic record fully deserving of its reputation as one of Lou Reeds best.

Highlights: Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love, Vicious. 3.7

Love this album. Listened to it so many times.

One of my most controversial ratings on here was giving The Velvet Underground & Nico a 1 star rating. Boy that was a turd. Mr. Reed does a much better job here on his own, but on a 2nd listen it's nothing extraordinary. His lyrics are certainly interesting. Like, really interesting. But that might be because they're nonsense. I'm also not a fan of his brand of speak-singing, although it is iconic and "Walk On the Wild Side" wouldn't be the same without it. But alas. Sorry Lou. This is a lot smarter and better than a lot of stuff out there, but it's just not the thing for me.

i like the vibe on this one. it'd be a bit soft rock for me at times if it wasn't for the lyrics and lou reed's slightly slurred vocal style. maybe soft rock can be good actually... but only if u get a bit weird with it. plus there's a lot of variation in the sound, so even for tracks i don't feel so into like "perfect day" i know "hangin' 'round" is coming up right next, and that's a banger. i think the thing that struck me most about this album was finding out that "take a walk on the wild side" is about a bunch of gay guys and trans women? feels like something i'd usually pick up on pretty quick but i'd never really sat with it long enough to connect the dots. makes sense tho given how much of the album is about andy warhol and his clique i guess, it's a bit up and down but the lyrics carry hard. hard enough for a 4 i think, just about.

Good album that feels a little disjointed.

Some absolute classics on here. Lyrically it has a few clunky moments, but also some great moments. Musically, I really enjoyed it. One I definitely think I’ll listen to again. Fav song: Perfect Day Least fav: Andy’s Chest

Some serious classics on here. I really try to forget he was in the velvet underground as much as I can but it is hard. A few songs do just have the vibe though. He makes up for it though- very hard to pick a favourite out of these. Specific rating - 4.5 Fav song - New York telephone conversation /walk on the wild side Least fav-

There's some great story telling in this album, moments of really lovely poetry and powerful queer imagery backed by stunning music. And then there's nonsense like "when people say her feet smell they mean her nose". It's a very hit or miss album for me, I think it hits more than it misses but not by much. Favourite song: Walk on the Wild Side Least: Andy's Chest

Great album

Do not own this. Lou Reed's voice is not my favorite - I understand the importance of his work with the Velvet Underground, but I just can't handle both Reed and Nico for the full run of an album. This album, however, has the ever-so-magical touch of Bowie and that makes all the difference. The romantic ode to "whatever works for you" in "Perfect Day" is lovely in and of itself. I'm drawn to the guitar tones in "Hangin' Round" - very fuzzy and warm while adding a jagged edge. The good stuff is pretty good - "Walk.." "Satellite..." - and plenty of campiness too in the tuba-heavy "Make Up" and "Goodnight Ladies" and whatever "New York Telephone Call" is. I know he's using what God gave him, but vocally, Reed just doesn't hold up to the energy in songs like "I'm so Free." 3 stars.

not for me

I rolled Iggy Pop a few days ago, and now Lou Reed today. Is there a single album Bowie touched in his lifetime that wasn’t instantly made better?? It’s crazy how many albums on here he had some kind of involvement with, either major or minor. This album is no exception in that it’s better than the other Lou Reed albums I’ve rolled so far. I don’t love it, but it’s definitely better than The Velvet Underground, which I found pretty disappointing as a whole. This is the first solo album of 2 on the project I’ve rolled for Lou Reed, and the 3rd of 5 albums he’s directly associated with if you count The Velvet Underground. Now, I’ll be honest here. I don’t see why this one is so highly rated. It’s very average. I only really wanted to listen to it once before I got bored and moved on to something else. It’s just a little too light overall, and the singing and guitar playing is merely passable at best. Nothing really grabbed me, but I’m going to have to give my favorite song award to the only one I recognized going in, “Perfect Day”. That one’s a classic. I think Duran Duran did it better, but still have to give it up to the original for existing in the first place. Not only does his singing and the overwhelmingly mid guitar playing kind of put me to sleep, and not in the good way, but I just find some of his lyrics off-puttingly sexual in kind of a weird way. And this is coming from someone who likes Glam. I don’t know man, this whole album is just a little creepy. I’d really like someone to explain why they think this and The Velvet Underground are so good. This music isn’t terrible, but I’ve forgotten the whole album after the first go around and I just don’t really care enough to listen to it again, it’s not going to hook me the second time. Giving it a 3 because I don’t dislike it, it’s more good than bad, but it’s dreadfully boring and just a tad creepy. I don’t think I’m a very big fan of Lou Reed, which is a shame. I know how legendary he is. Nothing against him personally, still giving this a 3. Oh well. 2 albums left, 1 solo and 1 The Velvet Underground. Let’s see if those impress me. This is one of those examples where I just don’t hear the same thing as the consensus is hearing, because I don’t understand it at all. Moving on, it’s a 3. I’ll forget about this one entirely in the next few minutes. Boring out of 5.

Not my style but a vibe 🦦

Alreaduy rated this great album 4.0 on RYM, so this is not much of a brainer for me. I love Lou, but I especially love what he did while in VU.. And don't get me wrong - this is an amazing album with a touch of Bowie of course. But for me, it's just not the full package and so I think it deserves 4 strong stars anyway!

1063 - "Here's your juice box and orange slice. Thanks for coming."

Not really e Lou Reed fan, but this album really is loaded with classics - Vicious, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love, so a minimum three stars are demanded!

Finally! A tolerable Lou Reed work on this list. Still not sure why his albums make this list. This one has several good tracks, but -- like most of his albums -- there's a lot of half-assed filler in between them. 2.5 stars

Surprisingly not as bad as I was expecting.

I thought Michael Bay did this one

such a fun and awesome album and its so absurd that David Bowie and Mick Ronson produced this thing... anyways i fuckin love satellite of love

“Perfect Day” and “Walk on the Wild Side” have a permanent place in my top songs. “Satellite of Love” is up there too thanks to Velvet Goldmine. “NY Telephone Conversation” was a funny little gem I’d never heard before. Good times had!

LR is legendary and at a glance some tracks are likewise. How is the rest? General bohemian punk stuff. It's a shame, based on the big tracks I thought there might be more gems hidden away but nothing else blows me away. It is ambitious I suppose, trying new instruments and arrangements (is that a tuba on Make Up?) Something like Satellite of Love seems to put me in mind of David Bowie. Wagon Wheel has a nice energy. And the caberet style of New York Telephone Conversation is attention-grabbing It's at its best when it's got that swagger feel Best track - Vicious, Wagon Wheel 3 stars - I expected more...

Some of his more accessible work

All timer "Perfect Day" is one of my favorite songs. The tuba on "Make up" is admittedly a bit silly, drags the album down a hair for me, but "Satellite of love" brings us all the way back. Beautiful and haunting album, I love it.

Класний альбом!!!

yes

Great job, Lou. Not so sad as hell this time. I didn't like Berlin so much just because of how dark and depressing that album was. This on the other hand is some fun New York inspired Bowie-produced coolness. Walk On The Wild Side and Perfect Day are among some of Lou's best works - on par with his Velvet Underground work. But I won't forget about Satellite of Love or Hangin' Round either. Not every song leaves a strong impression on me, but for what it is - Bowie, Mick Ronson (not Mark) and Lou Reed on a glam rock album together: it's pretty sick. Lou kicked it first, Tribe would follow in 1990 (8/10, 4/5 on this scale)

Interesting cat. Wouldn't mind listening to this again, but not looking for it

really good, interesting to learn about, andys chest is about Andy Warhol, I like how he doesn't even pretend to try to sing

I mean, obviously both Perfect Day and Walk On the Wild Side are both classics, yeah. But the rest of this album kicks ass too. Vicious, Satellite of Love, and Wagon Wheel were my other favorites, but this is really just an all timer album.

I still believe that this album is overrated, but this time around I did really enjoy it. It obviously has the big songs like ‘Vicious’, ‘Perfect Day’, ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ and ‘Satellite Of Love’, but aside from them, ‘Andy’s Chest’ and ‘Make Up’ were also highlights for me on this listen. Bowie really turned anything he touched (Whether that be as a vocalist or producer!) into something special and this album is bursting with Bowie’s little quirks. Reed also proves competent on this album and finally receives the mainstream attention that he deserved for so long!

Reed's second solo effort, since the end of the inordinately influential Velvet Underground split up, was significantly produced by Velvets fan David Bowie and his Spiders' guitarist Mick Ronson. Consequently the arrangements had more interesting instruments (such as Herbie Flowers adding a tuba to his sliding bass guitar). The album to me has three standout classics in Perfect Day, Walk on the wild side and Satellite of love (with lots of David and Mick on it) and a host of decent other tracks. It was fortunate to have such glam influences on it for 1972 and it stands out amongst what I consider to be a hugely overrated Lou Reed catalogue - a most unusual musical talent.......

Just a perfect couple of tracks

Man the list has been so nice to me. Another easy five-star. Lou is amazing. He lived and breathed his own style. Came out of his pores. Every bit of his being, an extension of his style.

The Korean pears?!

Just a damn good album from the Velvet Underground frontman. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. Maybe just a touch higher. Can Lou Reed sing? No. Does it matter? No. David Bowie’s production work does some miracles here, but if I were to chalk this album’s success solely to David Bowie & Mick Ronson, I think that would be a disservice too. This album’s just got heart. Lou Reed feels like a steward for the uncommon man (or woman), telling their stories with such a casual tone that you don’t even really feel the tension that subtly exists underneath them. It’s bold to tell these stories to an audience that probably didn’t have any framework to relate to them. Lou Reed just makes himself feel like a friend, and that loose sense of intimacy is what makes the album pop. The musicianship on Lou’s side is good; his voice is plain, but his writing is strong, and the lyricism more than makes up for his delivery. Of course, Mick Ronson’s multitude of instruments helping the soundscapes fill out, along with David Bowie’s ability to make Lou’s lyrics feel as envisioned as possible both help out too. It’s a rather perfect harmony, and it results in a pretty breezy 36 minutes. Going track by track here isn’t futile, but with how straightforward all of these tracks are & how defined Lou’s voice is as a songwriter, I don’t really want to take anything anyway from that by overanalyzing these too much. It’s an incredibly progressive album for 1972 at least, focusing on topics that feel so much less stigmatized nowadays, even if they’re still under attack. Being able to talk about gender transitions & sexual fluidity is only really possible with New York City’s underground scene as the backdrop. It might not be quite as velvet as Lou Reed was used to, but the concrete jungle’s atmosphere just exudes throughout this album. It’s lonely at times, but there’s a sense of exploration & liberation that always feels present. Lou Reed seems to be searching for the ways he can use that freedom to finally clear his demons throughout this album, and it’s all the richer for it. Honestly, I’m not sure there’s much more to say than that. It’s one of these albums that you just gotta feel. It’s not the most musically engaging, but you can’t say it’s not compelling. Even if you don’t like it, I think there’s something to respect here. In that sense, the floor should be a 3. For me, it’s a 5, and perhaps even a touch higher. All apologies to Billy Joel, but I feel like I’m truly in a New York state of mind after having heard this.

What could this album be called? Tastemaker-album? Vibes-based-music? I don’t know, but in some way I think this album shouldn’t work. The monotonous, almost bored delivery of the vocals, the sometimes ridiculous lyrics, the two songs that appear to be musical theatre songs that got cut during workshopping? That promises a mess of an album. I f*****’ love that mess of an album. Lou Reed is the epitome of that New York kind of cool, a cool that always has an air of pretension and self-idealization that would usually turn me off. But Lou Reed just sells it. He IS that kind of cool (for a modern day example of that you might think of Charli XCX (outside of her Twitter antics). I completely understand that some people will hear this and not click with Reed’s attitude, and I get it. While the music here is great (not surprising looking at the producers of it), i don’t think there is any enjoyment to get from it if you do not vibe with Lou Reed as a person/performer. Thankfully, I do vibe with him.

A good, fun album that plays to Lou Reed’s strengths and is surprisingly accepting of trans people by 1972 standards.

Certainly has staying power.

Never delved into Lou Reed before but my god he's cool. Yet again, it's so fun to see what clearly inspired so many acts and set the way for the alternative genre to grow

It's not bad, but it sounds like David Bowie ordered on Temu. The unmelodic one-note singing is particularly annoying. Drink your coffee before recording bro!!!

ngl i thought this is what bob dylan would sound like. some of the lyrics aged like milk tho

Repeat listen

Interesting material but I'm just not into glam pop. This era of rocker was like VERY into drag and the transgender identity. I wonder how all their fans who are old white guys now justify that. Still cool tho Highlight: I'm So Free

It’s too rough around the edges to be a 5 but it’s probably a top 50 album for me.

Album #149: Transformer - Lou Reed Genre (W): Glam rock Singles: Walk on the Wild Side / Perfect Day, Satellite of Love, Vicious I have listened to this album once before. Thoughts?: I love Lou Reed’s cheeky songwriting! It gives me a lot of comfort and I can deeply relate to it. I also love David Bowie and Mike Ronson’s production, not too overwhelming, it’s perfectly subtle. Favorite tracks: Vicious, Perfect Day, Hangin’ ‘Round, Walk on the Wild Side, Make Up, Satellite of Love, Wagon Wheel, I’m So Free, Goodnight Ladies

It's... all right. I appreciate it on a cool sound and production level and enjoy some Bowie vibes, but I don't have any strong feelings about it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I liked this album but still feel as though it’s a bit of a let down on first listen

Gosh just realized I haven't listened that close to the lyrics on walk on the wild side, it sure is wild! A solid album which I will come back to.

I don't know quite what to make of this. I love it to bits. A real statement by Lou Reed. I love "Perfect Day". "Walk on the Wild Side" is a stone cold classic. "New York Conversation" is great fun. Again though, not a bad sone on it. So should I give it a 5 purely on that. Hell why not.

Much poppier than I was expecting. Great lyrics of course. I can see this on regular rotation for me.

Only a cursory knowledge of Lou Reed via the Velvet Underground. But this was a fun little album. Had a ton of hits where I was thinking "Oh I didn't know this song was him!" Would definitely listen to again. It was a great album that felt timeless and relatable but also pushed what was new, both then and now. There were a couple of misses on the album, but overall enjoyable. 4/5 Favorite Songs: Vicious, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Least Favorite Songs: Andy's Chest, Make Up

I see how this became so incredibly influential. Some songs are super cool, one or two a bit goofy. Not my favorite music, but I am glad I finally listened to Reed for a bit more than just a single song.

not sure why billy didn't like this

The singles are what is important. The rest is dreck

I’ve owned the record for decades and have spun it hundreds of times and will spin it hundreds more. I love The Velvet Underground and David Bowie and this is a perfect meeting of both artists. ‘Cause you know what they say about honey bears? When you shave off all their baby hair, you have a hairy-minded, pink, bare, bear.

Stated out strong, I liked Vicious. The next two songs were awful. Next two were alright. Makeup - no. Satellite of Love I know from the U2 cover. WTF was NY Conversation and Goodnight Ladies??? Sounds like children’s or circus music. Overall I am not a fan of his sing talking and the vibe I overall don’t care for. (2)

Nice

As a whole, it feels quite average. The first half of the album was definitely better than the latter half.

"Perfect Day" gets me every time I hear it.

One of Reed’s best in my opinion. Mick Ronson’s contributions and David Bowie as producer make this an essential album.

I knew the hits but not the rest of this album. I was pleasantly surprised at how Glam it starts off. “Vicious” is a fun, rockin’ way to start the album and then “Andy’s Chest” keeps up the momentum. “Perfect Day” is a lovely comedown. “Hangin’ Round” takes us right back to the glam rock, and “Walk on the Wild Side” is so innovative. Side A is perfection. 5/5. Then… I don’t know what to make of Side B. It has a lot of playful bits. “New York Telephone Conversation” should be on a They Might Be Giants album. “Goodnight Ladies” is a fun take on a Broadway number. Both songs seem so out of place, but when you consider how *weird* this album is overall, I kinda get it. Side B is a 3.5/5 for me now but I have a feeling it’ll grow on me when I listen to it more. Overall, I’m happy I got to hear this album.

Vocals are too low; they need a bit more volume IMO. Nice chord progressions. Creative use of guitars. I like the drums. Reminds me of Bowie. Enjoyable album, overall 4/5

Interesting, a little boring, but deep enticing lyrics. learned about velvet underground and 20th century NYC, Nico etc. Cool guy.

Best song(s): - Vicious - Perfect Day - Walk on the Wild Side - New York Telephone Conversation - Goodnight Ladies

The most I know of Lou Reed (other than being in Velvet Underground) is that Metallica collaboration... Vicious sounds almost like something that Bowie would have wrote... then I went to Wikipedia and found out he was the producer of this record and was instrumental in getting Lou Reed's career going. Pretty cool. No shit. Can I Kick It? is from Walk on the Wild Side???? Holy shit. Heard that sample for years and didn't realize what it was. I understand immediately from the lyrics why I hadn't heard this song before, even though it's Reed's biggest. Not something you get exposed to in conservative America. This is a little slower for my typical tastes, but side A was excellent. Side B wasn't quite as catchy, and felt like it slowed even more, but all-in-all, this is a really good glam album.

I love this album. I didn't listen to it yesterday, though, because of Dolly.

Not as bad as I'd feared, a bit lame but some classics

A lot of this was really weird

nice

Stunning, timeless, the best

The album was fine. His voice was a little strange, but it worked for the songs he sang. Best song, "Goodnight Ladies"; I liked the clarinet and the song kind of had a New Orleans vibe.

own

The jangly, rambly, intensity of Mr. Reed. Fantastic record!

10/10. lou reed mestre!!!!!!

emotional, a true masterpiece. can feel Bowie's touch all throughout

Very nice album. "Perfect Day" is super.

Pretty solid and consistent with decent variation throughout.

This won’t be for everyone, but Lou reed is one of those guys where great musicians will talk about how great a musician he is. There are without a doubt some good tunes on here. I’ve known walk on the wild side for a long long time. I was not blown away, but you can see his musicianship here, and it’s probably something you have to live with to appreciate fully.

pretty terrible writing. Decent vibes. Strong to light 5.

Bowie’s production and backing vocals - I heard his voice in one track - give Reed’s lyrics an urbane sophistication to what in the early 70s must have been very radical. Great tracks, like Perfect Day. Some tracks the song structure not always up to the quality of the lyrical content

This is kinda hard because I love Lou and I love almost every song on this album. But there's also just a little bit of weird fuckery happening on here that just feels like fuckery for fuckery's sake. Like there appears to be a satirical point of view but it doesn't hit. Still, this thing has "Vicious," "Wild Side," "Satellite of Love," "Hangin' Round," "Perfect Day," etc. etc. Great record.

Really wish I could give 3.5

A great album! Produced wonderfully by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. Great musicians on this album A great album name and cover. Very androgynous and daring. Lou writes about drug use but he is cool and subtle about it. Every song is great!! A glam era classic. Vicious: ironic and funny. Good beat. Perfect Day: a perfect song. Some people say this is about drugs. Really? Walk on the Wild Side: an anthem. A gritty look at New York City. Hookers, drug use and the down and out. I can’t imagine them playing this song on the radio in 1972. Well, maybe on FM. A long way from the hippie dream of peace and love. Beautiful sax at the end of the song. Make up: we’re coming out. Theme of this album. Satellite of Love: another gem. An amazing album. Five big stars

It was ok, better than Velvet Underground but not great.

Pretty good for a guy who sounds so miserable about being gay.

5/5 but you don't know it yet

Pretty nice one, even some of the songs sound like a joke a little ha-ha. But still it is pleasent to listen to, even I've heard it like 3-4 times before

I always liked this one, I had it since I was a yut.

Some truly unique songs that obviously had a lot of influence on bands that would come later. Experimental without getting pretentious.

saw the ATCQ sample for Bonita Applebum on this one for Walk on the Wild Side. 1972 album. It sounds pretty good overall. I like it more than a Leonard Cohen but I get similar vibes. 2.8

A lot of the songs were a vibe and I didn't realize how many of his hits were either sampled or that I knew. The ones I like the most were Perfect Day and Vicious.

Indie bible

Do own and love

Listened to this as a live recording of each song. Adds a little extra grit.

The album's rep makes me want to rate it higher but there are too many songs that I'm not interested in. Though, this did make my best album art list. 3.5/5

Absolutelly classic. Lou is a transformer !!! Perfect Day is outstanding !!!!

An old favorite of mine. A lot of cool sounds mixed with Reed's oddball/aloof persona on a record that sounds like every corner of 70s New York City

top top

You can clearly hear Bowie's footprint on the production of this album. There are some strong tunes here, and the music is often good, even if I don't like some of the lyrics here. A strong 3 to weak 4.

Yeah it was good, love when the last song of the album is a goodbye song

Take a walk on the wild side. Ta bueno, depende del día, pero buen álbum, banqué.

The Velvet Underground, David Bowie

bem funky, parece um arctic monkeys inicial misturado com blur e echo & the bunnymen. a única que não gostei foi New York Telephone Conversation, e não tanto de Goodnight Ladies. 8/10

Oh man, this is great. You really hear Bowie here. Love it, love it. Fun songs, great production what more do you want?

Glam pop. Great work from Mick Ronson, especially

Easily a 4/5

Not a big Glam guy

You dis Lou Reed, you dis yourself.

Pretty mediocre in all honesty. Not a big fan of Lou’s singing unfortunately. Worth a listen because there are some good songs on here but overall did not interest me.

There’s like 5 or 6 songs on Transformer that are as good as the best of the Velvet Underground’s work. The other half of the album is still very good but pales in comparison

4.5

I’m torn on this one, not the greatest Lou Reed Fan but Vicious was good and Perfect Day is an amazing song. Round up to three for the album’s influence.

It's very good

Not bad but i add nothing

Meh; kinda has like a whiny voice but the music isn’t bad I can kind of appreciate it but I’m not a fan I don’t like his voice Second half of the album is a little better Probably like a 2.5

Very queer, but a little racist lol

a bit of silly fun, i'm a fan of his voice and Vicious is a fucking hit

Kind of an odd album. Sometimes sounds almost like a kids song or an old timey tune from the 50s or 60s. Singing felt lazy. Kind of a cool guy album but not my favourite thing in the world

I like most of this album, but I dunno, it just feels like its missing something vibe-wise, which prevents me from giving it a 5.

It obviously starts with Reed's songs, lyrics, and voice. However, Ronson and Bowie level the proceedings up significantly. There are a couple tracks that are two twee by half, but it doesn't matter. Love the tuba.

que buen albuuummm

A short but nice album

Classic album, some classic songs. But a lot more honkytonk-whimsy than I recall. I guess I remembered why it's never something I go back for.

Really solid album, and always found Lou Reed to be an interesting voice, interesting writing. Creates an atmosphere that is very much his own, there's a sense of detachment that adds to the cool, but also an energy/humor to everything that draws me in. Always thought Velvet Underground was cool but never listened to this album

I absolutely hated this guy's music when I was a kid. I remember hearing Walk on the Wild Side and thinking it must have been intentionally crafted to be as boring and bad as possible. Oh how I've grown. Now I find it pretty catchy. Perfect Day is forever a bop as well.

Never knew who did the hits on this album before now. Overall I really enjoyed it, but there were a few filler songs that I really felt droned on. Also, some lyrics didn't age well

Honestly a lovely album, especially liked Vicious, Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild side - classics!

Perfect Day makes up most of the album for me. But even the rest is still quite solid.

Heard it before. I don't listen to Lou that often, I guess because I don't really care about Velvet Underground either. But I really do like this solo album. I think I rarely listen to it because in my mind the biggest songs from it are a bit overplayed? But when I listen to the full album they make sense and I enjoy them 4/5

A lot of these songs sound timeless. They are often depicting life in NYC in the 70s, but the music still works today (2026). Even the strings sounded great and added a lot to the songs they were used in. Usually strings often sounded cheesy in the 70s. Perfect Day might be the best song ever written. Liked Songs Added: Vicious Andy's Chest Perfect Day Walk On The Wild Side

Its good but I cant relate to all the hype for this album.

Siempre habia escuchado hablar de Lou Reed, pero nunca me dió la curiosidad de escucharlo, ahora que lo escucho que buen músico! Es un disco muy variado, muy entretenido. Tiene matices que me viene a la mente a Bob Dylan. El grupo, del que fue parte, The Velvet Underground, escuché un par de canciones. Al escuchar este disco, por la voz dije "no habrá sido parte de The Velvet Underground?" Y al buscar en internet, efectivamente fue el lider del grupo. La canción, Satellite of Love, la escuché primero como cover, que salió en la película The Cable Guy.

So much tuba! I loved it.

Não fez meus estilo

Sounds good Lou Reed - Perfect Day NICE

Zzzzzz

Not a fan at all. Very repetitive and boring. No highlights. 2/10

Enjoyed about half of the album, but the rest was a bit forgettable. Good album, but I expected a bit more.

Wonderful, perfect, life-affirming.

Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Okay, etwas fad.

It sounds pretty good, and most of the songs are decent, but I can't find much to really elevate this album any higher.

Sumir elska Perfect day, en ekki hann ég, en restin er flott og stundum mjög. Það hjálpar Bowie og Ronson pródúceruðu, endar í 4,6 fyrir vikið.

Good stuff

3 keepers out of 11 (33%) 2 bangers out of 11 (22%) [Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side] Math says 2 stars. Heart cannot argue. 55

It’s ok

Such a great album: Hanging Around, Perfect Day, Vicious, Walk on the Wild Side etc. A treat to revisit after many years. Sounds ahead of its time.

Some classic songs on here, but I’ve always found this a little bit scattershot. Perfect Day is such an incredible, mournful ballad that it arguably causes problems coming so early in the running order.

I think I had this one, or was it Rock and Roll animal? Anyway, we liked him for a time, and still enjoy hearing him on the radio. But I see he's made a bunch of albums after these, and have no idea where he went musically. Not sure I want to find out.

Wasn't bad

Lou Reed: Transformer (1972): I didn’t realize how completely ridiculous Lou Reed was in the 70s. I can’t decide if that is a bonus or annoyance for me. But those songs we all know and get excited for (Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Ladies Goodnight) will always be some of my favorite songs ever. Does that make the albume 5 stars? I don’t think so. I don’t think I’ll ever return to hear the album as a whole unless it’s part of something like this.

cool as hell

It's boring, cozy, and a little bland and yet I like it

Lyrically sweet when I paid attention. Melodically uninspiring most of the time tho. I’m not mad about it

+1 gwiazdka za perfect day, mogą to zagrać na moim pogrzebie

Great great album.

Anyone who has a song featuring a tuba can't be too bad. Tuba, drums with voice and not much else. I liked that. Glam rock is an interesting label. Not sure what that means but quite happy to groove along with Lou. Actually not a huge fan of the massive hit "Walk on the Wild Side" but can't deny it's influence.

The album just feel a bit emotionless for me. It had great instrumentals but the lyrics and energy were lacking. I wanted to enjoy it but the vocals felt like it went against everything else. I feel like another artist can do it much better.

Reeeeeeeeeeed

Theatrical and a little strange while still being a pretty straightforward rock record. More vulnerable and direct than I expected. I thought both “Perfect Day” and “Satellite of Love” were making fun of me at first, and then both blossomed into two truly great songs. Stuff that should be corny works to this album’s benefit. It doesn’t have quite a 100% hit rate (I could do without “New York Telephone Conversation”), but an influential and definitive a solo statement that holds up. I'm the target audience for "Goodnight Ladies".

Favorite songs: Vicious, Hangin’ ‘Round, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love

Some great songs. I have some resistance to Lou Reed because he’s so… unmusical. I suppose you’d say he’s anti-musical. It’s all about the art and not the craft. And then there’s stuff like ‘Andy’s Chest’: ‘Cause you know what they say about honey bears When you shave off all their baby hair You have a hairy-minded pink bare bear. How stoned do you have to be to think those are good lyrics?

I used to listen to this a lot. When I was twenty. I’m no long twenty so I don’t listen to it anymore. I still remember the words. So yesterday, walking through a sunny park I sang along to Perfect Day. Who would care. No one was near. Except the couple who walk past as an old bloke suddenly intoned “You’re gonna reap just what you sow”. Four times. It was a Perfect Day. I’m glad I spent it with Lou.

lou reed's voice and songwriting is just heavenly nuff said

The lyrics!

i appreciate how cheeky and playful this album is. the lyrics border on stupid sometimes but it feels like he's not taking himself extremely seriously so it lands? perfect day is one of the most beautiful songs of all time. and satellite of love is my favorite david bowie song (har har). Fav tracks: Andy's Chest; Perfect Day; Walk On the Wild Side; Satellite of Love; New York Telephone Conversation

Such a nice album I'm glad i spend it with you 🎶

that album art man what is going on in andy's chest 💥perfect day 💥hangin round 💥walk on the wild side 💥wagon wheel

Bien.

This is great

Great, love perfect day one of my favorite songs.

Great start tot he punk era.

I was thinking this was going to be a 5, then it fell off.

The high regard people have for the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed has always baffled me. One of the worst vocalists I've ever listened to. His music gives off such a smug and pretentious air. I hate it, but appreciate some aspects enough to rate it as an average album.

Pouco sal.

Vicious - 4 Andy's chest - 3 Perfect day - 5 Hangin' 'round - 4 Walk on the wild side - 5 Make up - 3 Satellite of love - 3 Wagon wheel - 3 New york telephone conversation - 3 I'm so free - 3 Goodnight ladies - 3

i love lou reed and this album. perfect day was the last song we played at our wedding to close out the reception.

Anthony Bourdain style, New York swagger. This is not a bad thing.

Very good. Not a huge Lou Reed guy but this is undeniably solid. Great songwriting, great band work, inventive and weird in places. I really liked it.

So many heaters here. Great record.

this is getting rounded up to 4 from a 3.5, largely on the strength of “Vicious” and the run from “Hangin’ Round” thru “Satellite of Love” the rest of this I could go without hearing again and be fine. cool that he was taking some chances after Velvet Underground fell apart, but the songs just aren’t as strong in many cases. “Perfect Day” has always struck me as an odd, overwrought song, and it stands apart even more on this album where it doesn’t really fit in with anything else happening here.

Some classic songs on here obviously. The rest pretty much holds up too. Particularly liked “Vicious.”

Lou Reed transforms! It's hard to describe just how bland this record is honestly. Like a cup of warm fucking piss. And now I've got to chug the damn thing. I don't want to, just please don't make me do this...well, I did, and I've got to say the aftertaste of "Transformer" sucks. I'm disappointed, man. Lou Reed, I loved every single one of his records with the Velvet Underground, so it's a shame that I didn't enjoy this one. The instruments and vocal hooks were completely forgotten 1 second after finishing a track. Every single glam rock sound on this record has been done far better by the likes of David Bowie and T. Rex before, and Lou's contributions come across as kind of awkward, honestly. But I can say this much, he certainly had fun on this album, and that's what matters for the guy. I wish I had more fun listening to it, though. Though, I think we can all agree that Lou Reed with eyeliner is 😍😍😍

36 minutes long and some of it was bad. Particularly New York Telephone Conversation and Goodnight Ladies. Both would be filler on a 60 minute album! Includes both the *very* famous tracks which it’s hard to deny are superbly written and performed. Overall an OK listen but I hoped for more when this came up.

I really liked The Velvet Underground growing up but never got into Lou Reed's solo work. It was great to hear his voice again in a new context and with some interesting song ideas. I had heard Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side, but others were solid as well. Enjoyable, though doesn't reach the highs of Velvet Underground to me.

Inventive tunes with a hint of Broadway. Too bad one extremely creepy song lyric downgrades it.

I didn’t like it all that much - maybe 2.8

nice listen !

Wow. Never thought I’d see that picture and it would evoke instant joy. This project does interesting things to a person… Yeah. Always happy to hear Lou Reed’s delivery. Is he serious? Is it all satire? And a tuba. 4 Boolean: TRUE

first listen had me a bit underwhelmed ("i guess you had to be there?") but it grew on me. walk on the wild side in particular is dated but a genuine classic. highlights: vicious, andy's chest, perfect day, hangin' round, walk on the wild side, make up, satellite of love, i'm so free, goodnight ladies. so most of it. #first time listening (mostly)

Very mid 70s pop rock

Perfektný album

I loved the start of the album, but it lost me at the last tracks somewhat, so no five stars, more like 3,5. But the songs that are good, are crazy good, and it's undeniable.

Lou Reed double tracked vocals in I'm So Free is really an incredible sound - it's like what Frankenstein would sound like. Lou Reed is so so cool and he is so good glammed out but also I kept checking if the album was over. I've listened to this album 100 times and never quite loved it but it's very good.

This is a fairly pleasant album, especially coming from the musically schizophrenic Lou Reed. I do think it's some of his better cohesive work, and yet, I'm not amazed by this record. This is a 3.5, but I'm rounding up for being good all the way through.

Favorite track(s): Perfect Day, Hangin' Round, Walk on the Wild Side, Make Up, Satellite of Love Heard before Previous rating: 8/10

Fast living wrapped in a blanket of consistency. This album contains themes relevant to a young man with a proclivity for danger. It is sonically tuned to a 70s backdrop of mesmerizing counterculture and revolutionary personalities. Themes explored also included the highs and lows of a precarious lifestyle within a tempting urban environment. I enjoyed being transported to this attractive and hair-raising world of pleasure chasing, somber reflection, and lowlife regret. Particularly, the themes of love, romance, and pleasure stuck out to me as the most prominent within the album. They immediately transport you into the rapid fire nature of 70's NYC and its endless cast of quirky and distinctive personalities. It captures the intoxicating rush of romantic encounters, chasing highs, and reeling from danger within a bustling back drop that begs for whole-hearted devotion. Lou Reed does a great job pulling you into his world of idling, crashing, and exploring the Rotten Apple during a time where pop culture was transforming, much like the album title suggests. This is a great listen for anyone willing to taking a leap into this wild goose chase of desire, hurt, and ecstasy.

Take a walk on the wild side! Banger.

Some on the 2nd half are better then the first, some great songs but some im indifferent too, making this whole album listen great with eh moments that hold it back.

4.5

cool

I may have listened to Lulu multiple times of my own volition just to prove I'm made of sterner stuff (and stupidity), but I don't think Lou Reed is my kinda listening.

Outside of Walk On The Wild Side, there isn't a lot on here I'd be willing to call essential. I do however enjoy it all quite a bit. Possibly because of the very obvious Bowie fingerprints all over it.

The hits are clearly the best songs on here, but there are a few other gems with some almost vaudevillian composition and instrumentation. The worst songs are the actual rockers; his voice just really doesn’t donut for me on those tracks.

A really fantastic album, probably closer to A 4.5 for me but just having something on the second listen.

One third of this record is classic, anther third is pretty solid, and the last third has you asking what the heck he is doing. I Guess that's Lou Reed for you.

what an album! Lou! - THIS guy - he and I randomly ran into each other like 4 times in 2wks back in the early 2000s when I was living in the city - I have never been a fan, but always appreciated him, nothing special - but he must have been convinced I was a legit stalker lol bc he bolted that last encounter, leaving his Amex at the bar of Marie's in the W Village, no lie it was like the old amex commercials - there was his card on the counter, 'Lou Reed' typed on it. Later, I'd see him and Laurie at Chelsea Piers where I taught, and he looked like any other old guy in his white spa robe tied too high - right under the boobs, it was sweet - not exactly the badass rocker he once was..man he was awesome wasn't he. this record is beautiful, I love everything about it - and I am not even 'a fan' imagine that

This reminds me of the occasional substitute teacher in high school. You know the one. He would stroll in change the way you see teachers forever by being human, raw, and honest. No subject was taboo. All filters off.

Like NYC in the 70s - gritty and dangerous but also classy and sophisticated. Bonus points for the bass playing throughout. And the lyrics are a cut above - and cutting. Mother Nature's son indeed.

3 all time songs made this a 5 but the rest of the album is almost as good. The back half take a right turn, as if Lou Reed had to remind you that it wasn't Bowie solely at the controls, and I love him more for it.

Lou is an aquired taste for sure

Take a walk on the wild side.

10/10 –Masterpiece

An eclectic mix of styles, a few haven't aged well, but still a great album.

Vinyl time. A few fantastic tracks.

no no

i had expected more than this but still good.

So I listened to this louder than I have before, and I think it helped me appreciate the lesser songs like "Andy's Chest" and "Make Up" which I felt like I'd never listened to before. Still the giants here are "Perfect Day," "Walk on the Wild Side," and "Satellite," plus the rockers like "Vicious," "Hangin' Round" and "Wagon Wheel." Love the guitar sounds, the slightly sharper-than-VU edge of the rhythms, and even like the production touches like the backing vocals, and even the "Perfect Day" strings that I'd hate if they weren't setting off Lou's unpolished vocals. I even enjoyed "Goodnight Ladies" and think it's a great closer. "New York Telephone Conversation" though, I can't justify. Yeah, it's a classic. 4.5/5

Immaculate

✸ Another album I've never listened to! ✸ Perfect Day so devastating. ✸ Walk On the Wild Side so chill. ✸ It's always a trip reading through the Wikipedia articles for musicians like this, because he's a very talented performer and also was probably not a very nice guy??? (obvious, etc. etc.)

very important and great, but also i personally feel like i'll never listen to it again

This is on my shelves. I don't play it very much. The good bits are really good, the filter tracks, not so much. Heard before ✅️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ✅️ ★★★☆☆(6/10) Total reviewed : 375 Already owned : 83 Purchased : 16 To buy : 7 Nope : 269

A little strange good beats but the message isn’t my favorite, very drag queen haha

Absolutely no shade on Lou Reed, but couldn’t we just call this whole thing “Seven Albums by The Velvet Underground and People Involved with It” that you should listen to? I think it would have given us a pretty good sense of the list makers’ attitudes and it would have saved us from having to listen to multiple albums by Yes. Anyway - this album freaking rules.

some dated language in this one but some bops to be had

I thought I was unfamiliar with Reed going into this. Started off with really liking Perfect Day, and then Walk On the Wild side came up, and there was the aha moment. Satellite of Love and I'm So Free also hit pretty well for me. I kinda bounce back and forth on liking his singing style of getting a little loose with the beat and pitch, but it could grow on me.

Good old 70 music :-)

these classic rock album doesnt rly stick to me but this one kinda mixed lyrics were good but instrument was ordinary but pretty good

What can I say? I’m biased

What I love about Reed is the characters that pop up in his songs. Perfect Day is a perfect song

Love some of the songs on this album and others not at all. Favorite songs: Vicious, Perfect Day

Yeah Well, I'm familiar with "Walk on the wild side" and I liked "Satellite of love" but the rest is a bit out of my style.

I'm not too familiar with Lou Reed. My first exposure to him was through Trainspotting. "Perfect Day" plays when Mark is overdosing. I love that song, it's on my karaoke list. And of course I've heard Walk on the Wild Side. Those both happen to be on this album! meh, 3 stars.

The showtunes influence, production by Bowie, and especially the slower pieces helped this album to stand out. But oftentimes the songs were generic sounding which I struggled to slog through.

Another one of my most played records.

My inner punk wants to love this, but it was just ok.

Got this on vinyl for my 16th birthday. Side A rules.

an absolute all timer. not much i can say besides i love this album so much

Decent album. Still not really my taste, though that may change.

Super charming album. Its really endearing to hear Lou have this monotone voice over these really upbeat tracks. Almost like he recorded in a karaoke booth or something

Har inte lyssnat på Lou Reed alls men detta albumet är ju rätt ikoniskt. Man känner igen mycket!

fav songs: vicious perfect day walk on the wild side satellite of love goodnight ladies melodic, provocative, warm 80/100

Musically, it's kinda amazing that he has a career. He can't sing, all that well. HE can write wonderful lyrics about the craziest thing or the most mundane. He surrounds himself with Bowie & whatnot. It's makes him better. I thought this was ok. Not perfect but not imperfect either. 3

Some of these songs have been with me my entire life and will continue to be. Others are duds, and the back half drags a bit. He does look like Frankenstein's monster on the cover.

What a fantastic album. I knew next to nothing about Lou Reed going in but I loved nearly everything about Transformer. I'm hoping there is more on the list for me to experience. 4.5* Rounded up to 5*

hell yeah

no no no no no non o

The album Lou Reed was born to create. Masterpiece.

“I thought it was dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people's love songs." - Lou Reed

A couple of standout tracks but overall this didn't leave much of an impression for me. Going into this only knowing "Walk On The Wild Side" I think I expected more apparent experimentation throughout the rest of the track list.

love

It's nice, but u need to hear it a couple of times, it has this old and comforting style, definitely not my vibe but I thinks it deserves hearing it

Just a perfect album

Credit where credit is due, it led to "Can I Kick It?" ... but other than that, it's not that interesting. Is that the sound of an angle grinder in the first track?

Lou Reed manages to find the apex of pop music, shoving it up up and away to the point in which it stops being pop music and starts being pure musical magma. Each song is alive and vibrant, even if they play the genre game fast and loose and seem unshapely at first. It comes together in due time, and it starts to feel as if these songs are small stories in one sick, sad world. If there's any album that makes a solid case for Lou Reed being a one in a generation songwriter, it's this one.

3.6 2x

Very TV Show esque

Another one of my all time favorites. Bowie is at the height of his powers here with production that’s dense and lush, and Ronson adds some really sick riffs to pair with Reed's "part the kimono" style of songwriting. It's sleazy, funny, sad, and effortlessly cool. Standout tracks: Vicious, Perfect Day, Andy's Chest, Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite of Love. 5/5.

I love Lou Reed, but I think Bowie did too much here. Still good though

The highs on the album are exceptionally high, with Perfect Day being the peak. It is the most painful, ironic, poisoned song mistaken for a loving ode ever put to tape. It also highlights the best of Ronson and Bowie's contributions. After all, more than Reed, this is a super group album in which the arranging of the trio matters more than the compositions themselves. Imagine Vicious without that Ronson guitar scratch, imagine PD without the strings, imagine Walk on the Wild Side without the double bass and chorus. When the trio clicks they create a mesmerizing and insightful landscape of theatrics that would go on to influence music forever. Im convinced that we can witness a Dylan-Reed-Dylan pipeline. Listen to Hangin Round and then Tangled Up In Blue. The person-to-person episodic structure that Dylan takes in Tangled was likely inspired by Reeds Street life stories just the same way that Reeds storytelling was given permission by earlier Dylan. Compare the two songs structurally and you will see what I mean. Dylan admitted to loving Reed in '87 and buying all his albums. The last 4 tracks are the weakest, despite the ironic humor of Im So Free which shows Reeds inherent conservative disposition- He may have participated in the counter-culture but he was never blinded by it. The back portion of the album also show the weakness of the trios tendency towards theatricality. Make Up didnt need the tuba. It would have been a standout track with Reeds voice alone and the tuba takes the already campy, boundary phasing writing of Reed and makes it grotesquery. Like having two voices sing; one tonally aware and the other deaf. Wagon Wheel never gets past being a mean spirited joke about beating a girl up. And New York Telephone Conversation may as well be a bad Broadway interlude. But overall the album is a must listen and the tracks that work will change and sharpen your perception. The ones that dont will still make you smirk.

Unique sounds, catchy hooks, unique voice. Lyrics range from layered and insightful to flippant and silly. A truly great album. Perfect day is a personal favorite. Five stars.

First few songs I was like what is this shit And then Perfect Day chorus hit

magique

Lyrics were super progressive for the time. Production is classic glam rock. Bowie was definitely involved. Great album. Favorites were Vicious, Perfect Day, Hangin’ Round, Walk On The Wild Side, and Satellite Of Love.

Lou Reed at his best. There are about ten versions of Lou Reed throughout his career and all of the good ones appear on this album.

buenisimo

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