Reviews (page 3 of 13)
I'm a sucker for Lou Reed. His time with the Velvet Underground was groundbreaking and mind-expanding for everyone who heard the music. For this album, Perfect Day is one of my favourite songs of all time. It stops me in my tracks no matter where I am when I hear it. Of course, Walk on the Wild Side is a monumental work of art. So simple with its bass line and brushed snare and the fact that a song about a transvestite prostitute giving head can be played on the radio just blows my mind. Satellite of Love is also a beautiful song that I could listen to over and over again.
Love it.
Lou Reed and David Bowie are a magical combination. This is the album of all albums for Lou Reed.
Brilliant.
some goofy songs but some absolute bangers - perfect day - walk on the wild side
The Lou Reed hit album, some song pearls and classics.
Classic album
One of my all time favourite albums. Satellite of love, Vicious, Perfect Day all amazing. X
36 perfect minutes. Gets in, has a blast, gets out. Effortlessly enjoyable. Perfect Day an exceptionally perfect song (please see also the Wim Wenders film). Then you throw in Wild Side and Satellite? Just an all-round all-timer.
rated velvet underground so low that almost missed this masterpiece
I enjoyed this album. Not many songs I’d revisit but I appreciated it nonetheless. I liked his tone and perspective lyrically. I was torn between giving it four or five but I decided to go with five. Nice to hear some rock after avoiding the two previous rock albums.
Adore it. Perfect day and satellite of love r like two all time favorite songs
"Transformer" is a brilliant album, and Lou Reed is a gifted performer. Could an album be made any better? Of course, but this comes pretty close. I like his voice; it's very laid-back, as if he were telling us things that are completely irrelevant, but they aren't. My favorite song is "Perfect Day," but of course there are also the classics "Walk On The Wild Side" and "Vicous," but for me, "Satellite Of Love" is also right up there. 5 stars, because I can't give it 4.5.
An easy 5, could Satellite of Love be the best song ever written? It's possible
Enjoyed this so much I listened to it twice
A stunningly strong album. Bowie and Ronson can be heard in it but Lou Reed takes the album to places no one else could've. Satellite of Love, Walk on the Wild Side, Perfect Day. The Velvet Underground were an important step establishing and growing Lou Reed but he put our such powerful work and this is likely the best of it. An instrumental only of this album would be an incredibly unique record. Reed on top pushes this to an easy 5.
Pleasantly surprised today. Found myself very intrigued by the compositions. A nice tight 37 minutes of cozy interesting music. Oh okay David Bowie had his hands in this, that is enlightening. I'm kind of happy that I had never heard this album before. I'm having an opening a treasure chest, glowing in my face experience.
Coolest scene in all of music history.
Absolutely delicious from beginning to end.
This is like one of the greatest albums ever made
Vicious Perfect Day Walk on the Wild Side Satellite of Love New York Telephone Conversation
Funny story about that comic relief version of Perfect Day. They actually lost the original recording. They actually got Houmous & Chutney in to sing every part. Len is a fantastic impressionist! Taught Russ Abbott everything he knew! 4.7
Somehow I never realized these were all on one album. This is like a greatest hits
Amazing songs with amazing lyrics
Have loved this album for years. So iconic.
Judging by the cover, this is Tim Curry's debut album coming hot off of Rocky Horror Picture Show success. I don't see Sweet Transvestite on this, but that's okay, I'd take a Walk on the Wild Side any day of the week. ;) I'm not going to do this album the justice it deserves, because Lou Reed is one of America's overlooked treasures from the early 70s. Every time I listen to this album it gets better, it get's stickier, and has slowly made its way to one of my favorites with me barely knowing.
This is the album that turned Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground into Lou Reed. While often plumbing the same depths of society as his work with the Velvet Underground, Transformer doesn't sound like the VU. Instead, it is a little more pop, more accessible, which is why it charted so much better than any VU album. The big difference between Transformer and Reed's self title debut solo album is David Bowie who produced but did not write any of the songs. Bowie helped Reed takes songs like Vicious, and especially the megahit Walk on the Wild Side, add a splash of Glam and Pop. Songs that could have been VU dirges, instead sparkle with energy. Bowie infuses some light into the darkness to great effect. Transformer introduces the template that later punk artists would leverage to great effect - music that is willing to talk to the dark side of society but doesn't take itself too seriously. This makes the message easier to hear and hence more effective. This also makes Transformer one of the most influential, perhaps even pivotal, albums in the rock genre. It's not one to miss.
I love this album, I love the sounds and his voice
Another classic from my youth.
I'd give this 4.5, but 5 stars on this scale, because while Lou Reed may not love how many people constantly still talk about this album, it is my love of Bowie that is the same reason I love it. The songs are just a great mix of Reed and Bowie, and it fits perfectly with the Bowie sound that he also used with Iggy Pop.
How could you not love it?
Boomer 'phobes will really say that trans people are a new phenomenon while living in a world where "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" was on the billboard hot 100 in 1972. If you ever get a chance to go to the Andy Warhol museum, they have an incredible rotating display of their collection of films from the Factory that feature all of the folks from that song, Candy, Jackie, Holly, Lou Reed himself and more. Anyway, the more I listen to Lou Reed the more I love him, and the more albums I listen to on this list the more I appreciate the expansive influence of David Bowie.
Like being beamed into the back room of Max's Kansas City. Very beautifully written songs about very real lives and loves. You can smell the nightlife through the speakers. Faultless
Iconic album
En sån serie klassiker, en skiva som öppnade mina ögon för allt om inte är mainstream. Femma!
It's quite a departure from his music with The Velvet Underground, retaining the decadence but everything is a bit more camp, perhaps due to the input of producer David Bowie. The songs have a pop sheen which gave Lou Reed the much needed hit song and album to reignite his career. It has enough oddness to satisfy most fans of The Velvets, though you have to like music hall to get through tracks like 'Goodnight Ladies' and 'New York Telephone Conversation'. But on the whole it is a very entertaining and accessible album with a well deserved reputation featuring catchy as hell goodies like 'Perfect Day', 'Vicious', 'Satellite of Love', 'Walk on the Wild Side' etc.
Great stuff
Love this album tune after tune satalite of love, perfect day and the obvs. His crazy crisp new york lyrics, the filhty dirty swagger. Amazing
Staple soundtrack to my studies, hard not to enjoy this
What an album!
I wasn't aware of this until the mid-90s, I took a punt on it when HMV had it on offer. This was before the BBC butchered Perfect Day for Children In Need. Anyway, fantastic album and it's been on regular rotation ever since.
godito
Me entere recien que lo produjo Bowie. Y si.
y si, doma Lou
Fantastic classic album with some perfect songs and great songwriting in total.
Geweldig album. Vier kleppers. Dus ook vier sterren (en een half)
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Two songs that really captured a mood. Couple of other hits and a generally high level for everything else. I feel like this album gives a window into early 79a New York.
Lou Reed’s Transformer is nothing short of a masterpiece, a glam-rock triumph that marries his gritty lyrical storytelling with the flamboyant sheen of 1970s decadence. Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, the album captures the essence of New York’s underground scene while propelling Reed into the mainstream with its slick, genre-defying sound. From the sultry groove of “Walk on the Wild Side” to the hauntingly beautiful “Perfect Day,” Transformer is an album that feels as bold and revolutionary now as it did upon release. What makes Transformer a five-star classic is its flawless blend of art and accessibility. Reed’s deadpan delivery and vivid, often provocative lyrics find the perfect counterbalance in Ronson’s lush arrangements and Bowie’s glam rock polish. Tracks like “Satellite of Love” shimmer with wistful beauty, while “Vicious” and “I’m So Free” burst with swaggering energy. Every song on the album feels essential, each revealing a new layer of Reed’s artistry, from biting wit to heartfelt vulnerability. With Transformer, Lou Reed redefined what a rock album could be, combining raw emotion, theatricality, and cultural commentary in a way that feels timeless. It’s a celebration of individuality, a snapshot of a vibrant, transgressive era, and a showcase of Reed’s unmatched ability to turn poetry into music. Few albums manage to be this groundbreaking while remaining utterly listenable, and Transformer stands as one of rock’s most enduring achievements.
So great.
Walk on the Wild Side was a real fixture of my early childhood. My dad was a big Lou Reed fan (though oddly not a big Velvet Underground guy - I should ask him why that is), and consequently I was a Lou Reedy kid. I didn't actually listen to Transformer front to back until a couple years ago, and I was very into it. Its got a great blend of driving rock tunes (Viscious, Hangin Round), weird artsy songs (Andy's Chest, Goodnight Ladies) and stone cold classics (Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side). It's not a perfect album, but I'm pretty much always in the mood to listen to it. Its best moments are as good as anything else out there, and I just love Lou Reed's lyrics and his whole oeuvre. Album Cover: (A) Its weird. It looks kinda rough/unpolished but it just works. The red and green outline on the guitar just does it for me.
This is a really interesting and artsy album. It's amazing how he sang about transgender issues way back in 1972.
What a perfect album
Classic Album, Love Eversthing about it
Love this.
does it even need a rate? thats a pure masterpiece.. lou reed is a true true icon
An absolute classic. Stripped, textural, dynamic, edgy. It's all the stuff I like, am perturbed by, ask questions about and bloody well can understand the lyrics as sung. It's not an effort to hear what's being said. I don't really like it, but I respect it. 5 stars.
The apathy in the lyrics is great. Can hear the Bowie influence on him. Love it. It’s all very drab in a colorful fun way. Original emo? Idk.
Forgot how good this is.
Good God, this is amazing. I first heard it something like 35 years after its release. 50-odd years after its release, it's still simply incredible. 'Vicious', 'Perfect Day', 'Satellite', 'Goodnight Ladies' - astounding tracks. Superb musicianship throughout. And Reed actually singing in spots. I maintain that he didn't usually sing as such, but when he does (e.g. 'Makeup'), it really works - even if he's not 100% tuneful, his voice and 'presence' carry him effortlessly through those spots.
Spectacular peak of songwriting.
Brilliant, had no idea it was Mick Ronson and Bowie too
Another terrific album, list, you’re making me wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. I do love me some Lou, some VU, and this is prime Lou. He can be hit or miss sometimes but this is all hit.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 🟨⬛🎸 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 💊🍆🌈 Rating: 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶/5
Classic. Strange to think that Bowie was involved, who has released Ziggy Stardust 6 months before. How did that happen?
Super great listen. Fits into modern times very well.
Love this album
Great album. Lou Reed was better after the velvet underground.
No need to listen to this as a well ploughed furrow
Wow, yesterday velvet underground and today Lou reed. Nice combination! Besides this the album is awesome! Vicious, perfect day, walk on the wild side… just hits!
Transformer is zo'n plaat waar veel samen komt. Enerzijds weet je dat uit de verhalen, wikipedia en ongevraagde collega's van muziekvrienden. Anderszijds hoor je dat ook gewoon aan de muziek. Want als je licht aangeschoten vader van 66 bekend dat hij Walk on the Wild Side van Lou Reed het beste nummer ook vind... ...een nummer over genderidentiteit en prostitutie in de jaren... ...dan moet er toch wel iets bijzonders gebeuren. En dat vind ik ook zeker. Je hoort the VU, the roots van Lee. Je hoort de glam-invloed van Bowie (geïnspireerd door VU). Je hoort Lou zelfs, als uniek zanger/artiest. En je hoort de jaren 70. Ik voel zelf altijd een verbondenheid met Closing Time van TW. En Goodnight Ladies is toch zo een Waits song? Anyway. Op Transformer gebeurd veel. En ook de kleinere tussenliedjes zijn mooi en lijm voor de hoogtepunten op de plaat. Transformer kan altijd aan en is al jarenlang tof. 8,5/10 Highlights Andy's Chest Perfect Day Walk on the Wild Side Goodnight Ladies
An iconic rock album, with songs that have influenced all sorts of genres, is in the following ears. I can hear the production by David Bowie. Fantastic lyrics, and simple but effective instrumentation. Favourite songs: Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love, Wagon Wheel, Andy's Chest Least favourites: New York Telephone Conversation
Having not been around then, I can’t fully grasp all of the context that would lead to people calling Lou Reed a sellout for this album. History has been kinder and I think this album is just excellent, intelligent pop. Perfect Day and Satellite of Love are as good as it gets. I’ve loved this album from the first time I heard it.
this album is a firm 4.5 for me, but i’m rounding up to a 5 because a 4 just feels wrong
I turn 44 next week and Wild Side still creeps me out. This is not my favorite record but is a certified banger for sure. The stand out tracks stand out so much that people know them without knowing who write them or what album they are from.
I really like it alot
I liked this album a bit when I got it as a kid, I now think it is a great album. Maybe not perfect but up there as something that sounds great even now.
Known widely as a glam-rock and protopunk masterpiece, I love this album, but I recognize that many who are hearing it now for the first time may not love it as much. On the strength of "Walk On The Wild Side" and its doubled bass lines alone, this is a worthwhile listen, but you get the pop hooks of "Vicious" and surrealism of "Andy's Chest" (Andy being Andy Warhol). Throw in a little cabaret with the line, "Yeah, we're coming out, out of our closets"--for 1972, this is about as "gay anthem" as you can ever hope to find--even the title give a nod to the trans community. Subversive and catchy and varied and still short enough not to lose the plot.
Hey this was a weird album full of corny love songs and songs about presumably being off drugs. This was not what I was expecting but I actually kind of loved it!
This is awesome and weird and not at all what I expected (in a good way). This is the exact kind of music that keeps me going. It’s not just “another 70s rock album.”
AHHHHHHHHH MY BABY MY BABY TELL MY BABY THAT YOURE MY BABY vicious- 8 andy's chest- i think its kinda sweet. his friend got shot and he wanted to cheer him up. 8 perfect day- 1,000,000,000. hangin round- 8 walk on the wild side- a tad overplayed. 8 make up- 7 or 8 satellite of love- 8 or 9 wagon wheel- 7 new york telephone conversation- 10 goodnight ladies- 10 <3 <3<3<3 id be dead without this album
Just brilliant
I didn't know how to handle this album when I first heard it.
Loved it.
This is #day95 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what a great way to kick off the week! I've known Lou Reed’s work both solo and with The Velvet Underground, but I'd never listened to this album in full until now. And wow, what an album! It’s packed with immediate classics like "Vicious," "Perfect Day," "Walk on the Wild Side," "Satellite of Love," and "I'm So Free." Knowing it was partly produced by David Bowie, "Transformer" feels like a precursor to Bowie's Aladdin Sane in many ways, especially with its glam rock influence and string/piano/jazz arrangements. Lou's vocals are comforting yet sharp, and the entire album sounds as beautiful as it can. I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. I'm also excited to explore more of Reed’s solo work and VU's catalog. So, random generator, bring it on! Looking forward to #day96.
Great
Lou Reed is a genius.
I like Lou reed in general so glad I got that album
Great writing from a period of early rock n roll. Fun to listen to.
4.9 - Almost a 5 but it tales off at the end
Hard to describe why this album is so good. It’s just so pure and simple. Fave Tracks: Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love, New York Telephone Conversation, I’m So Free 4.7/5
Great album.
I will start by stating that the versions on the live records "Rock and Roll Animal" and "Lou Reed Live" are superior, I like the energy of the live recordings. I also think the drum sound on this record is really thin. That said, this record has so many great tunes. "Vicious", "Perfect Day", and "Satellite of Love" are enough to make this record absolutely worth the listen. Add in the timeless "Walk on the Wild Side" and it's impossible for me to not give this five stars.
I was never a big fan of Lou until now. Had never heard this album in order or in its entirety. Absolute killer the works not one bad song. Pure fire. Thinking it was gonna be a 3 I stand corrected and scoring it a 5. Nothing like I ever expected I like this more than velvet. Recomended for all
A singular, beautifully weird, and fantastic sounding record. Lou’s best that I’ve heard, and probably his most accessible. Walk On The Wild Side is perfection: there’s not another popular song like it.
Can’t be too stingy with the 5/5. This is a great album. The subjects that he cover would have been so taboo at the time the album was released, but it feels like the album has aged really well.
# Playlist track - Walk on the wild side. # Notes - Loved listening to "Walk on the wild side" and thinking about A Tribe Called Quest's "Can I Kick It". Great song and bass line. - Hated to read that due to copyright stuff, A Tribe Called quest never got once cent out of their song. - Album was super cool, tho. Recommend!
This is the work of a genius. Just appreciate it.
Brilliant. (That was a surprise)
This one is nostalgic because my college roommate and I listened to it a ton back in the day. It's a little weak towards the end, but the first 8 songs are great. Can't give it anything less than a 5.
A classic with some of my favourite songs ever.
My appreciation for Lou Reed went way up listening to this album. Love the line “hairy-minded pink bare bear” best of all.
He's so cool, this album is so cool. This one is on repeat
Mick Ronson and David Bowie were hugely influenced by The Velvet Underground and they repaid the favour by working on this album with Lou Reed. There’s definitely a glam feel to parts of this, but the lyrical content and Lou Reed’s distinctive style loses none of its edge. We still get boundary pushing tracks about trans people, sex of all flavours and a whole song about how nice it is to spend the day in the park off your head on heroin. Smacktastic!
Interesting to have The Velvet Underground followed by Transformer. Great record by Lou Reed, another major album. Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side deserve by themselves 5 stars.
Really good stuff. Always enjoyed a bit of Lou Reed and this has the big hitters of Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side. Up there with the Velvet Undergrounds Banana Boi as the best thing he’s done. Simpsons: Yes
10/10 no notes
One of my all time favorite albums
Incredible album. Lou Reed was such a distinctive musician. Obviously "Walk on the Wild Side" is the big single but there are so many interesting songs on this album.
Different but interesting
Bowie has his fingerprints all over this and what a work of beauty!
Not a clunker on here. Arty, witty, sarcastic, and just downright good. Dylan, or any singer-songwriter really, would kill to write something this intelligent and accomplished.
One of my overall favorite works from Lou Reed, packed with some of his most iconic classics. No skips, plus production by Bowie and Ronson is always a win in my book.
Easy 5 for me. Everything I already know on this album I love, everything else I enjoyed.
Although not my favorite album by Lou (that title will forever belong to “New York,” sadly not on this list) it is hard to deny its brilliance. It captures the magic of what was best about the Velvets while featuring his ongoing evolution as an artist. This album also serves as a reminder of Bowie’s impact on both sides of the studio glass!
I don’t know what but there’s something about 70s glam rock that just scratches an itch in my brain
Great album. One of a kind artist. Bit of a prick but who isn’t? Lou Effin’ Reed!
This one is good Will I listen to again: 100%
Lou Reed & David Bowie is just a brilliant partnership as shown in this album. Many consider this Lou Reeds Masterpiece, I actually prefer Berlin, but this one is much more accessible and still deserving of 5 stars.
I mean come on !!!
I don’t think I can put into words what exactly about this album is so compelling to me, but I loved it. It just has a certain charm to it Favorites: “Vicious”, “Perfect Day”, “Hangin’ Round”, “Walk On The Wild Side”, “Make Up”, “Satellite of Love”
Texted my sis this: “*I* really like, but more importantly i think you would! It helps draw a musical line from like the pop folk of the 60s to the more rocking 1980s music. It’s produced by David Bowie too. Imo the album builds so if you decide to listen and the first couple songs don’t grab I’d encourage giving it a few more songs. Walking on the Wild Side has these do do dos that i think you’d like AND THEY BUILD INTO A SAX SOLO to end the song. Just sayin’” additionally, it has kind of a proto TMBG or squirrel nut zipper sound on some songs. Content is queer af 4.5/5
I wasn’t expecting to love this so much. I loved Perfect Day but wow what a fun, wonderful album. Just great lyrics, such a pleasant listen, and so much variety between the songs. Excellent. Exactly why I started this whole list.
I enjoyed this album a lot. A real bop as the kids today might say. I can also hear his influence on a ton of the music I listen to today. No surprise it also reminded me a lot of "Adventureland" which is a great movie.
Lou Reed is always a delight. This album has several classics on it, just even the songs that didn't hit it big are fun and fit nicely into the overall album. I was thrilled to start my day with this one!
9/10. Was leaning 8, but the entire album is clever. The dark humor in the lyrics is great.
A very street wise, confident album. Easily my favorite Lou Reed album. The songs have a lot of swagger and when they get more introspective or romantic, it feels genuine. The tunes stick in your head.
Great tunes made even better by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. A great way to appreciate their contributions is to listen to the version of Satellite of Love available on the expanded version of VU's Loaded, where it was originally recorded but not released. Night and day.
A classic Lou Reed - David Bowie - Mick Ronson album. Not in the same league as "Berlin" but still 5 stars of course.
Gorgeous album: a handful of classics and the rest is also rewarding.
It's the kind of album you're kinda sad when it finished. It's perfect from start to finish, good job Mr Reed
145 days in. And while some albums have been generated that I like more than this one, this is only the 2nd album on the list (so far) that I think fits the "Must Hear" moniker. I personally like this album a LOT. But I LOVE some albums that it inspired. And for that I will always be grateful. Lou Reed is a National Treasure
Instant 5 star for me. My wife and I danced to Perfect Day at my wedding. Love this album and all its glam-rock quirkiness. Favorites are Satellite of Love, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, I'm So Free, Wagon Wheel, and basically the whole album.
Classic. Lou Reed produced by Bowie is special.
Cruisy, Lo-fi masterpiece. Includes classics like Satellite of Love and Perfect Day
I knew a couple songs off of this album, but it was great to listen to the whole thing. Just great and interesting tunes and musicality from beginning to end.
I love this album. This is the precursor of everything from Bowie's more minimalist post-Ziggy Stardust work to Patti Smith to Pavement.
Lou Reed is the shit! His ultra-cool, slick, streetwise, "I-could-give-a-fuck" detachment totally makes this album. Walk on the Wild Side, with that sublime, iconic bassline, is arguably the coolest track ever recorded. But every other song is a keeper, too....no skip tracks. Vicious is a great opener. Perfect Day's lyrics say it's a love song...but that foreboding sound says otherwise. You decide. Either way, you have to listen. Other faves are: Hangin' Round, Make Up, and Satellite of Love. All have a strong Bowie feel. And the caberet lounge tones of New York Telephone and, especially, Goodnight Ladies work well here and are the perfect way to close this masterpiece. I can't believe I'd never heard this album before...it has instantly become one of my all-time favorites.
5 stars for perfect day alone
several solid songs
I've known this cover art for a long time, because "Walk on the Wild Side" is on my 'Parents Radio' playlist. This is the first time I've listened to the whole album though. I love it! Every song has me invested in the lyrics even with the talk singing style. The lyrics feel very progressive. Even the colored girls line seems to fit in appropriately rather than coming off as racist terminology. The album is short, catchy, deep, and meaningful. I was expecting a one hit wonder song, but was surprised with a really great album.
Think this is one of the first albums I fell in love with
Transformer is Lou Reed's second solo album, and contains his biggest hit song, "Walk on the Wild Side." That track is transcendent, establishing Reed's career and driving the success of this album. This collection of songs shows the range of styles that he combined: he's a modern version of a jazz crooner, with band using elements from psychedelic music to make glam rock. Reed's lyrics tell stories of drug use and non-traditional sexuality, adding to the mystic around "Wild Side" and this album. While Reed never matched the success of the song and the album later in his career, Transformer is regarded as one of the most important, influential albums in popular music.
Classic
no this is really fun and good
The glam-rock style of this album makes it one of Lou Reed's most accessible. "Vicious," "Andy's Chest" and "Satellite of Love" all have a glam-rock-era Bowie flair to them (which makes sense because Bowie plays on the album and produced it -- I actually forgot about that until I heard his backup vocals!). I always liked "Satellite of Love" but the one I woke up singing this morning was "Hangin' 'Round." Of course the classic song here is "Walk on the Wild Side." There's no song quite like it. The production shines a spotlight on the bass line, complementing it with some gentle snare brushes. I'm just noticing now that there's some acoustic guitar strumming even lower in the mix than the drums! I think I've always felt the effect of those guitars without really paying attention to them. The song is paced beautifully, with the backup vocals fading in after Lou Reed introduces the "doo-doo-doo's" and the strings following shortly after that. And of course, the saxophone solo that comes in right at the end like a cherry on top. It creates a sweet, nostalgic tone, framing a picture of trans sex workers on the streets of New York City in a way I'm not sure anyone else has. Lou Reed is nonjudgmental about these women's lives. In fact, he's sentimental about it. "Make Up" is another song about gender queerness, taking the perspective of a man watching their lover get up in the morning and transform into a woman with make up and gowns. He seems to be charmed by the process and the song captures a flirtatious energy. The other song that stands out is "Perfect Day." The production, like "Walk on the Wild Side," puts the bass up front with some gentle piano alongside Lou Reed's vocals. Then, when the chorus kicks in, there's a wall of strings, the piano gets louder and Lou Reed's vocals jump up in the mix so much they sound blown out. A melancholy air hangs over the song like a cloud and makes you wonder, was this really such a perfect day? Maybe he's looking back on a perfect day with a conflicted feeling, like he wishes he could escape the present and go back to that perfect day? This time around, this line stood out to me: "Just a perfect day, you made me forget myself / I thought I was someone else, someone good." I know that feeling of having a dark feeling -- like guilt or anxiety -- momentarily recede when I'm suddenly caught up in the moment having fun with someone. But those feelings have a way of creeping back in like that ominous last line: "You're going to reap just what you sow." This is a complex and fascinating song. Excellent album. It's not one I turn to very often but it's got too many great songs to not award classic status. 4.5 pushing a 5.
Decepticon.
I'm ashamed to say I only really know Lou Reed from Lulu, which means I only ever heard people speaking in a derogatory way about him. Incredible album, will definitely be listening to more.
So many great songs on this album, produced by Bowie, a glam-rock classic
This was surprisingly interesting. I found myself vibing with it all the way through, it just grew on me track after track.
Absolute classic
It took a minute, but I realized Transformer tickes all the right boxes for me. Representing several things I find appealing with the art-rock and singer-songwriter elements and then coated with a good dose of Glam Rock. The latter genre I'm growing an appreciation for. I really enjoy how this album is not afraid to double down on the odd and still maintains it's strong pop sensibilities.
Fantastic album, not listened to it in a long time so good to revisit it
Nice album, pretty obvious David Bowie was involved in this :)
Lou Reed exudes cool and this album shows it. He almost sounds bored of his own music, but not in a bad way. I had no idea Bowie was involved with this, but as I was listening, his influence comes in clear.
One of my favorites. Melodic, catchy, punkish/glammy/alternative in its lyrical content. Well produced (thanks, Bowie). All around great album.
A great album. I really enjoyed listening to it in its entirety and not just the best-known "Walk on the Wild Side". Apart from that, I'm not that familiar with Lou Reed. I'll do something about that. 5/5
Perfect Day.
Such an amazing album. Over 50 years since it's release some of the concepts on here are still ground breaking. Even now the idea of singing along to an anthem to burn out, transvestites and the find art of fellatio would send segments of "society" into a tither.
Hell yeah what an album.
I didn’t think I’d enjoy this album but I loved it! Some classics and the others were easy to listen to. Recommended!
Absolutely one of my favorite albums of all time.
I've been wanting to listen to this album for quite a while but constantly forgot to do so. Now I have finally listened to it all I can is just wow this is probably one of the best albums I have ever listened to
very good album. Will add it to my collection of essentials
Stone cold classic for a stone cold dude.
Loved this. I only knew Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side but added 5 more tracks to my 1001 albums faves playlist. I adore Lou Reed’s voice and thought many of the songs were super catchy.
Loue Reed dejó la Velvet, un grupo de pirados neoyorquinos que estaban en los márgenes del rock ajenos por completo al estrellato (luego fueron una de las bandas más influeyentes de todos los tiempos con esos mismos discos que nadie había comprado). Lo dejó y su último disco con él empezó a tener éxito y reconocimiento (Incluye Sweet Jave y Rock´n Roll entre otras gemas). Publicó este mismo año 72 un álbum de debut algo más normalito y después se tiñó el pelo, se pintó ojos y uñas y empezó su segundo disco cantándole al vicio, por recomendación de Andy Warhol. En los coros (de todo el disco) David Bowie, y a la guitarra nada menos que Mick Ronson. Ambos produjeron esta maravilla, a la par que estaban metidos de lleno en Ziggy Stardust. El disco es excelente de principio a fin, con canciones eternas como Perfect Day, Walk on the wild side o Satellite of love. El resto oscila entre glam rock como Hangin´round, I´m so free y Wagon Wheel y temas más teatrales o cabareteros como Goodnight ladies, Make up o New York telephone conversation. En definitiva un gustazo. Otros discos de 1972 fueron: Debuts de Roxy Music, Paul Simon, Big Star, Neu¡, ¿Fela Kuti? Discos expecionales como los de David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Todd Rundgren - Something/ Anything?, Stevie Wonder – Talking Book y Music of my mind, Elton John-Honky Château, Nick Drake – Pink Moon, Yes – Close to the Edge, Miles Davis – On the Corner, Neil Young – Harvest, The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St, Curtis Mayfield – Super Fly, Raspberries- Fresh, Genesis – Foxtrot, Van Morrison - Saint Dominic's Preview, Deep Purple- Machine Head y Made in Japan, Joni MIttchell- For the roses, Tangerine Dream - Zeit, T Rex- The slider, Kevin Ayers- Whatevershebringswesing, la banda sonora The harder they come... una cosecha excelente en la que Transformer brilla con luz propia.
Top banans
One of the best glam rock albums ever and one of my favorites of the 70's
One of the most thoughtful and mysterious albums from the early 70's. Lou Reed planted one of the alt-rock bases with this work. Great production, lovely instrumentation, interesting lyrics. Highly recommended
I've loved this album since my early-mid 20s. Lou Reed smashes it out of the park as a solo artist, with some of the best material to come out of the 1970s, let alone out of Lou Reed. I didn't know until today, though, of David Bowie's involvement. I like him better as a producer than a performer, I think.
A perfect cloudy Friday album. Love Lou. Wasn’t familiar with all of this album, though. Some fun deep tracks. Songs added to Spotify: 2
Punk and poetry. Perfect!
Excellent album and almost anything David Bowie has worked on is great with this not being an exception. Some of Lou Reed's most famous songs are on this album.
It makes me want to dance and laugh and cry!!!
great vicious perfect day hangin' round walk on the wild side make up satellite of love wagon wheel i'm so free goodnight ladies
So glad to be listening to this album. Opening track is good. Andy’s chest is my kind of jam. Perfect day is such a great track. Hanging round is another great track. What a record this is. This album is just great. So glad I finally listened to it.
Mad good.
You had me at Perfect Day. Five stars.
Classique, indémodable. Impossible de s'ennuyer à l'écoute de ce pilier du glam rock. Preuve ultime : les années passent et seules les préférences de chansons évoluent au gré du temps (et des humeurs). Transformer ne prend aucune ride, c'est nous qui vieillissons à ses côtés !
Every odd numbered track is a classic, and every even numbered track is pretty good too. Better than most of the Velvets. An alt-pop classic.
Was it really 1972? Even today songs like „Perfect day“ or Walking on the wild side“ are outstanding!
Classic.
Rockin, goofy, sublime, catchy, and matter of fact - Lou’s NYC comes out in screaming black and gold. Mick Ronson tears it up all over to top it off.
Everything feels alright when listening to this album
That was a fun album!
Every song's a banger, love it
Amazing album. Unique and fun listen
A phenomenal album & one of his best work that Lou has ever released
Retains the robust rock and roll elements of the Velvet Underground and the subtle charm of Reed's simple yet effective lyricism and vocal melodies. This album is a certified classic for all generations to enjoy.
Great album. First time I’ve heard a variety of his music.
magico
Amazing!! Vários destaques. Os backing vocals do Bowie... Golden. As músicas com queers!! A voz do Lou... LOVED IT.
New York, Andy Worhol and the wildlife on the wildlife.
Uma festa completa! Que disco, que obra de arte!
top half is all bangers. all weird and uniquely voiced.
Exceptional album. I enjoyed this thoroughly. I didn’t realize Lou Reed had so many recognizable songs from his solo career, I thought most would be tied to Velvet Underground music. But yeah, this feels like an album I will listen to repeatedly.
so unique
I just keep learning that I need to really listen to more Lou Reed. 4.5/5
4.9/5
One of the best albums of all time. Enjoyed listening to that. Been a long time.
Een paar absolute uitblinkers, en de rest solide. Mooi geheel
Another secret Bowie album. This time with Lou Reed as a proxy. I honestly find the bright and layered production a great fit for Lou Reed. With love songs about heroin in the park and pop numbers about trans girls from the country giving head in the city, this album was a wilder ride than its polish suggests. 10/10
My first 5-star album. Perfectly moody, slightly dark and laid back. Make Up and Walk on the Wild Side - the queer themes are delicious
Brilliant Album from the Iconoclast.
A personal favourite of mine. Very laid back and stylish in a decadent sort of way. Takes the best out of Bowie and Velvet Underground. Timeless.
A classy album full of memorable tracks and a mesmerising sound. Reed manages to sound washed out and euphoric, despairing and hopeful.
No question
Kind of a perfect storm of everything on this record. I feel like it's nearly perfect given all the circumstances surrounding it's context.
Great writing and great production. I looked this album up and apparently this was a major comeback record. Pretty cool.
Casual poems An upbeat melancholy Beautifully life
This guy sounded so done, always loved his vibe
POV: Lou Reed has cast his spell on me. Admittedly it took dozens of listens to his solo projects, but Velvet Underground really opened my eyes and gave me a willing ear, but man these solo records really are their own beast. I can’t believe I didn’t realize until now.
sweet lou
This was five stars up until that weird Telephone song. Nonetheless I loved this and have absolutely no idea why. Aw never mind, it’s a five in spite of that
Good sound, great energy, and some of the songs I had heard before. Enjoyed the album. Would listen to it again.
From the first song you can tell this is gonna be a masterpiece. So many great tracks. I love Lou Reeds unique style
Amazing
Amazing album, one of my all-time faves.
Reminded me of the band The Strokes he came first but I like to think he influenced them.
Tenía la sensación de que había escuchado este disco muchísimas veces. En realidad no lo había escuchado nunca entero, pero la portada y algunas de las canciones se han usado tanto para tantas cosas que me habían dejado esa idea. Un melocotonazo que huele a Nueva York, sin lugares comunes ni olor a cerrado. Las canciones, por más que las hayamos escuchado, siguen estando frescas. La voz y la interpretación de lou reed, los arreglos de viento, las letras... Es un disco hijo de una época pero que no envejece.
One of the absolute best. Loved this album. I coincidentally just listened to this album last week. Hah it's in my rotation pretty heavily to begin with a long with all of Bowie's solo work.
do i really need to say anything?
masterpiece, one of my favorite albums of all time
Lou reed is peak jazz rock. Walk on thr wild side is GOAT
I think many other people who are experts in this genre can explain this album’s greatness better, but listening to this album was an activity that I never thought I needed. I think this is my favorite album so far in this project. And that’s after having ‘Physical Graffiti’ and ‘Thriller’ and so many other amazing albums. This album doesn’t shout greatness, but his effortlessly comforting voice combined with many incredibly enjoyable songs is so good. There might be musically better albums than this(not much though), but this will probably be my favorite.(This review is written by a person who has not listened to any of his works or Velvet Underground’s albums.)
Between the detached icy-cold cynicism of 'Perfect Day,' to the Rock and Roll animal in 'Vicious', from the ability to tell life stories in just a few sentences in 'Walk On The Wild Side' to the depressing lyrics but beautiful sounds of closer 'Goodnight Ladies,' this is an album that never bores. And when you prick through the thin veneer of glam, you feel the songs underneath. 5*
Glam Rock is really great. Music is a lot better when you can be nasty and say what you want. It also helps to have David Bowie produce your sound.
Hadn't heard this one in a while. Brought back some good memories.
Some great old favourites on this album.
Love this record! Interesting how Bowie produced this and combined with Reed merged the sounds of Velvet Underground and Glam rock which seems a perfect place for Reed to land. Listening to the album it sounds free, effortless and cool. The gift of melody that is so well exhibited on Perfect Day and Satellite of Love is strikingly beautiful. Melody, stringed instruments, raw guitars combined with glam rock and interesting lyrics make this album a classic. Favorite Songs: Satellite of Love, Perfect Day, Vicious, Walk on the Wild Side.
Transformer still sounds fresh 50 years later, and is one of Lou's greatest records. This is around the time one of Lou Reed's greatest student, David Bowie, was taking off on his own and taking the Velvet Underground's sound in a glam rock direction. Everything from the production (Bowie and Ronson), to the catchy melodies, the seductive performances and the darker themes are all picture perfect here. Fav tracks: Vicious, Hangin' Round, Perfect Day, Satellite of Love, I'm So Free, Walk on the Wild Side
I love this record. It deftly creates a very particular mood: glam rock refracted back through Lou Reed's unique personality and lyrical perspective. He evocatively summons and communes so many memorable NYC characters throughout the run-time. It's a compelling portrait. Enlisting Bowie and Mick Ronson in a sort of full circle moment injected Reed's career with some much-needed mojo here. "New York Telephone Conversation" is probably the lowest point, but it's an acceptable quirk that only lasts 90 seconds. Really enjoyed revisiting this one today. Favourite tracks: Satellite of Love, Walk on the Wild Side, Hangin' Round, Perfect Day, Vicious
Perfect album with some of the best song of the history of rock.
I didn’t know so many songs I already know are his. Good listen.
Each song is a story and a complete banger. Awesome album.
Interesting timing, as I just recently got this album on vinyl for Christmas. Fantastic album.
favourite song: perfect day the velvet underground are my favourite band of all time (i wish i could change my review of their debut to give it 5 rather than 4) but ive never really touched any of lou reed’s solo work before this. went into this expecting to love it and absolutely did. feels like a very natural progression from loaded full of poppy and radio friendly moments, but without feeling limited to this style like VU were on that album. easily a 5/5 and incredibly difficult to pick a favourite song. couldve been any of them tbh but settled on perfect day (largely because i already loved it and i am a huge fan of trainspotting). unsurprisingly theres no least favourite here.
An amazing album. You can hear the influences of many artists of the time (including Bowie as producer) and also see how Lou Reed influenced numerous future artists. Reed's style of delivery can be off-putting to some but it conveys the angst and attitude of the times.
Love this album! I always felt the album had a Bowie style until I realized Bowie produced this gem.
Just one of the best albums ever written! Beautiful!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sweet nursery rhymes, cabaret ballads and glam pop stomps about junkies, queers, and general New York degradation, dissipation and despair. Sung by a bad-tempered, flat-pitched weirdo. Probably should be toe-curlingly strange and bad but it's the complete opposite of that. Astonishing
Neat tunes and lyricism. Good easy listening as well when I need ti calm down. Pretty good! I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would have.
Really fantastic. Loved this
El mejor álbum solista de Lou Reed, en mi opinión. La colaboración con David Bowie y Mick Ronson no solo funciona a favor de la propuesta artística del exlíder de The Velvet Underground, sino que genera un vínculo que potenció la carrera de todos los involucrados. Sin duda, un indispensable de la música alternativa.
BL: an album I have listened to before. The first time I listened it I must admit I didn’t massively get it. Reed’s overly simplistic melodies and lyricism did not massively come off as charming or unique. Despite the fact I love “Satellite of Love”, nothing else particularly stood out on the album AL: I’ve done a complete radical 180° on this record. I absolutely loved this. For some reason it just clicked into place, this is absolutely genius, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. FT: “Andy’s Chest”, “Perfect Day”, “Satellite of Love”, “Goodnight Ladies” 5/5
Fantastic, I had heard some of the hits before but this was a treat. Every song brings something new - his breadth as a songwriter takes us in all kinds of directions from pop (Perfect Day) to glam (Hangin Round). The lyrics are great as well - easy 5*
Banger
Perfect day strikes a nerve every time I hear it. Genius
Powerhouse and folky and weird at the same time
Perfect Day.
Really entertaining album, I loved it. I knew Perfect Day and Walk On The Wild Side, but was otherwise unfamiliar with Lou Reed and really enjoyed the edginess/sarcasm/humour. Listens: 2 Fave Tracks: Perfect Day, Hangin' Round Rating: 5
The first stone cold classic so far.
Extremely sexual, extremely moody, and extremely New York. Add in a touch of Bowie as producer, and you have a classic record cementing Lou Reed as an incredible songwriter and lyricist. 'Vicious', 'Perfect Day', 'Hangin' Around', 'Walk on the Wild Side', 'Satellite of Love' all on the same record? Wild indeed.
This is simply Lou Reed firmly proving that he would do just fine without The Velvet Underground.
Sommeraftener det blev til sommernætter. Sommernætter der blev til lyse morgener. Rødvin og hof. Samtaler om livet, om musikken. Fugle der vågner og hjerter der vokser. Tiden står stille og vi bliver voksne.
Lou Reed had such an amazing voice and cadence on this album. It feels like he was in tune with the scene and really expressed his view in a powerful way without the loudness and the big show that many other musicians were doing at the time. This album is a classic and has such a unique sound that it is recognizable almost instantly. Such a fun listen.
I have a friend who thinks Perfect Day is a song about drugs. He’s wrong of course It’s a song about love - it’s just that Lou’s love was a very unhealthy one That this album contains two of the greatest songs ever written (Perfect Day and WOTWS) would be enough That the rest of the album is right up there too is testament to its greatness
One of my favorite records of all time. Not a missed moment in this. When David Bowie comes in at the end Satellite of Love is 🤌.
fucking love this album. I think David Bowie produced and the backing band is The Spiders from Mars. Reed's real first solo album, but his second overall after self titled debut. The first album was written while he was in VO. First song - "vicious" comes from Warhol. Warhol: write a song called "vicious" Reed: andy, vicious can mean a lot of things, what do you mean? Warhol: you know, "vicious" I hit you with a flower. such a dope album!
Listening to Walk on the Wildside and Perfect Day as a part of the album was a different experience. Can see why Lou Reed is considered such an influential artiste. WotW was sampled by A Tribe Called Quest on their song Can I Kick It. It’s rumoured that Reed allowed them to use the bass line one one condition - that he gets 100% credit and royalties from the song.
Easy 5 long term fan of Lou Reed
Loved jt
Great album
Album 231 of 1001 Lou Reed - Transformer Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Tracks: Wagon Wheel / Walk on the Wild Side / Perfect Day Always a great listen. Awesome tunes. Lou at his best. With a production assist from David Bowie.
Love. Familiar and unfamiliar. All great.
Un album tout en ambiances, avec des chansons classiques et des textes solides. Je ne me lasse pas
The late 60s/early 70s truly loved to put a tuba somewhere prominently in the mix hahaha. Lou Reed is such a gifted songwriter, but like Bob Dylan I wish I enjoyed the timbre of his singing voice more, or at least was less distracted by it. That being said, that's really the only criticism I've got for this record, which I don't even think is a fair one to take off any stars for, and is in fact arguably the secret sauce to the success of Walk on the Wild Side, which I could have easily listened to for several minutes longer; that speak singing delivery works perfectly in context. Perfect Day and WOTWS aside, the rest of the tracks have much more variety to them than McCartney's eponymous record yesterday, and I enjoy Lou's solo sound generally more than I do the Velvet Underground. The sequencing was spot on. Are we finally getting a solid week of worthwhile listens?
SWEET LOU
Beste album van Lou, wist niet dat Bowie het heeft geproduceerd maar zodra je het weet hoor je het ook. Satellite of love een van de beste outro’s ooit gemaakt.
Amazing, insanely influential that I personally really enjoyed. Ofc Iggy Pop and Velvet Underground type style characteristic of that era that I am quite fond of. Certainly will listen again and I'm quite surprised that I didn't properly know/listen to it before. 9/10 for this genre. You just can't go wrong.
Oooh, Lou Reed. I love that this album came up, cause i feel like I should've listened to it already. Feels like a lovely mix of The Velvet Underground (What a shocker that is!), David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Also reminds me of my mom. Great album, would listen again.
up there with 1 of the best albums of all time, just awesome
Big fan of Lou Reed. This album rides. Classic tracks “Perfect Day” and “Walk on the wild side” still banging 50 yrs later
Essential Lou
Great, lots of saved songs on first listen, old school rock, nice voice and writing
Masterpiece.
Perfect
So many good songs that clearly have inspired so many others.
tetszik az albumborító esős napon a buszon nagyon jó
Lou Reed en estado puro. Vinilazo.
Perfect Day.
This album doesn't overstay its welcome, going from strength to strength before seeing you out with the smooth Goodnight Ladies for the perfect finish. Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side are absolutely brilliant songs.
Loved it.
Holy shit this is so great. I never realized what an influence this dude had on indie music. This reminds me a lottt of Pavement. Really impressed with the guitar Solo on Vicious.
One of my favorites. It offers colours of rock over a canvas of intelligence.
Lou Reed punches well above his weight with regard to influence compared to recognition. Whether they realize it or not, a slew of artists in the past half century drew at least some aspects of their styles from him. He establishes a solo electricity in “Vicious” while keeping a hint of the mellow rhythms from his days with the Velvet Underground. “Perfect Day” boasts anesthetic instrumentals on top of his ambrosial vocals in what might be an auditory interpretation of a chardonnay-laced picnic. “Hangin Round” throws it back to the original rock n roll of the fifties with its guitar and piano reminiscent of Little Richard. With its low-key beat, intriguing vignettes, and addictive saxophone, “Walk On the Wild Side” may have kickstarted the early alternative genre. In “Satellite of Love” Reed’s fingers slide across the piano keys like hang gliders over the Alps on the first day of spring. Lou Reed arguably started the alternative genre with this record. Or, maybe we could say, he simply transformed music. Either way, he keeps me hangin’ on!
Outstanding record.
This album was almost perfect, I knew some of the songs here but I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve actually given Lou Reed a proper listen. I know I have so much to explore in my musical journey and discovering albums like this is the reason I’ve been working through the 1001 albums list. There is a lot going on in this album and I think after a few more spins, this might been a favourite. Standouts: Vicious, Andy's Chest, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love (I know these are the obvious picks but they really do standout)
Heard before: yes I always have thought of this as the gateway drug to Lou Reed. I mean, the bass line for Wild Side alone is enough to secure his place in rock history. But I forget that the rest of Transformer isn’t just the most accessible he ever was, it’s an amazing collection of characters and urban tableaus, a gateway drug to the city and its endless possibility: an invitation to transform. Follow your dreams, give in to your vices, be whoever you want to be, fall into nightmares… Whatever you do, it’s still a perfect day. Top tracks: Andy’s Chest, Perfect Day, Walk On the Wild Side
Some good-ass songwriting
I think this could be a perfect album. I can't think of anything wrong with it. I always enjoy it start to finish. The lyrics are fun and engaging, the vocals are unique, the arrangements are original. It's just a blast. Love it. 5/5
Amazing
Way ahead of its time and still ahead of our time. The feeling of that spoken word singing style… The influence this album has on modern music is probably under recognized
Pop songs but weird
The best of Lou Reed. I play Perfect day on a lot of playlists.
Fucking great especially perfect day 5/5
Classic
Most mainstream thing Lou did. And he did good. Altough this looks like a regular old glam rock album, it's very diverse and non repetitive.
When I watch you come, baby, I just wanna run, far away You're not the kind of person 'round I wanna stay When I see you walking down the street I step on your hands and I mangle your feet You're not the kind of person that I want to meet Oh, babe, you're so vicious You're just so vicious 5/5