Loaded: The Fully Loaded Edition

iTunes Review

Loaded was the fourth and final Velvet Underground album featuring Lou Reed (a fifth VU album, recorded between the self-titled third album and this one, was issued in the ‘80s as VU and Another View). As Reed’s swan song, it features some of his finest, yet most conventional, material: “Who Loves the Sun” is practically AM radio pop. “Sweet Jane” and “Rock and Roll,” both presented here, as is “New Age,” in unedited form, are simple, straightforward rock tunes, natural radio-ready fare. From a band that had built its reputation on an unusual, even confrontational, sound, it’s quite a surprise — and welcomed, since the band plays flawlessly and the songs are among the finest of Reed’s career. This “Fully Loaded” version includes the original album in addition to a generous helping of alternate takes, mixes and demos that recreate the entire album and throw together other rarities from the period that Reed used to fuel the early portion of his solo career a few years later. Highlights include an interesting attempt at “I Found a Reason,” an eerie take and demo of “Ocean,” and early attempts at Reed solo tracks, including “Sad Song” (which appeared on Berlin) and “Satellite of Love” (a stand-out on Transformer.