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The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground

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iTunes Review

Aptly named, The Velvet Underground never achieved mainstream success during their initial tour of duty in the late ‘60s. The ensuing years saw their influence deepen and expand among the punk, new wave, no wave, and post-punk groups that followed in future decades. This, their 1967 debut, is a monster: powerfully diverse and innovative in every respect. From the sleepy dream pop of “Sunday Morning” through the abrasive viola scrapings of “The Black Angel’s Death Song” and rambunctious piano pounding behind “I’m Waiting for the Man,” to the lyrical taboos of “Venus In Furs” (S&M), and “Heroin” (drugs), The Velvet Underground & Nico represented a very sharp contrast to the era’s peace and love vibrations. In addition, the album featured German actress and chanteuse Nico on several tracks — “Femme Fatale,” “I’ll Be Your Mirror” and “All Tomorrow’s Parties” — that furthered the group’s exotic appeal. Andy Warhol’s “producer” role was more in name and promotion than any actual sonic input. The band, featuring Lou Reed and conservatory-trained John Cale, were in no need of outside influence.

Customer Reviews

Beginning of the Alternative Genre

And I'll tell you why by songs rating. Sunday Morning-10 Beautiful music, yet great lyrics I'm Waiting for the Man-9.5 Great song. Little bit overrated, but still great. Femme Fatale-9 Good Vocal by Nico, if only the lyrics was as great. Venus in Furs-10 Great song. One of my favorite song on this album. Run Run Run-8.5 Good song at best. Catchy line, though. All Tomorrow's Parties-10 Great music and Great vocal by Nico. This is Nico best song on here. Heroin-10 The best song by Velvet Underground, ever. This is THE best song Lou Reed had ever written. There She Goes Again-10 Great little 60's pop song. I'll Be Your Mirror-10 Another Fantastic song, sung by Nico. The Black Angel's Death Song-9 One of those song that I don't get at all but still good. European Song-6 Their only mistake on this album. Well there you have it, Velvet Underground & Nico.

Influential, Brilliant... an Acquired Taste

This changed everything about music the same way that Andy Warhol changed everything about art. From the brutal and naked examination of heroin culture (Heroin, Waiting for the Man) to sadomasochism (Venus in Furs) to the seamy glitter of the fashionable and doomed (All Tomorrow's Parties, Femme Fatale), this album paints a complete picture of the late-sixties New York underground. At first the production and musicianship seem hopelessly substandard. But after a few listens it seems perfectly in keeping with the world they're coming from, and finally you can't imagine these songs done any other way. You will wish there were more songs like the sinuous Venus in Furs or the apocalyptic Heroin or Black Angel's Death Song, but you will also hope nobody else tries to do them.

A must have "alternative" album.

It is undeniable that the Velvet Undeground are one of the most influential artists of modern music. They paved the way for many different artists. In this album the Velvet Underground manage to be bizarre, chaotic, melodic, and delicate at the same time. There is great variety on this album, and even with more non-traditional tracks like "European Son" the album manages to be catchy. The lyrics of Lou Reed are fresh, and barely seem outdated. The Velvet Underground create a pop-rock masterpiece that is anything but mainstream. I suggest you buy this album.

Biography

Formed: 1964 in New York, NY

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '60s, '70s, '90s

Few rock groups can claim to have broken so much new territory, and maintain such consistent brilliance on record, as the Velvet Underground during their brief lifespan. It was the group's lot to be ahead of, or at least out of step with, their time. The mid- to late '60s was an era of explosive growth and experimentation in rock, but the Velvets' innovations — which blended the energy of rock with the sonic adventurism of the avant-garde, and introduced a new degree of social realism and sexual...
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