Amazon.com: This sophomore release by the Velvet Underground cofounder has long been hailed as one of the key touchstones of the punk and alternative eras that followed it. Reinforcing the literary adage to "write what you know," Reed paints an alternately detached/debauched portrait of the drag-and-drugs-infused underground of Warhol's New York, a place, time, and mindset so compelling it has largely overshadowed the rest of the singer-songwriter's mercurial career. That the album would also give Reed an unlikely Top 20 pop hit via the teasing, twisted sexuality of "Walk on the Wild Side" is but one of its deep, rewarding ironies. Indeed, as produced by David Bowie and guitarist and cohort Mick Ronson at the height of their own Ziggy Stardust fame, Reed's songs are cast in a seductive cabaret setting that's more Jacques Brel than Lower East Side. This 30th-anniversary edition features two unreleased acoustic demos ("Hangin' 'Round," "Perfect Day"), a vintage radio spot by announcer and word-jazz cult fave Ken Nordine, and a new illustrated booklet and perceptive essay by Michael Hill. --Jerry McCulley
Happy dead anniversary, dear Cameron Crowe meets Lester Bangs and, natch, they discuss, what else, Lou Reed.
"Goodnight Ladies" (only 2nd, maybe, to Yoko's "We're All Water" as a 'song of the decade' {70's}) invented Tom Waits in a NY minute, so there. Transdressers, alcoholics, cokewhores, jus' good folks. Sandy my bestest friend, ever. But, also, it's May 12th, so I remember my 1st marriage, 29 years ago, too bad my husband died in a highway fireball 5 years ago. What else? Well. Lou Reed was my Carpenters' B-side back in the day, as they say. No old ladies, ladies never age, just ask Blanche DuBois. Ah anyway, my TV dinner's almost done.
Meanwhile, I'm almost 10 at the time (1970) and I'm at the St. Louis Crestwood Mall with my parents. There's a shop, called "Size 6." What's 'size 6,' I ask. My father says "it's the cute, young girl size for dresses." And I think, "Wow, that's great. That's what I want." Oops, but neverless. So, you see, size 6 (my size, babe) has always been in my heart, a very magical number. That's why I diet so fearlessly. Ah anyway, my TV dinner's almost done. I remembered that number for decades, it took decades to get it. I earned it.
May 12th. So sorry, Carrie, you demised. That haunted honeymoon house, some abandoned farmhouse out in the woods where we all got high, made for a brilliant metaphor, cobwebs and rusted tins, pure funk, a classic Stones cut between hits, hitchhiking foolishly, fearlessly, we did "it" outside the HoJo's NY before the cops came and shooed us away, bad coffee and skanky pancakes. And turning tricks. Of course, every time I begged for it, I really wanted to be the girl doing it. Transformer, that. I bet you knew all along.
Transformer Lou Reed-Transformer *****
Next to The Velvet Underground & Nico, Transformer is the most popular album that Lou Reed ever lent his tme and name to. While many will tel you that Transformer is the very best album Reed ever made as a solo artist that is just not true. This is a great album and easily one of his best, but not the best. This is a glam rock triumph. Produced by David Bowie and the unsung guitar God Mick Ronson Transformer is on the same plain as The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Startdust And The Spiders From Mars, only not as good or as revolutionary.
The power of Reed on this album is amazing though. His guitar playing along side that of Ronson is something for the ages. His songwriting is another feet in itself. Some of his most personal and heartfelt lyrics are here like 'Perfect Day' and 'Satellite Of Love. THe poetic side of Reed comes across the finish line with a gold medal. Song like 'Andys Chest' and 'I'm So Free' are pure poetic justice. Other tracks like 'Goodnight Ladies' 'Hangin Round' and 'New York Telephone Conversation' are so New York it isnt even funny. songs like 'Make Up' and 'VIcious' are about as early 70's glam rock as you can get without being David Bowie or Roxy Music. 'Vicious' as it is so appropriatly titled is one of the strongest tracks in Reeds Cannon.
Now, 'Walk On The Wild Side' is one of the strangest, coolest, and greatest songs in all of rock n' roll. Not to mention importnat. This is Reeds ode to Transexuals in New York. This became Lou Reeds biggest and really his only hit single. 'Wild Side' help to propell this album to commecial success and make Reed the legend he is today.
As a whole there really is nothing wrong with this album, every song is a great one. You couldnt find something wrong with this record if you tried, but as good as all of that sounds this album does however fail in comparison to the other great albums by Reed such as Berlin, New York, Coney Island Baby, and The Blue Mask. But for someone who is a new fan to Reed this is the perfect place to satart because it will really tell you if you like Lou Reed or not, beside it contains 'Walk On The Wild Side' which is essential in itself.
As the original album ends there is two new tracks added to the end. An alternate version of 'Hangin Round' and 'Perfect Day' both of which are great version and make a nice addition to this already wonderful album.
Better than even the Velvets Lou Reed really topped his former abilities from the velvet period here. And I know that this is a feat few people have ever accomplished, creating something more worthwile that the Velvet Underground. This album is sarcastic and most important, it's good rock and roll.
Up there with the VU records Okay, I'm a VU nutcase - that must be said. I bought all four of their original studio albums in a three-week span, if you wanted any proof. I also like Reed's solo stuff, and this is a great record. The wonderfully twisted Walk on the Wild Side was Lou's only top 40 hit, and indeed it's quite a song. But don't, as some have, overlook rockers such as Vicious or Hangin' 'Round, Satellite of Love (featuring David Bowie, who produced the record, singing a great backup vocal); the slightly overblown but still good ballad Perfect Day; the bizarre Andy's Chest, which is a lot of fun; or the hilarious New York Telephone Conversation. Wagon Wheel, I'm So Free and Goodnight Ladies are weak, but overall Transformer is an excellent record. Okay, I'll admit that I miss Reed's expiremental edge (it's interesting that David Bowie, the man behind the excellent Station to Station album, didn't tap into that), and as I said before a couple songs are weak. But hey, it's great, and sure better than the overrated Rock 'n' Roll Animal.
His most focused, consistent and interesting album This has always been my favorite Lou Reed album.
I am a big fan however, to be a fan is to also realize that Lou Reed can be pretentious and self indulgent, he's a real hit and miss artist and he goes into phases. These so-called detriments also make him great...he's a true artist that takes chances and does not try to appease the commerciality of his work. This album achieves the perfect balance between experimental, listenable and commercial.
There is an incredible variety of different songs and sounds here;
"Vicious" is a great rave up with the dirtiest, raunchiest, nastiest and most fuzzed out guitar tone that I have ever heard. It's a great song with lyrics that perfectly fit the title of the song.
"Andy's Chest" is a this wonderfully odd, perverted and surrealistic ballad.
The clasic "Walk on the Willd Side" is a tale of what it was like to hang out and observe the characters that come in and out of Andy Warhol's world. The song sounds pretty simply but, for its time, it was innovative in its use of featuring a fretless bass. From a musical perspective, this is a cool song.
"Perfect Day" in my opinion, is the best song on the album. It is gorgeous and conveys a nice sense of optimism.
"Hanging Around" is a conventional rock song.
"Make Up" is a weird, ode to gay-ness anmd transvestism. How many songs utilize the tuba as the featured instrument?
"Satellite of Love" is a leftover Velvet Underground tune and is another beautiful melody.
Most Lou Reed albums have flashes of brilliance but there are also unlistenable ones as well. This album, from start to finsh, is great. It has a certain bohemian theme which links all the songs.
A greatest hits compilation is difficult with this artist since his different phases created a very wide variety of songs and sounds. "Transformer" was probably the start of Lou's glam period. He had a lot of confidence in his work and plenty of critical attention was placed upon him.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
