Loaded

The Velvet Underground is often cited as an incredibly influential group from the late 60's, much can be said about their legendary debut in 1967, showcasing dark themes and an unorthodox delivery. Now jump ahead 3 years and we arrive at their forth studio album Loaded. The "significance" of this album usually revolves around the fact that this was Lou Reeds last album with the underground before he left to pursue his solo work, however he still made significant contributions to this album. Take the two mega classics "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll", some of the Undergrounds most notable work. With Lou out of the picture for most of the album, John Cale is left to take command, him and the rest of the underground are able to create a colourfull and diverse record. The songs "New Age", "I Found a Reason", and "Oh! Sweet Nuthin" are beautifull rock ballads that more then make up for Lou's absence. Loaded is certainly a classic album!

With this album, the Velvet Underground have successfully transitioned to a more accessible song format. Lou Reed continued in this vein as a solo artist. Many fans lament the laying to rest of the earlier Velvet Underground, with it's intoxicating distortion and drone, but this album can boast a wide-reaching appeal, with classic numbers like Sweet Jane, Rock & Roll and Ocean. This set includes an alternate album of early versions and 13 bonus tracks that add significantly to the album. Get it!

There's no point at all in introducing the Velvet Underground -- really, the first edgy alt-rock band in the world doesn't need it. And "Loaded," while not the best album of their career, is a solid (if slightly passionless) example of Lou Reed and the Velvets rockin' out.

The sound is bright and chirrupy, despite the downbeat tone of the songwriting ("You're over the hill right now, and you're looking for love"), opening with an oxymoron -- bright music, and songwriting like "Who loves the sun/Who cares that it makes plants grow/Who cares what it does/Since you broke my heart."

With that strong track as a springboard, Reed and Co. launch into dreamy pop, country-rock and strong rock'n'roll (also the name of one song). Most of them are amazing, from the eerie reverb to the shattering riffs. However, "Loaded" suffers from a few too many country-ish rockers, including "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" which is the most annoying song that the Velvets ever produced.

The fact that "Loaded" has good songs at all is especially amazing when you consider that the band was cracking all around. Many major members -- John Cale, for one -- were gone, and the inspiration was waning. But they managed to compile a solid swan song, before fading off into rock legend land.

It's a solid effort. With the departure of Cale, Lou Reed was the main songwriter, and his talents are evident in most songs here, but he seems to have lost a certain tightness in his work -- some of the songs ramble a little. He doesn't push any boundaries or write anything terribly wrenching, but the songs are well-written.

Musically, Reed could not be faulted; he does some truly brilliant work near the beginning. Unfortunately Billy Yule, the brother of bassist Doug Yule, does only passable drumming. He's not bad, but he makes these songs sound rather generic. That only adds to the rather passionless, if pleasant, tone of the music.

"Loaded" would have been considered a very good album if it had not come after the genius of the Velvet Underground's past work. As it is, it is a weaker effort, but still worth hearing.