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Loaded

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Editors’ Notes

Joy wasn't the first emotion most people thought of when it came to the Velvet Underground, but Loaded put it front and center. One of the things it's loaded with, in fact, is bubblegum "ba-ba-ba-ba's (first cut, "Who Loves the Sun"). Working within a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, Lou Reed sings many of his numbers as if hopping up and down on a mattress. Among them are definitive versions of the new "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll." In addition to those songs' celebrations, he turns hippiedom's rustic mysticism on its ear with "Train Round the Bend" ("I miss the city streets and the neon lights") and stomps as hard as Godzilla through the statement of pride that is "Head Held High." Though less excitable, Doug Yule makes the most of the quieter "New Age" and "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" - the latter one of the most ecstatic guitar workouts in Velvet annals. What a swansong.

Customer Reviews

Not quite right, I-tunes critic...

The critic writing for Itunes seems to think that the reason the VU didn't write more pop tunes all along was because nobody had thought of it, asuming that this is what they would have done all along, and that the incredibly censored and drug-paranoid major record lables of the time would have accepted them and the world would have been all better. This is a naive way to look at the VU. They were, first and foremost, a band with the artistic courage never to abandon their core sound, which was always a potent combination of sonic experimentation and pop sensibility, even on Loaded. Indeed, their records became increasingly more pop oriented, (more because of the departure of John Cale, than because of some absurd need to be radio friendly), and yes, by the time they made Loaded, they were the closest they ever came to being a radio friendly band, (BTW, the Ramones got shafted by the radio as well, lots of great songwriting bands did.) Anyway, had the VU NOT made their first three records in the innovative way thay did? Hmmm, Then there would be no Brian Eno, no Sonic Youth, no David Bowie, No Punk Rock, no Strokes, or any other indie rock bands today. This is the price that the VU paid for having the integrity to be 20 years ahead of their time. Oh, BTW, buy all of the VU's records, they are all 5 star masterpieces

A personal favorite.

Loaded is perfect to kick back and burn. Buzz over to Thompkins Square Park with a double mocha and watch the crazy mosaic parade of beautiful East Village madness. Always love Velvet for their ability to capture to sound of the downtown NY subculture back in the late sixties. Still so relevant.

Great listening

This album picks me up whenever I listen to it. Not only are the songs orignal, clever, and catchy but they last upon repeat listenings. Even after 6 months when you think you have moved on to some other music these songs will pop into your head like a fond memory. Excellent listen and tremendously insatiable pop enjoyment.

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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