Forums => Oscillations => Topic started by: kalowski on July 16, 2021, 06:50:45 PM
Title: What's your favourite Velvet Underground album?
Post by: kalowski on July 16, 2021, 06:50:45 PM
Let's put Squeeze to one side.
It's a remarkable body of work isn't it. Much more melodic and poppy than is assumed by focusing in Sister Ray of Black Angel's Death Song.
For me, I'd have to say The Best of the Velvet Underground whatever album I'm listening to. Currently it's the self titled third album, but last week it was White Light/White Heat. Cale offered something magical, but I love the two after him as much as the early stuff. I'll even praise I Found a Reason. I could listen to Loaded all day long.
Title: Re: What's your favourite Velvet Underground album?
Post by: Dr Rock on July 16, 2021, 06:52:44 PM
Loaded but also the first one.
Post by: Egyptian Feast on July 16, 2021, 06:59:30 PM
I find it hard to pick a favourite, each has something distinct it does better than the other albums (if that makes sense) but if I was judging them by how much I've actually listened to them, it'd be the third album by a long way. It's one of the perfect late night albums. If the outro to 'What Goes On' went on for at least another couple of minutes, it'd be even greater.
Post by: Video Game Fan 2000 on July 16, 2021, 07:00:47 PM
VU, can't put into words how much I love Foggy Notion and I Can't Stand It. And its hard to name a set of set of songs more influential on music I like.
I like the first three about equal after than then Loaded. What Goes On is the tits.
Post by: Ballad of Ballard Berkley on July 16, 2021, 07:29:51 PM
Loaded for me too, Clive. Lou Reed was a commercial pop songwriter at heart, and Loaded is the ultimate manifestion of that. Hooks galore! You can easily imagine The Monkees, for instance, doing Who Loves the Sun. Reed was no snob when it came to music, the man was a poptimist through and through.
His ability to combine that sincere love of melody with thrilling dissonance and deadpan irony is what made the VU so special. I sometimes think they might be the most perfect band who ever plugged in.
Quote from: Egyptian Feast on July 16, 2021, 06:59:30 PM If the outro to 'What Goes On' went on for at least another couple of minutes, it'd be even greater.
Oh yes. What a groove. It's joyous.
Quote from: Ballad of Ballard Berkley on July 16, 2021, 07:29:51 PM
I sometimes think they might be the most perfect band who ever plugged in.
When I'm listening to them this is the thought that goes through my mind too.
Post by: GoblinAhFuckScary on July 16, 2021, 07:43:04 PM
white light is by faaaaaar the best
Post by: McChesney Duntz on July 16, 2021, 07:50:13 PM
They all rule, more or less equally, all more or less distinctly. Third album if I really, really have to choose - modern pop songwriting doesn't get much better than "What Goes On," "Some Kinda Love," "Beginning to See the Light" - hell, all of them.
While we're here, allow me to hit you with my wild, unsubstantiated theories - White Light/White Heat is the Velvets' comedy album (one with an unusual number of punchlines involving sharp objects being thrust into people's brains, but still), and the unfinished '69 album would have been their children's record (read the lyrics to "I Can't Stand It," "She's My Best Friend," "Andy's Chest," "I'm Sticking With You," "Coney Island Steeplechase" and "Ferryboat Bill" and tell me otherwise). And speaking of the Monkees, "Temptation Inside Your Heart" is the VU's "Gonna Buy Me A Dog." Discuss.
Post by: Johnboy on July 16, 2021, 08:48:16 PM
I'm not sure what my one is but Brian Eno's is the third.
Post by: chveik on July 16, 2021, 09:28:14 PM
The Complete Matrix Tapes
Post by: Greg Torso on July 16, 2021, 09:51:09 PM
White Light, then Nico, then Loaded. I know Loaded probably isn't one the purists go for but I've got great memories listening to it in front of a broken gas fire that was pouring out fumes while me and my housemate hot-knifed pucks of tarmac through a four pint plastic milk bottle.
Sweet Jane has such a lovely intro and then it just goes until last orders.
Post by: NattyDread 2 on July 16, 2021, 10:07:04 PM
Third for me, ever since first hearing it. Wouldn't be without any of them though.
Post by: buttgammon on July 16, 2021, 11:05:42 PM
I like all of the four 'proper' albums in their own way, but would have to pick White Light/White Heat, because it's the one that has consistently given me the most pleasure over the years.
Post by: Smeraldina Rima on July 17, 2021, 06:51:29 AM
My favourite is & Nico since it was a £5 Fopp famous banana purchase that I converted to cassette and listened to when going for walks.
I found this interview with Jonathan Richman interesting. He talks about how they changed his life and how quiet their amplification was:
Jonathan Richman discusses The Velvet Underground (2014) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ShO3ZdWThE)
Post by: sardines on July 17, 2021, 07:41:51 AM
Quote from: chveik on July 16, 2021, 09:28:14 PM
Was going to mention this. Incredible collection.
The 1969 live album is very different but also great.
Post by: jobotic on July 17, 2021, 10:24:11 AM
Quote from: buttgammon on July 16, 2021, 11:05:42 PM
I share this view
Post by: shagatha crustie on July 17, 2021, 03:38:19 PM
Head says debut, heart says third.
Post by: Head Gardener on July 17, 2021, 04:40:49 PM
Post by: Pranet on July 18, 2021, 12:24:28 AM
Quote from: Egyptian Feast on July 16, 2021, 06:59:30 PM
If the outro to 'What Goes On' went on for at least another couple of minutes, it'd be even greater.
The Wedding Present thought the same thing, recorded it and called it "Take Me".
Post by: peanutbutter on July 18, 2021, 01:14:07 AM
It's the third one, debut maybe has the best songs (less convinced about this as I get older) and the second strikes the best balance of them at their most interesting and working as an album right though (I think the opening track is a massive stinker that actively annoys me) but the self titled album is just a breeze to listen to right through with some really good highs.
Loaded has similar highs but I dunno if I've ever managed to listen to it right through.
Between trying to type this reply and hitting post I managed to listen through the Velvet Underground without it testing my patience at all (quite an achievement for me with an album these days...)
Post by: Garam on July 18, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Nico > White Light > Third > Loaded but they're all great albums.
Post by: SpiderChrist on July 18, 2021, 11:33:45 AM
I find that they are a multi-purpose band, impossible to pick a favourite but it's probably
VU & Nico
White Light
Love VU and Another View a great deal, too. What a band.
Post by: SteveDave on July 19, 2021, 09:53:36 AM
If we're not allowed Squeeze, it'll go
Third Album
WL/WH
Post by: kalowski on July 19, 2021, 09:54:45 AM
Quote from: SteveDave on July 19, 2021, 09:53:36 AM
We are not allowed Squeeze.
Post by: buttgammon on July 19, 2021, 11:58:54 AM
I had a drunken conversation with my PhD supervisor in which I asked him what his favourite VU album was and he said he liked them all. "Including Squeeze?" "Yeah." "Really?" "Yeah." Almost had to consider changing supervisors after that.
Post by: Key on July 19, 2021, 12:17:30 PM
Not much consensus so far.
Post by: SpiderChrist on July 19, 2021, 12:19:56 PM
I've never listened to Squeeze - should I?
Post by: sutin on July 19, 2021, 12:33:25 PM
Quote from: SpiderChrist on July 19, 2021, 12:19:56 PM
If you like Loaded and Doug Yule's stuff on there, absolutely. It's more of the same really.
Quote from: buttgammon on July 19, 2021, 11:58:54 AM
Squeeze is good.
Quote from: sutin on July 19, 2021, 12:33:25 PM
Except nowhere near as good, because none of the songs were written by Lou Reed. But it's still an enjoyable early '70s pop-rock album, and certainly doesn't deserve its reputation as an embarrassing misfire.
I supect that consensus came about due to people objecting to the very idea of the thing without ever having actually heard it. Now that it's easily obtainable, we can all hear it for what it is - an inoffensive Doug Yule solo record.
Post by: druss on July 19, 2021, 02:29:55 PM
Nico, although I'm not sure I could listen to it these days due to memories of being off my nut listening to it.
Post by: Famous Mortimer on July 19, 2021, 02:43:51 PM
Aside from the hits, I can't stand any of the post White Light VU records, but then again I've not tried to listen to any of them in donkey's.
Well, Squeeze is not as bad as you might as expect, but I don't know if I'd go as far as "good".
Quote from: Famous Mortimer on July 19, 2021, 02:43:51 PM
1969: The Velvet Underground Live is an amazing record. That nine minute version of What Goes On - utterly blissful rhythm and groove. So if you fancy revisiting the VU's post-Cale output, I recommend that album.
Post by: good times on July 20, 2021, 09:57:10 AM
Started off as White Light/White Heat when I was a try hard teenager, became their third album as I turned into a pretentious twenty something then snapped back to their debut when I became a realistic, cynical thirty something. It's just got too many fantastic tunes and too much originality to be seriously placed below either of the others. Oh, and it's got Nico - that always helps.
Of the first three the one I'd now rate the lowest is White Light/White Heat, the opening track is mint but The Gift really grates nowadays, coming across even as a bit twee almost. Sister Ray is a tune, but I'm not massively into sitting through 20 minute songs no matter how great they are.
The third album is an 8.5/10 and if it was by anyone else would probably be their best album, it just so happens to be by the same band who made the Velvet Underground & Nico so comes off second best.
I've never properly listened to Loaded but probably should since I've been a fan of the band for about twenty years. Same applies to VU even thought it has about 5 of my favourite Velvets song on it.
Post by: xxxx xxx x xxx on July 20, 2021, 11:28:32 AM
Quote from: good times on July 20, 2021, 09:57:10 AM
VU's probably my favourite Velvets album these days, along with the first one. I'm always surprised how highly-thought-of Loaded is - apart from Train Round The Bend (which I'd like to nominate as their most under-rated track, a new thread idea maybe?) it's just not for me (along with Live At Max's Kansas City).
I agree with the post upthread about What Goes On though - I've always thought a great DJ set would be the third album version followed by the Live 1969 version followed by the third album version followed by the Live 1969 version followed by....etc, over and over again all night. It wouldn't get boring.
I'm listening to Loaded right now, and it's a joy. Sweet Jane at the moment. Delightful. The guitar sound is what makes it.
Quote from: xxxx xxx x xxx on July 20, 2021, 11:28:32 AM
You wouldn't be able to get me off the dance floor that night.
new covers album coming September (https://pitchfork.com/news/kurt-vile-michael-stipe-iggy-pop-st-vincent-and-more-cover-velvet-underground-and-nico-for-tribute-album/)
Been listening to VU&N today and there is definitely an audible difference between my stereo MGM issue (banana) and this original UK mono mis-pressing (with wrong number on the B side label)
Quote from: Head Gardener on July 29, 2021, 06:05:19 PM
I don't need to hear anything on this.
Post by: jobotic on July 29, 2021, 11:15:54 PM
Quote from: kalowski on July 29, 2021, 07:27:08 PM
Totally agree.
(Actually I do need to hear Bobby Gillespie singing Heroin. For looking at a car crash thrills. Or reading what Brendan O'Niell has to say to make myself angry larks.
I reckon it could rival Primal Scream's Some Velvet Morning for sheer repulsiveness.)
Post by: SteveDave on July 30, 2021, 12:08:22 PM
Do you not want to hear him from The National singing "Waiting For The Man"? I can only imagine the man in question is his ex-wife's new fella, dropping off the kids for the weekend.
a decent VU covers album came out in 1991 it has a good Bill Nelson tune on it anyway!
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Heaven-And-Hell-Volume-Two-A-Tribute-To-The-Velvet-Underground/release/813225 (https://www.discogs.com/Various-Heaven-And-Hell-Volume-Two-A-Tribute-To-The-Velvet-Underground/release/813225)
Post by: sardines on July 30, 2021, 04:37:38 PM
Show off! That's a few hundred quid worth, no?
Post by: Head Gardener on July 31, 2021, 09:53:10 AM
Quote from: sardines on July 30, 2021, 04:37:38 PM
. Yeah probably, but would never sell it and some may have not seen this version before