5_moves_of_doom 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2004 Hrm... I just put the four main albums on there, as I assumed no one would vote for Squeeze, but if anyone likes any of the live albums or rarity compilations the best, then feel free to choose other. As for my choice, if you asked me 5 out of 7 days of the week, I'd say the debut, but right now I'm on a HUGE White Light/White Heat binge, with nonstop "Sister Ray" and "Lady Godiva's Operation" frenzies for the past week or so. I could just pick the debut anyway, but something tells me that that'll be getting its fair share of votes anyway, so I'll vote for the underdog today. Besides, the band itself has said many a-time that White Light/White Heat was the purest form of their sound, and the epitome of what they were trying to accomplish and whatnot. But they're all five-star albums, so this should end up being relatively even. So... one of the best and most influental bands of all time... what's your favorite album, and why? Any thoughts on the band would be welcomed with open arms as well, and I'm just interested in seeing how this turns out, so happy voting! EDIT: Sorry about the 's and the like... didn't know that italicizing stuff didn't work in polls. Eh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2004 Chalk one up for the Velvet Underground and Nico. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2004 Chalk one up for the Velvet Underground and Nico. make it another. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry Spencer 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2004 I also am going to have to choose the first album. All four are just about perfect, but the first one is more diverse, and it has my favorite VU track ever, Heroin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Giuseppe Zangara 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2004 It's a tie between the first and third albums. I cannot pick one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5_moves_of_doom 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2004 I also am going to have to choose the first album. All four are just about perfect, but the first one is more diverse, and it has my favorite VU track ever, Heroin. Indeed. Heroin is pretty much my favorite track of all time actually, or at least in the top three. It's almost funny when you think about how much the song's up-down-up-down structure affected so many bands after it became more than an underground thing -- namely the Pixies and Nirvana. When I think about it though, I realize that more or less, the weakest tracks on the debut are the ones that Nico sings... I <3 All Tomorrow's Parties (it should be noted that that was Andy Warhol's favorite song from the group, too), and I love a lot of Nico's earlier solo stuff, but "Femme Fatale" and "I'll Be Your Mirror" never seemed up to snuff with the other stuff on the album to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godthedog 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2004 this is like choosing between my unborn children. i'll get crucified for this, but for now i pick 'loaded'. yes, it's by far the least daring of all their efforts, but the sheer act of such a strange band making a traditional rock record is daring in itself, and it's something they'd never really tried before. works like a beatles album, done in a handful of different styles but with an undercurrent of that pop/rock sensibility to hold it together, and it's the only velvets album where every single song works beautifully; not a single misstep to be found anywhere on it. "new age" and "oh! sweet nuthin'" are among the most moving things they ever recorded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Decemberists 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2004 Another Loaded fan here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Indikator Report post Posted February 3, 2004 The thing about Nico is that she reminds me a little bit of old chanson singers. Femme Fatale is a crossover between a love song and .... well maybe a protest song. I prefer Nico to some songs like the "XXX says" ones. Velvet Underground & Nico is available in a double cd set with 1 mono and 1 stereo version of the tracks. Gotta get it (duh duh duh chinpokemon) now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edwin MacPhisto 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2004 I hope you all have Nico's Chelsea Girl, too. Even if you think she's a funny-mumbling dunderhead, the rule-tality of "These Days" is not to be underestimated. First album for me. Tough fucking choice, but you knew that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5_moves_of_doom 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2004 I hope you all have Nico's Chelsea Girl, too. Even if you think she's a funny-mumbling dunderhead, the rule-tality of "These Days" is not to be underestimated. Hrm, the title track is what does it for me. Sweet, sweet bliss... Which reminds me -- does anyone have the unplugged Reed/Cale/Nico album? I've been meaning to pick it up when I see it, but is it really as grand as I would think it is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godthedog 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2004 I hope you all have Nico's Chelsea Girl, too. Even if you think she's a funny-mumbling dunderhead, the rule-tality of "These Days" is not to be underestimated. Hrm, the title track is what does it for me. Sweet, sweet bliss... Which reminds me -- does anyone have the unplugged Reed/Cale/Nico album? I've been meaning to pick it up when I see it, but is it really as grand as I would think it is? no smiley could possibly express my shock and elation that such an album even exists. maybe this one. no, that doesn't quite do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5_moves_of_doom 0 Report post Posted February 4, 2004 A review: "Long before the so-so Velvet Underground reunions took place in the 1990s, a near-reunion of the most distinctive individuals took place at the Bataclan Club in Paris on January 29, 1972. At this low-key date, Lou Reed, John Cale, and Nico performed unplugged-type sets, with Reed and Cale providing instrumental and vocal backup throughout. On this 65-minute document of the event, Reed and Nico each take lead vocals on five songs, and Cale on three, the material drawn from both the Velvet Underground's early albums and the trio's early solo efforts. This is not a novel curiosity, of interest only to obsessive fans; it's strong, powerful stuff that in some respects outdoes the familiar versions, at least from their official solo records. Reed mixes songs from the Velvets' first album (nonchalantly introducing "Waiting for the Man" thusly: "This is a song about copping drugs in New York"), shining particularly on a stark cabaret version of "Berlin," which he refers to as "my Barbra Streisand song." Nico never sang better than she did on her portion, particularly on the bare interpretations of the Velvets' "Femme Fatale" and "I'll Be Your Mirror"; she also does a few tunes from her first two solo albums. The Cale-sung tracks are the least impressive, but still worthwhile, particularly "Ghost Story." This made the rounds as a hissy, lo-fi tape for years, but the sound on the CD bootleg is excellent, almost up to the standards of official release. In fact, it's well worth an above-board reissue, assuming that legalities were not a hurdle, and that Mr. Reed and Mr. Cale would not obstruct it. — Richie Unterberger" I guess I should check Amazon or something for it, as it sounds pretty badass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry Spencer 0 Report post Posted February 4, 2004 Whoa. That sounds awesome. *searches* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BX 0 Report post Posted February 4, 2004 Another for White Light/White Heat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
