194 - Lou Reed - Transformer

I really enjoyed the first half of Transformer, but found the second half to merely be okay. I would hope that in the Top 200, there wouldn't be albums that had the traditional hot side A with a lesser side B. But what makes me accept this happening with Transformer is that the songs in the first half are career-defining songs. If you ask someone what a Lou Reed song sounds like, they would likely point out one of these songs as that epitomizing song (“Satellite of Love” does fall on the second side, so the first side doesn't hold a monopoly on killer Lou Reed songs).

The album starts off strong with Lou doing his thing on “Vicious”, but what really punctuates the song are Mark Ronson's guitar flourishes. “Perfect Day” is a great example of what Lou did so well, mixing melancholy and sweetness in a way that if one ignores all of the lyrics will interpret the song one way, but close attention to what he is saying reveals the song's opposite attitude. “Hangin' Round” sounded a bit more of a dive into glam rock than seemed appropriate to me for Lou. The lyrics mostly stick to his character sketches, but the tone is just off from other Lou songs.

I'm certain that there is a large collection of dissertations and evaluations of “Walk On the Wild Side” that I'm just going to keep this short and simple. The song is beautiful, pointed, poignant, and clever. It is basic and it is complex. If I HAD to pick something to complain about, it would be that I wish there was more sax and a longer sax solo. ;)

After that, I basically went on cruise through “Make Up” and most of the second side with “Satellite of Love” being the exception that always regathered my attention.

I won't buy the album, but I'm going to download all of the “liked” songs listed below later today.

Songs I Knew I Liked: “Vicious,” “Perfect Day,” “Walk On the Wild Side,” and “Satellite of Love”

Songs I Now Like: “Andy's Chest”

Songs I Don't Want to Ever Hear Again: “New York Telephone Conversation” and “Goodnight Ladies” - both of which are on the second side and help contribute to my decreased interest after going halfway through the album.