344 - Lou Reed - Berlin

[csberry]

I am somewhat familiar with some Velvet Underground, but I'm pretty ignorant of Lou's solo work other than "Walk on the Wild Side." Before listening to the album, I read a few reviews. I read about this horribly bleak album that probably earned the award for the most depressing album ever. I pressed play and braced myself for overbearing heartbreak.

Sure, some of my delight on listening to Berlin has to do with how much I thought this album sounded like the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack...except with exponentially darker lyrics. The title track starts out quirky enough with ambient sounds of the city. But Lou brings out a series of well crafted songs immediately afterward. Maybe I'd dislike the album more if I paid attention to the lyrics more. I have listened to a good bit of the lyrics and can't deny the morbid tone of the story that this album tells - it even spurns any attempt to end with a happy ending with the closer "Sad Song." But part of the charm of Berlin is that this depressing story seems obviously crafted for use on the stage. A stage production of this album wasn't realized until recently, but listening to this album could make a listener think this is a soundtrack to an already established show.

I was surprised with how much I've enjoyed listening to the album this week. Even when I was planning to listen to "free music" instead of my Rolling Stone playlist, I found myself choosing to listening to many of the tracks on this album.

Songs I knew I liked: None

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Lady Day," "Men of Good Fortune," "Caroline Says I," "How Do You Think It Feels," "Caroline Says II," and "Sad Song"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again:"Berlin"