What's your top 3 favourite Lou Reed (studio) albums?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by MHP, Dec 4, 2017.

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  1. Terrapin Station

    Terrapin Station Master Guns

    Location:
    NYC Man/Joy-Z City
    Fernando Saunders, baby. One of the most underrated bassists.
     
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  2. strummer101

    strummer101 The insane on occasion aren't without their charms

    Location:
    Lakewood OH
    It's extremely difficult for me to select 3 works by my favorite artist and proclaim them my 'top 3 favorite Lou Reed Studio albums.' So I won't.

    Instead I'll place votes for three criminally underrated (yer all criminals, I tell ya!) records that deserve more respect than they're getting here. Because...criminals.

    Rock and Roll Heart - One of my most listened to Lou Reed records, it includes great songs like You Wear It So Well, Temporary Thing, Vicious Circle and Chooser and the Chosen One, plus great vamps like Senselessly Cruel and Sheltered Life. Don Cherry came out with Lou at some gigs on the tour for this record. It also led to the 2 great albums that followed, Street Hassle and The Bells.

    Growing Up in Public - The last of Lou's large band period before he stripped it down to the basics. This record includes some of Lou's finest witticisms, and a rollicking band that at times verges on the edge of losing it but in the end hangs together nicely. Standing On Ceremony is one of my favorite Lou Reed songs. Hot live band as well.

    Ecstasy - This is a brilliant later period Reed offering that I believe not many people have even heard, except for the diehards. Musically this record is absolutely stunning, and lyrically it's tales of relationships gone to hell is both twisted and thought provoking. Mad is one of the funniest things Lou has ever written.

    Again, these aren't necessarily my 3 favorite Lou Reed studio records, but then again, they are. You know what I'm saying?
     
  3. dammitjanet

    dammitjanet Fun, natural fun

    Location:
    Montreal
    Yes this is what I've been saying! Plus I think it's fun when Lou does the back-up vocals. Come on people, it's better than Sally Can't Dance...
     
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  4. MHP

    MHP Lover of Rock ‘n Roll Thread Starter

    Location:
    DK
    Funny that one... As I mentioned earlier, it seems there are fans of all Lou's records. What's good for some, is trash for others and vice versa.

    Of the records you mention, I find Growing Up In Public very underrated. It has a bad reputation and I really don't know why. Sounds like vintage Lou Reed to me, with great songs.

    On the other hand, Rock And Roll Heart, I can't stand. To me, it's one of his weak efforts. Again, it's only great that it has it's fans, as that makes it's existence worthwhile.

    Unlike you, I only hear again and again that Ecstasy is a major work. Maybe it's because I live in europe? Maybe it's reputation are stronger here? Anyway, for some reason, I am not into it. Or, better put: I can't find my way into it. Maybe it will come with time. But really, Like A Possom. Isn't that one a minor misstep?
     
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  5. strummer101

    strummer101 The insane on occasion aren't without their charms

    Location:
    Lakewood OH
    I've never understood the apathy or hatred for Rock and Roll Heart. It really is fabulous. Lou the jazzy lounge singer with some r&b musical stylings paired with the right amount of menace and darkness. Beautiful.
     
  6. strummer101

    strummer101 The insane on occasion aren't without their charms

    Location:
    Lakewood OH
    Ecstasy has 7 votes in your poll. That's fairly minor for a major.
    I think Lou Reed in general is bigger in Europe than the USA, but I could be wrong.
    Like A Possum, while not his greatest lengthy tune, isn't a big misstep. It could be 2-3 minutes shorter, is all. So yeah, minor misstep.
    IMO, it's not near the misstep that the entire Rock and Roll Animal is. For those who have heard me disparage RaRA ad nauseum, my apologies for saying it one more time. Yez criminals.
     
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  7. polchik

    polchik Forum Resident

    transformer
    berlin
    street hassle

    if i could add 3 more LOL

    new sensations
    new york
    magic and loss
     
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  8. CowboyBill

    CowboyBill Forum Resident

    Location:
    Utah
    Always liked 'The Bells'.

    I have been listening to John Cale's solo stuff a lot lately and have had the realization that I think he had a better solo career.
     
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  9. danielbravo

    danielbravo Senior Member

    Location:
    Caracas. DC
    1-Transformer
    2-Coney Island Baby
    3-Sally Can't Dance

    but New York is simply great !
     
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  10. 1. New York
    2. Transformer

    Mm.. I haven't listened to much solo Lou other than the two above. If he has anything as good or better I'm missing out.
    I'm more of a Velvets fan and prefer Cale's solo work, sorry.
     
  11. 93curr

    93curr Senior Member

    Berlin
    MMM
    The Bells
     
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  12. the pope ondine

    the pope ondine Forum Resident

    Location:
    Virginia
    Growing Up is decent but its not in the same league as Street Hassle / The Bells / Coney Island etc.... I think its pretty well rated compared to the other ones
     
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  13. Scope J

    Scope J Senior Member

    Location:
    Michigan
    LR
    Transformer
    NY
     
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  14. strummer101

    strummer101 The insane on occasion aren't without their charms

    Location:
    Lakewood OH
    I listen to solo Cale a lot as well. I would call their solo output even. Regardless...hello fellow John Cale fans! :cheers:
    Moe has some pretty good solo work as well. If you haven't heard it, check it out.
     
  15. DHamilton

    DHamilton Forum Resident

    Location:
    Earth
    transformer
    New Sensations (!!)
    Blue Mask
     
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  16. Chris Bernhardt

    Chris Bernhardt Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago IL
    I would definitely say as good. Both are erratic.
     
  17. Chris Bernhardt

    Chris Bernhardt Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago IL
    I was surprised how good that Mo Tucker compilation ( Sundazed I believe) was that came out 3-4 years back . I only bought it because of the reviews. It's great.
     
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  18. Chris Bernhardt

    Chris Bernhardt Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago IL
    1) Transformer
    2) Berlin
    3) Ecstasy

    4) New York
    5) Street Hassle
    6) Songs For Drella
     
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  19. strummer101

    strummer101 The insane on occasion aren't without their charms

    Location:
    Lakewood OH
    I have that, and it is quite good.
    [​IMG]
     
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  20. driverdrummer

    driverdrummer Forum Resident

    Location:
    Irmo, SC
    Maybe I should go to Yucatán where a woman's a woman a mans a man. I voted Ecstacy followed by Berlin and The Bells.
     
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  21. MHP

    MHP Lover of Rock ‘n Roll Thread Starter

    Location:
    DK
    Vive la difference. I find Public a stronger effort than The Bells.
     
  22. Stone Turntable

    Stone Turntable Independent Head

    Location:
    New Mexico USA
    Can't believe I'm the first to give the correct answer.

    Transformer
    Berlin
    New York
     
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  23. Micke Lindahl

    Micke Lindahl Forum Resident

    Tough! But if I had to choose 3 that I wouldn't wanna be without those are as follows.

    Coney Island Baby
    The Blue Mask
    Transformer
     
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  24. M2225

    M2225 Nebulus 7 intergalaxy eclipse

    Location:
    Helsinki, Finland
    Transformer Berlin New York in that order
     
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  25. For me; Coney, Trans, and songs. I adore those three albums
     
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