The Velvet Underground...

[bob]

I've been listening to them a lot lately, I picked up "The Velvet Underground and Nico", "Loaded: Fully Loaded Edition", and the 20th Century Masters best of deal. I think they're a great, if overrated, band. Although I can't really guage how much of an effect they had in 1967, I do know that in 2004, I like their quieter, more generic tunes more than their "experiments". Art-rock experimentation is good and fine, but nothing can touch the Velvet's ability to make tune after tune of perfect pop brilliance. Every song on Loaded could qualify as a perfect pop tune, and the better songs on their first album are more mainstream. I'm hoping to pick up "The Velvet Underground" next after falling in love with "Pale Blue Eyes".

Album ratings:

Loaded: A-
The Velvet Underground and Nico: B

[Annie Hall]

One of my favorite all-time bands. I really love nearly everything that they do. I love the terrible things they do because they're trying, and I love the brilliant things they do because they're so original. Before I begin to sound like a Julia Stiles movie, I must emphasize how AWESOME this band is.

There is something so fucking splendid about them, though I'll never be able to place it.

[bowieee]

Bob,

I can see how their more gentle songs can kind of overpower their more avante garde stuff but I usually find myself embracing all of their work at the end of the day. If you like their mellow stuff check out the "Velvet Underground" album where they are all sitting down. It's filled with fragile beauty.

A fun story about Sister Ray I read awhile ago.

Right before they began recording the song Lou challenged every one in the recording session to have a contest as to who could drown the other members out while tearing away at their instruments. Most of the song was improvised and all the musicians were trying their best to subdue the others. Turned out to be a great song :)

[Jerk Shapiro]

I knew a lot of stuff from the Velvet Underground, but just last night did I buy the masterpiece that is The Velvet Underground and Nico. My favorite song remains to be "Heroin", but they're all amazing on that album.

Yowza!

[SenorSpielbergo]

They are by far one of the ten best musical artists ever. I own 'Velvet Underground & Nico', 'Velvet Underground', 'White Light/White Heat', & 'Loaded'. So far, I've listened to each of them all they way through except Loaded (which I plan to listen to ASAP). Here's my favorite song of the three albums that I've listened to so far...

The Velvet Underground & Nico - All Tomorrow's Parties
White Light/White Heat - White Light/White Heat
The Velvet Underground - What Goes On (probably my fav. Velvet Underground song overall)

I'm glad to see that there are some other VU fans on the board.