March 6, 1997
New York is one long, embittered rant about the city Lou Reed loves. From his earliest days in The Velvet Underground, Reed has taken inspiration from the seamy degraded alleys and scenes of New York, presenting them to us as an objective street poet - but on New York, he blasts a long note of despair and rage that accuses as it paints pictures of junkies, slum lords, broken families, shattered hopes and deadly apathy: "Give me your hungry, your tired, your poor / I'll piss on 'em / That's what the Statue of Bigotry says."
While not exactly a concept album, New York maintains a pitch of indignation that holds the album together thematically. The liner notes claim it is meant to be consumed in one sitting, "as though it were a book or a movie." Absolutely true. There are singles here that are good taken out of context, but better when New York is heard as one song, with many modulations. The bright pop chords Of "Dirty Blvd" belie the dark subject matter within; the gentle soulful lead on "Endless Cycle" contrasts the breathless paranoia of "There is No Time" which follows. After the indictments of crackheads and killers in "Hold On" and the condemnation of racist politicians in "Good Evening Mr. Wladheim", Reed unleashes his buzzsaw rhythm guitar to snarl out the parodies of excess in the face of poverty with "Strawman".
Coming this late in his career, it's as if Reed has finally had enough; after 25 years of merely depicting characters, all the crime and carelessness of the city had to be addressed. This feeling of pent up frustration at last vented is evident in the bitterly eloquent lyrics, the passionate guitar and rhythm section that pulses the beat of the city. Inspired by his subject, Lou Reed churns out focused, emotional songwriting that proves once again that he is undoubtedly one of the Great Ones.
- Jared O'Connor
Bitterly eloquent