The Velvet Underground
Loaded - Atlantic 1970 Comments:"Loaded" from 1970 was the last Velvet Underground studio album; or some would say the last to feature Lou Reed, since a rather obscure Velvet Underground album, “Squeeze” was released in 1973 and on which Doug Yule was the only Velvet Underground member.
The “Loaded” line-up was Lou Reed, (guitar, vocals, piano), Sterling Morrison (guitar) and Doug Yule (bass, vocals, piano, organ, percussion). They were supported by various drummers, since Maureen Tucker was pregnant at the time of recording and unable to participate.
The band had a dream of making a hit record at this point, and the album is clearly more commercial than the previous three.
Two singles were released in 1971. “Who Loves the Sun” which does not really sound like a Velvet Underground record was sung by Doug Yule. It is very catchy and does sound like a hit record, but unfortunately is wasn’t. “Sweet Jane” sung by Lou Reed did not make it to the charts either, but has later become a classic and a song covered by many other artists; most famous possibly the Mott the Hoople version on “All the Young Dudes”.
“Rock’n Roll” is another favorite, which was also released on a single; two years later, though. It is a rather simple rock'n roll song with a good beat and with vocals from Reed and organ played by Yule.
“Cool it Down” is a pretty simple number sung by Reed. “New Age” is perhaps the most ambitious recording on the album. It is a ballad-type song with Yule on lead vocals and a build-up with organ and some controversial lyrics. One of two long tracks on the albums and the song which closed side one on the original vinyl version.
“Head Held High” is almost classic Velvet Underground. A fairly simple number that might feel a little messy. It is sung by Reed and was actually also released on single in 1972, at a time when Reed had long ago left the group; this had actually already happened before the album was released.
"Lonesome Cowboy Bill" sung by Yule is a regular pop-rocker; very atypical Velvet Underground number.
"I Found a Reason" may be a bit reminiscent of "Pale Blue Eyes" from the previous album. It is a quiet song sung by Reed, with fine harmony vocals from the others. The number has a surprise in a spoken verse.
"Train Round the Bend" sounds like Velvet Underground. It's a simple mid-tempo rocker sung by Reed. Not one of Reed's great songs.
“Oh! Sweet Nuthin '”is not a cover version of the old Brenda Lee hit, but a nice finale song sung by Yule. A slow number with a fairly simple structure; but very atmospheric. I often come to think of Grateful Dead when hearing this track.
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