Reed’s delivery throughout Lulu has frequently been referred to as “spoken word,” and while this is true to some degree it should not be surprising to anyone familiar with his previous work. Going all the way back to “The Gift” on the 1968 Velvet Underground album White Light/White Heat, Reed has been marrying recitations to beds of rock music. Over the decades, Reed’s vocal style has evolved into an increasingly monotonous form of speech-singing. For those who haven’t been exposed, it will be understandably off-putting. It’s an acquired taste to be sure, and some are bound to find it repellent. But contrary to those who characterize Reed as a confused old man spouting nonsense, there is a great deal of passion and, at times, warmth in Reed’s vocals.
That warmth comes through in the album's extraordinary closer, “Junior Dad.” Though an extended instrumental coda makes this the longest track by far, its first half comes closest to Reed’s traditional style. Metallica provides a calm, reassuring, almost ethereal musical backing as Reed asks, “Would you come to me if I was half drowning? Would you pull me up – would the effort really hurt you?” Again I admit that I’m not really sure how this piece fits the overall concept of the album’s narrative, but it evokes a mood that isn’t heard anywhere else on the record. Its final eight minutes are probably not what many Metallica fans were expecting but they are subtly, soothingly melodic in their lovely drone.
Which brings up an important point: this is essentially a Lou Reed album featuring musical backing by Metallica, not the other way around. Anyone going into this expecting a Metallica album will likely be sorely disappointed. In fact, that seems to be the demographic complaining the loudest. Lulu is the first Lou Reed project to reach the top forty in the Billboard 200 since 1989’s New York. While I’m sure many Reed fans were happy to hear a new vocal album from him (his first since 2003’s ill-conceived Edgar Allen Poe concept piece The Raven), the reason for the relatively high sales was Metallica. Of course, those figures are anemic by Metallica’s standards, and the word of mouth – with many breathlessly proclaiming Lulu the worst album of 2011 – killed any potential for chart longevity.
Article comments
1 - Xtian Zzyzx
I wrote a review on Lulu here on Blogcritics about 2 weeks ago, maybe you read it. And if you did, you would recall that I hated it. But after reading your views on this album, I have come to understand it a little more. I appreciate the album a little more and I thank you for taking a different approach to this album. However, I still cannot listen to it as I really don't enjoy it. but I do understand it now. Thank You.
2 - jcmosquito
I dunno - I luv the Velvets, but I can't make heads or tails of Lou's solo work. Maybe I'll look for some of his stuff down at the public library and see if makes sense under repeated listening.
3 - Paul Pearson
I cracked wise about Lulu on my personal blog a few months ago. Still questioning the whole point of the process, but I do agree in that I wondered how future generations would come to view the album. It has the potential to be reconsidered a few years down the road.
4 - El Bicho
Good review, Chad. I enjoyed the album, but am not sure how often I am going to listen to it again. To me, it has to be taken as one piece and its quite an investment of time and emotion
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Like I've said before, if this album was made by two parties that no one ever heard of then nobody would be sticking up for this mess. Honestly, there are far more better experimental works to invest your time analyzing then to waste even 30 seconds on this crap....
6 - John
"Lulu" will be eventually understood and in 20-30 years it will be voluminously praised as a rock & roll masterpiece, as was "Berlin" (see reviews for the DVD/CD in 2006).
Lou's work is for thinking people. Would you give a five year old a copy of "Moby Dick" and expect any more insight than has been reflected in 90% of the reviews and comments for "Lulu"?
Chad, as for "Junior Dad", the Ripper is dreaming; he's looking back on his own father's callous and vicious treatment of him as a child, as a cause for his own hatred/fear of and for women.
The album's subjects are envy-driven hatred, violence and murder, but the overall theme is more complex: no matter how indifferent or cruel our parents, we constantly seek their love and approval. This goes for both Lulu and the Ripper. Even the worst of us are not monsters, but ruined children.
Thanks for the thoughtful, intelligent (and well-deserved) review.