Lulu

November 5, 2011, 5:47 pm

I just listened to LULU on this foggy Saturday afternoon. Almost afraid to, because it's from two venerable sources. Poet, rock god of the New York scene of the 60's and 70's. And of course, Metallica. It was gonna be LOUD. So what's in it? ~Inessa


LULULULULULULULULULUL???????????????


This just in: Darren Aronovosky will direct a video. HERE. See? This is exciting stuff!!


I admit to trepidation in even approaching  listening to this collaborative effort.  "It's gonna be too loud" "It's gonna be too "ewwwww". Yes. It was. BUT.

 I heard that Lou Reed and Metallica guys sort of let it all hang during the making of the album. That is to say, the session rolled and they let things happen. Sort of like having your friends come over and you make music together. Later? Geez. Really? Were we THAT drunk. Were we THAT stoned. It sounded so good at the moment. This is THAT album and more.

I have not "loved" Lou at all times. But he has always been compelling. Check out his Berlin album and you will hear some of that crazy stuff happening in Lulu. Berlin was a concept album, as is Lulu. But I listened to Berlin all the time. It became my favorite Lou record.


Lou Reed 'Berlin' Interview 2007 by emalyse

OK. More later on my distillation of Lulu. But Yes. I like it. No. It is not a party record. Really? My friends would sour on the sound.

But it is fascinating to hear Metallica and Lou come together and do what artists do: have ideas, execute them. Lucky THEM. Because by mere virtue of their names, Metallica and Reed, they are allowed the entre into a studio. Put out a record. Does anyone have to like it? Of course not. But I loved listening to it on this Portland afternoon. Personally? My thoughts only on the fact that we are "falling back' to standard time. That and what's for dinner. And what is on TCM later tonight? And is there a new SNL? That, and the fact am still in jammie mode.

Meanwhile there is a compelling soundtrack to the afternoon. I don't know Metallica that well. But it sounds good. The guitar strums and picking is fat and rich. And. Yes. There are cringy moments in the lyrics and easy tricks. Hey! Not unlike the new Tom Waits record. These guys are our rock-poet laureates. They are doing things. They are thinking. They are alive!  And that is more than enough to keep me going.