Search - Lou Reed :: New Sensations

New Sensations

W. Nalle | Los Angeles | 11/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On a roll after The Blue Mask and Legendary Hearts, Lou Reed didn't disappoint with New Sensations. The album's full of well-written songs backed up by some solid playing. Listening to it now, the album's got a slicker 80's feel than some of his others, and the 80's "big drum sound" can be distracting, especially on an otherwise terrific song like "What Becomes A Legend Most." Lou Reed provides the lead and most of the rhythm guitars himself, which is ok but I missed having another guitarist (like Robert Quine) to bounce the leads off of.

But like I said, there are some great songs here, including the luminescent "New Sensations," the quirky and funny "High In The City," and the poignant rocker "My Friend George." Lou Reed's always been a superb storyteller and the songs here are further proof of that."

Lou's pop album? Yeah, but it works

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 07/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A POP album! From Lou Reed! Who is not a pop guy! So I know what you're thinking: "Lou Reed? Doing a pop album? WTF?" But it's good! Okay, so "Turn to Me" is kind of annoying, and "My Friend George" is too repetitive for me, but hey... other than that? Melodies! Hooks! '80s production! Wait, the last one's a bad thing. But the other two aren't at all. "I Love You, Suzanne" was the hit, and it's mindless catchy fun in a style totally unlike that of the raging New Yorker. "Endlessly Jealous" and "My Red Joystick" (three guesses what his "joystick" really is...) are in the same style, and they really work because Lou is a fantastic songwriter; the title track has a soothing, relaxed atmosphere; "Doin' the Things that They Want to" has nice guitar parts and a big climactic energy release; "Fly Into the Sun" is catchy and has a nice beat behind it, as well as more of those atmosphere tricks Lou puts on this album. "High in the City" has a great steel drum part. And "The Great Defender," despite the rather banal lyrics, has an unforgettable refrain and fadeout. Even with the annoying production, and the fillers, it's still a very solid album - not many songs I'd call "classics," but so well-written I don't care."

LOU, LOU, LOU

SULLY | 03/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'VE BEEN LOU'S BIGGEST FAN SINCE HIS DAYS WITH THE VELVET UNDERGROUND (1970) AND I'VE GOT TO SAY THIS IS ONE OF HIS FINEST ALBUMS! IF YOU LIKE HIM, YOU'LL LOVE THIS!!!"