Search - Lou Reed :: Transformer (New Version)

Post-Velvet Underground Masterpiece

01/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lou Reed's seminal post-Velvet Underground album was produced by David Bowie. Every song is a masterpiece. "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love" are two of the most beautiful love songs ever written by Reed. While there are other albums of Reed's that are brilliant, none match Transformer in its narrative thread and glam-rock splendor. The album evokes a period and setting -- downtown NYC in the early 1970s including Andy Warhol's Factory scene and Max's Kansas City -- with wit and humor. Each song is a short story of mood and character. Transformer is as fresh and unique now as it was when it was released. Get the remastered version. You won't regret it."

Rock Theatre

Pieter | Johannesburg | 06/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this legendary album, Reed celebrates Andy Warhol and his 15-minute of fame stars in a variety of styles partly influenced by David Bowie. The new edition includes two extra tracks, acoustic versions of Hanging Round and Perfect Day. The informative insert includes illustrations and an essay on the history of Reed and the significance of this album.



Transformer is a type of decadent cabaret comparable to Bowie's Aladdin Sane, but less bleak, more colourful and life-affirming. Reed proved himself to be a master of many styles, from the compelling rock of Walk On The Wild Side through the tender and tuneful pop of Satellite Of Love to the dreamy Perfect Day, a haunting poetic excursion.



Other highlights include the edgy rocker Vicious with its hypnotic melody and sarcastic/ironic lyrics (an attitude that would soon infuse punk and new wave), the quirky New York Telephone Conversation, the energetic Hanging Round and the stately Goodnight Ladies. The songs are highly descriptive of a time, a place and a mindset whilst the music is powerful and elegant.



The stylistic variety renders Transformer compelling throughout while not detracting from the cohesion, making it a great piece of musical theatre. Devoted followers would agree that it does not reveal the complete Reed, as he has been so prolific and his oeuvre encompasses a much larger spectrum. But as a document of the middle seventies, it remains superb, an essential album for all serious rock fans.



"

Lou Reed's Best Album Just Got a Little Better!

Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 08/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lou Reed's influence on rock music cannot be overestimated. Whether it's his work with the Velvet Underground or his solo work, Reed has been influencing giants in the music world and will probably continue to do so for decades to come. This is by far Reed's best solo album and indeed, to call this an album of all his greatest tracks wouldn't be too far off. No filler or weak tracks on this baby. My favourite track is "Perfect Day"; you can almost feel the heartache and despair in Reed's voice when he sings the sarcastic lyrics making this one of my all time favourite songs. It never fails to move me whenever I listen to it.



This version of the album includes a 16-page booklet containing all the lyrics in both English and Japanese and the sound quality has been very well remastered for an excellent sound quality. The only gripe I have about this is the way the mlps is put together. The quality of the cardboard used is thin and poor unlike some of the better designs that I've seen that is out there. To get an idea of how good mlps designs can get, just take a look at the mlps releases of any of the Hall & Oates albums or the Sly and the Family Stone "Greatest Hits" or the Patti Smith "Horses" albums and you'll see what I mean about this version looking cheap and shoddy in comparison.



Still, sound-wise, this is probably the best version of the album that is out there and if you don't mind the quality or rather lack of quality of the sleeve design then this is a good buy."