Customer Reviews

Loaded (2-CD Fully Loaded Edition)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This record has always seemed to divide many velvets fans. To some, its the band's greatest achievement, to other's, its a failed attempt to pander to mainstream tastes. As with most things in life, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. "Loaded" is, in many ways, a blatantly commercial pop record. But, is this necessarily a bad thing? It's not as if "Loaded" is lacking in substance. "Sweet Jane", "Rock and Roll" and "Oh! Sweet Nothing" are timeless, expertly crafted songs that just happen to be alot more accessable than much of the group's earlier material. It's just a shame that Moe Tucker was not on hand to lend her minimalistic, one-of-a-kind style of drumming to this album.

This 2-CD set is, in this Velvets fan opinion, absolutely essential. Even if you own the box set, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. It contains a treasure trove of previously unreleased material that is uniformly excellent. I love how disc two features an alternate version of "Loaded" in the same running order as the original. If you are considering purchasing this album, by all means, skip the standard CD version and instead spring the little bit of extra money for the "Fully Loaded" edition. The sound and packaging are superior and you get about 80% more material. Its well worth it.

"Loaded" was Lou Reed's rock and roll masterpiece, an album that dropped the screaming guitars, overt drug references, and weird (but beautiful) experiments in favor of a stripped down reinterpretation of three-chord rock and roll. In many respects, "Loaded" foreshadowed the back-to-basics aesthetic of the garage and punk movements of the 70s (see the first albums by the Ramones, the Modern Lovers, and the Pretenders, for example).

"Loaded" (available in the VU boxed set and in its original format as a single disk) with its occasional nods to pop culture and musical fads (something the Velvets specifically avoided on other releases) sounds a little dated, and the mix of the original album was admittedly weak (Reed has repeatedly voiced his displeasure with the mix in print), but the songs and performances are still remarkable.

Considering the "for fans only" quality of many of the outtakes and extras available on the VU boxed set, "Peel Slowly and See," I was absolutely thrilled to find such a strong collection of songs on the "Fully Loaded Edition." The extended versions of "Sweet Jane" (which includes the lost verse "heavenly wine and roses seem to whisper to her when she smiles"), "Rock and Roll," and "New Age" are all nice additions, but I really got off on some of the alternate or early versions of the songs. "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" sounds like an entirely new song with Lou doing a crazy Jagger-esque vocal over a rumbling piano. The early version of "Cool it Down" sounds sparse, but Lou is as playful as I have ever heard. The inclusion of other "lost" songs such as "Love Makes you Feel Ten Feet Tall," "I Love You," "Satellite of Love" (which later appeared on Lou Reed's solo albums) are also a nice touch.

"The Fully Loaded Edition" avoids the problems of most alternate mix collections by including the source album in its (nearly) original format. Buying the "Fully Loaded Edition" for the original "Loaded" is no sin, but a large number of the alternate tracks are strong enough to stand alongside the band's best work. This is one of the few alternate mix/outtake albums that would actually be of interest to only casual fans (the others: "The Basement Tapes" and "Another VU").

This album has the inexplicable experience of being labeled a flop by VU-philes. The main reason I can imagine is that it diverted from the typical progressive-alternative-punk genre that had been laid down in the previous three albums.

But I can't see blaming it all on Doug Yule. Yes, my loyalties lie with John Cale, but no one lambasts "The Velvet Underground" (3rd album, 1st with Yule) as being a flop.

Back on track, this is a good album, and it is filled with some catchy songs that are somewhat upbeat. The most notable Reed creations are "Sweet Jane" and "Rock 'N' Roll", which are presented on the album....Sweet Jane in it's full (and only satisfactory) form.

Those who have watched "High Fidelity" or listened to its soundtrack will recognize "Who Loves The Sun" and "Oh, Sweet Nuthin!", and both are good songs. "Who Loves The Sun" is a giddly little tune, but is surprisingly catchy. The latter is a good "sad" song (it was used as such in the film), and has a good solo on Sterling's part towards the end.

Some say the middle songs on the album are "filler", and at a first listen, they may seem so. But after listening more and more, you will, in a way that only Lou Reed's songs can, be drawn into them. "New Age" has grown on me, as well as "Lonesome Cowboy Bill".

But the most impressive "filler" track has to be "I've Found A Reason". Patterned after the old '50's rythym and blues songs, it is deceptively harmonic, soothing, yet rocking at the same time, and features great writing, both harmonically and lyrically, on Reed's part.

So, it doesn't deserve it's "crap" rating many give it. But, which version to buy?

To me, there's not a question. For a little more money (6 bucks at most), "Fully Loaded" gives you a ton of extra songs that are surprisingly substantiative to the album itself. To be fair, some of the tracks are demos, that either a. sound weird, or b. don't sound TOO much different, but there are some songs that never made it on the record at all. Many ended up becoming solo Reed tracks later on, but hearing them in their original song formats are great.

Notables: "Ocean" is presented in a few varying forms on this album, which, in my opinion, is a suspenseful song, and keeps its charm well in these outtakes. But the other highlight is "I'm Sticking With You", led on vocals by drummer Maureen Tucker (YES, she does appear, but ONLY on "Fully Loaded). This version, unlike the one released on one of the "lost MGM albums" ("Another View" or "VU"), has an excellent acoustic guitar backing that gives it almost a folk feel, which suits the song better than the other (and more known) lounge-style accompianment.

All in all:

1. "Loaded" was and is a viable album
2. Buy "Fully Loaded", if considering buying "Loaded" to begin with.

The "Fully Loaded" variant is filled out with the extra tracks, and also allows you to compile some demo tracks without having to buy the boxed set.

Reccomended.

Though I have known this album for 30 years, I bought the 'fully loaded' cd for the extra tracks. that's OK and no complaints. But - and maybe this is a just a quibble - BECAUSE I know the work so well, and because the song sequences and kicks are engraved in my mind, I found the 'new, full' versions of both 'Sweet janer and Rock'n'Roll spoiled by resotoration. In fact, in Sweet Jane, the great kick at the end of the song has now been removed and an extra ??16 bars??? of doodling appear.Obviously, if you don't know the original, this will not be important, but I feel the 'fully loaded' versions should have been on the bonus disc, and not slotted into the albuim, as those two 'originals' are gone for ever.
I actually got rid of this version and went back to the original.

Lou Reed was understandably upset that several songs on the final version of Loaded had been edited, something like Phil Spector's infamous tampering on the Beatles' Let It Be. But what remains is a power-pop masterpiece. "Rock & Roll" is a tour de force, a testament to the power of the music as seen through the eyes of one of the prophets. "Sweet Jane" is a standout. "Train Round the Bend" has an irresistible groove. In fact, every song on this album is catchy and melodic, something that cannot be said of any of their other albums. If the lyrical content is not as sharp as earlier efforts, it still beats out the psycho-babble that passes for lyrics today. An excellent finish to an incredible career.

I consider myself a hardcore Velvet Underground fan, and I absolutely love this album. In fact, I am going to blaspheme and admit that I prefer it not only to the eponymous third album, but also the band's legendary debut (GASP!). I realize Velvet Underground and Nico is one of the most influential albums of all time, and I listen to it a lot, but I like many of the songs on Loaded better. (I don't think anything else the band did can touch the raw glory of White Light/White Heat).

Velvet Underground fans often complain that this album is less edgy and groundbreaking than their other three efforts. I agree with this claim completely, and I think Loaded is the only album the band released that really sounds like a product of its era. At the same time, I think 1969-1970 was an incredibly inspired time for music, so fitting into this era is a good thing. 1969 and 1970 witnessed a shift in the rock world away from psychedelia toward country and folk sensibilities. 1969 saw The Band release their second album, the Stones release the country-tinged Let It Bleed, and Dylan release the pure-country Nashville Skyline. 1970 featured Zeppelin's shift to folk with their third album. Even the true champions of psychedelia, the Grateful Dead, released the folk rock classics Workingman's Dead and American Beauty in 1970. Loaded stands up well amid these albums.

I also think I like this album because I typically listen to classic rock rather than the alternative rock many Velvet Underground fans prefer. Along with the Velvet Underground, I would say the Rolling Stones and pre-'75 Grateful Dead are my favorite bands. "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll" are two of the greatest classic rock songs ever. "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" is almost as great, and the rest of the songs are better than filler to my ears (I love "Cool It Down," contrary to many of the other reviewers). And while the album lacks the alternative sound, some of the lyrics still hint at Lou Reed's cynicism ("Who Loves the Sun", "Train Round the Bend").

There is no doubt in my mind that Loaded is far more accessible than the other three Velvet Undergound albums. It is the one recording by the band that I think could appeal to many casual listeners. People can quibble over whether this really is the Velvet Underground because of all the personnel changes, but that just draws attention away from the great music you will find here. The extra tracks are a nice touch and worth the extra money, though not essential to most folks. Still, any fan of the Velvet Underground (especially Lou Reed) or classic rock should check this album out.

In the opinion of many, this album is considered the "best" work of the Velvet Underground, or at least the most popular. I see the latter as true, for most people who are "turned on" to the Velvets are drawn in by its uniqueness, but are not scared off by any frightening avant-garde acoustical assaults. The classic rock feel of "Sweet Jane", "Rock and Roll", and even "Oh, Sweet Nothing" are practically an invitation to explore the album more without fear.

All of thhis makes for a good album for a beginning VU listener; however, for people who enjoy the earlier albums and thier artistry, it may be a touch boring and, dare I say, "poppy". With the exception of "New Age", and even that is a stretch, there is not much in the way of an "indie" sound to the album, which sounds more like the work of Lou and record producer looking for a hit to (finally) put the VU on the map, and less like the earlier Reed/Cale collaborations that drove the Beatniks and Pop Musicians of then and the stoners of today wild. While this does not lessen the excellent quality of the semi-independent (by this point) New York sound, it is not what many expect from the Underground from thier earlier works.

While they are still Velvet, this album certanly makes them look a lot less Underground, which certanly makes this an ideal "first album" to suggest to VU-Virgins. Either way, still an excellent album.

Those who complain about this record being less experimental and cutting edge the Velvets first three are correct but they are missing the point somewhat, one of the greatest things about the Velvets is that all of their albums are so different, they could have been recorded by four different bands, four brilliant bands! True, "Loaded" might not be as flat out stunning as the first three albums, but, if it had been recorded by anyone else, it would rightly be considered a classic pop/rock album, recorded at a time when very few people were making classic pop/rock albums. For a start, there are three of Lou Reed's greatest songs: "Sweet Jane", "Rock `n' Roll" and "New Age", there are at least two others that come close: "Head Held High" and "Oh Sweet Nuthin''", and even the weaker tracks on the album are no disgrace, they don't sound much like the Velvets, but what would you rather have listened to in 1970, this or "Tarkus" or "Atom Heart Mother"? As for the demon Doug Yule, well his vocals on "New Age" are exquisite and that's good enough for me.

Now we come to the expanded edition of the album and here, I have to admit, I have my reservations. It seems that CD compiler/ archivists are developing worrying delusions of grandeur, so much so that they can invent whole tracks that never physically existed (see the Beatles Anthology) and, here, invent "alternative" versions of albums where none existed. So here they bring us alternate mixes that either aren't alternate enough or aren't good enough and early versions that are too early to be anything other than preliminary sketches. Who really wants to hear a dreary run through of "Sweet Jane" with Velvets' manager Steve Sesnick so irritatingly out of time on cowbell that it makes it almost impossible to listen to the rest of the track.

The real attraction here for me was hearing the original versions of those songs that Lou Reed had always claimed to be have been sabotaged by Doug Yule and Steve Sesnick after the fact. So, the "heavenly wine and roses" section of "Sweet Jane" has been restored, but not very convincingly, with what sounds like a guide vocal by Reed roughly spliced in. This leads me to believe that this section of the track was removed rather earlier than Reed has claimed - mind you the fact that, in the eight million or so times Lou's played "Sweet Jane" since, he's never played the extended version could just mean that Lou agreed with Yule and Sesnick's decision (if they were indeed responsible). As for "New Age", well a few extra bars and a slightly longer coda - big deal Lou.

Historically, the most interesting bonus tracks are the five tracks that close CD2, not great sound quality or particularly well played but fascinating, how often is it you get the chance to hear The Velvet Underground play "Satellite of Love"? The two versions of "Ocean" (how many's that now released?) aren't as good as the one on "VU" despite Cale's (alleged) presence. Ditto "I'm Sticking With You". I love the keyboard-based version of "Ride Into the Sun" and Lou giggling his way through an early version of "I Love You". All in all, one for Velvets fanatics really (good accompanying booklet with some great Lou "big hair" photos), others should save themselves some cash and buy the original album.

Lou Reed did it..the survivor, new bandmates and studio musicians,a new age...total greatness, a 2 CD gift for the fans..the original album,the alternate album,early versions,full length versions, demos, early skeleton songs that appeared later on Lou's solo works with the demise of the Velvets, all in all not a note to be missed.. all loaded with a wonderful booklet, cover art appreciated by any NYC Subway junkie.
On this 4th offering, the band(now officially broken up) set out to show that they remained that tight Long Island Rock band of Lou(minus the drummer Mo and John Cale's replacement, Doug Yule singing lead on 3 great Reed compositions) showering a slew of tight songs showcasing many styles on the world fully knowing that this was the sort of album that all the commercial executives wanted the Velvets to make from the beginning..but it was a sad song and too late for that type of stardom.
Their fame was posthumous and always beyond category and comparison.Loaded was an album of hits completing a cycle for the band that began with the Nico album, culminating into a collection of topnotch song craft smacking of beautiful songs and FM staples, songs you can rock and dance to.
The story still requires their odds and sods collections Another View and VU and the live Robert Quine Tapes, the now 2 CD set Live At Max's and that extraordinary live 2 volume CD set 1969 recorded during this Loaded period.
You won't be disappointed in their box "Peel Slowly And See" neither.

This is my favorite velvet underground album. It should have been a huge album at the time, with two epic rock n' roll songs: "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll". Lou Reed took his insightful ability to perceive the darker, ominous, and decadant side of human nature and combined it with a propulsive and good-natured pop sound. I think Lou's artistry is at its highest on this album because he transforms songs about over-the-hill actresses, lonesome cowboys, and disillusioned youth into bright and wistful tales of humanity with the power of rock and roll. Oh yeah, this also has the best blues-rock song ever penned: "Oh Sweet Nuthin".