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Lou Reed's "Berlin" - possibly the most depressing album ever


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Old 04-04-2007, 18:44
Pelham123
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Lou Reed's "Berlin" is possibly the most depressing and bleak album I own - bought in an alcohol fug during my mopiest of student days. It makes "OK Computer" sound like the Vengaboys in comparison.

Ten years on as a more important cheerful soul I'd almost forgotten it, tucked away in my box o'vinyl, but today I heard the quite surprising news that he's going to perform it live, in full length, in shows at the Hammersmith Apollo and Manchester International Festival:

http://www.soundgenerator.com/sound/...articleid=9160

A bit of me would love to go but I'm too afraid I'll slip back into my moody student state all over again... I don't think I can go back there... what do you reckon?
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Old 04-04-2007, 19:07
crazychris12
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Never heard any of it but have Transformer and that's good.
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Old 04-04-2007, 23:27
GlenL
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Is Berlin the one with the crying children on it ?
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Old 05-04-2007, 00:45
swingaleg
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Originally Posted by crazychris12
Never heard any of it but have Transformer and that's good.

Transformer is terrific............

Never heard the Berlin one, tho' I had heard of it.........perhaps just as well..............
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Old 30-06-2007, 18:03
Jinky
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There is a Culture Show programme on tonight (30-6-07) on BBC2 at 23.30 featuring Lou Reed and this album. Fans of Reed might want to tune in.
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Old 30-06-2007, 18:06
muguguyman
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I personally think Berlin is his masterpiece and even surpasses Transformer as the pinnacle of his solo work. It can be very depressing at times but it's a brilliant album. I might have another listen to it myself later.
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Old 01-07-2007, 11:28
toasties
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Berlin's a great album, although I would say Songs of Love and Hate takes the biscuit as most depressing
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Old 01-07-2007, 12:36
ElCantoDelLoco
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I've always been a huge fan of the two 'Caroline Says', although I have to agree the lyrics are pretty depressing.....
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Old 01-07-2007, 15:32
WatfordKev
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Transformer is very good. New York is also excellent. I think it's accepted that his output has been somewhat variable over the years. The dross has been acceptable in lieu (excuse pun) of the brilliant stuff. I saw a bit of this programme last night and I was surprised that the band was a bit session-y / rockist, but even more so for the relatively charming way he spoke with an obviously hugely relieved Lauren Laverne, as historically he is meant to be the meanest old tosser going in interviews!

Ooops sorry to mention the thing that made me want to respond in the first place...
A mate of mine and I were listening to New York when it first came out. BRilliant music and lyrics but a fair bit of the usual dark imagery. After a few tracks my mate said 'it must be really tough being Lou Reed'. You probably had to be there but it seemed hilarious at the time
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