The man who started it all hasn’t stopped yet. Former Velvet Underground front man, Lou Reed, released his latest piece of work “The Raven” Jan. 28 on Sire/Reprise records. One might think of Edgar Allen Poe when hearing the album’s title, which is exactly what Reed is going for with this album.
In his latest project Reed revamped Poe’s written works. From “The Raven” to “The Tell-Tale Heart,” all of the classics are here. The tracks on the compact disk vary from spoken word reciting to instrumentals interpreting Poe’s words musically. Reed also included his interpretations of Poe’s tales by telling them through his lyrics. With themes of obsessions, paranoia and willful acts of self-destruction Reed tries to portray Poe’s work through his own.
“Although clearly a Poe boy, Reed’s lyrical skills are not apparent in lines like, ‘These are the stories of Edgar Allan Poe/Not exactly the boy next door,'” E! Online said in its review of the album. “Though perfect for hipster English-lit teachers, ravenous Reed fans will find themselves saying ‘nevermore.'”
Ranging from instrumentals to songs reminiscent of big band numbers to songs with a country-esque rock ‘n’ roll feel — for example, Track Two entitled, “Edgar Allen Poe” — this album isn’t Reed’s best work.
“I became enamored with Poe–once again–and when given the opportunity to bring him to life through words and music, text and dance, why I leapt at it,” Reed said on the CD cover. “I surged towards it like a Rottweiler chasing a bloody bone.”
Known for his work with the Velvet Underground, some of that influence shows through with his song “Call On Me” with guest speaker Laurie Anderson reading “Rowena” with an instrumental background. The influence is heard also on “The Bad” and “Perfect Day,” both of which are slower and more melodic than other tracks on the album.
“The disc has a few bright spots like singer Antony’s quavering take on Reed’s ‘Perfect Day,’ Buscemi’s jaunty ‘Broadway Song’ and the instrumental ‘A Thousand Departed Friends,'” E! Online said.
The album’s title track contains Reed retelling Poe’s most famous poem, “The Raven.” Reed does not change any of the words in this poem, only reads it to the audience and hopes people enjoy it and relate to it as he does.
“To my mind Poe is father to William Burroughs and Hubert Selby,” Reed said on the CD. “I am forever fitting their blood to my melodies.”
After everything heard from Lou Reed before and his amazing work in the Velvet Underground, this album comes as a disappointment to Reed and Poe fans.
“I was really hoping for something more from him this time around,” said Debbie Meiners, a mass communication sophomore. “But I guess all artists are a little lacking now and again.”
For more information about Lou Reed and his latest album visit www.loureed.com or Sire/Reprise records.