Lou Reed - Transformer: CD/LP
Man, I am so happy to have scored this album on vinyl today. I have looked for quite a few years for a decent copy. I like the Velvet Underground, but I believe that I am way more into this because of the David Bowie / Mick Ronson production and arrangements.
My friend Sean (former Ahleuchatistas drummer, and one of the masterminds behind the Krautrock awesomeness, Arena) turned me onto the idea of Bowie produced albums not long after I became obsessed with the Stooges. I never even knew that "Lust For Life" was Iggy Pop. Always had assumed it was a Bowie single. But of course, "Lust For Life" and "The Idiot" are as much Bowie albums as they are Iggy’s. And they are all the better for that. I must also not forget, that "Raw Power" was also a Bowie production. The man is a genius.
So, Sean also recommended "Transformer" to me as well, and of course I paid attention. With Mick Ronson, Bowie’s guitarist and arranger on most of his classics, "Space oddity," "Hunky Dorey," "Ziggy…," and others, Bowie achieves another homerun for someone else. Reed remains Reed much more so than Pop or even Mott The Hoople did when Bowie produced. Actually, the trio have managed to mesh in a not so homogenous way, but still in a way that works very well. "Transformer" does not have any glammy rock parts, but definitely has the "glam ballad" aesthetic, and with its very british sound is oddly paired with Reed’s New York in a remarkable cohesion.
The lyrics are classic Reed, and he definitely maintains his personality, as well as retains plenty of his Velvets flourishes. This album has at least six stone cold classics, which by today’s standards is quite an achievement. I would have bought this record for the songs, "Vicious" and "Perfect Day" alone. But upon further listening (I have listened to this twice today!), I now have to include "Satellite of Love."
I have placed a link to download "Satellite…" below for a taste, but even if that is not your bag, still give the rest a chance.
