Now Playing - Lou Reed - Transformer

 

I discovered Lou Reed like a lot of people: through Trainspotting.  'Perfect Day' is featured on the (incredible) soundtrack of that album, and it is a classic song.  After getting into Lou Reed, I found out all about The Velvet Underground.  Between that group and his solo work, Lou Reed has created some truly incredibly music over the past 4 or 5 decades. But Transformer may be his best work of all.

Transformer features at least 3 iconic, absolutely unforgettable songs: the aforementioned 'Perfect Day', as well as "Walk on the Wild Side", and "Satellite of Love".  All 3 songs are unforgivably catchy;  If you listen to this album at any point during your day, you'll inevitably find yourself humming one of them at some point later.  Those songs are amazing, but tracks like "Hangin' Round" and "Andy's Chest" are equally as good.

Transformer was apparently produced by David Bowie, something I didn't know before.  Learning that gave me a new respect for Bowie, a guy who has obviously created his fair share of classic music as a singer as well.  It also made me question what other work Bowie has done as a producer, if any.  Not that the production particularly stands out here anyway.  Lou Reed has one of the most unique and recognizable voices in all of rock music. And he is at the peak of his powers as a lyricist and performer here in 1972.

You could describe the songs found here as "bare" and "sparse" in parts, concepts that fans of The Velvet Underground are no doubt very familiar with.  Most of the time, it's just Reed and his guitar.  But there is a conviction in his voice that is compelling and keeps the album feeling alive.  And the songs can certainly swell and expand at times, as the absolutely epic "Perfect Day" does so well.

Reed and Bowie are classic rock stars, and in the end, Transformer is just great rock music.  As I speak, it's rainy season here in Japan, and I find this album a great pick-me-up during this time.  The songs are well-written, catchy, and will have you humming along with Old Uncle Lou.  I recommend you check this album out.  But don't watch Trainspotting if the plan is to avoid being depressed.