"New Sensations" isn't Lou Reed's best record, nor is it his most daring or musically accomplished. However, it may well be the most consistently enjoyable album in his catalog.

From his live-staple opener "I Love You, Suzanne" to the mildly goofy "Down at the Arcade," this is the closest thing Lou's ever made to a party record.

Musically, it's a mix of his usual biting guitar, bass, drums sound, augmented by horns and keyboards. It's pretty smooth, though, so those expecting New York, The Blue Mask, or others like that should step back. The funny thing here is that while Fred Maher is credited as drumming, the drums are almost metronomic...I thought I was listening to a machine. Then I reminded myself that this came out in 1984, when sounding like a machine was a compliment.

Of course, it's not all lighthearted fun. "Endlessly Jealous" is a letter from an obsessive lover, "My Friend George" illustrates a memory of a violent, near-sociopathic friend, and the title track could serve as a lighter autobiographical companion to "The Day John Kennedy Died." I like this record a lot.

"If your father is freebasing
And your mother's turning tricks
That's still no reason you should have a fit
Remember I'm the one who loves you
And you can always give me a call...
Turn to me, turn to me, turn to me."
--"Turn to Me" (what else?)

That about says it all.

On a roll after The Blue Mask and Legendary Hearts, Lou Reed didn't disappoint with New Sensations. The album's full of well-written songs backed up by some solid playing. Listening to it now, the album's got a slicker 80's feel than some of his others, and the 80's "big drum sound" can be distracting, especially on an otherwise terrific song like "What Becomes A Legend Most." Lou Reed provides the lead and most of the rhythm guitars himself, which is ok but I missed having another guitarist (like Robert Quine) to bounce the leads off of.
But like I said, there are some great songs here, including the luminescent "New Sensations," the quirky and funny "High In The City," and the poignant rocker "My Friend George." Lou Reed's always been a superb storyteller and the songs here are further proof of that.

A POP album! From Lou Reed! Who is not a pop guy! So I know what you're thinking: "Lou Reed? Doing a pop album? WTF?" But it's good! Okay, so "Turn to Me" is kind of annoying, and "My Friend George" is too repetitive for me, but hey... other than that? Melodies! Hooks! '80s production! Wait, the last one's a bad thing. But the other two aren't at all. "I Love You, Suzanne" was the hit, and it's mindless catchy fun in a style totally unlike that of the raging New Yorker. "Endlessly Jealous" and "My Red Joystick" (three guesses what his "joystick" really is...) are in the same style, and they really work because Lou is a fantastic songwriter; the title track has a soothing, relaxed atmosphere; "Doin' the Things that They Want to" has nice guitar parts and a big climactic energy release; "Fly Into the Sun" is catchy and has a nice beat behind it, as well as more of those atmosphere tricks Lou puts on this album. "High in the City" has a great steel drum part. And "The Great Defender," despite the rather banal lyrics, has an unforgettable refrain and fadeout. Even with the annoying production, and the fillers, it's still a very solid album - not many songs I'd call "classics," but so well-written I don't care.

Wow, what a great album. From the rocking opener I Love You Suzanne this is one song after another of Lou at his melodic best, with horns, keyboards and backing singers used to great effect.

As a celebration of life, it does occasionally hint at the dark side (like violence in Endlessly Jealous, My Friend George and loneliness in What Becomes A Legend Most) but the overall impression is one of finding magic in everyday experiences.

My favourite tracks are Doing The Things That We Want To with its glorious girl chorus and the almost ethereal, breezy High In The City ("Don't wanna talk politics today/Feelin' pretty witty/Getting' high off of the city ..." and that just about sums up the mood of the album.

Wow, what a great album. From the rocking opener I Love You Suzanne this is one song after another of Lou at his melodic best, with horns, keyboards and backing singers used to great effect. As a celebration of life, it does occasionally hint at the dark side (like violence in Endlessly Jealous, My Friend George and loneliness in What Becomes A Legend Most) but the overall impression is one of finding magic in everyday experiences. My favourite tracks are Doing The Things ... with its glorious girl chorus and the almost ethereal, breezy High In The City ("Don't wanna talk politics today/Feelin' pretty witty/Getting' high off of the city ..." and that just about sums up the mood of the album.