It's interesting to think that this is the album that Lou Reed made directly following "Metal Machine Music". He must've really gotten something out of his system, because "Coney Island Baby" still stands as one of his most beautiful achievements. Reed has rarely seemed so genuinely interested in having his voice and spirit heard as clearly as he does on this outstanding statement of renewal.

The songs are all first-rate, from the sublime title cut to the harrowing imagery of "Kicks". Reed's signature lyrical touches abound, even on the sunnier songs, like "Charley's Girl" ("I said 'If I ever see Sharon again/I'm gonna punch her face in'") and "Crazy Feeling" ("And you, you really are a queen/And I know 'cause I've made the same scene"). "She's My Best Friend" - a leftover from the Velvet Underground days - is totally at home on this disc, which Lester Bangs once jokingly referred to as "Lou, the Moonlight and You".

That wouldn't have been such a bad title, actually. The tender side of one of rock's greatest voices is the focus, with Reed delivering possibly his best vocal performance ever. With its spare, understated arrangements that give his musings the necessary room to breathe, "Coney Island Baby" is a real jewel in Reed's catalogue.

what a brilliant piece of work. This album is like a fine wine, it just keeps on getting better with age. Every song is a perfect gem...one of those rare albums with not a single bad note on it. I'm just amazed by how few people actually know this album. It's a perfect travelling album. Play it on a walkman the next time you're heading out of town on a train or bus, or especially driving through europe. From the opening cut to the closing title track, this is a true work of art.

"Coney Island Baby" is an amazing creation. It is the most unexpected piece of work. The song begins with Lou Reed rapping about football, and ends with him shouting out about the glory of love---and this doesn't seem strange or cheesy. Any song, poem, writing, whatever, that can accomplish that is something to cherish. The song enlivens old cliches, like the glory of love and the doo wop harmonies. (It's also just a kick to hear Lou Reed say he wanted to play football for the coach). In its use of the metaphor of football and the doo wop form, "Coney Island Baby" reaches for some kind of purity and meaning to life. "Different people have peculiar tastes" is such a marvelous lyric. Anyway, in case you haven't gotten it--I think this song is really, really good, and you should listen to it because it is really, really good.

This one was hailed as a comeback by many critics..in truth,Lou never left. The fact that he never is considered some milestone artist like those that made a Sgt.Pepper,Let It Bleed, Pet Sounds or Blonde On Blonde, as a defining statement does not detract from his historical greatness nor does it distract from so many great songs that are usually found on all his albums...The closest to the above mentioned masterpiece albums is his Berlin,Transformer,and maybe New York... Berlin a lush feel of beauty throughout was a stark contrast to the brightness and shimmer of the Bowieesqe Transformer..New York has it's great moments as well..and so does Rock n Roll Animal.. I mean that Intro/Sweet Jane is a rare thing...Coney Island Baby on the other hand is crisp,commercial and fresh. I have the original RCA USA CD release and it chimes..not deep, but just a bunch of solid songs played by Lou's usual great musicians..fun and uncomplicated despite the autobiography of Coney Island Baby and the rush of Kicks...looking back, I remember how New York's WNEW FM pumped OOOHHH BABY out...and a smile comes to all when listening to the song A Gift ...

Coney Island Baby is an incredible album. It even can be compared to some of the Velvet's albums. In my opinion, it beats out Transformer as his most accesible album. Personally, I don't care if Lou's albums are commercially accesible or not. This album, however, is just a great album. Crazy Feeling starts off the album great. It lets you know that this going to be one of his happier albums. Charley's Girl is another great song. The version of She's My Best Friend is just as good as the original version that the Velvets did. Kicks is possibly the best song on the album. It is an edgy, fast paced song in the tradition of Heroin. A Gift, Ooohhh Baby and Nobody's Business are all great songs. Coney Island Babey is an incredible song. It is one of Reed's best ballads since Pale Blue Eyes. This album is really great. It is a great starting place for those who want to give Lou a try, which I highly reccomend doing.