Revered or dispised by fans, I'm one of those who finds "Loaded" to be one of the masterpieces of its generation. Granted, Lou Reed abandoned all the things that made the old Velvet Underground what it was, but this is a good straightahead rock record, full of fantastic songwriting, sarcasm, and brilliance.

So what makes "Loaded" so good? Stunning songwriting ably supported by sympathetic musicians. Reed, at the height of his powers as a rock and roll composer pulled off at least two classic songs that have worked their way into the collective unconsciousness in "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll". These two pieces have been imitated so heavily and fiercely that they sound familiar the first time you hear them, and both of them have a little something, quite undefinable (Reed claims in the case of "Sweet Jane" that it's the extra chord that quickly sweeps by in the progression, I think it's an unnerving amount of passion in the vocal presonally) that makes them perfect.

The rest of the album doesn't quite live up to them, but it's full of superb songs, from the Beatlesque "Who Loves the Sun" to the sarcastic "New Age" and "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" to the the explosive "Held Held High" and the churning "Train Round the Bend". There are no real low points on the record, it's in fact all quite good. Highly recommended.

Time has proven that The Velvet Underground's "Loaded" is a truly great album. When it was released it was slapped together as the band was disbanding. The VU purist may say that this album is poor but if you are a fan of great rock and roll this is an album for you. Sure the album isn't as edgy and experimental musically or lyrically as earlier works. Albums Like "White Light White Heat" are certainly more artistically bold but boldness doesn't necessarily equate to greatness. This album would successful if released today and seeing that this one is over 30 years old it has the words classic written all over it.

Already losing John Cale, the album is almost entirely Lou Reed Driven. The music on the album reflects this and Reed's songwriting really shines with greats like "Rock and Roll", "Sweet Jane" and "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" (well all of the tracks are great). The sound is fun and the songs may not be serious deep or explorative but they are pure rock and totally unforgettable. These are tunes that are easy to enjoy and get under your skin into your head and beg to be played and replayed. "Loaded" is chock full of great hits and if you are looking for fun music this is a great album. Stylistically, this album may not be the best introduction to VU but it is a fun first step or just a great album for your collection.

Ted Murena

This brilliant album is my least favorite from this remarkable band, but only through default since I love nearly all of their music. Despite the obvious drug reference of the title, it was supposedly meant to mean "loaded with hits." In a better, more just world, it would've been a worldwide smash.

Lou Reed was nearing the end of his tether and drummer Mo Tucker was on maternity leave which explains the largely conventional drumming found on LOADED by various replacement drummers including Billy Yule, kid brother of bassist Doug Yule who at this point was beginning to suffer delusions of grandeur. Though occasionally melancholy, LOADED sounds bright and positive, which is ironic when you consider that the band's demise was just around the corner.

The breakdown:

"Who Loves the Sun" - Very chipper despite its melancholy lyrics from the brokenhearted but sweetly singing Doug Yule. A strong 60's style flair reminiscent of the Beatles and especially the Beach Boys' vocal stylings. Crisp guitar, excellent piano accents. ****1/2

"Sweet Jane" - The song begins with a sickly-sweet psychedelic kalaidescope of notes before Velvet mastermind Lou Reed launches into one of the most legendary rock n' roll riffs ever. (Note: avoid old releases containing truncated edits of this song from clueless record company personnel) *****

"Rock N' Roll" - Another belatedly popular classic. The playing and chord changes generate a terrific undercurrent of feel-good excitement. *****

"Cool It Down" - An ambling country-fried tune. The chorus doesn't appear 'til the end of the song, followed by a boogie-woogie-ish piano. Simple, stately and quite effective piano can in fact be heard all over LOADED played by both Reed and Yule. ***1/2

"New Age" - Like its predecessor, This gorgeous song also builds to a climax. It's about the brave new world we all need to create for ourselves from time to time. *****

"Head Held High" - Lou really belts out the vocals on this groovy rocker (parts of which, I'm convinced, were repeatedly ripped off for TV shows in the 70's). ****1/2

"Lonesome Cowboy Bill" - This heavily country-flavored rocker has amusingly hick-ish vocals from Reed. Having grown up in Texas, I have long rebelled against country music even though a few classics of the non-whimpy-male-singer variety ("If You Wanna Play in Texas," "Devil Went Down to Georgia," etc.) still hold fond memories. So "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" isn't really my tea, but it's undenyably spirited and very well played. ****1/2

"I Found a Reason" - A dreamy slow dance number with more sweet vocal harmonies. I love Lou's slightly hammy monologue in the middle. Yet another song embellished with thoughtful musical flourishes. *****

"Train Round the Bend" - A killer groove machine with a nasty laid-back string attack from ace guitarist Sterling Morrison. ****1/2

"Oh! Sweet Nothin'" - A gorgeous, classic album closer. In the same vein as another great album closer, the Stone's "Salt of the Earth," this song is a tribute to the less fortunate who walk among us. *****

An aside: Around this time, VU recorded a number of versions of a song called "Ride Into the Sun." I recently rediscovered a version that I had overlooked from an old Australian box set called WHAT GOES ON. I rarely get it out since I got the PEEL SLOWLY AND SEE box set and I'm sure it's long out of print (probably for legal reasons). According to the liner notes, the song was taken from a French Polydor 5 CD box set released in June 1990 called simply VELVET UNDERGROUND. Unlike the PEEL SLOWLY AND SEE version featuring Doug Yule on vocals, Lou takes the lead. This version is more ornate with mandolin-style guitar picking. A beauty although the sound quality has deteriorated in places and I slightly prefer the version with Yule singing.

"The Velvet Underground and Nico," "White Light/White Heat," and "The Velvet Underground" all seem overrated to me, yet VU's swansong, 1970's "Loaded," is one of my absolute favorites 70s rock albums. Whereas the band's first three albums dabbled in obtuse guitar freakouts, lo-fi folk, and brittle garage rock, "Loaded" goes all-out baroque--it's loaded with swooning harmony vocals, ornate melodies, and some of Lou Reed's most complex lyrics and vocal performances. The relatively accessible and straight-forward nature of this album has long drawn the ire of many who are too staunchly "indie" to acknowledge brilliant conventional pop music; nevertheless, "Loaded" is a masterpiece of songcraft and eclecticism. If I had to chose between "The Velvet Underground and Nico" with its angular noise and "Loaded" with its unforgottable melodies, I would certainly pick the latter. Starting with "Who Loves The Sun?," "Loaded" jumps from one pop gem to another--if this indeed the "sellout record" that so many purport it to be, then it is undeniably the best sellout record of all-time. "Sweet Jane" makes wondrous use of a three-chord progression, "Rock N Roll" is garage rock at its purest, "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" is an epic, sprawling guitar anthem that beat Lynyrd Skynyrd to the punch by almost two years, and "I Found A Reason," shockingly enough, was once sampled by the trip-hop ensemble Massive Attack. This album is crisp and smooth, retaining the Velvets' knack for artsy pop while also adopting a more melodic approach that romances the ear. Baroque, hummable, and blackly cool, this is The Velvet Underground's definitive statement.

I find it very interesting that certain reviewers state that "Loaded" isn't good because it doesn't sound like the VU. I guess these same people would have given "Rubber Soul" two stars because it didn't sound like the Beatles. Groups grow and evolve. That's what makes them good. I read these same types of reviews for Wilco's wonderful CDs "Being There" and "Summer Teeth" (which, by the way, is heavily influenced by VU's "Loaded").

This CD is full of wonderful songs (albeit somewhat over-produced). From "Who Loves the Sun" to "Oh! Sweet Nuthin" every song stands on its own as a classic. Buy it and enjoy it. In spite of (and because of) the fact that it doesn't sound like the previous VU efforts.