This record has always seemed to divide many velvets fans. To some, its the band's greatest achievement, to other's, its a failed attempt to pander to mainstream tastes. As with most things in life, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. "Loaded" is, in many ways, a blatantly commercial pop record. But, is this necessarily a bad thing? It's not as if "Loaded" is lacking in substance. "Sweet Jane", "Rock and Roll" and "Oh! Sweet Nothing" are timeless, expertly crafted songs that just happen to be alot more accessable than much of the group's earlier material. It's just a shame that Moe Tucker was not on hand to lend her minimalistic, one-of-a-kind style of drumming to this album.

This 2-CD set is, in this Velvets fan opinion, absolutely essential. Even if you own the box set, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. It contains a treasure trove of previously unreleased material that is uniformly excellent. I love how disc two features an alternate version of "Loaded" in the same running order as the original. If you are considering purchasing this album, by all means, skip the standard CD version and instead spring the little bit of extra money for the "Fully Loaded" edition. The sound and packaging are superior and you get about 80% more material. Its well worth it.

"Loaded" was Lou Reed's rock and roll masterpiece, an album that dropped the screaming guitars, overt drug references, and weird (but beautiful) experiments in favor of a stripped down reinterpretation of three-chord rock and roll. In many respects, "Loaded" foreshadowed the back-to-basics aesthetic of the garage and punk movements of the 70s (see the first albums by the Ramones, the Modern Lovers, and the Pretenders, for example).

"Loaded" (available in the VU boxed set and in its original format as a single disk) with its occasional nods to pop culture and musical fads (something the Velvets specifically avoided on other releases) sounds a little dated, and the mix of the original album was admittedly weak (Reed has repeatedly voiced his displeasure with the mix in print), but the songs and performances are still remarkable.

Considering the "for fans only" quality of many of the outtakes and extras available on the VU boxed set, "Peel Slowly and See," I was absolutely thrilled to find such a strong collection of songs on the "Fully Loaded Edition." The extended versions of "Sweet Jane" (which includes the lost verse "heavenly wine and roses seem to whisper to her when she smiles"), "Rock and Roll," and "New Age" are all nice additions, but I really got off on some of the alternate or early versions of the songs. "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" sounds like an entirely new song with Lou doing a crazy Jagger-esque vocal over a rumbling piano. The early version of "Cool it Down" sounds sparse, but Lou is as playful as I have ever heard. The inclusion of other "lost" songs such as "Love Makes you Feel Ten Feet Tall," "I Love You," "Satellite of Love" (which later appeared on Lou Reed's solo albums) are also a nice touch.

"The Fully Loaded Edition" avoids the problems of most alternate mix collections by including the source album in its (nearly) original format. Buying the "Fully Loaded Edition" for the original "Loaded" is no sin, but a large number of the alternate tracks are strong enough to stand alongside the band's best work. This is one of the few alternate mix/outtake albums that would actually be of interest to only casual fans (the others: "The Basement Tapes" and "Another VU").

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

Though I have known this album for 30 years, I bought the 'fully loaded' cd for the extra tracks. that's OK and no complaints. But - and maybe this is a just a quibble - BECAUSE I know the work so well, and because the song sequences and kicks are engraved in my mind, I found the 'new, full' versions of both 'Sweet janer and Rock'n'Roll spoiled by resotoration. In fact, in Sweet Jane, the great kick at the end of the song has now been removed and an extra ??16 bars??? of doodling appear.Obviously, if you don't know the original, this will not be important, but I feel the 'fully loaded' versions should have been on the bonus disc, and not slotted into the albuim, as those two 'originals' are gone for ever.

I actually got rid of this version and went back to the original.

Lou Reed was understandably upset that several songs on the final version of Loaded had been edited, something like Phil Spector's infamous tampering on the Beatles' Let It Be. But what remains is a power-pop masterpiece. "Rock & Roll" is a tour de force, a testament to the power of the music as seen through the eyes of one of the prophets. "Sweet Jane" is a standout. "Train Round the Bend" has an irresistible groove. In fact, every song on this album is catchy and melodic, something that cannot be said of any of their other albums. If the lyrical content is not as sharp as earlier efforts, it still beats out the psycho-babble that passes for lyrics today. An excellent finish to an incredible career.