Genre: bizarre
Rating: *
(1 star)
Title: Metal
Machine Music
Company: RCA
Victor
Catalog: CPL2-1101
Year: 1975
Country/State: New
York
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: double
album; gatefold sleeve; some ring wear, minor edge and corner wear
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 4237
Price: $50.00 Cost:
$66.00
Genre: bizarre
Rating: *
(1 star)
Title: Metal
Machine Music
Company: RCA
Victor
Catalog: CPL2-1101
Year: 1975
Country/State: New
York
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: double
album; German pressing
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 427
Price: $50.00
|
Before talking
about 1975's "Metal Machine Music",
here's an infamous quote from late music critic Lester Bangs -
"The greatest album ever made in the history of the human eardrum."
I actually remember reading Bangs' review and some other write ups and
wondering what all the commotion was about. I'd heard some of Reed's
VU and earlier solo work and at that time none of it had done much for
me. Anyhow, over the years this particular album continued to churn up
waves of publicity. Every time I'd read a piece on it I'd make a note
to myself that I should check it out. Luckily (or perhaps not), a couple of
years back I stumbled across a copy at a yard sale ... Gawd only knows if Reed set about recording the world's most irritating rock
album, but by stacking up a collection of speakers, amps and recording
equipment (tremolo units, ring modulators, etc.) and recording the resulting
commotion, he accomplished the task. A double album set, clocking in at a
seemingly endless 64 minutes, Reed turned in four sides of atonal guitar
literally wallowing in distortion, feedback and what sounds like backward
tapes in sections. There are no vocals, no melodies, no rhythm; the only
relief coming at the end of each side. Talk about a wall of sound !!! To my ears, the results can be compared to an aural mugging. Literally
unlistenable (I've yet to meet anyone who's actually listened to the double
LP all the way through in one sitting), most critics weren't sure what to make of it; some
praising it as daring (they almost certainly hadn't bothered to listen
through it), while others were honest enough to label it crap. Executives at
RCA Victor were apparently stunned by the album. Initially unwilling to
release it on the RCA Victor imprint, the original plan was to issue the
album under the company's Red Seal classical label. Apparently mistaking the
album for a live set (the stark black cover gives you that impression), Reed
fans initially gobbled up roughly 100,000 copies of the album, but a flood
of complaints (many from fans trying to get their money back), saw the label
withdraw the set after only a few months. Reed himself was quoted as saying
he was proud of the work since it was the only album he was aware of which
attacked the listener. He's also been quoted as saying "Well, anyone
who gets to side four is dumber than I am." Personally, I've never
been able to get past one side at a single hearing. Two minutes of this
stuff is guaranteed to clear out a room. In fact I've been to at least two
parties where the hosts played this as the signal the party was over ... By the
way, be forewarned, the fourth side has one of those endless grooves, where
it keeps recycling the music until you literally lift the stylus. Hum,
I wonder if this is the soundtrack for hell ...
It's certainly a
cult classic and is different. That said, unless you have some very
strange tastes, it probably isn't something you'd want to play on a regular
basis. (Wonder if the military ever considered this one as a terrorist
interrogation tool. A couple of minutes could be very effect in
getting cooperation from anyone.)
"Metal Machine Music" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Metal Machine
Music, Pt. 1 (instrumental) (Lou Reed) - 16:10
(side
2)
2.) Metal Machine
Music, Pt. 2 (instrumental) (Lou Reed) - 15:53
(side
3)
3.) Metal Machine
Music, Pt. 3 (instrumental) (Lou Reed) - 16:13
(side
4)
4.) Metal Machine
Music, Pt. 4 (instrumental) (Lou Reed) - 15:55
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