Posted 8:38 am Tuesday, July 03, 2012
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"The Velvet Underground & Nico" Had Lasting Impact On Modern Rock
By JEREMY SCOTT
Staff Writer
Peel slowly and see,” the album dares us in tiny letters.
With artist Andy Warhol's iconic banana painting adorning the cover, the debut of The Velvet Underground makes listeners a promise of hidden potential.
Staff Writer
Peel slowly and see,” the album dares us in tiny letters.
With artist Andy Warhol's iconic banana painting adorning the cover, the debut of The Velvet Underground makes listeners a promise of hidden potential.
A work ahead of its time, “The Velvet Underground & Nico,” isn't about to break that pledge, delivering what could be considered the first “alternative rock” sound.
It wasn't “alternative” in a '90s sense. There aren't any distorted power chords or flannel shirts.
It was “alternative” because it was different from everything else that was popular.
It wasn't “alternative” in a '90s sense. There aren't any distorted power chords or flannel shirts.
It was “alternative” because it was different from everything else that was popular.
1967 saw the release of The Doors self-titled debut album, The Beatles' “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience's “Are You Experienced?” and many other iconic works.
But “The Velvet Underground & Nico” stands apart from the crowd with a stripped down sound filled with musical innovations.
But “The Velvet Underground & Nico” stands apart from the crowd with a stripped down sound filled with musical innovations.
The diverse tracks include “I'm Waiting for the Man,” a percussion-and-piano-driven rock song, the eclectic mishmash of modified instruments “Venus in Furs” and the soothing and upbeat “Sunday Morning.”
The album is distinct not only for ambitious use of modified instruments, but also for the controversial lyrics by frontman Lou Reed. Don't look for innuendo here — songs describing drug use and sexual themes are the norm.
The album is distinct not only for ambitious use of modified instruments, but also for the controversial lyrics by frontman Lou Reed. Don't look for innuendo here — songs describing drug use and sexual themes are the norm.
Producer Andy Warhol put up the money for the album's creation, and his influence is here for all to see.
At Warhol's coaxing, Reed hands over lead vocal work to German singer and fashion model Nico on three tracks.
Nico's unique voice and thick accent on “Femme Fatale,” “All Tomorrow's Parties” and “I'll Be Your Mirror” take some getting used to. After hearing these songs a few times though, it is hard to imagine it sounding any different.
In 1967, the music world took little notice of “The Velvet Underground & Nico.” It was banned from record stores and the radio over the controversial lyrics. It would be decades before the album would be praised as a forerunner of modern rock.
Record producer and musician Brian Eno reportedly once said only 10,000 people bought “The Velvet Underground & Nico” — but all of them started a band.
At Warhol's coaxing, Reed hands over lead vocal work to German singer and fashion model Nico on three tracks.
Nico's unique voice and thick accent on “Femme Fatale,” “All Tomorrow's Parties” and “I'll Be Your Mirror” take some getting used to. After hearing these songs a few times though, it is hard to imagine it sounding any different.
In 1967, the music world took little notice of “The Velvet Underground & Nico.” It was banned from record stores and the radio over the controversial lyrics. It would be decades before the album would be praised as a forerunner of modern rock.
Record producer and musician Brian Eno reportedly once said only 10,000 people bought “The Velvet Underground & Nico” — but all of them started a band.
