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Review
In many ways Metallica have for a long time been not one, but two bands. In the summer months they are the world’s premiere full-blooded rock act, content to bask at such locations as Yankee Stadium in the legacy afforded them by albums such as Master of Puppets and songs like Enter Sandman. But as a corollary to this there exists a group whose creative heart beats daring and strong. The Bay Area quartet first met Lou Reed – a man whose own artistic pursuits have for decades been captured on releases both excellent and execrable – when both parties were part of the class of 2009 inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. The five men got talking and decided to make an album. Perhaps it’s a good job Bette Midler wasn’t being honoured that day.
Although, in truth, this is not quite as startling an album as its billing may suggest. Inspired by a series of demos prepared by Reed for a musical production of two plays by the 19th century German dramatist Frank Wedekind – which in itself offers a clue that this is no Back in Black – Lulu adheres to both of the parties’ core instincts: on the part of Metallica there is an elongated and thoughtful, not to mention breathlessly heavy, musical spine; while Lou Reed’s atonal and monochromatic vocals lay with deliberate ill-ease atop it all, like an oil slick on an ocean.
At 90 minutes in length, Lulu is no light snack. The overall effect of the album is one of claustrophobia, of an unsettling and relentless assault that is more artistic instillation than rock opera. These are the aspects of the album that will take time to bed-in, in order that the jarring nature of much of this work will acclimatise itself to the listener’s ear. But even allowing for this it seems clear that this collaboration adheres to a careful and deliberate design. Following the avalanche of oppression that precedes it, Lulu’s denouement comes in the form of the 19-minute Junior Dad, a track with a groove of such gloriously hypnotic power that its effect is akin to being rescued after months trapped in a pothole.
Much advance word of Lou Reed and Metallica’s excursion has been one of bewilderment and dismissal. It may well be, though, that in the fullness of time this is an album that is given the praise it deserves. --Ian Winwood
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Product Description
STANDARD EDITION : 2011 debut collaboration between the rock'n'roll icon & metal heavyweight champions!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Do you find yourself admiring the composition of modern day spoken word poetry and wonder how it would sound if Metallica twiddled away in the background; well you are in luck `Lulu' is the album for you.
I bought this album purely on the basis that it had annoyed so many sheep (from the flock of Lou Reed and Metallica) that it must be really, really good. Well it's not really, really good but it isn't as bad as people say, and in this world of followers it's actually nice to see Lou and Metallica coming together to experiment like this.
I bought this album purely on the basis that it had annoyed so many sheep (from the flock of Lou Reed and Metallica) that it must be really, really good. Well it's not really, really good but it isn't as bad as people say, and in this world of followers it's actually nice to see Lou and Metallica coming together to experiment like this.
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is a tough album to get into. More so if you bought it with any subjective expectations as to what you're getting. I think a lot of people saw it as a new Metallica album, featuring Lou Reed. Indeed it's the other way around. It is not a new Metallica album, but a Lou Reed & Metallica album. Forget Death Magnetic (fantastic, by the way), because you're not doing anyone a service by comparing it to Lulu.
If you're a close-minded hardcore Metallica listener (if you think I mean hardcore Metallica listeners are close-minded, read it again) you will be disappointed. If you are a music appreciator, an art appreciator, and a Lou Reed and Metallica appreciator, you will need to buy this.
There have been terrible criticisms of the singing, that in some parts of some songs it's out of sync and out of place with the music accompanying it. The whole experience, however, is a tight package of creativity, based on lyrics written by Reed for the play Lulu. I can't stress it enough that this album is something separate the known sphere of Metallica productions, and that is the main thing listeners need to understand and even get past to appreciate this as a music album.
My favourites, after listening to the whole album twice, are Pumping Blood, Iced Honey, Cheat On Me and Junior Dad. The latter two take me back to Velvet Underground's creepy ambient, nearly static croon. I'd even dare to say that Junior Dad is my very favourite piece on this album. I like it even with "those stupid violins that go on for NINE F***ING MINUTES!". Just beautiful atmosphere, great lyrics.
If you're a close-minded hardcore Metallica listener (if you think I mean hardcore Metallica listeners are close-minded, read it again) you will be disappointed. If you are a music appreciator, an art appreciator, and a Lou Reed and Metallica appreciator, you will need to buy this.
There have been terrible criticisms of the singing, that in some parts of some songs it's out of sync and out of place with the music accompanying it. The whole experience, however, is a tight package of creativity, based on lyrics written by Reed for the play Lulu. I can't stress it enough that this album is something separate the known sphere of Metallica productions, and that is the main thing listeners need to understand and even get past to appreciate this as a music album.
My favourites, after listening to the whole album twice, are Pumping Blood, Iced Honey, Cheat On Me and Junior Dad. The latter two take me back to Velvet Underground's creepy ambient, nearly static croon. I'd even dare to say that Junior Dad is my very favourite piece on this album. I like it even with "those stupid violins that go on for NINE F***ING MINUTES!". Just beautiful atmosphere, great lyrics.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Nelson Viper
Format:Audio CD
In a weird way Lulu is a good reminder of what rock actually is. This record is completely devoid of "good" taste. It thrashes and chugs and shouts. A lot of Metallica fans are adamant that it also sucks. A lot of Lou Reed fans are equally adamant that it's an embarrassment. Throw in various talking heads from late night arts review shows and the message is clear. Don't try anything different, make records for niche markets, be that for metal fans or the coffee table crowd and above all show some dignity.
What I like about this record is what a lot of people dislike about it. Reed's voice is too frail for Metallica's huge crunch. The result is that it sounds unstable, loose, like Metallica just jamming some riffs. You can hear them as an unpolished honest to god band, rather than as a recording unit or stadium act. In other words, to me at least, it rocks in the truest sense of the word. Lou's voice just sits on top, croaking away lyrics that work with the unholy maelstrom the band kicks up. Ultimately, it's the part of Metallica that isn't a corporate entity, the part of the band that was influenced by hardcore punk and doesn't care about its reputation. Contrary to popular misconception, I also think Lulu is every bit as much, if not more, Metallica as it is Lou Reed. Anyway, I think it rocks.
What I like about this record is what a lot of people dislike about it. Reed's voice is too frail for Metallica's huge crunch. The result is that it sounds unstable, loose, like Metallica just jamming some riffs. You can hear them as an unpolished honest to god band, rather than as a recording unit or stadium act. In other words, to me at least, it rocks in the truest sense of the word. Lou's voice just sits on top, croaking away lyrics that work with the unholy maelstrom the band kicks up. Ultimately, it's the part of Metallica that isn't a corporate entity, the part of the band that was influenced by hardcore punk and doesn't care about its reputation. Contrary to popular misconception, I also think Lulu is every bit as much, if not more, Metallica as it is Lou Reed. Anyway, I think it rocks.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very different
For a metallica fan this was a change from the normal Met stuff.
The lyrics of Lou Reed are very very different from James's style, which I was expecting I suppose but... Read more
The lyrics of Lou Reed are very very different from James's style, which I was expecting I suppose but... Read more
Published 2 months ago by jonathan murray
2.0 out of 5 stars
????????????????????
All I can say is what were they thinking?
Metallica could have fashioned a great album from the riffs on this album. Read more
Metallica could have fashioned a great album from the riffs on this album. Read more
Published 3 months ago by G. McDonough
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute Masterpiece
As a fan of Metallica AND Lou Reed I think this album is utterly brilliant - although much more of a very heavy Lou Reed album than a Metallica album with a new vocalist.
Published 4 months ago by hammerkop
5.0 out of 5 stars
This needs to be LISTENED to
To add to a previous review... Personally I do think that Tracey Emin's unmade bed "is not art" - but then that is just my taste and I can appreciate that it may reach others in a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Robert Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
You've Made Your Mind Up Already So May As Well Not Read
About ten years ago my girlfriend left me and "And your ******* depressing Lou Reed!" was one of her final messages. Read more
Published 8 months ago by AZ F
1.0 out of 5 stars
No match
I bought this CD knowing that it is not a Metallica album but thinking it would be similiar to other Metallica albums. I was completely wrong. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Nomis
5.0 out of 5 stars
In defence of Lou Lou
The Amazon review stats show that Lulu has polarized opinion in a way I've never seen in Amazon reviews. The majority give this either 1 star or 5 stars. Read more
Published 9 months ago by D Major
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not as bad as you think
This album appears to have polarised opinion in the same way that S&M did back in 1999. Some fans simply won't like mixing metal with an orchestra or with an old guy ranting along... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Steve
1.0 out of 5 stars
C.R.A.P
I stand by the tile of this review but let me explain C- Cruelty to my eardrums to have to suffer a combination of to great ingrediants Lou Reed and Metallica on there own great... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Film junkie
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of Money
Been buying up a number of CDs I lived growing up. Thought I would listen to albums I missed in my 20's. WRONG move. It like another type of band. Not what made them GREAT. Read more
Published 11 months ago by NOT HAPPY!
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