Hudson River Wind Meditations by Lou Reed
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Book Reviews of Hudson River Wind Meditations
Book Review: Private meditation is where this music should have been kept. And never released to the unsuspecting public
Summary: 2 Stars
I have to agree with wilco lover's review. This is more of Lou Reed making music for Lou Reed. And while there are artists who can accomplish that feat and can still remain interesting to the listener. Lou has not been able to climb that mountain for quite some time. What he now finds enjoyable or worthy for himself, fails on many levels to the outside ear. One of the most important of which is immediacy. The urgency in Lou Reed's music, for the most part, disappeared when he decided to control his own production. The Arista years was the beginning of that transformation. Apparently he felt much better about the change in his career. And financially, he may have succeeded with no small contribution from a few important others. But artistically, his music suffered. While there are a few exceptions, Street Hassle being a primary one, Lou Reed indeed became fairly irrelevant. His music became lifeless. No immediacy, no compelling descriptions of the street or of any suffering, or of life's challenges.
One of the other exceptions besides Street Hassle to that is "Animal Serenade". Very interesting and artistic takes of some older songs as well as newer ones. The introduction to "Smalltown" is alone worth the purchase price all by itself. And "How do you think it Feels" is a very memorable rendition. Surprising in a way and sounding very current.
This latest thing is hardly surprising at all. And along with recent efforts: The "Ectasy" album (future farmers, modern dance ugh) and "The Raven" are quite honestly just embarrassing. "Set the Twilight Reeling" succeeds for about 1 or 2 songs.
By no means am I the kind of fan who has to relive all the artists previous work nor do I automatically deplore anything that doesn't closely resemble past triumphs. But at the same time, there has to be good song writing, solid melody and hooks, interesting lyrics, innovative song structures. Something to get your arms around, to feel like he really cares about what he's playing or singing. Some emoting or energy should be present to capture the listener. For sure it doesn't always have to be an indie or glam or hard rock sound to succeed. It can be contemplative and alluring, but it should be so in a memorable or compelling fashion. Most of his post NYC albums lack those once common yet now quite rare important elements.
Lou once remarked that "editing" was one of the most important aspects of song writing. That's what appears to be Lou's problem now and has been for some time now. He's got no one editing his work. No producer or collaborator to help him toss the fluff and the weak stuff out or to save and rework later into better tracks. Five minutes of this may have worked as soundtrack material for something much more inspiring or interesting. By itself, or as music to meditate to, it's immediately forgettable. Despite all the amputations, this is still not very good.
If you must buy this meditation album because it's a Lou Reed record then buy it used for a cheap price, and believe me it will quickly become very very cheap. Or better yet, go to the library and check it out for free. That's where you'll find dozens of other forgettable meditation albums. I'd say download it from the web, except I'm not sure it's really worth taking up hard drive space for.
1 and a half stars on effort and an attempt at producing something outside the norm. But ultimately and very sadly, failing miserably in the effort.
Book Review: 20 years behind the rest of the new age music movement
Summary: 1 Stars
I was standing in line at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle when I noticed a sign advertising an in-store appearance by none other than Lou Reed (in the hippie clothing department, nonetheless). I took notice of the fact that the appearance was happening right then and there, and despite the fact that his chief contributions to art-rock were so long ago, I was excited to meet this rock and roll icon.
Upon walking into the shop and viewing the used-up expression of Mr. Reed, I was told to take my place in line to purchase his new CD. While doing so, my inner monologue made a less-than-favorable comment about "this crappy new-age hippie music they play at Whole Foods." Sadly, as I picked up a copy of Lou's new CD and read the cover, I was faced with the unfortunate realization that the music being broadcast over the scented candles and flavored incense was in fact the latest product of this icon's genius.
Sorely disappointed, I placed the CD back into the pile, took one last look at the twelve or so grown-uppy yuppies anxiously anticipating their man-to-man with the man, and left in favor of purchasing my groceries.
Book Review: More pretentious drivel from an increasingly irrelevant "star",
Summary: 1 Stars
If you subtract the crucial collaborations of David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Robert Quine and Fred Mahr, Reed's post-Velvets career has been mainly in the realm of soothing himself with a legion of sycophants and the results show. And this latest vanity project (to go with his "photographic" exhibition) is as far up his own Canal St as you'd dare to travel.
Get it if you want a good laugh, but if you do try to meditate with it, try not to dwell on the fact that you've just spent 15 bucks to hear the wailing echoes of a long-empty mind
Book Review: Lou Reed redefines boredom
Summary: 1 Stars
Lou Reed is not Brian Eno. This is even less interesting than "Metal Machine Music." Lou should retire to avoid embarrassing himself further. I've heard more interesting air conditioners.
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