Transformer

I owned this album in the 70's and wore it out (not as clothing) by the 1990's and since then have bought the remastered CD version to replace my old album. The CD version is OK but somehow wasn't giving me the same thrill as the original vinyl did and left me a little flat or distanced from the recording if that makes any sense. Anyway, I decided to see if this reissued vinyl version could bring the feel of the original and lo and behold it does the trick. The main difference is the drum sound. This is most notable on the seemingly straight rock tracks I'm So Free, Wagon Wheel, and Hangin' Round. Anyone who has spent an intoxicated evening following the Bowie produced studio and stereo trickery and the magnificent bass and drum interplay in these songs will be glad to hear it all back again. I suppose in a way it's the story of vinyl versus digital and those of us that still have vinyl memories of music are often left wondering why we even liked some things in the first place when we hear the CD version. So if you want to hear this in all it's full dynamic glory BUY THE VINYL LP the CD is not bad but not as good. The songs and production on Transformer are up with the best in the Reed canon and this is my favourite RCA album by Lou Reed. I know this because I still have old original working vinyl versions of all the other RCA albums in my collection and none of those have worn out yet. A great album faithfully reproduced.

I used to shy away from this album, preferring Reed's later work. Upon the sad news of his passing, I finally upgraded my old CD to this newer remastered version. While I still don't think it's his best album, it really is a sterling collection of glam rock classics. Of course, 'Walk on the Wild Side' is here and was a deserved hit, plus 'Perfect Day,' 'Satellite of Love,' and 'Vicious' are all early Reed classics. There's really not a dull moment on the disc - and the remastering is great, really bringing out the dynamics in the music. Two demos - 'Hangin' Round' and 'Perfect Day' - are great (with early lyrics that say "summer's day" instead of "perfect day") and make me wish we could hear demos for all of the songs. And the vintage radio commercial for the album is priceless (makes it sound like they were advertising a horror movie or something!). Lou Reed was one of the greatest and this album is him at his most accessible.

What a fabulous album, what a great artist. The first time I heard Walk on the Wild Side I felt set free in a certain way. I was on the West Coast, longing for the East Coast, New York City, and that freedom. It was the first song I ever heard that addressed the existence of sex beyond hetero, that made weirdness so cool, and defined true hip. I still love it, love the album that is every bit as wonderful today as then, he was so out there and ahead of his time -- Rap and Hip Hop owe him a lot. Lou Reed's voice is so warm, his lyrics nail it every time -- simple and true - and I am sorry he's gone but am thankful for his music and poetry. When I heard a few years ago that he and Laurie Anderson were married, I thought "there's a marriage made in heaven" - what an ideal union. Anyway, thank you Lou Reed. RIP

This has always been my favorite Lou Reed album.I am a big fan however, to be a fan is to also realize that Lou Reed can be pretentious and self indulgent, he's a real hit and miss artist and he goes into phases. These so-called detriments also make him great...he's a true artist that takes chances and does not try to appease the commerciality of his work. This album achieves the perfect balance between experimental, listenable and commercial.There is an incredible variety of different songs and sounds here;"Vicious" is a great rave up with the dirtiest, raunchiest, nastiest and most fuzzed out guitar tone that I have ever heard. It's a great song with lyrics that perfectly fit the title of the song."Andy's Chest" is a this wonderfully odd, perverted and surrealistic ballad.The clasic "Walk on the Willd Side" is a tale of what it was like to hang out and observe the characters that come in and out of Andy Warhol's world. The song sounds pretty simply but, for its time, it was innovative in its use of featuring a fretless bass. From a musical perspective, this is a cool song."Perfect Day" in my opinion, is the best song on the album. It is gorgeous and conveys a nice sense of optimism."Hanging Around" is a conventional rock song."Make Up" is a weird, ode to gay-ness anmd transvestism. How many songs utilize the tuba as the featured instrument?"Satellite of Love" is a leftover Velvet Underground tune and is another beautiful melody.Most Lou Reed albums have flashes of brilliance but there are also unlistenable ones as well. This album, from start to finsh, is great. It has a certain bohemian theme which links all the songs.A greatest hits compilation is difficult with this artist since his different phases created a very wide variety of songs and sounds. "Transformer" was probably the start of Lou's glam period. He had a lot of confidence in his work and plenty of critical attention was placed upon him.This is the best introductory Lou Reed work.