Velvet Underground Loaded CD

LOADED (THE FULLY LOADED EDITION) is a greatly expanded version of the Velvet Underground's 1970 album LOADED. Disc 1 includes the original album along with outtakes, demos and alternate mixes. Disc 2 - the "Alternate Album" - repeats the sequence of songs from the original album using demos and alternate versions, and adds more demos and outtakes from the same sessions.

Principally recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York in spring and summer 1970. Originally released on Cotillion (9034). INcludes liner notes by David Fricke.

LOADED was a fitting end for the mighty Velvet Underground. Lou Reed had penned an album seemingly packed with hits, but by now, four LPs into the Velvet's career, only a sad few record buyers appreciated the band. Resignation permeates the album. Reed's voice is noticeably ragged, and bassist Doug Yule ended up recording many of the vocals for the final mix. Drummer Moe Tucker was pregnant, and Yule's brother Billy sat in on drums for most of the sessions. This was no longer the art-rock Velvet Underground, but a far more accessible version, relying on Reed's songwriting over the band's overall musicality.

Yet LOADED is arguably VU's most immediately satisfying album. Less overtly experimental than any of their other releases, the record still overflows with hooks, churning grooves, and Lou Reed's irresistibly unique pop sensibility. In addition to the certifiable rock classics "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll" (which alone should elevate the album into the rock pantheon), there are shiny, ironic ditties ("Who Loves the Sun"), cool, folk-rocking groovers ("Cool It Down"), and beautiful, weary ballads ("Oh! Sweet Nuthin'"). LOADED shimmers and gleams for all of its finality. While the album closed the book on the Velvet Underground's life, it also solidified their significant niche in rock history.

LOADED was a fitting end for the mighty Velvet Underground. Lou Reed had penned an album seemingly loaded with hits, but by now, four LPs into the Velvets' career, a sad few record buyers appreciated the band. After recording the album, Reed called it quits and crawled to his parents' home in the suburbs--the ultimate anti-rock statement.

Resignation permeates the album. Reed's voice is noticeably ragged, and bassist Doug Yule ended up recording many of the vocals for the final mix. Drummer Moe Tucker was pregnant, and Yule's brother Billy sat in on drums for most of the LOADED sessions, further alienating Reed from the already disintegrating band.

This was no longer the art-rock Velvet Underground, but a far more accessible version, relying on Reed's songwriting over the band's overall musicality. Accordingly, the songs are either retreats into the faux innocence of parental ideals ("Head Held High"), or autobiographical pieces of teenage rebellion ("Sweet Jane"). "Rock & Roll," for instance, reads like text-book angst, where everything your parents do is, well, "it ain't happening at all."

The album appropriately sounds like Reed's final bit of energy for the band. There's the saddened tone of "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'," in which the heroes walk with their "head[s] down," and "New Age," in which they mingle with "over the hill" movie stars. LOADED closed a chapter in Lou Reed'

Producers: Geoffrey Haslam, Shel Kagan, The Velvet Underground.

The Velvet Underground: Lou Reed (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica); Doug Yule (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, bass, drums, percussion); Maureen "Moe" Tucker (vocals, percussion); Sterling Morrison (guitar).

Producers: Geoffrey Haslam, Shel Kagan, The Velvet Underground, Adrian Barber.

Reissue producers: Bill Inglot, Patrick Milligan.

Velvet Underground: Lou Reed (vocals, guitar, piano); Doug Yule (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, piano, organ, bass, drums); Sterling Morrison (guitar); Moe Tucker (drums).

Additional personnel: Tommy Castanaro, Bill Yule, Adrian Barber (percussion).

Additional personnel: Tommy, Bill Yule, Adrian Barber (percussion).Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.120) - Ranked #109 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "[A] record that highlights the R&B/doo-wop roots and Sun Records crackle deep inside the Velvets' noir-guitar maelstrom..."
Rolling Stone (12/24/70, p.51) - "...LOADED is merely a refinement of the Velvet Underground's music as it has grown through the course of their past three albums....[it's] a celebration of the spirit of rock 'n' roll..."
Entertainment Weekly (4/4/97, pp.81-82) - "...the rejiggered LOADED makes the original CD sound like it was mixed by monkeys. On the new disc, the guitars are as crisp and up front as the vocals..." - Rating: B+
Q (7/93, p.115) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...a laudable album. 'Sweet Jane' and 'Rock & Roll' are the pivotal tracks but the lovely harmonies of 'I Found A Reason' and the extended workout of 'Oh! Sweet Nuthin'' stand proud as peak Velvets..."
Q (6/97, p.142) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...LOADED was Reed's celebration of his Bril Building-style pop apprenticeship (albeit shot through a warped, jaded filter)....Extra non-album outtakes, sleevenotes by David Fricke and a snazzy 3-D sleeve complete an exemplary package."