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O.M.D.BY JOHN OREOORY ALBUMS OF THE YEAR (Condensed)Normally, such an appraisal as this would be put off until January In order to allow the polls of 1970 to close on December 31. However, I have choseA to foregosuch wise course (and, partly, to overcome procrastination) in a move designed to aid your Christmas shopping. (Only 0 shopping days left, you know.)Being a campus reviewer, and thus being placed in a category dubbed two-bit, there are, naturally, albums not heard yet.(My sources are not promotionalcopies, but, rather, you see, like, well, money and help from my friends, which requires no smalldegree of competency, i.e.,running about, to remain reasonably current on familiaritywith segments of the frequent deluge of releases. Dig?)So, there are only six albums that reliable sources have dubbed.excellent, and that I have not hadthe opportunity to judge. Thesecompetitors, eliminated by unfamiliarity, are Come Together by Ike and Tina Turner, 12 Songs by Randy Newman, Kiln House by Fleetwood Mac, new Van Morrison, American Beauty by Grateful Dead, and Soft Machine Third. From theremainder:1. Loaded by Velvet Underground (Cotillion—SD 9034).Holy—I don't believe this album. It's one of the few this year thatI'll listen to over and over. WhoLoves the Sun—Old Beatles perhaps. Very good. Corny nearend. Sweet Jane—if you'refamiliar with .Reed, this will amaze you. He has exceeded . himself. Sounds like rocking Dylan, but you know It’s Reed. Total feeling.’ Brilliant instrumentals. (Reed doesn't play lead on this album. Most unfortunate.)lt;VU and the Stones are the onlygroups I would bow down to. Rock Roll—the theme of the album. Some soul, some later MCS, some Jagger. Except VU influences the other groups. Reed is incredible. Hey, here she comes now—(guitar) All Right ending sound hashy? Listen closely. Precision. Cool It Down Down on the corner, looking for Miss Linda Lee. A classic, rocky Stray Cat story. New Age—insightful, but unfitting vocal, boring build-up. Flip the record and say a prayer.Head Held High—hard, hard, hard rock. Reed drives as well as the instruments. Catch Reed's comment Do the Dog! Unreal.And a stunning opening. Lonesome Cowboy Bill—formula bop. Decent. I Found A Reason— schmaltzy ballad. Are they serious? The answer comes with the talking vocal midsection, memories of Love of My Lifeon Ruben and the Jets. Train Round the Bend—My God, a fade-in! Reed loses himself in his love of blues roots. Bop Bop. Oh! Sweet Nuthin'—messy, might grow on you, Very good guitar, but that's a VU norm.Personnel—Lou Reed (rg, p,.ld. voc.), Doug Yule (o, p, bg, Ig,acous. g, dm). Sterling Morrison (Ig, rg), Moe (Maureen) Tucker(dm). Production—superb.Cover—rotten, stupid, cheapo.The Voice once said you should see this group in concert. Do.This is hunky-dory. The bee'sknees. If you like solid, basic rock (oh. maybe Up Around the Bend?) then get down. This is a (professional) (Christmas?) gift.
Newspaper Details
Plattsburgh Cardinal Points
Plattsburgh, New York, US
Tue, Dec 15, 1970
Page 11
Full Page
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USA 14 Aug 2021
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