153. The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground

Release Date: 1969
Label: MGM

Having exhausted their list of album titles on their first two releases, The Velvet Underground were forced to release this third offering as a self-titled LP. John Cale left after the release of White Light/White Heat to pursue a career in Ergonomics and pigeon rearing. As far as this album is concerned it sits comfortably between 'Nico' and 'White Light' as the second best Velvets album. The songs are less discordant or chaotic and the record features some songs that are better than the ones on their acclaimed debut, in particular 'Candy Says' and 'Beginning to See The Light'

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Beginning To See The Light

104. The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat

Release Date: 1968
Label: Verve

Velvet Underground's second album, and their last with founding member John Cale. After poor sales of their first album, their relationship with Andy Warhol deteriorated so they fired him and found themselves working with former Dylan producer, Tom Wilson.

The album is a cacophony of feedback and discordant guitar, spoken-word stories and seventeen minute odes to heroin and fellatio. It's not as good as the first album, but nothing they did ever would be.


Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: The Gift

91. The Velvet Underground & Nico- The Velvet Underground & Nico

Release Date: 1967
Label: Verve

Another album I already own, so I didn't feel the need to listen to it again.It's one of my favourites from this period, I can even cope with Nico's vocals on this after slagging them off for her solo offering - 'Chelsea Girls' - The production is rough and raw, but it works.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Venus in Furs