The Velvet Underground and Nico led the way for many other Punk Rock, and Alternative bands. No album they released afterwards was as brilliant as their debut album. The album featured the bands lyrical genious, Lou Reed. It featured Sterling Morrison on lead guitar, Maureen Tucker as the drummer, Nico, and John Cale who was the musically gifted part of the band. The band’s producer, Andy Warhol, was the one who decided to place nico, the German front man of the band. He also helped add a different edge to their debut album.
Two characteristics of The Velvet Underground and Nico would be that instead of their debut album being happy like most of the albums were at that time, this album was rather depressing. The only had one song that was a tribute to the 60’s, and that was the first one. The rest of the songs on the album were about the Vietnam War, and other images of discontent. That is also why many people think this album is so brilliant. It is because of the lyrics and what it is about that made the album rise to its popularity.
Another characteristic would be that it spoke for all the struggling artists during that time period, and still speaks to many today. They also spoke a lot about their lifestyle, and surroundings.
This album left me depressed and sad as a listener. As a professional, I thought it was a very good album; it was simple and easy for any one to understand. I thought the mixing was also good, for that time period. Even though there were no serious advances in recording technology yet, this album was great for its time period and still manages to be one of the best today. Despite the albums references, if you give it a chance you just might be surprised!
references
http://themusicbasement.com/blog/2011/04/09/the-velvet-underground-and-nico-1967/
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