Released: Oct 31, 2011
Genre: Heavy Metal, Noise Rock, Avant-Garde, Spoken Word
Label: Warner Bros., Vertigo
Number Of Tracks: 10 (2CD)
The unlikely collaboration between Lou Reed of Velvet Underground fame and Metallica, the most culturally prominent of the Big 4, has finally released "Lulu". This is a concept album loosely based on two plays written by a German playwright by the name of Frank Wedekind.
LuluFeatured review by: UG Team, on october 28, 2011 46 of 53 people found this review helpful
Sound: During the 25th Anniversary Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both Metallica and Lou Reed performed and began talking afterwards. Initially the thought was for Metallica to go into a studio with Lou Reed and record some of his unreleased material. Fast forward two years later and Lou Reed and Metallica once again revisit the idea, but this time they land on the idea of working on some songs that Lou Reed had written for a German play called "Lulu". Lou Reed shared his demos of the songs with Metallica and they sat down and worked out changes to the original compositions and lo and behold we are left with the album being released, "Lulu".
"Lulu" is a 10 track album spread across two discs with a total runtime of just over 87 minutes. If you were expecting the next Metallica release, then you will be disappointed. The end result neither sounds like a Metallica release or a Lou Reed release. You may have heard the expression about the whole being greater than the sum of the parts? Well, it didn’t quite work out that way on this project. I’m personally a thrash metal fan, and while I prefer Megadeth to Metallica, I’ve always been able to appreciate their releases to different degrees... that isn’t this case with "Lulu". I’ve also enjoyed Velvet Underground albums and some of Lou Reed’s solo releases, but again this doesn’t resemble the Lou Reed work I’ve grown to know and love.
As far as the actual sound of the album, the riffs sound Metallica-esque, but more like a poorly executed tribute band. There are a few songs with acoustic intros that seem like they fit more on a folk or folk rock album (hey, I like folk rock), and it doesn’t seem to really fit the ambience of the album really well. A few of the songs are really heavy and others have long passages of almost just ambient noise, low level guitar feedback, and sustained single notes, and such. There isn’t much impressive in the way of solos or even interesting rhythms. It is pretty straightforward musically, but not very engaging. // 5
Lyrics and Singing: Lou Reed sings about 85 - 90% of all the lyrics and by sing I mean that he mumbles out of key and sometimes out of time. His voice is really showing its age during most of the album as well, with only a few moments in the album where the stars align and he is in key, in time and isn’t sing-talking in a croak. Very occasionally James Hetfield takes up the remaining 10 – 15% of the vocals with such genius outbursts as "I am the table". Neither vocalist sounds at their peak at any point on this album. It is really kind of sad, because regardless of the mediocre instrumentation and horrible lyrics, the album would have been palatable if the vocals were at least delivered in key. At least James Hetfield did sound in key.
As an example of just how bad the lyrics can get on this album, I would like to include some random excerpts to give you an idea. From the track "Dragon" you get such lyrics as "Do you think we’re a book / some kind of table / you can rest your feet on when you’re able" and "The hair on your shoulder / the smell of your armpit / the taste of your vulva and everything on it". The track "Pumping Blood" gives you such lyrics as "I swallow your sharpest cutter / like a colored man’s dick / blood spurting from me". It just goes on and on in that manner. From the track "Little Dog" you get "Little dog don’t have much at all / A puny body and a tiny dick / A little dog can make you sick". From the song
"Frustration" you get "I feel the pain creep up my leg / blood runs from my nose / I puke my guts out at your feet / you’re more man than I / To be dead to have no feeling / To be dry and spermless like a girl". My final impression of the lyrics is they are mostly just nonsense and really borderline offensive even to me, and I don’t offend easily. I know this is supposed to be an artsy side project for Lou Reed and Metallica, but it really just comes off as sounding like really bad music. // 3
Impression: Really, the best way that I can describe this album is it sounds like a garage band just getting started that found an elderly homeless man with dementia to be their frontman. This album is so horrible that it goes beyond being boring, then goes beyond being amusing and goes into a realm of actually being painful to listen to. I understand that this album is supposed to be an artistic statement, but I just don’t get it. I’m not sure anybody does besides Lou Reed and the members of Metallica. While I don’t begrudge Metallica and Lou Reed recording whatever they want, this album was actually hard to listen to from start to finish. Unfortunately, before writing the review I made myself listen to it in its totality three times from start to finish, and today I’ve been listening to specific songs trying to renew my impression of them.
If you take the long view on the album release, "Lulu", I assume that Lou Reed is so established that this album release can’t possibly hurt his reputation, and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t care if it did. Metallica is also very established in what they do, but I think will probably take a greater hit from their core fan base feeling betrayed by this release. I’ve read that Metallica are in the studio now working on a new straight up Metallica album, and we can only hope they managed to get all of their bad ideas out in this collaboration with Lou Reed and will release a solid album that will help wash the taste of "Lulu" out of all of our ears.
Probably my most favorite and hated song on the album is "Frustration", which while musically maybe sounds the most like what you would expect from Metallica, while lyrically/vocally it is the most ridiculous track on the album. I really can’t name a favorite track, as I honestly didn’t like any tracks on the album. My most hated songs on the album "Little Dog" and "Pumping Blood", but really none of them are good. There are a few moments where the album makes you think it is going to take off musically, but it never actually delivers. Normally I respect an album that has a little length to it – I feel like I’m actually getting more for my money, but at 87 minutes this album is insanely too long. // 2
Lulu
Reviewed by:
Bluesmetalguy, on october 28, 2011 11 of 37 people found this review helpful
Sound: So "Lulu", possibly the most controversial album of the century there has been a lot of hate directed at this latest Lou Reed release. Yes, Lou Reed release. I have decided to side with the band and say that this is a Lou Reed album and in the context of Lou's work "Lulu" is experimental but definitely in line with what he has done in the past. The guitars feature grinding circular riffs that repeat very frequently and rarely solo, the bass is solid calmly following the guitar riffs. As for the drums Lars does not impress but instead plays with a low intensity nicely slotting into that Lou Reed feel. The vocals are typical of both Reed and Hammet and the lyrics are evidence that Lou is still crazy (which is good). In short from the Lou Reed perspective this is actually a pretty decent album and makes sense with the rest of his discography.
The guitar sound on this record is surprisingly close to how I would imagine a heavy metal Lou Reed. Sure at times it speeds up a bit more than expected but overall the riffs are simple and grungy. There are a few small acoustic bits but the majority of the album features distortion yet somehow at the same time this album is not brutal just different. I feel that all of the songs fit 100% in to the Lou Reed style, if this was any other artist the riffs might feel generic but with Lou it is exactly what I expected. And some of the riffs are just magic, the beginning of the heavy party of "Brandenburg Gate" is mindblowing. All in all Hammet and Hetfield do a fairly good job of backing up Lou and Hetfield's singing on this record and accurately reflect what a metal version of Lou should sound like.
The bass on this record is also very Lou-esque, it is fairly minimalist performance by Trujillo following the guitar riffs and generally making the guitar sound a lot heavier. I hope on the new recently announced new Metallica record Trujillo gets more of a chance to shine because I know that his bass playing can be a lot stronger than this. Yet he still does a good job of capturing the Lou Reed atmosphere. And he does get a really awesome part in "Junior Dad". The drumming of Lars Ulrich pretty much reflects the guitar riffs, it is pretty simplistic and while there are some decent fills here and there the majority of the time Lars plays nice and easy simple drum riffs. While this is maybe not the greatest Lars performance it definitely fits in with the Lou Reed aura and makes sense within his discography. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: The vocals on this track are decent from both of the singers on "Lulu". Reed keeps up his regular style featuring the talk-singing which makes him unique. Admittedly on some of these more recent records of his and especially on this one the talk-singing becomes a bit more like talking than singing. Also Lou is starting to sound a bit old in some of his parts his voice becomes that of the old man that he is. As for James Hetfield his vocals are fairly good and he definitely has a lot of conviction in his vocal lines. I am especially fond of his passionate yell of "Small Town Girl" in "Brandenburg Gate". From a vocal perspective this album is pretty decent. The vocals are... Very Lou. They have all of the psychedelic insanity that makes Reed so great at the same time featuring some great messages underneath the morass of weirdness. // 8
Impression: In conclusion, this is actually a decent album, from a Lou Reed standpoint. It features some pretty decent songs and finishes with a beautifully crafted epic in "Junior Dad". As a backing band Metallica does very well and they accurately reflect all that is Lou from a more metal perspective. The guitars feature very Lou-esque riffs and unsurprisingly have few solos. The bass is pretty straightforward but there are some pretty nice fills throughout. The drums are gentle and don't seek to blast you away, instead drawing you in to the low powered riffs. The vocals are typical of both vocalists however Lou is definitely starting to age. As for the lyrics, they are completely insane, yet I like them because they are very Lou. I really don't know what to make of this album, but something inside me says it is pretty good. // 8
Lulu
Reviewed by:
Paul*Stanley, on october 28, 2011 8 of 33 people found this review helpful
Sound: A lot of people aren’t going to like "Lulu" It’s easy to see even without reading any of the comments posted at the bottom of any of Ultimate Guitar’s articles about it. That’s because "Lulu" is something different - very different. "Lulu" is not an album of pop music (I use that as a blanket term to describe the music we all listen to on CDs and the radio), but rather it is a theatrical production for the ears. Metallica and Lou Reed seem less concerned with creating a listenable collection of songs which you can jam out to in your car, but rather they want to take you on a trip through a very dark place. Unless you accept that, you are not going to like this album.
Metallica, while I’m not a fan of their own music, are definitely a talented band. They create slow, haunting pieces that almost drag to the point of frustration at times. There are small hints of their previous projects here and there (fast forward to the two minute-mark in "Pumping Blood" and you’ll hear something similar to "Enter Sandman") but mostly have created a sound unlike any other record I’ve ever heard. It’s hard to tell which guitars are Kirk and James and which ones are Lou, but it doesn’t really matter. This album isn’t about them, it’s about the art they’ve created.
The record ranges from hard, disturbing, unsettling noise to more traditional metal power chords to surprisingly beautiful acoustic guitar pieces and classical instruments, which shine quite a bit in the finale, "Junior Dad". Some of the songs mix all of these elements nicely, and the scope of it is quite impressive. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The album opens with the line, "I would cut my legs and tits off when I think of Boris Karloff". That pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the record. The lyrics are dark and haunting to an extreme level, and oftentimes overshadow the music as the real star of the album. Since my first listen through it, I haven’t been able to get Lou Reed shouting, "I want so much to hurt you" repeatedly, followed by "Marry me" during "Frustration". Hetfield’s "I am the table" line has already gotten a lot of crap long before the release, and it’s going to be hard for a lot of people to get past that.
Another hurdle that’s going to be quite a jump for people to actually enjoy the album is to get over Lou Reed’s eccentric vocal style. He almost abandons the speak-singing he is famous for here and just talks, devoid of pitch and note. It adds to the off-putting nature of the music.
James Hetfield’s vocals are peppered here and there throughout the CD’s lengthy running time, but he barely acts as Reed’s sidekick here. He never has a lead vocal part and is quite strictly relegated to back-up vocalist. That’s not a bad thing, but it would’ve been interesting to see how it would’ve turned out with more of his voice on this record. // 10
Impression: For once, a collaboration has created a truly artistic piece of music that manages to be avant-garde and original without getting pedantic. But I know that almost no one will agree with me, and that's fine. No amount of positive reviews will change the view of the people who were hoping for the follow-up to "Death Magnetic".
I feel like this is going to be an album everybody hates today and then will look back on in 20 years and realize how unique it was. After all, people hated AC/DC’s "High Voltage" when it was released, saying that the singer was annoying, but noted the album’s "monster riffs". To me, that sounds a lot like "Lulu".
"Brandenburg Gate" is an attention-capturing opener, "Frustration" is downright terrifying and "Junior Dad" is a beautiful closing track. "Iced Honey" is the most listener-friendly song, so you may want to listen to that first.
Other than some points where the album seems to go on slightly too long, there isn’t a dull moment. "Lulu" tells a story for those who are willing to listen. Sadly, most people won’t be. // 9
Lulu
Reviewed by:
Poisonouspot, on october 28, 2011 1 of 7 people found this review helpful
Sound: Lou Reed & Metallica’s collaboration sounded interesting at first, but then when we were "treated" with a sample from "The View" which was mixed with very different reactions. However, in my opinion "The View" is arguably the worst song on the album, I don’t know why it was the first single.
However, the record doesn’t work most of the time, it sounds like Metallica playing very receptive riffs over and over again why Lou Reed rambles over them. that's one thing that really turned me off the album, every song is Metallica repeating the same riff OVER and OVER again, every song on the album is above 4 minutes and most of the songs are around 7 to 19 minutes but we might only hear one riff played. The album could be cut short by 30 minutes. But the sound quality is very good unlike "Death Magnetic" so that's positive. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: But arguably the worst thing on the album is Lou Reeds vocals, Regardless if he is old or not he is useless, he talks for 90% of the time and sings badly out of key for the other 10%. His vocals don’t even fit the song! Look at "Pumping Blood". Lou Reed's vocals just don’t fit. It amazes me why James Hetfield doesn’t sing these parts. However, there are several songs where the team-up clicks such as "Little Dog", "Dragon" and my personal favourite "Junior Dad". // 4
Impression: As a whole, this album is interesting and worth a listen but only a few songs are actually good, the rest sound like a weird old man narrating Metallica. An interesting partnership but it isn’t very enjoyable and at times very painful and funny. The collaboration has turned against them more than helped them. If the album was stolen, I probably wouldn't get another copy, I'm a bit disappointed but I didn't know what to expect.
Lulu
Reviewed by:
henrihell, on october 28, 2011 1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sound: There has been much hype about this album, most people does not like it, and I fully understand why, since this isn't even close to anything mainstream. My opinion though, is that this is a real nice piece of art, since you can tell they have been working on real inspiration to the fullest. Nothing on the album sounds any commercial at all, which I think is really good.
The sounds are really metal. The guitar and bass fits perfectly together, creating one sound combined of the two, mostly sounding like a guitar with a really brutal and bassy sound. The drums sound good too, in opposite to the last two Metallica albums. Actually soundwise the only thing I have to complain about is Lou Reed's singing, it's not even in the mix, it's just on top of everything.
Since all the songs on the album are pretty different from each other I'll give you a track by track review of them:
01. "Brandenburg Gate": This one has a really nice countryish acoustic guitar intro, which leads to a great riff, then it continues as metal. Would have liked more of that countryish stuff.
02. "The View": There's nothing really special on this one, the riff is good and so on, an average song from this album.
03. "Pumping Blood": It starts of with some kind of violin thing, don't know if it really is a violin though or is it something else, sounds wierd in a good way. after that violin thing it goes on to an epic acoustic parts which is really nicely done, too bad you can't hear much of the epicness since Lou Reed is on top of it. Then goes on to the kind of thing we've all heard on "The View". One of the better songs on the album.
04. "Mistress Dread": This is the thrashiest most Metallica sounding song on this album. It would be a pure thrash metal song if it wasn't Lou Reed singing, but then again, if it wasn't him singing this would just be a Metallica song. Also one of the better songs.
05. "Iced Honey": This one has a really nice riff, I just love that sort of thing. Too bad it's pretty much the only riff in the song, 5 minutes, one riff, gets pretty boring even if it is a good riff.
06. "Cheat On Me": Really nice epic start on this one. It reminds of old psychedelic, prog like things. You could get nightmares by listening to that kind of stuff, then it kicks in to the same kind of metal thing as most of the rest of the album.
07. "Frustration": "Frustration" was the right word, I'd say this is the worst song on the album. In the beginning the melody is just hilarious, it sounds like some happy song ment for children, then also this one goes into that same as all the others.
08. "Little Dog": This one is great! A slower kind of psychedelic song, really good work on this one! Probably the best song on the album.
09. "Dragon": I love the intro, it's so distorted it all gets messed up but it sounds awesome. This is also one of the more psychedelic sounding songs on the album, kinda liked this one too.
10. "Junior Dad": A slower more beautiful song in any way, love the melody on this one. and it doesn't go into that metal kind of thing that just makes most of the songs pretty boring in the end. This is maybe the best song on the album. The only bad thing about it is the outro at about 10 minutes of length where nothing really happens. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: I'm not the one that really cares about lyrics when listening to music, but here they really destroy much of the album, which is a shame. It doesn't get better by the fact that I can not by any meaning understand what the lyrics mean, or do they mean anything. They're just wierd, and mostly repetitive.
These lines are the ones that annoyed me the most: "I want so much to hurt you, I want you as a wife" and "Spermless like a girl". These lines are as understandable as the rest of the lyrics, but these are just wierder than the rest.
Also I don't really like the voice of neither of the singers. James Hetfield sounded good last time on the "Black Album" and Lou Reed is even worse. His voice just sounds awful! // 3
Impression: The things I most love about the album is that it really doesn't sound like anything else, which is a thing I've always liked. If something differs from the rest, it's usually pretty good in my opinion, since it brings in some new aspects. This brings in plenty of new aspects to music.
I heard the album on their website, where their streaming it full, and I doubt that I will buy it before I find it at a discounted price, so no, I would not pay 20€ for it, but if I could get it for 10€ I would buy it, if there was nothing better in the same store. It's not a really good album, but it's not as bad as people are saying, it's bottom moments are horrific, but there are plenty of good really interesting moments as well. // 7
As we've already discussed this album enough over the past weeks, I don't feel like making another statement on its quality. I'm just going to wait for the new Metallica studio album.
I feel like I should write something clever here as one of the first comments, to get loads of likes. But meh. Let's just hope that this will be the last time we see "Lulu" on the front page.
When I first heard of this I didn't judge the two artists working together. I think this is something more artists need to start doing. I went into this with an open mind...
That being said... I gave this the best try I could. It's plain horrible and borderline mentally scarring.
Just, stop going on about the album. Yeah, it sucks. I gave it a full listen, so I had my own fair opinion on it. now we should all just let it die and never have 2 read another Lulu story on here again. Lets just not feed the hate anymore eh?
Why doing a review if you first say that you prefer Megadeth to Metallica ? Also this album is NOT trash metal, and it is not the objectiv ! From the beginning you have a "hater" mind, or bad prejudices.
I'm ok with the rest of the reviews, Lou Reed singing is just nothing on that album, and I don't understand why 'Tallica wasted time making that album.
But, I love the instrumental part of the album. Some songs would be very nice with a guitar solo and James' voice.
I listened to the album, and as I suspected, it was a difficult task. I heard the early releases, and didnt like them. However, I still wanted to hear the whole thing before passing final judgement (positive or negative). Overall, it was one of the most boring things I have listened to. I know it isn't a Metallica album (I'm not a retard who cant tell the difference between a side project and a bands main projects). This is a side project, and a failure. The guy (paul stanely) who reviewed it and gave it a 9 is obviously deaf, dumb, and stupid. One should be able to listen to a 9-quality album daily without getting bored of the material for years. This is barely tolerable even once. Sure he can have his opinion, but a 9?? a FUCKING 9 ?!!? Now that is finally released, we can stop talking about it, and just pretend it never happened. Just like the first Hulk movie.
gah, it's a creative endeavor not intended for you people, it's purely a creative outlet for lou reed and metallica. it's art, and whether you like it or not doesn't matter. btw the album is terrible but that's my opinion
I think everyone saw reviews like this coming. All hope in Metallica has been lost for the past decade, I guess.
On a different side note, I realize how albums like this cause a lot of bickering back and forth, but I really appreciate these reviews being non-biased when they first started to listen to them, as well as professional. Great reviews.
At the end of Junior Dad (the only good song on this giant p.o.s. and the only song Metallica wrote on LuLu), they should've put the sound of gunshots to represent all the unsuspecting people who shot themselves after listening to LuLu.
There's some good stuff on this record and some bad stuff. Just a experiment that people take way too seriously. This is not Metallica. Junior Dad and Iced Honey are actually some cool tunes.
No offence but the only reason people are talking about this is because of Metallica any other band and this would not even be a topic very weak no more Lou Reed please
The only positive reviews of this album basically list all the reasons that it falls flat on its face. No, as a listener and a musician I cannot get over singing that is out of time and out of key. No, as a reader I cannot get over lyrics that mention mention the dick more times than a sex ed pamphlet. Its lazy as all hell.
I love Metallica but this proved to me they can't get away with whatever they want. This album was a waste of time. I could have used that time to listen to Floyd or Zeppelin or any other album that didnt make my ears bleed sadness.
Haven't listened to it yet. Probably won't just because I've never liked Lou Reed. Metallica did their part as intended from what I've heard in clips...they served as a backing band. Lou is getting old and his senial personality and insanity show it.
I think Axl Rose and Metallica should do an album...only DO NOT let Axl write it!
Dumbasses need to realize the main focus is Reed, not Metallica. They provided the music, which is damn good. They had nothing to do with the lyrics and horrible singing, obviously. People are ripping on Metallica to get attention, they're merely the "sidekick" in this album.
Good and interesting album. I couldn't manage to enjoy Mistress Dread or Little Dog... but the other songs are great.
One thing to complain is that there are good songs but they are very repetitive musically speaking. That is why Pumping Blood is one of the best moments of the album.
Thank god Lou's vocal parts are very diverse and intelligent. Even if he doesn't have a hell of voice, it manages to make the song never go back to the same point again.
Also, Iced Honey is great. They should have teased with that instead of "The View" and the album would have had a better feedback lol
I only wanted to say that I am truly surprised that there are multiple people posting that they liked this album. I can't understand.
Also, Metallica wasn't just a backing band, from what I read. The original material was all Lou Reed's but when they began collaborating supposedly the members of Metallica made extensive changes. At least, that is what the internet says.
"Really, the best way that I can describe this album is it sounds like a garage band just getting started that found an elderly homeless man with dementia to be their frontman"
That made me LOL.
I downloaded this when it got leaked. I'd like this album if I could just hear the instrumentals. I think the best intro on the album is "Little Dog." I agree "Mistress Dead" is the "thrash" song on the album. "Bradenburg Gate," had a good intro too, but it just sounds more folk, as someone mentioned before.
Nobody is saying it sounds like shit because it doesnt sound like Metallica. Its bad because:
1. It is some of the worst mixing ive ever heard
2. The repetitive riffs are lame.
3. Repetitive riffs are ****ing LAME
4. These arent vocals.
Sounds to me like the writer of this review was trying to not jump on the haters bandwagon, but there is a difference between uneducated hate, and brown smelly dog shit. Okayc so if you buy this album with practically no exptectation, what story will this tell? The question wasn't even answered or expanded on. Just a story, and some art.
Why discuss the subject of why this doesn't deserve a 9?
I can tell that most of you people are just disappointed that this didn't really sound like Metallica, or Lou Reed. Both fanbases got disappointed.
On the other hand, objective people without just a few genre limits, and that are willing to try something new, I believe this takes the price of being one of the most innovative albums of the year.
This album may not please your ears, as this isn't really the point of the album. This is a new way of "music", which is taking the listener to a horrible world, a dark place. This is why many found it to be a "mentally scarring" listen, as quoted by a comment I found. If you're in for your musical pleasure, forget this album. This is a new kind of art, that will disturb, not please.
I wanted to love this album. But, alas it slapped me as would Nazi his prisoner. The general sound of the band was off if you ask me, riff were okay at times but were always ruined by something before i could get into them. But my biggest disappointment, Lou Reed. I came with an open mind to his style, but i came to learn he is vocally sloppy(at least on this album) to the point of almost unprofessionalism. If the lyrics were cool, i could forgive that, but honestly it sounds like he was reading from the first time from a napkin a drunken fratboy handed to him after he was punched repeatedly.It hurt my ears, it was like a drunken mentally ill impression of a heavy metal version of the Doors, a bad one. This album literally hurt my ears, i give it a solid 1.69 times douche
Why doing a review if you first say that you prefer Megadeth to Metallica ?
How does that affect anything? He didn't say he didn't like Metallica. That really affects nothing and does not serve as a reason not to write a review.
Right ultimate guitar please get a grip on opinion, you dont like and some people do be mature about it. You can discuss music without firing off swear words like a 12 year old who just discovered them
Lol @ the people who expected Ride the Lightning. The album is based on two plays, so I find it funny that people who are unfamiliar with the source material are surprised that they "don't get it" (though the complaints about it it SOUNDS are a different story).
This is a terrible thing, but I'd just like to remind everybody that Lou Reed wrote Lady Day, Hangin' Round, White Light/White Heat, fuggin' HEROIN, and Perfect Day, and Satellite of Love, and whole bushels of other fantastic songs, that can be stretched in whichever way the performer wants them to go. Metallica haven't done that once. Metal is truly the law with them, but they haven't got the talent to diversify. Which is why this project failed.
"This is a terrible thing, but I'd just like to remind everybody that Lou Reed wrote Lady Day, Hangin' Round, White Light/White Heat, fuggin' HEROIN, and Perfect Day, and Satellite of Love, and whole bushels of other fantastic songs, that can be stretched in whichever way the performer wants them to go. Metallica haven't done that once. Metal is truly the law with them, but they haven't got the talent to diversify. Which is why this project failed."
So just because Reed had written some great material in the past we are just supposed to blindly buy into everything he does? I mean, you should see the fallacy in that "logic."
By the way, the best version of "White Light, White Heat" was on one of Mick Ronson's solo records. Moreover, the original Velvets LP that song is originally off of, and I have had it in my collection for the last 30 some odd years, is rather spotty ("The Gift," though is pretty amusing).
If you get the so-called "banana album (the VU debut), "Rock and Roll Animal," "Transformer," "Sally Can't Dance" and "Berlin," you have pretty much everything that was truly outstanding Reed was involved with. The rest of his output ranges from "meh" to just awful.
Lol @ the people who expected Ride the Lightning. The album is based on two plays, so I find it funny that people who are unfamiliar with the source material are surprised that they "don't get it" (though the complaints about it it SOUNDS are a different story).
So the main character in one of the plays is a Table? Sounds like some good shit.
I think that from a different point of view people will always refer to lulu as "that album" I mean this album is absolutley terrible like some of the reviews said the singing (if you can call it that) is out of time, off key and sometimes lyrically just wrong, and the guitars are at a bellow par grade which is really disappointing for Metallica but it has gotten the whole music world talking about it and i think that everyone will want to see what metallic and Lou reed (let's pray not together like this ever again) will do next, and will be a great bit of publicity for them.....or maybe they actually believe what there doing is good.....
TerryFinn wrote:
This album may not please your ears, as this isn't really the point of the album.
uhh, isn't that supposed to be the point of EVERY piece of music? no one says "hey let's make an album that is unpleasant to listen to".
This is a new way of "music", which is taking the listener to a horrible world, a dark place. This is why many found it to be a "mentally scarring" listen, as quoted by a comment I found.
but, but the old music already did that... I don't think that was the metal scarring they had in mind.
This albulm makes me puke it is a shithouse composition, you cant say it's art because art has composition and meaning this is a drug addled pensioner who should put down the mushrooms...When your best lyrical line of the whole album is 'I am the table' you know youve trully failed.
I listened to the album, and as I suspected, it was a difficult task. I heard the early releases, and didnt like them. However, I still wanted to hear the whole thing before passing final judgement (positive or negative). Overall, it was one of the most boring things I have listened to. I know it isn't a Metallica album (I'm not a retard who cant tell the difference between a side project and a bands main projects). This is a side project, and a failure. The guy (paul stanely) who reviewed it and gave it a 9 is obviously deaf, dumb, and stupid. One should be able to listen to a 9-quality album daily without getting bored of the material for years. This is barely tolerable even once. Sure he can have his opinion, but a 9?? a FUCKING 9 ?!!? Now that is finally released, we can stop talking about it, and just pretend it never happened. Just like the first Hulk movie.
i never listened to one metallica album full. too boring
Well i'm a big metallica fun and i kind of like the old Lou Reed songs but this thing here... It's like a singer singing (if i can call that singing) a totally different song. Most of the riffs on this album are very good but wasted over Reeds voice... I'm just waiting for the new Metallica album now... I can't listen to this one...
"The album opens with the line, "I would cut my legs and tits off when I think of Boris Karloff". That pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the record. The lyrics are dark and haunting to an extreme level"
Thats not haunting at all, that sounds like an idiot 12 year old trying to be an intellectual.
I think all these front page things for Lulu, all these comments, and all this contreversy, has been said and done. Now it is just pathetic overkill and trolling. We've all settled that this album is terrible. Let's just leave it at that.
Lou has fired a cannon right into the heart of metal heaven, and from the disgraceful hatred and refusal to accept the opinions of others that I've read in the last few days, then you deserve everything you get. My opinion, if that's OK to give it guys? Magnificent. ALBUM OF THE YEAR. To CoolMcAwesome, I give it a 10, a ****ing 10, and to cfhdomination, I'm the shithead who gave it a 10, in case your asking. Lighten up guys, it's music, not war.
"Really, the best way that I can describe this album is it sounds like a garage band just getting started that found an elderly homeless man with dementia to be their frontman."
I'm just treating this collaboration album like a new creature, completely unrelated to the artists in question. That said, it's just an extremely weird type of music, which by the way makes it unique. At the least, isn't that worth noting? At least this doesn't sound like the same old "sell-out" sound we hear every day. Very strange, and often piercing to listen to. But at least it's original.
Lou Reed's vocals don't fit in these songs AT ALL. I mean... some of the riffs are good for sure, but it's so repetitive and Reed's voice annoys me. It's like he's drunken rambling over top of these songs!
Just wait, few years down the line people will be declaring this a masterpiece.
I already declare this as a MASTERPIECE
I love this album
must have listen to it over 30 times already and everytime I hear something new
A true work of art
As long as I like it thats all that matters to me, all the hate in the world won't stop me ffrom loving this album. Don't like it, don't listen to it
This Lulu album is the worst thing I have ever heard. "Ever"
Lou Reed is a tosser, I have never heard worse signing or lyrical structure in my whole life.
If he is a Rolling stones hall of fame legend, then I'm a freaking astronaut.
okay first: it's NOT a metallica album. so if you expect a metal album, you wont get that. BUT, i listen 2 times through the whole album and now i have a headache.. without lou's singing (no harm) it would be a really interesting album, the riffs where pretty strong here and there, but lous singing ruins it. when james is singing, its pretty decent!
But i think it primarily a lou reed album with metallica as a support. so dont expect a metal album..
Let's cut to the chase, the collaboration between Lou Reed and Metallica is simply wrong. The extended length songs that drone Reed's (Yes the lobotomy was successful)lyrics fall dead to the ground with no interest or meaning. It's nice that Lou made a name for himself back then, personally, I really never understood why; but Metallica, please, lets get the black album out and take a listen, or even put on a few tracks by Avenge Sevenfold and try to find your roots again aimed at the fans as opposed to a flat pancake.
i fuks with it, idc if all you faggots hate it, would you rather have no album at all? atleast you can have somethin.. i feel this album is a fuk you to the modern idea of music, it says **** the boundries and your small minded idea of what music is. have respect for it at the very least... anyone can relate to this cd in some manor.
Actually, I would have liked it very much if they didn't make the album, then UG didn't have troll the sh*t out of us with news from it.
I listened to the album, and as I suspected, it was a difficult task. I heard the early releases, and didnt like them. However, I still wanted to hear the whole thing before passing final judgement (positive or negative). Overall, it was one of the most boring things I have listened to. I know it isn't a Metallica album (I'm not a retard who cant tell the difference between a side project and a bands main projects). This is a side project, and a failure. The guy (paul stanely) who reviewed it and gave it a 9 is obviously deaf, dumb, and stupid. One should be able to listen to a 9-quality album daily without getting bored of the material for years. This is barely tolerable even once. Sure he can have his opinion, but a 9?? a FUCKING 9 ?!!? Now that is finally released, we can stop talking about it, and just pretend it never happened. Just like the first Hulk movie.
i never listened to one metallica album full. too boring
so whats your point, and how does it relate to my comment?
I listened to the album, and as I suspected, it was a difficult task. I heard the early releases, and didnt like them. However, I still wanted to hear the whole thing before passing final judgement (positive or negative). Overall, it was one of the most boring things I have listened to. I know it isn't a Metallica album (I'm not a retard who cant tell the difference between a side project and a bands main projects). This is a side project, and a failure. The guy (paul stanely) who reviewed it and gave it a 9 is obviously deaf, dumb, and stupid. One should be able to listen to a 9-quality album daily without getting bored of the material for years. This is barely tolerable even once. Sure he can have his opinion, but a 9?? a FUCKING 9 ?!!? Now that is finally released, we can stop talking about it, and just pretend it never happened. Just like the first Hulk movie.
(Kowaru) i never listened to one metallica album full. too boring
so whats your point, and how does it relate to my comment?
Okay, I get it: this is a Lou Reed record with Metallica filling in the spot for "The Band".
Lou Reed is Lou Reed. FCOL, the guy released an hour of guitar feedback as an LP, so if you find anything surprising on this record in this respect you might also want to check the term "Dirty Sanchez" on Wikipedia.
On Metallica's behalf consider this as a warm-up and a soundcheck for their next album.
I reallllly like St. Anger. Especially Invisible kid.
And now I can flaunt that openly of U.G. because of how much Lulu blows.
Would listen to St Anger over this album any day! It's not that it's really bad (there are some cool guitar riffs in it, but also St Anger has it) but the lyrics and Lou Reeds voice are some things I can't stand!
They made this just to get money out from last ppl who still buy Metallica records :/
Ummmm what? if they did that they woudn't plan this record since 2009, they wouldn't of worked with Lou Reed, they would just release a lazy peace of shit, sadly that would be better than this.
Come on... You gotta be kiddin'... WHAT THE FUCK??? People are saying: it's a great job by Metallica...
1- Metallica were good, back in The Black album era. They got lost in they're way since ReLoud... At least until next album...
2- Their fame got to them that they don't respect the fans, and they no longeer care for doing great music, they just care how to get attention by the press...
3- An album called LULU??? Whatthe ****, in my country that's a name for a dog... I mean seriously, Is LULU a name?
4- They couldn't got any worse than this, (or not, I believe in everything now...), I didn't new Lou Reed, but by the songs released on this excuse for an album, I think that Metallica should never had considered to enter in a project like this, is just bad for their reputation...
5- Lyrics are stupid, I didn't knew that they were obcessed by dicks... I mean, I heard "So What!" but this is way to gay man... Musically, is just so F*****G Boring!!! Always the same shit... Jesus
6- Wha'ts next?? Metallica joins Shakira for a Country Album???
7- Thank God they made this come out... Now people who hate Megadeth for being the rival band, may see why Mustaine is the great in what he makes, and why Metallica is just not good anymore... Even with Death Magnetic, I love the album, but, it's like a meeting with TBA and ST.Anger... They're next album better be good, or they better pack up their gear, roll over and die, while they have some dingity left...
At the end of Junior Dad (the only good song on this giant p.o.s. and the only song Metallica wrote on LuLu), they should've put the sound of gunshots to represent all the unsuspecting people who shot themselves after listening to LuLu.
Metallica didn't write Junior Dad though...there's multiple news articles stating that Kirk and James cried the first time Lou showed them that song.
Worst album ever. I did listen to most of the songs through. Very painful, just a really BAD record. The really sad thing is these "musicians" are proud of this album. I sure wouldn't be. I listened to Ride The Lightning just as a reminder of good Metallica used to be.
Proper procedure for listening to the new Lou Reed + Metallica collaborative release, "LuLu":
1: Get ahold of the album, "Lulu"
2: Place disc in computer, stereo or whatnot in your house/room with no one around.
3: Rufie yourself (or get REALLY REALLY DRUNK)
4: Press >Play<
Now you can say that you've listended to the whole album without having the devastating mental after effects of remembering the experience!
Afternotes: for 1) free doesn't mean steal it, a terrible experience doesn't constitue a misdemeanor; for number 3) obviously rohypnol is a terrible drug and i don't endorse getting involved with it at all, and if you get drunk....please disconnect all your phones and lock your doors/windows and stash the keys...please
I was puzzling over why it has a 6.2 rating, and I concluded that it's because the only people who can actually listen to this album straight through are already so mentally scarred that as long as every song is about sex and violence they don't care what the music sounds like.
Most "musicians" complaining about the out of key singing clearly should do a bit of research of a little something called "Spoken Word".
I don't get why people get so self-righteous in topics such as popular music taste. Most people are going to hate this album, because it's not an album that really match with what they expect in music, and a small bunch of other listeners, myself included, are going to find this album great overall, as it does exactly what it set out to do. I mean, Lou Reed has released music that's harder to listen to in the past, and still gathered a minority of cult following, and helped as an influence to many artists that followed. (Metal Machine Music). If you don't like, rate it as you will, and shut up about it, and let the people that do enjoy themselves.
You know what people need to realize is a lot of people don't hate this album because it's not the next master of puppets, they mostly hate it because it sounds like shit. Plane and simple.
I don't give a shit if it's not a thrash album, it was still terrible by any music standard and I was typing this while listening to the Metallica cover of turn the page!
It's funny how anyone that likes this album gets negative marks on their comment. I've heard tracks from Megadeth's Thirteen album, they all sound like typical Megadeth songs. Iced Earth's new album sounds just how you'd expect it to. Shock, horror, Lulu sounds different and I can appreciate that. So, negative away!
I thought Metallica was still ok after... Well after Justice, but now im like what a **** is wrong with them!? How can they possibly think this is good music? Respect for them is really going down... And if u look what megadeth has done past years.
Metallica released DEATH MAGNETIC which was pretty good comperin to previous 'Tallica albums, but at the (almost) same time Megadeth released ENDGAME which is no doubt better album than Metallica has done... ever!! And now Megadeth releases 13 and metallica lulu (Yes i no its NOT Metallica album, but still...)
This is just sad!
I thought this album was interesting. I'm hoping it grows on me. Also, this is technically a Lou Reed album anyway. I want to see them play this whole album live in concert for a DVD or something.
Most "musicians" complaining about the out of key singing clearly should do a bit of research of a little something called "Spoken Word".
I don't get why people get so self-righteous in topics such as popular music taste. Most people are going to hate this album, because it's not an album that really match with what they expect in music, and a small bunch of other listeners, myself included, are going to find this album great overall, as it does exactly what it set out to do. I mean, Lou Reed has released music that's harder to listen to in the past, and still gathered a minority of cult following, and helped as an influence to many artists that followed. (Metal Machine Music). If you don't like, rate it as you will, and shut up about it, and let the people that do enjoy themselves.
Actually, i do, but its easy to see why barely anyone will. Music is just a supplement to the lyrics and not why you listen to the album.
It is just a theatrical/musical, really. And I dont really dig that sort of thing, but try listening to it with your eyes closed and give the lyrics a chance, forget about the music and try and focus on the story and the feeling.
That being said, it does sound really pretentious, but the point im trying to make is that it is not, in any way whatsoever, a casual listen, its like turning up at a theatre for a few minutes, being bamboozled and offended by how ricidulous the acting and the situations are and then going home to watch family guy.
[for example]
I'd like to hear what people think of this, to be honest.
And no, im not going to buy this, not exactly my sorta thing. I like pop in its many forms
who's the shit head who gave it a 9?
I might give it a 9. Not because I think it deserved it. Just because of how unfair some of the bandwagoners are percievedly being.
Problem is, buddy, it sucks so bad, that there is no bandwagon. Everyone knows Metallica fell off their rocker when they collaborated with Lou Reed. Now freaking James is the table! He even admits it lol.
i read a lot of "it is not music", well...as i understand this album, this is not music, and its not supposed to be, its some kind of dark poetry being recited, and metallica its just playing the background so the listeners can feel how we supposed to feel. i also read, "frustration its really frustrating", hahahahahaha, well, job done.
im not saying its a good album, but it really its a great concept for art, i would love to hear new proyects like this in the future, and i would love to try it myself.
I don't give a **** about all these pretentious douchebags and probably Lou Reed & Metallica. This album isn't ABSTRACT or ART. This is just like those *******s who fling their paintbrush at a canvas.
Fuck off. It's not subjective. Whether it is art or not is not up for debate. It's absolute garbage.
And for those who ask, "u mad bro?" Yeah bro, I am.
I love Metallica, and I think Lou Reed is alright. but sometimes when you combine 2 good things, the outcome sucks. much like this album. I still like both bands, but not the album. but that's just me.
Haha I knew nobody was gonna agree with me
Actually, i do, but its easy to see why barely anyone will. Music is just a supplement to the lyrics and not why you listen to the album.
It is just a theatrical/musical, really. And I dont really dig that sort of thing, but try listening to it with your eyes closed and give the lyrics a chance, forget about the music and try and focus on the story and the feeling.
That being said, it does sound really pretentious, but the point im trying to make is that it is not, in any way whatsoever, a casual listen, its like turning up at a theatre for a few minutes, being bamboozled and offended by how ricidulous the acting and the situations are and then going home to watch family guy.
[for example]
I'd like to hear what people think of this, to be honest.
And no, im not going to buy this, not exactly my sorta thing. I like pop in its many forms
I don't give a **** about all these pretentious douchebags and probably Lou Reed & Metallica. This album isn't ABSTRACT or ART. This is just like those *****s who fling their paintbrush at a canvas.
Fuck off. It's not subjective. Whether it is art or not is not up for debate. It's absolute garbage.
And for those who ask, "u mad bro?" Yeah bro, I am.
You say you don't care for any of them but yet you come and read the thread , listen to the music and comment on it.... but ya you really don't care hahahaha
You do know that they sell pills to overcome your issues.
By the way this is Art and a freaking awsome album.
Not because YOU don't like it thats it's not ART.
Haha I knew nobody was gonna agree with me
Actually, i do, but its easy to see why barely anyone will. Music is just a supplement to the lyrics and not why you listen to the album.
It is just a theatrical/musical, really. And I dont really dig that sort of thing, but try listening to it with your eyes closed and give the lyrics a chance, forget about the music and try and focus on the story and the feeling.
That being said, it does sound really pretentious, but the point im trying to make is that it is not, in any way whatsoever, a casual listen, its like turning up at a theatre for a few minutes, being bamboozled and offended by how ricidulous the acting and the situations are and then going home to watch family guy.
[for example]
I'd like to hear what people think of this, to be honest.
And no, im not going to buy this, not exactly my sorta thing. I like pop in its many forms
Yeah that's exactly what my review says haha
Why didn't Metallica stop making albums when they were on top right after black album? If they're so desperate for money, they could've released that "best of metallica" collection everyone been waiting for.
Why didn't Metallica stop making albums when they were on top right after black album? If they're so desperate for money, they could've released that "best of metallica" collection everyone been waiting for.
Stop rating it high just to be anti-bandwagon. It's not a bandwagon, this really is a terrible terrible excuse for an album and you know it. Stop pretending its good just to be non-conformist. If you actually do enjoy listening to this album and think its worthy of a 9 then i pity you and would hate to see what other horrors lurk on your IPod.
I liked that noisy and experimental stuff. Of course Lulu is not perfect cd but at least something new and interesting happend in this fcking mainstream music buisness. I approve it!
i hated it more than St Anger , and thats saying something. Its terrible , and really a waste of time and effort on Metallicas behalf. I saw a promo video with an interview with James , and man he looks terribly worried about this abomination . I pray that one day we will get a new album thats
1) recorded properly with complete bass and true dynamics
2) something heavy and thrashy and mimics their old school stuff or at least brings or creates something new to the genre
3) They have an album cover thats complete with proper band photos , proper artwork and a decent theme to the entire message of the album
4) proper heart felt guitar solos on Kirks behalf
5) epic guitar tone
6) No arty farty Lars type stuff incorporated into the album subliminally
funny how many people don't know this isn't a metallica album :')
Funny. It's listed as Lou Reed and Metallica. So yeah, it's a Metallica album.
Lou Reed and Metallica is the name of the side project.
How can it be a Metallica album when Lou wrote all the
lyrics? when Lou Reeds wrote a huge amount of riffs?
I say; more hate on Lou Reeds, less on Metallica
or
just mention it by the bands name
'Lou Reed and Metallica' not 'Metallica'
derp
I feel like I should write something clever here as one of the first comments, to get loads of likes. But meh. Let's just hope that this will be the last time we see "Lulu" on the front page.
I don't give a **** about all these pretentious douchebags and probably Lou Reed & Metallica. This album isn't ABSTRACT or ART. This is just like those *****s who fling their paintbrush at a canvas.
Fuck off. It's not subjective. Whether it is art or not is not up for debate. It's absolute garbage.
And for those who ask, "u mad bro?" Yeah bro, I am.
You say you don't care for any of them but yet you come and read the thread , listen to the music and comment on it.... but ya you really don't care hahahaha
You do know that they sell pills to overcome your issues.
By the way this is Art and a freaking awsome album.
Not because YOU don't like it thats it's not ART.
now go see a doctor kiddo before you get an ulcer
I meant I didn't care what they had to say about whether it's art or not. I wasn't giving an opinion. I told you it wasn't subjective moron.
Oh. My. God. This feels so much like the first time I heard Foxy Shazam. "To be dry and spermless...Like a girl. Like a girl." just came by. WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?
My Jesus. This might be one of the funniest things I have heard in a long, long time. It's not art. It's trolling. And it's beautiful. Bravo Metallica! You regained your touch from so many years ago! 10/10
Love Metallica.. Hate Lulu.. It's cool that Metallica helped him record this piece of shit, but let's leave it a piece of shit and never come to it again.
I don't give a **** about all these pretentious douchebags and probably Lou Reed & Metallica. This album isn't ABSTRACT or ART. This is just like those *****s who fling their paintbrush at a canvas.
Fuck off. It's not subjective. Whether it is art or not is not up for debate. It's absolute garbage.
And for those who ask, "u mad bro?" Yeah bro, I am.
You say you don't care for any of them but yet you come and read the thread , listen to the music and comment on it.... but ya you really don't care hahahaha
You do know that they sell pills to overcome your issues.
By the way this is Art and a freaking awsome album.
Not because YOU don't like it thats it's not ART.
now go see a doctor kiddo before you get an ulcer
Hes right this is garbage and im mad too $ELLOUTICA
Lou has fired a cannon right into the heart of metal heaven, and from the disgraceful hatred and refusal to accept the opinions of others that I've read in the last few days, then you deserve everything you get. My opinion, if that's OK to give it guys? Magnificent. ALBUM OF THE YEAR. To CoolMcAwesome, I give it a 10, a ****ing 10, and to cfhdomination, I'm the shithead who gave it a 10, in case your asking. Lighten up guys, it's music, not war.
Sorry Metallica, its just terrible, there are some cool riffs (I suppose its James work) but how they are being repeated all the time, you will start to hate the last thing that was good on that "album". About Lou Reed, well, there is no much to tell. Awful
)