By Eva Jousset
Arts & Culture Section Editor
Satellite’s gone up to the skies.
In the world of rock-n-roll, no two snowflakes are alike and every so often, a very special snowflake graces the mortal plane.
Lou Reed was a true American poet. His voice is of the caliber that will make you chill out, even in your darkest hour. The man worked alongside Warhol, Metallica, Bowie and the Gorillaz and has gracefully traversed the decades as the quintessential rock star. Lou Reed was a key figure in the heyday of Andy Warhol’s Factory and a founding pillar of the Velvet Underground after which he moved on to a solo career full of sonic experimentation.
Reed wrote an ode to heroin (see the track ‘Heroin’ off the 1967 album the Velvet Underground & Nico) and regularly exposed sexually complex individuals though his lyrics. In the spirit of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll, he confused, aggravated and surprised people to the point of becoming an icon. With this, comes the inevitable retrospective career quote, in response to criticism: ‘“My bullshit is worth more than other people’s diamonds.” If you’re having doubts check the 1975 album Metal Machine Music. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get the lyrics, there aren’t any.
Whatever your poison is, there has got to be some form of something Lou Reed has created that will fit: Perfect Day (regardless of the Susan Boyle cover) for the hopeless romantic and ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ for the one who only knows that one Lou Reed song. If you’re having a not-so-perfect day, play the 1972 album Transformer, it will readjust your mood and, if you’re feeling naughty, a heavy dose of ‘Venus in Furs’, or anything on Velvet Underground will set you right. Take it straight, no chaser.
On October 27th, a titan left his spiritual imprint on generations of musicians and common music lovers and went on to the place where all the good kids go. Dear Mr. Reed, Rock-n-Roll Animal, wherever you may be, say hello to Andy, and thanks for the music.
Eva Jousset, class of 2014, is a Film and Philosophy major from New York, United States.
