The Velvet Underground - White Light / White Heat

If the Velvet Underground's debut record was a shot at the conventions of rock music, White Light/White Heat, released on Verve later that same year (1967), was a full on nuclear blast. Relative to this record, The Velvet Underground & Nico was a gentle slab of folk-rock. From the amphetamine-fueled, and inspired, opening of the title track to the 17 minute assault that is "Sister Ray" White Light/White Heat hardly lets up for a second, with the haunting "Here She Comes Now" being the album's only mellowing moment. One of the most difficult, challenging and ultimately beautiful pop records of all time, considered by many to be the Velvets greatest record.