Lou Reed - Transformer

It is well known that comparisons seldom get to the root of the matter, but in the case of Lou Reed, for example, they certainly reveal the unassuredness of those people who made them. Is he or isn’t he the Chuck Berry or Sergeant Pepper of the Seventies, or is he deliberately building up an image of himself as an ultra-sensitive Frankenstein, who lived out his neuroses and drug trips in horrific sound? "Some records are so unbelievably repulsive," raged the magazine Rolling Stone, "that one would best like to take physical revenge on the artists who commit such offences."

The album Transformer, however, can by no means be classified as a case of "acoustic bodily harm." It appeared just a few months after the somewhat unsuccessful appearance of Lou Reed’s fairly underground first release and rocketed straight into the charts. This production had two British guardian angels to help it on its way, namely David Bowie and Mick Ronson, both of whom obviously knew how to steer Reed’s songwriting qualities into safe waters, without wavering down its biting sarcasm and humorous provocation. And that’s why grating guitar rock ("Vicious") is found alongside a bittersweet, tender ballad ("Perfect Day") and even an old-time jazz parody ("Goodnight Ladies") which is sung with a tongue as heavy as lead. Why then compare this highly original music mix with others, when it’s so much easier to hear this record for what it is - a truly cult album?

1. Vicious

2. Andy's Chest

3. Perfect Day

4. Hangin' Round

5. Walk on the Wild Side

6. Make Up

7. Satellite of Love

8. Wagon Wheel

9. New York Telephone Conversation

10. I'm So Free

11. Goodnight Ladies

Customer Reviews (4.33 Stars) 12 person(s) rated this product.

holy bass Lou! posted on 03/19/2024 5 Stars Reviewer: robusa The bass blew me away. Gives the album a totally different vibe to my OG US version. Especially on Wild Side. Rattled me to my core. Everything else about it sounds great too. And my copy was clean when I opened it, for what it’s worth.

Impressed posted on 11/16/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Charles Bronson This is one of the quietest pieces of vinyl I’ve heard. They’ve done an impressive job presenting the material.

It's a really good re-issue posted on 04/12/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: joey1127 Like with most Speakers Corner pressings, you gotta clean it right out the gate as it's full of pops, Clicks, and ticks that'll drive you crazy. However, once clean, it's a fantastic sounding recording. I have an original pressing that's really HOT. This pressing is smoother and sounds so much better. No IGD on WILD SIDE. I give it a 5!

Blown away - this is really well done! posted on 10/11/2021 5 Stars I am crazy about this edition!

Not a Fan posted on 08/06/2020 1 Stars Reviewer: 2nd Chance Another Speakers Corner album that is very quiet and well produced. I bought this on recommendations from others. Some may enjoy this type of work but I’m not a fan. Not even David Bowie could save this album. Wonder who told Lou Reed he could sing? Wouldn’t listen to this again, 38 minutes I’ll never get back.

Great album but no fun master posted on 12/13/2019 3 Stars Reviewer: Mike Well, I usually hold Speak Corn press highly but here something went wrong with boomy and muddy bass on whole album, maybe a bad press but for sure my MOV press sounds much better with tight and resolved bass.

Terrific! posted on 09/10/2019 5 Stars Reviewer: Scott I honestly do not know how this lp could sound any better. Amazing sonics and quiet vinyl beginning to end. This is a properly manufactured record.

Speakers Corner - Great Label posted on 12/06/2012 5 Stars Reviewer: Billy S This is my third title from Speakers Corner. All are good. All analog mixed. You can really hear Bowie as the producer on this. A true classic album.

This is still a stndout album posted on 12/03/2010 5 Stars Reviewer: Graham I am very happy with the pressing of this album. Great songs, great artist, great album. Timeless!

Timeless posted on 09/01/2005 4 Stars THIS IS JUST SUCH SUPERB MUSIC FROM AN ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC SEEMS TIMELESS. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I LISTEN TO IT, I NEVER GET TIRED OF ALWAYS HEARING SOMETHING UNUSUAL OR PICKING UP SUBTLE PIECES OF INFO FROM A VERY GOOD PRESSING WITH VERY LITTLE BACKGROUND NOISE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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