By John Batanchiev
Lou Reed is one of rock’s rebellious stars, who has made a career out of “three chords” like no other. From his Velvet Underground days in the 1960s to his impressive solo career that has spanned three decades, working with greats like David Bowie, Mick Ronson and Andy Warhol, Reed showcases his impressive four-decade songwriting parade. On Animal Serenade, Reed is in his element: live in front of a audience and performing his twisted, sometimes dark version of rock and roll fantasy.
The album starts out with Reed playing the chords from the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.” This gets the crowd excited, then Lou Reed advises to any wannabe songwriters. Just like his songs, he is straight to the point. During “Small Town,” he states there is no tape rolling in the back for loops. “Every fucking note you hear is us!” He said, “right in front of you! You get it, Live?” Reed shouts to the crowd.
What makes this album even better is that Reed and his back up band, don’t just play the songs like they were recorded, but stretch them out and remake them to more of a live version. This gives the live performance an even better feel because it’s real and not just played to be played. For example, on “All Tomorrow’s Parties” they spice it up and bring the whole band in on it to make a good rock version of an Indian rock mix.
The negative side of the album is that Reed sounds vocally weak compared to the original versions. Like on “Sunday Morning,” he isn’t lively and doesn’t give it the optimism that is in the Underground’s version.
For those who prefer Reed’s days with the Velvet Underground, you would prefer the second CD. It contains “Sunday Morning,” “All Tomorrow’s Parties” and the notorious “Heroin.” But the first CD features some great performances, for example, “Men of Good Fortune” and “The Day John Kennedy Died.”
Even though Lou Reed has aged and maybe isn’t hanging around the same places he used to, he stays true with honest, pure lyrics which have made him what stands out in rock ‘n’ roll. Animal Serenade has moments of greatness and also moments that lack emotion, through it all it can be an enjoyable live album.
