THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
Loaded: Fully Loaded Edition (Rhino)
Even though it's the worst VU album, there's still an interesting aura around Loaded. It was recorded without Maureen Tucker on drums, the first in a pile of mistakes, and many of the songs were tracked with Doug Yule on drums, Lou Reed playing guitar and "singing", and Sterling Morrison playing guitar or bass. They would then overdub more guitar, bass, vocals, piano and such. This deluxe, 2 CD, set has tons of outtakes, alternate versions, and alternate mixes. Listening to all this stuff gives one a picture of all the activity going on around the making of an album--different versions of songs being worked up in rehearsal/demo situations, rough basic tracks recorded but never overdubbed on, finished songs left off the final record, mixes that weren't used (some you can tell why!) and final editing horrors (like the "Sweet Jane" bridge they restored here). Loaded was a flawed album in many respects, and much of it should be attributed to Doug Yule's ridiculous guitar overdubs, always filling any space with a "solo" that could have never slipped out of Sterling or Lou's hands. This is all good warning to anyone trying to record. Remember the economy and "feel" of the other VU records and take heed. Great songs don't need unnecessary adornment and zealous playing — they're already great songs.
ATARI TEENAGE RIOT
Burn, Berlin, Burn! (Grand Royal)
