Brilliant response to negative critics about “Lulu”, Lou Reed himself said:
“I wouldn’t care what a critic said about anything, including a hamburger joint. There is no species of people I have less respect for.”
Read more, here.
There, take that, Lou Reed haters. 😀
Kev
In this video by ArtisanNews, they did an interview with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich to discuss, “Lulu”. They respond to the negative feedback that the album have been getting by the longtime Metallica fans. Their response? They said this album shouldn’t be judged by normal Metallica standards. I think they mean, they don’t want fans looking at this record as a strictly Metallica album which people are confused on. I agree, this is not a Metallica album. It’s a Lou Reed album with Metallica being the backup band like I said before.
James also agreed to do this project because he said he wanted to try something new and different by not being the leading man or a front man for a change. It was an opportunity for James to put his songwriting duties aside and let someone else do the work. James has been the leading frontman for years and he wanted to step back from it for a little bit. That is also why he didn’t sing much on the record and was just considered a backup singer.
I also agree with them that it was an obvious collaboration. When they jammed together at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame show, people should have seen that collaboration coming anyway.
I loved the “Lulu” album, and I’ll be getting it for my Ipod soon.
Kev
Yes, the title of this topic is no joke. I’m 100% serious on it. Lou Reed & Metallica just uploaded the “Lulu” album in it’s entirety on their website, just the day after they uploaded 30 second clips of each song. Weird, right? Well I actually sat here and listened through the whole thing from start to finish.
After all these people slamming this album, calling it “shit”, saying this collaboration shouldn’t happen, and blah blah blah. I mean, really? Did they listen to the same record I did? Most people bashing this album, have no intelligent argument to back it up with. I’m sure most of them, just listened to it for a little bit, then they stop, go in facebook and bash it, just for something to bash at, and join the bandwagon with their followers.
The thing that people don’t understand about this album, “Lulu”, well, it’s a concept album, a rock musical opera. Kind of like what the Who did with “Tommy/Quadrophenia” and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”, like I explained before. It’s all experimental music. Ever listen to Iron Butterfly and ELO? Those two bands did the experimental thing back in their time too with their records.
The kids that bash this album are mostly Metallica fans, expecting this album “Lulu” to be a pop record. For example, people expect, “Lulu” to be full of hits and radio singles that Metallica is well known for. Well, if you’re expecting this record to be full of catchy songs, where you can sing along with and bang your head to, well you’re probably not gonna like this album. This album was never meant to be for pop radio singles that you were hoping for.
The thing about Lou Reed, that he is a bit older than most of us. So he doesn’t look at today’s music like we all do. He’s an old school kind of guy and I can kind of see that in this record. When I listened to this album, it is all Lou Reed. Everything. Metallica is just a backing band, that’s it. James Hetfield only provided backing vocals for the choruses and stuff.
Lou’s songwriting style in this record is kind of similar to his older stuff he did with the Velvet Underground and solo records. Yes, there’s a bit of similarities to “Walk on the Wildside” and “Sweet Jane” to some of the songs on the album, if you know what I mean by that. Lou just plays an organ throughout most of it. There are some songs where it’s just him and his organ alone with no band back up, then the band will kick in later.
Lou is the narrator, he’s doing the spoken word thing for a good reason. He talks over throughout most of the songs because he’s telling a story, about a woman named Lulu who had a troubled life. Mostly about hate, greed, suicide, and love. The lyrics are going to be very dark and controversial, but if they weren’t, then people wouldn’t even listen to these songs.
Some people like to pick which songs are the best and they pick out the best riffs from Metallica, but that’s not what this album was made for. This album is like a book or a movie. It wants you to know the story about Lulu. Just my 2cents, have you ever gone camping and you sit around a campfire with a group of family & friends, and you have a storyteller telling you campfire stories? Well, that’s kind of what’s going on here. Except it’s Lou Reed reading you a story.
There’s a lot of emotion and sadness in Lou Reed’s singing, especially in the song, “Junior Dad” which was the most powerful track on the whole record. The whole album is great but “Junior Dad”, really hit me hard, and a song never did that to me before. It maybe a long 20 minute song, but the song is very emotional. I can see why the song made Metallica cry in the studio after listening to it. It almost makes you feel sorry for Lulu even though she is just a fictional character. Of all the terrible things she went through. The songs on the album will describe the things she went through.
I think this was the best thing that Lou Reed & Metallica has ever done. So far, this is the best album of 2011. You get way too much crap mainstream music like all this pop & rap garbage you hear in the top 40 everyday, but finally real music is being made with Lou Reed & Metallica. It definitely felt like the 60’s  & 70’s all over again with this “Lulu”, album. This album was a true work of art. I’m definitely buying this album when it comes out.
This Lulu story by Frank Wedekind is something else, and people deserve to learn about it. Despite the negative feedback on this album, the story is already grabbing people’s attention whether they like it or not. Lou/’Tallica will probably go on tour for this record soon and I can definitely see Lou/’Tallica not playing their hits, and playing this “Lulu” album in it’s entirety on their tour. Seeing them playing these songs live would be an emotional experience.
To those that are giving this album negative feedback, give this album another listen and stick through the whole thing. Give it time, it’ll grow on you, and soon you’ll realize that this album is a masterpiece. I loved it. I really did.
Kev
Lou/’Tallica uploaded 30 second clips of each track on, “Lulu”, you can listen to them, here.
I think I’m starting to figure out why most people are bashing this project. It isn’t Metallica they are hating on, it’s Lou Reed people are bashing. I’m finding that most people enjoy the music of Metallica on “Lulu”, but it’s Lou Reed’s singing that a lot of people aren’t liking.
Let me tell you why…all these Metallica fans who are bashing Lou Reed are mostly young kids that are strictly metal fans. They aren’t really into any other genres outside of metal. I am thinking they don’t really listen to regular rock n’ roll much. Lou Reed has been in the music industry for at least 40 years, he had a longer career than Metallica. I’m willing to bet, Metallica fans don’t even know much about Lou Reed’s music career. Kids of today’s generation are having a hard time understanding Lou Reed.
I’ve been a Lou Reed fan for years, I love both of them, Lou and Metallica. I love the “Velvet Underground” stuff and Lou’s solo album, “Transformer”.
Does the metal world deserve an introduction to Lou Reed? Hell yes, absolutely.
The songs I’m hearing on “Lulu”, Metallica still has that old school speed metal sound, especially the song, “Mistress Dread” which reminds me of, “And Justice For All”. People trashing Lou’s vocals, they just don’t understand that Lou had the same singing style for years. Lou still sings the same way. Lou may not sing as good as James Hetfield, yes, but the passion is there in Lou’s singing, and the way he sings is very poetic sounding.
Just give it time, when “Lulu” comes out Nov. 1st, I know a lot of people are going to buy the album, just out of curiosity. So it’ll probably sell well. I’d be surprised if it becomes a no. 1 record. When people buy the album, they’ll want to look into Lou Reed’s past, they’ll start to listen to the Velvet Underground and his solo music, maybe, the fans will have a change of heart with Lou and say to themselves, “Man, Lou Reed is actually a genius”. That’s what I’m hoping.
Lou’s songs on “Lulu” is really deep and serious stuff. The stories have always been controversial and scared people for years. Frank Wedekind’s work is really incredible stuff. Wedekind’s work deserves to get known in the U.S.
Kev
Just for the hell of it, I just logged in my Netflix, “Pandora’s Box“, the silent film about Lulu and they had it available for Netflix DVD rental. So I put it in my que and put it on top of the list, so I should be getting it soon after I send back the DVD I have now. Looking forward to seeing it.
This is the project that the Lou Reed & Metallica album is based on. I’m looking forward to seeing the film. After I see the film, I’ll start to understand why they are doing an album on the Lulu story.
It really is sad that the public is bashing this Lou Reed & Metallica thing. I think it’s a very special project. The Who did the theatrical/musical thing too with “Quadrophenia” and “Tommy”. The Lou/’Tallica project is kind of similar to what the Who have done.
People should respect Lou Reed as a musician ’cause he had quite a legendary history with his career. Anybody that bashes the man, has no true love for music.
Kev
Here are a few videos of the “Lulu” play, that they’ve been doing over in Germany. The Lulu stories have been very popular in Germany and they’ve been doing these plays over there for years. It’s all in German language, be aware. Also, these videos are NSFW, as they can get sexual and disturbing.
Lulu deserves to get known in the United States. Maybe Broadway will start doing plays on Lulu after their album is released? Something to think about.
Kev
Lou Reed & Metallica have finally posted the full track to their new song, “The View”.
Like usual this song is getting negative feedback everywhere. Metallica is not the only one getting bashed for this collaboration. Lou Reed is also getting bashed on. In fact, from facebook to forums to blogs, it’s Lou Reed is getting bashed the most. I mean, really? Bashing Lou FUCKING REED! COME ON!
Lou Reed is a rock n’ roll legend himself who made it big with the Velvet Underground and his solo career. I truly believe that most people of today’s generation don’t understand the legacy of Lou Reed. He’s a very important musician.
In this song, Lou is the narrator, he’s the one telling the story. When James is singing, he’s playing a different character. The lyrics are very dark and a bit creepy, yes, but they are supposed to be.
The songs on the album are about a young dancer named, Lulu, who was abused. Sounds like the album is going to be about sexual abuse, rape, and all that stuff. They were inspired by the work of Frank Wedekind, a german play writer. It was also inspired from the silent movie, “Pandora’s Box“.
This isn’t a Metallica album, it’s a side project for both of them. Technically, this is actually Lou’s project, Metallica is just a backing band, period. I’m sure Lou Reed and the boys in Metallica already knew this album is going to create a stir in the music world, but these guys feel that these stories need to be told. They want to help draw more people to the Lulu stories.
They did a very good job of it so far. Despite the negative feedback, the album is already getting a lot of attention. So that’s good. It’s called controversy. Could this album sell well? I think it’ll be successful. It’ll get a lot of people curious and they’ll want to listen.
The LuLu stories are about sexuality and cynicism. When Wedekind first wrote the plays in 1890’s in Germany, he created a lot of controversy there too. Now it’s happening with Lou Reed & Metallica. In my opinion, these songs weren’t made to be for your listening entertainment. They want to get you to know who Lulu is and what she’s about.
As you can see in the lyrics of the song, Lou is telling the story in Lulu’s perspective. So that makes it that Lou is actually playing Lulu herself in the musical.
Listen to the song, here.
After doing research on Lulu and learning about this character, I’m intrigued. It makes me want to read the Frank Wedekind’s plays and see the “Pandora’s Box” 1932 film.
Kev
K'Brocking 