Half a century later, this record still slays; if any album is deserving of the "classic" tag, it's The Velvet Underground & Nico. Lou Reed's affected vocals, Nico's female Lugosi-style recitations, Cale's droning strings, Moe Tucker's minimal kit - this landmark work laid down paths that musicians today are still trying to follow. Just pick any track: "I'm Waiting For The Man," "Sunday Morning," "Venus In Furs," "All Tomorrow's Parties," "There She Goes Again," "Femme Fatale." There's not a bad song on here, and I can't give the release high enough praise. Includes the full original tracklisting, and it comes housed in the iconic Andy Warhol-designed gatefold sleeve (with peelable banana sticker!). The back-cover "torso" photo is also there, with all the original photos and liner notes on the inside of the gatefold as well. Highly recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• housed in replica gatefold jacket w/ original artwork + peelable banana sticker
• original release year: 1967
• music label: Verve Records 2021

reviewed by TKB 12/2013