Transformer
Editorial Reviews
Pulse, Oct, 1998
"This is sex drive. It is motor speedway, filling up the tank with a cigarette burning, then white smoke from fat tires. It's ambition, running on diesel fuel and DIY".
Minnesota Daily, March, 1998
"The Janis Figure sound takes 60's surf, 70's groove and 80's punk to create explosive vibes that easily blow away most of the predictable, mundane rock bands on the scene...."
Album Description
This full length cd follows the release of 3 cd ep's that combined, made up the Three Pack Tight Pack, dishing up a full cd of the band's unique rock sound.
Transformer
Average customer rating:
- Better than even the Velvets
- Up there with the VU records
- His most focused, consistent and interesting album
- annoying glam bowie production
- Not his best album but certainly his most accessible
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
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Pop Rock
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Similar Items:
- Berlin
- Rock N Roll Animal
- The Velvet Underground & Nico
- The Velvet Underground
- White Light/White Heat
ASIN: B00006LLOG
Release Date: 2002-10-22 |
Tracks:
- Vicious
- Andy's Chest
- Perfect Day
- Hangin' 'Round
- Walk On The Wild Side
- Make Up
- Satellite Of Love
- Wagon Wheel
- New York Telephone Conversation
- I'm So Free
- Goodnight Ladies
- Hangin' 'Round (Acoustic Demo)
- Perfect Day (Acoustic Demo)
Amazon.com
This sophomore release by the Velvet Underground cofounder has long been hailed as one of the key touchstones of the punk and alternative eras that followed it. Reinforcing the literary adage to "write what you know," Reed paints an alternately detached/debauched portrait of the drag-and-drugs-infused underground of Warhol's New York, a place, time, and mindset so compelling it has largely overshadowed the rest of the singer-songwriter's mercurial career. That the album would also give Reed an unlikely Top 20 pop hit via the teasing, twisted sexuality of "Walk on the Wild Side" is but one of its deep, rewarding ironies. Indeed, as produced by David Bowie and guitarist and cohort Mick Ronson at the height of their own Ziggy Stardust fame, Reed's songs are cast in a seductive cabaret setting that's more Jacques Brel than Lower East Side. This 30th-anniversary edition features two unreleased acoustic demos ("Hangin' 'Round," "Perfect Day"), a vintage radio spot by announcer and word-jazz cult fave Ken Nordine, and a new illustrated booklet and perceptive essay by Michael Hill. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews:
Better than even the Velvets.......2007-06-27
Lou Reed really topped his former abilities from the velvet period here. And I know that this is a feat few people have ever accomplished, creating something more worthwile that the Velvet Underground. This album is sarcastic and most important, it's good rock and roll.
Up there with the VU records.......2006-12-07
Okay, I'm a VU nutcase - that must be said. I bought all four of their original studio albums in a three-week span, if you wanted any proof. I also like Reed's solo stuff, and this is a great record. The wonderfully twisted Walk on the Wild Side was Lou's only top 40 hit, and indeed it's quite a song. But don't, as some have, overlook rockers such as Vicious or Hangin' 'Round, Satellite of Love (featuring David Bowie, who produced the record, singing a great backup vocal); the slightly overblown but still good ballad Perfect Day; the bizarre Andy's Chest, which is a lot of fun; or the hilarious New York Telephone Conversation. Wagon Wheel, I'm So Free and Goodnight Ladies are weak, but overall Transformer is an excellent record. Okay, I'll admit that I miss Reed's expiremental edge (it's interesting that David Bowie, the man behind the excellent Station to Station album, didn't tap into that), and as I said before a couple songs are weak. But hey, it's great, and sure better than the overrated Rock 'n' Roll Animal.
His most focused, consistent and interesting album.......2006-11-19
This has always been my favorite Lou Reed album.
I am a big fan however, to be a fan is to also realize that Lou Reed can be pretentious and self indulgent, he's a real hit and miss artist and he goes into phases. These so-called detriments also make him great...he's a true artist that takes chances and does not try to appease the commerciality of his work. This album achieves the perfect balance between experimental, listenable and commercial.
There is an incredible variety of different songs and sounds here;
"Vicious" is a great rave up with the dirtiest, raunchiest, nastiest and most fuzzed out guitar tone that I have ever heard. It's a great song with lyrics that perfectly fit the title of the song.
"Andy's Chest" is a this wonderfully odd, perverted and surrealistic ballad.
The clasic "Walk on the Willd Side" is a tale of what it was like to hang out and observe the characters that come in and out of Andy Warhol's world. The song sounds pretty simply but, for its time, it was innovative in its use of featuring a fretless bass. From a musical perspective, this is a cool song.
"Perfect Day" in my opinion, is the best song on the album. It is gorgeous and conveys a nice sense of optimism.
"Hanging Around" is a conventional rock song.
"Make Up" is a weird, ode to gay-ness anmd transvestism. How many songs utilize the tuba as the featured instrument?
"Satellite of Love" is a leftover Velvet Underground tune and is another beautiful melody.
Most Lou Reed albums have flashes of brilliance but there are also unlistenable ones as well. This album, from start to finsh, is great. It has a certain bohemian theme which links all the songs.
A greatest hits compilation is difficult with this artist since his different phases created a very wide variety of songs and sounds. "Transformer" was probably the start of Lou's glam period. He had a lot of confidence in his work and plenty of critical attention was placed upon him.
This is the best introductory Lou Reed work.
annoying glam bowie production .......2006-11-12
the songs are cool, but the bowie sound doesn't mix well with lou reed. ronson's guitars are irritating, with a horrible thin, garbled tone, and bowie's backing vocals are manic and distracting. the only song that really sounds right is the beautifully understated walk on the wild side, which is of course perfect.
Not his best album but certainly his most accessible.......2006-09-25
Lou Reed would release his second solo album, Transformer, in 1972. At the time, he had yet to achieve commercial success as his self-titled debut album had bombed and his four albums with the Velvet Underground, as great as they were, had yet to achieve the critical acclaim they would deserve over time. David Bowie was brought in to produce the album, adding a glam-rock feel to Reed's tougher street smart sound. This, along with a strong set of songs, would give Reed his greatest commercial success with Transformer and also give him his lone Top 20 hit in "Walk on the Wild Side." Although Reed would release better albums than this in the future, Berlin and New York being two of them, neither of them would reach the masses like Transformer.
While Transformer does possess a glam feel in both its lyrics and music, the tracks that deviate from that formula are the ones that work best. The big hit "Walk on the Wildside", one of the most controversial songs to get played on AM radio, shows Reed's tale of decadence complemented by a cool jazz bass line, female doo wop vocals straight out of the 50's, and a great sax solo at its closing. The excellent "Satellite of Love", "New York Telephone Conversation", and "Andy's Chest" continue the `50s tradition with both their vocals and arrangements. Reed also visits his roots with "Vicious", a wicked track that sounds like something from the Loaded album only harder. The beautiful "Perfect Day" and the risqué "Make Up" would also reveal the more grandiose arrangements that would come on his next album, Berlin. The glam rock songs "Hangin' Round", "Wagon Wheel", and "I'm So Free" are all decent but aren't as strong lyrically or musically as the rest of the album. The closing track is a jazzy take of "Goodnight Ladies" that is actually pretty cool. All told, while Transformer isn't Lou Reed's best album, it's still very good and a newcomer to his solo material should start here since this is certainly his most accessible work.
Average customer rating:
- Musical theatre at its best
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
Manufacturer: Bmg Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Proto Punk
| Hardcore & Punk
| Alternative Rock
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General
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Singer-Songwriters
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Pop Rock
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General
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General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
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Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
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Glam
| Classic Rock
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Similar Items:
- Berlin
- Ziggy Stardust
- Ssssh
- Lou Reed
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
ASIN: B000GG4ZSG
Release Date: 2006-10-10 |
Tracks:
- Vicios
- Andy's Chest
- Perfect Day
- Hangin' Round
- Walk on the Wild Side
- Make Up
- Satellite of Love
- Wagon Wheel
- New York Telephone Conversation
- I'm So Free
- Godnight Ladies
- Hangin' Round [Acoustic Demo]
- Perfect Day [Acoustic Demo]
Album Description
Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this 1972 album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 11 tracks including 'Walk On The Wild Side' and 'Andy's Chest'. RCA. 2006.
Album Details
2006 Issued Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.
Customer Reviews:
Musical theatre at its best.......2007-03-29
On this legendary album, Reed celebrates Andy Warhol and his 15-minutes of fame stars in a glamrock style, influenced by David Bowie. This new edition includes two extra tracks, acoustic versions of Hanging Round and Perfect Day. The informative insert includes illustrations and an essay on the history of Reed and the significance of this album.
Transformer is a type of decadent cabaret comparable to Bowie's Alladin Sane, but it is less bleak and much more colourful and engaging. Reed proved himself to be a master of many styles, from the compelling rock of Walk On The Wild Side through the tender and tuneful pop of Satellite Of Love to the oneiric Perfect Day, a haunting poetic excursion.
Other highlights include the edgy rocker Vicious with its hypnotic melody and sarcastic/ironic lyrics (an attitude that would soon infuse punk and new wave), the quirky New York Telephone Conversation, the energetic Hanging Round and the stately Goodnight Ladies. The songs are highly descriptive of a time, a place and a mindset, and the music is powerful in places and very elegant.
The stylistic variety renders Transformer compelling throughout while not detracting from the cohesion, making it a great piece of musical theatre. Devoted followers would agree that it does not reveal the complete Reed, as he has been so prolific and his oeuvre encompasses a much larger spectrum. But as a document of the middle seventies, it remains superb, an essential album for all serious rock fans.
Between Thought and Expression: Selected Lyrics of Lou Reed
The Bells
Legendary Hearts
Average customer rating:
- A Strong Solo Effort
- Bruce, stick to guitars
|
Transformer
Bruce Kulick
Manufacturer: Perris Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
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Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Audio Dog
- ESP
- The Blue Room
- Live in the Galaxy
ASIN: B0002JP2FW
Release Date: 2004-08-03 |
Tracks:
- Jump the Shark
- I Can't Breathe
- If Love's the Answer
- Crazy
- All That I Need
- Don't Tell Me Something
- Inn of the Mountain Gods
- It's Just My Life - John Corabi, Bruce Kulick
- Do It Right
- Beautiful to Me
- Truth or Dare
- Against the Grain
Customer Reviews:
A Strong Solo Effort.......2005-01-02
Bruce Kulick has been a musician for a while now, and while is work with KISS is really good, I really like his solo work. Kulick is a very talented guitarist/singer, and even though Kulick's best solo album so far has proven to be 2001's "AudioDog", 2003's "Transformer" shines a lot also. There are twelve tracks on this whole album, and there are four instrumentals and eight songs with lyrics. One song, "It's Just My Life" features a cameo appearance by John Corabi, who was the lead singer for Union, the band Kulick formed after he left KISS, and Corabi was once even the replacement lead singer for Motley Crue. This time, Corabi is the lead vocalist on this song. I like all of the songs on here, but my personal favorites are "I Can't Breathe", "If Love's The Answer", "All That I Need", and "Don't Tell Me Something". There are a lot of ballads on this album, all of which are very pretty. While "Transformer" is a new album from an old artist, the music on here sounds similiar to some of the new music out there today(example, Dave Navarro) and you can tell just by listening to the record that Kulick put a lot of effort into this album. Can't wait for the next Bruce Kulick solo album!
Bruce, stick to guitars.......2004-08-20
Like Harpo Marx, Bruce is awsome till he opens his mouth. Awsome, fantastic guitars, bad singing. Stick to what you are great at!!!!!!!!!!!
Average customer rating:
|
Transformer Super Best Song Collection
Japanimation
Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Transformers: The Movie
ASIN: B0000A8V2S
Release Date: 2003-09-01 |
Average customer rating:
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Proto Punk
| Hardcore & Punk
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
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General
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| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
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Pop Rock
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General
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General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
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Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
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Glam
| Classic Rock
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CDs $7 - $10
| Hard Rock
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| Today's Deals in Music
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All Bargain Titles
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| Hard Rock & Metal
| Today's Deals in Music
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Similar Items:
- The Velvet Underground & Nico
ASIN: B000008JVJ
Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Vicious
- Andy's Chest
- Perfect Day
- Hangin' 'Round
- Walk on the Wild Side
- Make Up
- Satellite of Love
- Wagon Wheel
- New York Telephone Conversation
- I'm So Free
- Goodnight Ladies
Average customer rating:
- Well, it could be worse, really...
|
Transformer
Skullflower
Manufacturer: Sympathy 4 the R.I.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Alt Industrial
| Industrial
| Goth & Industrial
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Indie Rock
| Indie & Lo-Fi
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Noise
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Experimental Rock
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000003KYG
Release Date: 1995-12-22 |
Tracks:
- The Lords Of Increase
- 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Secs.
- Cut Loose 1 + 11
- Golden Hair
- Morning Dew
- Cicada
- Surf Creature
- Ponyland
- Fake Revolt
Customer Reviews:
Well, it could be worse, really..........2000-12-06
This is Skullflower? This is the band who stunned the world with Form Destroyer and then came to America and made it look so effortless by releasing Obsidian Shaking Codex? I don't believe it, and I won't until Bower and Dennison tell me themselves.
Still, while it's not in the same glorious vein as the chunky proto-doom-metal of Form Destroyer, or the delicate ambience that made "Smoke Jaguar" [from Obsidian Shaking Codex] one of the finest recordings of our generation, there's some stuff here to be at least partially excited about. "Morning Dew" serves as a reminder that even Black Sabbath recorded "Laguna Sunrise." While "Morning Dew" is longer (pretty close to ten minutes), I get that same feel from it, a kind of carefree lightening of the load in the midst of general chaos. "The Lords of Increase" is good, solid stoner-psychedelia-metal. It's not as groundbreaking as the stuff from the Form Destroyer days, but it's not boring, either. Ultimately, that seems to be the direction the whole album took: not groundbreaking, but not boring. It doesn't succeed all the time, but it does more often than not. Definitely one for the Skullflower completists in the crowd, but newbies should definitely try to hunt down Obsidian Shaking Codex (RRR, 1991) or the Ruins compilation (Head Dirt, 1990), which contains most of the classic Form Destroyer.
Average customer rating:
- Evocative musical theatre
- Post-Velvet Underground Masterpiece
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Proto Punk
| Hardcore & Punk
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
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Glam
| Classic Rock
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Alternative Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B00000G6NK
Release Date: 1999-01-12 |
Tracks:
- Vicious
- Andy's Chest
- Perfect Day
- Hangin' Around
- Walk On The Wild Side
- Make Up
- Satellite Of Love
- Wagon Wheel
- New York Telephone Conversation
- I'm So Free
- Goodnight Ladies
Album Description
Digitally remastered reissue of Lou's top 30 1972 album thatDavid Bowie & Mick Ronson produced. 11 tracks, including hissole chart hit, the classic top 20 'Walk On The Wild Side', plus 'Satellite Of Love', 'Perfect Day' and 'Vicious'. Also features extensive sleeve notes and additional photos. 1998 release.
Album Details
Digitally Remastered Reissue of the Album that Many Regard as Lou Reed's Finest Hour. Includes the Hits 'Satellite of Love', 'Perfect Day', 'Vicious' and the Signature Song 'Walk on the Wild Side'. Produced by David Bowie and the Late Mick Ronson. Extensive New Sleevenotes and Photos Are Included.
Customer Reviews:
Evocative musical theatre.......2005-06-11
On this legendary album, Reed celebrates Andy Warhol and his 15-minutes of fame stars in a glamrock style, influenced by David Bowie. This new edition includes two extra tracks, acoustic versions of Hanging Round and Perfect Day. The informative insert includes illustrations and an essay on the history of Reed and the significance of this album.
Transformer is a type of decadent cabaret comparable to Bowie's Alladin Sane, but it is less bleak and much more colourful and engaging. Reed proved himself to be a master of many styles, from the compelling rock of Walk On The Wild Side through the tender and tuneful pop of Satellite Of Love to the oneiric Perfect Day, a haunting poetic excursion.
Other highlights include the edgy rocker Vicious with its hypnotic melody and sarcastic/ironic lyrics (an attitude that would soon infuse punk and new wave), the quirky New York Telephone Conversation, the energetic Hanging Round and the stately Goodnight Ladies. The songs are highly descriptive of a time, a place and a mindset, and the music is powerful in places and very elegant.
The stylistic variety renders Transformer compelling throughout while not detracting from the cohesion, making it a great piece of musical theatre. Devoted followers would agree that it does not reveal the complete Reed, as he has been so prolific and his oeuvre encompasses a much larger spectrum. But as a document of the middle seventies, it remains superb, an essential album for all serious rock fans.
Post-Velvet Underground Masterpiece.......2001-01-23
Lou Reed's seminal post-Velvet Underground album was produced by David Bowie. Every song is a masterpiece. "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love" are two of the most beautiful love songs ever written by Reed. While there are other albums of Reed's that are brilliant, none match Transformer in its narrative thread and glam-rock splendor. The album evokes a period and setting -- downtown NYC in the early 1970s including Andy Warhol's Factory scene and Max's Kansas City -- with wit and humor. Each song is a short story of mood and character. Transformer is as fresh and unique now as it was when it was released. Get the remastered version. You won't regret it.
Average customer rating:
- Better than even the Velvets
- Up there with the VU records
- His most focused, consistent and interesting album
- annoying glam bowie production
- Not his best album but certainly his most accessible
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
Manufacturer: Bmg Special Product
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
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Proto Punk
| Hardcore & Punk
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General
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| Alternative Styles
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General
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Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
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Pop Rock
| Pop
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General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
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Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
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Glam
| Classic Rock
| Styles
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CDs Under $7
| Alternative General
| Alternative Rock
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Alternative General
| Alternative Rock
| Today's Deals in Music
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CDs Under $7
| Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
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All Bargain Titles
| Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
Similar Items:
- Berlin
- Rock N Roll Animal
- The Velvet Underground & Nico
- The Velvet Underground
- White Light/White Heat
ASIN: B000001U3K
Release Date: 1997-11-11 |
Tracks:
- Vicious
- Andy's Chest
- Perfect Day
- Hangin' 'Round
- Walk On The Wild Side
- Make Up
- Satellite Of Love
- Wagon Wheel
- New York Telephone Conversation
- I'm So Free
- Goodnight Ladies
Amazon.com
Transformer, Lou Reed's second post-Velvet Underground album, was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson (Bowie's guitarist) in 1972. It features such classics as "Vicious" and "Walk on the Wild Side," as well as a boppin', subdued version of "Andy's Chest," which the Velvet Underground had already recorded. The CD's consistently goofy and great back-up vocals are courtesy of Bowie and Ronson. Brace yourself for Lou's usual cast of characters: transvestites, junkies, weirdoes, Holly, Candy, Little Joe, Sugar, Jacki--even Harry, Mark, and John, who stop by to say hi in the middle of "Satellite of Love." "Goodnight Ladies" features a rockin' tuba downbeat, and a baritone sax that'll wail you away to la-la land. Other than that, it's Reed's raw guitar and rah-rah lyrics, like, "The tinsel light of starbreak/Is all that's left to applaud my heartbreak/And at 11 o'clock I watch the network news." --Dan Leone
Customer Reviews:
Better than even the Velvets.......2007-06-27
Lou Reed really topped his former abilities from the velvet period here. And I know that this is a feat few people have ever accomplished, creating something more worthwile that the Velvet Underground. This album is sarcastic and most important, it's good rock and roll.
Up there with the VU records.......2006-12-07
Okay, I'm a VU nutcase - that must be said. I bought all four of their original studio albums in a three-week span, if you wanted any proof. I also like Reed's solo stuff, and this is a great record. The wonderfully twisted Walk on the Wild Side was Lou's only top 40 hit, and indeed it's quite a song. But don't, as some have, overlook rockers such as Vicious or Hangin' 'Round, Satellite of Love (featuring David Bowie, who produced the record, singing a great backup vocal); the slightly overblown but still good ballad Perfect Day; the bizarre Andy's Chest, which is a lot of fun; or the hilarious New York Telephone Conversation. Wagon Wheel, I'm So Free and Goodnight Ladies are weak, but overall Transformer is an excellent record. Okay, I'll admit that I miss Reed's expiremental edge (it's interesting that David Bowie, the man behind the excellent Station to Station album, didn't tap into that), and as I said before a couple songs are weak. But hey, it's great, and sure better than the overrated Rock 'n' Roll Animal.
His most focused, consistent and interesting album.......2006-11-19
This has always been my favorite Lou Reed album.
I am a big fan however, to be a fan is to also realize that Lou Reed can be pretentious and self indulgent, he's a real hit and miss artist and he goes into phases. These so-called detriments also make him great...he's a true artist that takes chances and does not try to appease the commerciality of his work. This album achieves the perfect balance between experimental, listenable and commercial.
There is an incredible variety of different songs and sounds here;
"Vicious" is a great rave up with the dirtiest, raunchiest, nastiest and most fuzzed out guitar tone that I have ever heard. It's a great song with lyrics that perfectly fit the title of the song.
"Andy's Chest" is a this wonderfully odd, perverted and surrealistic ballad.
The clasic "Walk on the Willd Side" is a tale of what it was like to hang out and observe the characters that come in and out of Andy Warhol's world. The song sounds pretty simply but, for its time, it was innovative in its use of featuring a fretless bass. From a musical perspective, this is a cool song.
"Perfect Day" in my opinion, is the best song on the album. It is gorgeous and conveys a nice sense of optimism.
"Hanging Around" is a conventional rock song.
"Make Up" is a weird, ode to gay-ness anmd transvestism. How many songs utilize the tuba as the featured instrument?
"Satellite of Love" is a leftover Velvet Underground tune and is another beautiful melody.
Most Lou Reed albums have flashes of brilliance but there are also unlistenable ones as well. This album, from start to finsh, is great. It has a certain bohemian theme which links all the songs.
A greatest hits compilation is difficult with this artist since his different phases created a very wide variety of songs and sounds. "Transformer" was probably the start of Lou's glam period. He had a lot of confidence in his work and plenty of critical attention was placed upon him.
This is the best introductory Lou Reed work.
annoying glam bowie production .......2006-11-12
the songs are cool, but the bowie sound doesn't mix well with lou reed. ronson's guitars are irritating, with a horrible thin, garbled tone, and bowie's backing vocals are manic and distracting. the only song that really sounds right is the beautifully understated walk on the wild side, which is of course perfect.
Not his best album but certainly his most accessible.......2006-09-25
Lou Reed would release his second solo album, Transformer, in 1972. At the time, he had yet to achieve commercial success as his self-titled debut album had bombed and his four albums with the Velvet Underground, as great as they were, had yet to achieve the critical acclaim they would deserve over time. David Bowie was brought in to produce the album, adding a glam-rock feel to Reed's tougher street smart sound. This, along with a strong set of songs, would give Reed his greatest commercial success with Transformer and also give him his lone Top 20 hit in "Walk on the Wild Side." Although Reed would release better albums than this in the future, Berlin and New York being two of them, neither of them would reach the masses like Transformer.
While Transformer does possess a glam feel in both its lyrics and music, the tracks that deviate from that formula are the ones that work best. The big hit "Walk on the Wildside", one of the most controversial songs to get played on AM radio, shows Reed's tale of decadence complemented by a cool jazz bass line, female doo wop vocals straight out of the 50's, and a great sax solo at its closing. The excellent "Satellite of Love", "New York Telephone Conversation", and "Andy's Chest" continue the `50s tradition with both their vocals and arrangements. Reed also visits his roots with "Vicious", a wicked track that sounds like something from the Loaded album only harder. The beautiful "Perfect Day" and the risqué "Make Up" would also reveal the more grandiose arrangements that would come on his next album, Berlin. The glam rock songs "Hangin' Round", "Wagon Wheel", and "I'm So Free" are all decent but aren't as strong lyrically or musically as the rest of the album. The closing track is a jazzy take of "Goodnight Ladies" that is actually pretty cool. All told, while Transformer isn't Lou Reed's best album, it's still very good and a newcomer to his solo material should start here since this is certainly his most accessible work.
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Lou Reed/Transformer
Lou Reed
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000EQHIKA
Release Date: 2006-04-04 |
Album Description
Import coupling of Lou's 1972 album Transformer with his self titles album (1972). BMG.
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Transformer Micron Densetsu Op & ed Themes
Japanimation (Hideaki Ntakatori , and Psychic Lover)
Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B00009SEYX
Release Date: 2003-08-04 |
Tracks:
- Transformers
- Don't Give Up!!
- Transformers
- Don't Give Up!!
Music:
- Transmission
- Trees/Sunrise, Pt. 1 [CD-single] [Import]
- Varicose Brain
- Wake Up & Smell the Coffee [Import]
- Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
- Wake Up and Smell the Coffee [Import]
- White Light / White Heat [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]
- X-Posed: The Interview [Import]
- A Brief History
- All the Pain Money Can Buy
Music
music
Music
Music in the Air: Anthology [Import]
Three String Quartets / 1 in C Min / 2 in a Min
Trooping The Colour 2001 [Live]
When I Grow Up
Self Dare You Still Breathe
Thunder Mountain: The Best of Scott Fitzgerald
THE REAL COUNTRY
The Mravinsky Collection - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 / Stravinsky: Apollon Musagete
The Women of Silverwolf [Box set]
The Road Not Taken
The Very Best of Soft Cell [Original recording remastered]
The Swinging Mr. B
The Mahem Clique [Explicit Lyrics]
Mozart - Don Giovanni / Ramey, Tomowa-Sintow, Baltsa, Battle, Winbergh, Furlanetto, Malta, Burchuladze, Berlin Phil., Karajan
The Anthology