This one makes it into the ‘Iconic’ album covers category, but also for me into the ‘awful’ covers category. Andy Warhol is hugely overrated as an artist in my opinion. I guess you could tape this to an Art Gallery wall (or was that covered in another thread) and claim that it’s art.
I’m actually quite a big fan of VU & Lou Reed (I have the album on both vinyl and CD), but this particular album can only be claimed to be quite good. It’s not one of their best.
Now, I really like this album (“The Phosphorescent Rat” by Hot Tuna) - I have it on vinyl and play it quite a bit. But the cover leaves me more than a little cold.
See earlier posts.
I love this album, and the cover (and Warhol, come to that). Which just goes to show … something, I suppose.
Given that VU recorded only four studio albums, I’d rate it as one of their four best. 
Strange how critical assessments change over time. When I were a lad, the consensus seemed to be that this and White Light were the best two. Now it seems to be the third album and Loaded.
As @AlanP wrote on the other thread:
Stevie Wonder - Hotter Than July, I think the cover belongs in the awful covers thread, but absolutely nothing wrong with the music.
Can’t argue with that.
There is always some smart Alec that is going to say ahem! what about the last studio album which makes five.
Does that count as a real VU album?
In name only. In my VU collection - I must have played it about once.
I thought about playing it once, @AndyP, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. A bit like this “Clash” album…
Say, do you like films about gladiators?
Good point!
However, I personally really think of the VU albums as really being Lou Reed albums, and this album certainly doesn’t match some of his best solo albums.
I won’t be seeing you at Warhol’s Tate Modern exhibition in August then? I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully there’s some VU photos etc there…
You didn’t like Ships w/ Sails on Other Voices?
I think John Cale might disagree with you there.
Actually not a bad track with nice production.
OK you’ve convinced me - another spin for both albums.
I’m sure he would, but I still can’t disconnect VU from Lou Reed. For me, they are one and the same.
However, I do like Reed’s collaboration with Cale - “Songs for Drella”, but the stand out tracks for me are still the Lou Reed penned numbers.
There’s some dreck on both. But Verdilac and SwS are good. Sadly, Ray’s singing has never wooed me, even tho I really like his Golden Scarab album.
