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Lou Reed Defends 'Metal Machine Music' Ahead of Album's Re-Release

Lou Reed has defended his controversial album 'Metal Machine Music,' which, for the uninitiated, is composed purely of droning guitar feedback played at different speeds.

On its release in 1975, 'Metal Machine Music' alienated many critics and fans of the former Velvet Underground frontman, with Rolling Stone magazine describing it at the time as sounding like, "the tubular groaning of a galactic refrigerator," and as awful to experience as spending, "a night in a bus terminal." Many considered it a joke, or a grudging fulfilment of contractual obligations with Reed's record label, RCA -- and indeed, just months later, it withdrew the album.

But New York's unofficial poet laureate has now made the decision to re-master and re-release the album, and to coincide with its rebirth, has been touring with his Metal Machine Music Trio.

Before taking to the stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Monday April 19, Reed defended the album, which it has been claimed, was pivotal to the birth of punk, heavy metal, grunge and even trance and techno, and by others, as the worst album of all time.

In an interview with BBC 6 Music, he said: "You could say 'Metal Machine Music' is dedicated to the proposition of the guitar as the single greatest instrument known to man, and it can't get too loud, and you don't need a vocalist or a drummer, and listen to this feedback, isn't it great -- a reflection of the glory of rock."

Reed added: "I think it's such a really profound music and I've been in love with it for a very long time. I did this album for me. I am trying to make something that I want to listen to." However, the rock veteran admitted he had got "mauled" for his efforts.

If your ears can stand it, you can make up your own mind when 'Metal Machine Music' is released on vinyl in the UK on May 10.

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22 Comments

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I don't understand the harsh criticism, all music is is sound anyway.

January 06 2011 at 6:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
God_Module

I just would like to say, as a fan of Industrial and Noise Musik, that this album is delightful, pleasant, and one free of form since the "guitars played themselves" essentially. LOVE IT!

November 02 2010 at 3:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Guy Littleford

This ablum should be seen in the wider context of the experientally based art scene at the time.

The 12 hour movie, the 24 hour movie, happenings, acid.

Its an indescribable profundity, with sharp metallic streaks of sudden timelessness. If you dont see it you probably never will.

June 04 2010 at 8:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Art Stephens

I was lucky enough to acquire a radio station copy this record when it came out. I can only listen to it once every few years, and only when I'm in the right mood. Regardless it is one of my very most prized records, because it is truly an original work of art unaffected by peer or music industry pressure.

May 13 2010 at 3:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ramiro

Hey guys seriously if you take his seriousness quite serious you are in for a stroke .Metal machine music wasn't meant for very formal hearing , I have myself and it takes an acquired taste to get used to it . Some people say it's junk and I don't disagree but this what you do when you are in for sonic experimentation .He is quite a lucid chap , and his lyrics are really down expressive , check out The Blue Mask , Songs for Drella , etc. etc. . Horrible is the music that is played in yuppie malls , Kelloggs commercials , trucks , people with blackberries yapping all their private life in the streets , plastic surgeries , etc. , etc . If you don't like it complain but don't go out there like a chicken without a head asking for your money back . Suck it up man and let it go !!!

April 26 2010 at 3:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mikael Meyer

I bought MMM back then and got exactly what the title promised: MetalMachineMusic. Anyone who had followed Lou Reeds career more or less knew that this kind of white noise-record just had to come.
I love the experimentation of it! I love the bombardement of it! I love the elitist arrogance of it! I love the drugged-out-there-ness of it!
Dont piss on your experimenting artist, guys and dolls!!!!

April 25 2010 at 2:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lee Goddard

He made it for himself, but like a fool I paid for it -- but how was I to know better? Luckily, the music shop gave me a refund.
The music I make for myself is not something I'd charge for.
An acoustic version, though, would be interesting.

April 22 2010 at 12:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Lee Goddard's comment
JayMaster77

@LeeGoddard: there is indeed an acoustic verion of MMM: it was recorded by a Berlin ensemble called Zeitkratzer, who performed the album live on different occasions.

April 22 2010 at 2:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
REMJarvis

REED!!!!!!! I SAY JUST DO IT. I KNOW THAT I WILL LOVE IT!!!!!!!

April 22 2010 at 9:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vendelavee

Reed says it's Profound music? Yeah, and Yoko Ono vocals are profound vocals too. Sometimes people take things a bit too far. Metal Machine Music is an example of this. It's art for arts sake.

April 22 2010 at 8:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lawrence fishberg

the man can't play, can't sing, and repulsively intellectualizes all the junk he has produced throughout his one chord career...a perfect "artist" for our time!

April 22 2010 at 8:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to lawrence fishberg's comment
george hadjidakis

Forgive him, Lou, for he knows not what he says.

May 11 2010 at 12:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GT

You obviously know nothing about music

May 13 2010 at 11:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply