Lou Reed, the essential poet of modern music, brings to life in words and music, drama and rock 'n' roll, the visceral work of Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven. Featuring guest appearances by David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, s... more »axman Ornette Coleman and The Blind Boys Of Alabama as well as actors such as Willem Dafoe and Steve Buscemi. This 2 CD version is limited and features the complete spoken word and song production. Artist Julian Schnabel created the packaging of the limited edition, which features a four-panel digipak and b/w poster of Lou on one side and notes, songs and performers on the other. (approx. 13 inches square). Sire. 2003.« less
Lou Reed, the essential poet of modern music, brings to life in words and music, drama and rock 'n' roll, the visceral work of Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven. Featuring guest appearances by David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, saxman Ornette Coleman and The Blind Boys Of Alabama as well as actors such as Willem Dafoe and Steve Buscemi. This 2 CD version is limited and features the complete spoken word and song production. Artist Julian Schnabel created the packaging of the limited edition, which features a four-panel digipak and b/w poster of Lou on one side and notes, songs and performers on the other. (approx. 13 inches square). Sire. 2003.
One more example of Poe bringing out the worst in someone
J. Carroll | Island Heights,NJ | 06/29/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"There is a constant fascination with Poe. His stories have been constantly adapted and transformed(Usually poorly although once in awhile they get it right), his life story is one that boggles the imagination, and the most amazing thing about all this is that he wasn't a good writer. His plots and concepts were truly creative but the actual prose is almost unreadable. His poetry fairs a bit better but still suffers from a gothic malaise and a stilted rhyming scheme.
Reed falls into Poe's trap, a natural appeal to an artist as dark and tortured as Reed, and creates an odd combination of spoken word and musical interludes that don't really hold together very well.
There are occasional stand outs-
The instrumental "A Thousand Departed Friends" drives through with a droning power.
Bowie's take on "Hop Frog" is a kick.
Antony's vocals on "Perfect Day" are haunting and memorable.
OK I'll admit I liked Buscemi's lounge lizard on "Broadway Song" although I don't know what it's doing here.
That's it. Perhaps the two CD set made this more palatable and made it make more sense, or more likely it would have just increased the pain involved in listening to Reed basically waste his time.
It's pretty sad that The Alan Parson's Project pretty much did this years ago and I have a better memory of that one. (I'd review it but I can't locate my old copy...and I think I'll remember it with a vague liking, instead)
"
Trying a little too hard
S Hounsome | Perth, WA Australia | 12/23/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Lou Reed is my favourite musician bar none, however his solo career has been somewhat variable. This recording is one of the more difficult moments in his canon. The range of musical styles and guest artists leads to a lack of cohesion, rather than generate interest it only serves to momentarily mask the generally poor writing on offer here.
This is not to say the work has no merit, the reading of an updated 'The Raven' is strangely riveting, 'Burning Embers' seethes with demented machismo and the second track introduces its subject with real energy. Some of the more contemplative moments also work well, 'Call On Me' is simple and sweet with a lovely guest vocal from wife Laurie Anderson, 'Vanishing Act' is hypnotic and possibly the strongest cut on the record and 'Guardian Angel' closes the set off on an appropriately philosophical note. 'Who Am I?' is the only song that could be deemed accessible, although with just a tiny bit more restraint it could have been a career highlight.
So what brings the work down. Firstly, the inclusion of two arbitrary and, frankly, crappy versions of earlier Reed songs-'The Bed' and 'Perfect Day', hearing the latter murdered by the self-conscious falsetto of Antony is a particularly gruelling experience. The brief poetic interludes also fail to come off well, they might be art but they certainly ain't fun on repeated listening. Many guests appear on gimmicky songs that only further cloud this tribute- 'Balloon' and 'Broadway Song' both lose their charm quickly. Fortunately, both David Bowie and the Blind Boys of Alabama do a good job.
Reed's earlier tribute "Songs for Drella" occassionally hit a wrong note but not as often as here, listeners wanting to here Reed is a more musically friendly mode...without sacrificing the artiness or intelligence need not look back too far. Try 2000s far superior "Ecstasy"."
Well
conney island baby | 02/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i honestly can't say i hate it, because i don't. what brings this album down is lou reed's pretentious persona, for i am sure that had this been a spoken album with the added good songs, it would have been beautiful."
LEAVE YOUR EXPECTATIONS HOME
Linda C. Nakhleh | Minneapolis, MN | 09/20/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Raven" is an album so stylistically varied that everyone is going to find something to love and hate about it. That said, if we take Lou's own advice to "leave your expectations home" the reward is another great record from Uncle Lou.
There's a handful of songs that for me push this album into the realm of greatness, warranting a five-star rating. "Edgar Allen Poe" is one of the fiercest rockers Reed has ever put on tape. The SOUND of the record is fabulous, with ultra-crunchy guitars, crisp horns, and throbbing drums. Reed works himself into such a frenzy on "Edgar Allen Poe" that's it impossible for the listener to not feel the enthusiasm Reed has for his latest work.
Strangely enough, the remake of "The Bed" fits right in here and is one of the highlights of the album. Antony's take on "Perfect Day" will never outdo the original (or Lou's rendition on "Perfect Night") but it IS an interesting take on one of Reed's greatest songs.
I love the rewritten "Raven"--it's hard to tell where Poe ends and Reed begins, which I suspect is just what Reed was going for.
The only out-and-out clunker is "Balloon," at least to my ears. But I love Steve Buscemi on "Broadway Song," such a different song for Reed to be doing. It's a nice change of pace.
"Blind Rage" is a fierce rocker with noisy guitars that recall the Velvets and Metal Machine Music, in the best sense. "Burning Embers" is another instant classic, and I feel that this is where Reed is most successful at merging his songwriting with the ideas and words of Poe. By the time the track builds to it's crescendo you'll swear you hear John Cale's viola somewhere in the cacophony of sound.
"Science Of The Mind" find Lou in his best singing voice since the 70's--this could be an outtake from "Berlin," Reed's voice sounds that good. "Hop Frog" is a fun, catchy rocker featuring vocals from David Bowie that will grab you right away and imbed itself in your brain.
I have to agree, though, with the previous reviewer who said the highlight of the album is "Who Am I?" This is simply one of Reed's best songs period.
Overall, you might have to utilize the "skip" button once of twice to suit your preference and mood, but the stronger tracks definitely bring "The Raven" up to the level of a five-star work."