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. This 50th Anniversary 180g pressing Includes the original 11 tracks, and it comes housed in the iconic Andy Warhol-designed gatefold sleeve (with peelable banana sticker!). The back-cover "torso" photo (along w/ replica of the black sticker that was used to obscure the image) is also there, and there is an additional insert w/ vintage images as well as new liner notes from John Cale and Richie Unterberger, the author of the book White Light/White Heat: The Velvet underground Day-By-Day. Highly recommended.

• 50th anniversary 180g pressing
• original artwork, 12-page booklet included
• mp3 download voucher
• music label: Verve Records 1967 / 2017

reviewed by TKB 12/2013