// Stomple reviews //

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground / Nico - 1967

A centered image with curved borders,Zoomable Image

Genres

Art Rock, Experimental Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Tracklist

Favourite Tracks ★

Review

The Velvet Underground & Nico, released in 1967, is often hailed as one of the most influential albums in rock history. A collaboration between The Velvet Underground—fronted by Lou Reed with the experimental influence of John Cale—and German singer Nico, the album is raw, unfiltered, and far ahead of its time, blending avant-garde, rock, and proto-punk sounds with dark, poetic themes.
The album, produced by Andy Warhol, features a range of songs that explore taboo topics like drug use, urban despair, and sexuality with an unflinching directness rarely seen in music of the era. Tracks like "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting for the Man" openly confront addiction without romanticizing or demonizing it, while "Venus in Furs" explores themes of BDSM and psychological complexity, driven by droning violas and hypnotic rhythms. Nico’s haunting vocals add a unique texture, especially on "Femme Fatale" and "All Tomorrow’s Parties," contrasting Reed's gritty storytelling with an icy, detached melancholy.
Though it was a commercial failure initially, the album gradually gained a legendary status, cited by countless artists as a seminal work that gave birth to new genres and inspired an entire generation of musicians. The Velvet Underground & Nico remains iconic for its gritty realism, uncompromising sound, and fearless approach to art. Often summarized by the famous quote, “not many people bought it, but everyone who did started a band,” the album continues to resonate with listeners for its revolutionary spirit and lasting impact on rock and alternative music.

Related Artwork

Thanks neocities for hosting, really cool!

This website is not optimized for mobile devices