#242 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“This is the part of the list where the real crate-digging starts. The Velvet Underground brought everything to Loaded (1970) — the kind of record that reminds you why you started collecting vinyl in the first place. The original pressing does it justice.”
The Velvet Underground, formed in 1964 in New York City by Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker, became one of the most influential avant-garde rock bands despite minimal commercial success during their initial run. Led by Reed's songwriting and Cale's innovative production techniques, the band released four studio albums between 1967 and 1970 before disbanding. Their 1967 debut, produced by Andy Warhol, introduced their controversial blend of experimental rock, featuring feedback, dissonant strings, and lyrics addressing taboo subjects. Subsequent albums refined their sound while maintaining artistic integrity, with 1969's 'The Velvet Underground' (the third album) showcasing a more accessible, guitar-driven approach. Though they broke up in 1970, various reunions and live performances occurred, particularly in the 1990s.
Style
The Velvet Underground pioneered experimental rock and art rock, characterized by distorted guitars, unconventional song structures, droning viola, and Lou Reed's deadpan vocal delivery. Their sound merged avant-garde classical elements with rock, creating a sophisticated yet raw aesthetic that rejected mainstream pop conventions.
Significance
The Velvet Underground's influence on subsequent rock, punk, and alternative music is immeasurable, making their original vinyl releases—particularly the first album with Warhol's iconic banana cover—essential collectibles. For vinyl enthusiasts, their records represent a crucial bridge between classical avant-garde and rock music, with their original pressings highly sought after for both historical importance and sound quality.
Loaded, released in November 1970, marked The Velvet Underground's final studio album with founding member Lou Reed. Recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York during the summer of 1970, the album represents a deliberate shift toward more accessible, song-oriented material compared to the band's previous experimental work. Producer Adrian Booth helped shape a cleaner, more radio-friendly sound while the band—Reed, John Cale's replacement Doug Yule on keyboards, Sterling Morrison on guitar, and Maureen Tucker on drums—crafted infectious melodies and straightforward arrangements. The sessions were relatively straightforward, with the band focusing on pop sensibilities without abandoning their artistic integrity. Songs like "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll" became the album's enduring classics, showcasing Reed's gift for memorable hooks and vivid storytelling.
Historical Context
Loaded arrived during a transitional period for the Velvet Underground, as the band faced commercial pressure and internal tensions. While their 1967 debut had become an influential cult classic, mainstream success had eluded them through the late 1960s. By 1970, the rock landscape had shifted dramatically—progressive rock, hard rock, and singer-songwriter traditions dominated, creating an unexpected opening for the VU's more pop-oriented approach. Despite its eventual canonical status, Loaded received mixed initial reviews and modest sales. The album's reputation grew substantially in subsequent decades, particularly as punk and new wave artists cited it as a crucial influence, cementing its legacy as one of rock's most important releases.
Pressing Notes
The original Atlantic Records pressing (SD 7504) featured the classic stereo mix and is highly sought by collectors. Early pressings can be identified by the absence of 'Sweet Jane' and 'Rock and Roll' lyrics printed in full on the back cover—these appeared on later pressings. Japanese and European imports from the 1970s often command premiums due to superior pressing quality and remaster work. The album has been reissued multiple times, including a 2002 Deluxe Edition with alternate takes. Collectors should note that original Atlantic pressings in excellent condition with intact gatefolds are increasingly rare and valuable, particularly first pressings from 1970-1971. The 180-gram audiophile reissues from recent decades offer improved sound quality for new collectors seeking optimal listening experience.
Transformer
Lou Reed
Lou Reed's solo masterpiece maintains the raw, sophisticated rock sensibility of Loaded while exploring more theatrical and introspective themes.
Fun House
The Stooges
This proto-punk album shares Loaded's gritty, direct approach to rock music with fuzzy guitars and primal energy that influenced the same underground scene.
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Bowie's introspective glam-rock album echoes the artistic ambition and melodic sensibility of Loaded while pushing rock into more experimental territory.
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The Dolls' debut applies the raw, guitar-driven approach of Loaded to proto-punk with theatrical flair, representing a direct evolution of the VU's street-level rock aesthetic.
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