Back catalogue:

Review: The Velvet Underground's Loaded, a pivotal rock record from 1970, returns in a meticulously remastered SACD format. The album marked the band's bid for mainstream success, with label head Ahmet Ertegun pushing Lou Reed to deliver a record "loaded with hits". The result was a shimmering rock collection, though one far removed from the group's avant-garde roots. Though Reed left the band before its release, Loaded still shines as a masterclass in rock archetypes. Tracks like 'Sweet Jane' and 'Rock & Roll' cemented their status as proto-punk pioneers, while the sunny cynicism of 'Who Loves the Sun' and the rollicking 'Head Held High' showcased the band's sardonic wit. With Doug Yule taking on a leading roleisinging four tracks and playing much of the instrumentationiand Maureen Tucker absent on maternity leave, the album stands as both a departure from and a reflection of their earlier works. A near-perfect rock album, yet its polished production and radio-friendly leanings make it an outlier in the Velvet Underground canon. The SACD reissue offers audiophiles the ideal digital experience, capturing the tension between pop ambition and artistic identity that defines this bittersweet swan song. Everyone should own a copy of this magnificent album.

Review: Loaded, The Velvet Underground's final album featuring Lou Reed, epitomises a perfect rock 'n' roll record. Released in 1970 after their stint with Verve, it marked the band's shift to Atlantic Records under Ahmet Ertegun's directive for a hit-laden album. The absence of founding members John Cale and Maureen Tucker, coupled with Doug Yule's prominent role, shifts the album's dynamic but does not compromise its impact. With standout tracks like 'Sweet Jane' and 'Rock & Roll,' it feels like a greatest hits collection, expertly navigating rock archetypes. This 180-gram 45 RPM double LP reissue by Analogue Productions, pressed at Quality Record Pressings and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold jacket by Stoughton Printing, provides an exquisite listening experience. A certified rock classic and a significant chapter in the Velvets' legacy.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Records slightly warped***


Loaded, The Velvet Underground's final album featuring Lou Reed, epitomises a perfect rock 'n' roll record. Released in 1970 after their stint with Verve, it marked the band's shift to Atlantic Records under Ahmet Ertegun's directive for a hit-laden album. The absence of founding members John Cale and Maureen Tucker, coupled with Doug Yule's prominent role, shifts the album's dynamic but does not compromise its impact. With standout tracks like 'Sweet Jane' and 'Rock & Roll,' it feels like a greatest hits collection, expertly navigating rock archetypes. This 180-gram 45 RPM double LP reissue by Analogue Productions, pressed at Quality Record Pressings and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold jacket by Stoughton Printing, provides an exquisite listening experience. A certified rock classic and a significant chapter in the Velvets' legacy.