The Velvet Underground & Nico

I can't help but imagine myself being an admirer of Andy Warhol in 1967 and hearing that he'd be producing an album for this unknown band called The Velvet Underground. One too many syllables to truly run off the tongue, sure, but there's a certain ring to it I suppose. Anyways, I'm sure that cover with the now all too famous banana is probably what would have brought me in (Bro, the banana is pink, dude.) But it's the music that keeps me coming back for second servings. I doubt many followers of Warhol were actually interested in the band's work and more so for the actual, interactive art, but I'm sure many were both surprised and transfixed to find that one of music's greatest accomplishments waited inside the sleeve in front of them. Over fifty years later, and much like the original allure to their debut album, the music of The Velvet Underground and Nico continues to push it's listeners out of their comfort zone. Music that ranges from harmonious, condescending, and straightforward melodies to sound experiences that are grotesque, harsh, punishing and downright visceral. Even in 2020, the subject matter is as intriguing as ever. Given how much of is is still considered taboo in today's world. The lyrics and dark humor of Lou Reed never advocate or endorse sex work, drug usage, objectification, ect; but they sure are perceptual and uncanny. You can still walk outside your front door today and witness (or participate) in these issues hands on. Surely you can't just pretend like these dilemmas of everyday people don't exist. So it asks you to look and to contemplate. To rattle your preconceived notions of how the world functions and what music (and modern art for that matter) ought to be. Truth is, despite how much we pretend it to be, nothing is sacred anymore. Even rules and moral codes of old seem to be discarded by our political and religious leaders day by day with relative ease. Call it unsanitary or call it endearing. Either way, we're constantly evolving; and The Velvet Underground couldn't be a more perfect representation of every day growth and regression within our society.