I don't think it's that simple to say John Cale got kicked out of VU because they wanted a 'poppier' sound. Cale and Reed just didn't get along - both of them are extremely prickly and difficult people with huge egos and I think it was more a matter of sharing the spotlight than anything else. If you look at the post VU careers of both men side by side, Cale definitely ended up doing a lot more pop music than Reed did in the long run, and a lot better music besides, but that is just my personal take. With a handful of exceptions, I think Lou did his best work with VU, whereas JC is still putting out one amazing record after another, all these years later.

i don't really think that highly of them

all things considered, their best is 1969, which is also one of the best live albums around

Critiquing the song heroin? Now that takes some balls. :laughing:

"Heroin" is the most honest song i've ever heard, really

It's a great song. One of the most original and unique bands ever.

I've never considered the Velvet Underground one of my favorite bands or anything, but Heroin is an incredible song. I'm usually slow to warm up to music, but that song was loved instantly.

Also, my copy of Underground and Nico has a huge splatter radius of coffee across the entire LP cover. It was only 6.99 because it was so trashed. Great find!

Anyway, they are growing on me...but it's slow.

Have you ever heard 'the black angels death song'? It's another great one, kind of similar to 'heroin'.

I'm sure I have but I don't remember it at all so I need to relisten to the album! Sorry for the late response but I forgot about this thread.

White light/white heat is a great album. I can only stand to listen to it every once in a great while but its always a crazy blast. Today was one of those days, and it was very much fun.