I don't get the velvet underground?
 

I'm listening to the velvet underground for the first time. I'm listening to their first studio album. I really don't get it. what made this band so important, unfluational and praised?

edit: I'm listening to the second album now

personally, i think The velvet underground are really overated....

Don't get me wrong, they were good and certainly influenced a lot of artists/musicians also a lot of people but they're not as influentual as other musicians and bands in that era. I just don't see the big deal

Well they were pretty ahead of their time in terms of raw and gritty rock music. With the addition of John Cale, they also incorporated some avant-garde ideas inspired by his stint in the Theatre of Eternal Music such as drones, prepared piano, heavy use of feedback, etc. It might sound a bit dated today but in the 60s it was a breath of fresh air.

I also think that they're pretty overrated, but I still like them quite a bit.

^ That`s a pretty good appraisal, Frownland. I remember at the time how VU seemed to be going in the opposite musical direction to almost every other rock band. So many bands in the 70s were getting lured into overblown songwriting and ever more complicated studio wizardry. It was against that background that VU looked their best, imo.

( Remember this thread, btw ? http://www.musicbanter.com/avant-gar...ound-nico.html )

Whenever I hear the name Velvet Underground, the name that always comes to mind first and foremost is Andy Warhol. If it weren't for Andy Warhol becoming their manager in 1965, we would more than likely not be discussing the Velvet Underground at this particular point in time.
They were nothing more than a band that was associated with the 60s visual arts movement and a famous commercial illustrator.

I think it's cause they had a very accessible sound, a sound that told aspiring musicians "Maybe i could do this sh*t too" and that's why they're considered very influential.

Plus Lou reed was f*ckin cool, he had a great voice.
though im not a big fan i can see why they were considered a big deal at the time.

You know I dissagree with some of your musical opinions, I agree with you here. Except I love VU.

The weren't a big deal at the time really as the late 60s scene was littered with experimental and pre-prog bands anyway, VU only became big in retrospect like a lot of bands do.

I would personally love to know who all these artists and musicians are, that were supposedly inspired by Velvet Underground? :rolleyes: