Remembering Lou Reed & Opinions on M.I.A.
Jim and Greg remember Lou Reed and five of his most important releases. Plus, M.I.A. makes a lot of headlines, and now she’s made a new album. They review Matangi.
Music News
Madonna is the world's highest-paid musician according to Forbes. (Insert "Material Girl" joke here.) But, more surprising is how well some artists have done without even releasing music. Toby Keith can thank his record label, restaurant chain and mescal line for some of his $65 million. And Diddy can thank Ciroc for his $50 mil.
Remembering Lou Reed
Rock legend, poet and Velvet Underground founder Lou Reed died on October 27 at age 71. That week Jim honored him with the addition of the Velvet Underground track"Candy Says" to the Desert Island Jukebox. But, this influential singer, songwriter and guitarist deserves more than just a few minutes of our time. He helped shape 50 years of rock music, perhaps more than any single figure, according to our hosts. And so they wanted to explore why news of his death made such waves and why fans are still mourning. The best way to do this, of course, is through the music, and these five albums in particular:
Essential Lou Reed albums
- The Velvet Underground, White Light/White Heat (1968)
- The Velvet Underground, Loaded (1970)
- Lou Reed, Berlin (1973)
- Lou Reed, The Blue Mask (1982)
- Lou Reed, New York (1989)
Matangi M.I.A.
After three years of garnering more attention for her public antics than her music, agit-rapper M.I.A. is back with her fourth studio genre, Matangi. Both Jim and Greg think the effort is a refreshing return to form after her lukewarm 2010 release, Maya. However, Greg isn't much impressed by Matangi's tonal turn away from the political and more towards the spiritual, which he thinks at times comes off as kind of superficial. Jim agrees that M.I.A. doesn't have as much to say this time out, but the music—a blend of western pop melodies and eastern dance rhythms—is still unmatched. Both critics give Matangi a Burn It.
Featured Songs
- Pure Sunray, "Caramel," Pure Sunray, self-released, 2013
- Madonna, "Music," Music, Maverick/Warner Bros., 1999
- The Velvet Underground, "I'm Waiting for the Man," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967
- The Velvet Underground, "European Son," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967
- The Velvet Underground, "Sister Ray," White Light/White Heat, Verve, 1968
- The Velvet Underground, "I Heard Her Call My Name," White Light/White Heat, Verve, 1968
- The Velvet Underground, "Here She Comes Now," White Light/White Heat, Verve, 1968
- The Velvet Underground, "White Light/White Heat," White Light/White Heat, Verve, 1968
- The Velvet Underground, "Sweet Jane," Loaded, Cotillion, 1970
- The Velvet Underground, "Rock and Roll," Loaded, Cotillion, 1970
- The Velvet Underground, "New Age," Loaded, Cotillion, 1970
- The Velvet Underground, "I Found A Reason," Loaded, Cotillion, 1970
- Lou Reed, "Walk on the Wild Side," Transformer, RCA, 1972
- Lou Reed, "Berlin," Berlin, RCA, 1973
- Lou Reed, "Caroline Says II," Berlin, RCA, 1973
- Lou Reed, "Oh, Jim," Berlin, RCA, 1973
- Lou Reed, "The Kids," Berlin, RCA, 1973
- Lou Reed, "Underneath the Bottle," The Blue Mask, RCA, 1982
- Lou Reed, "My House," The Blue Mask, RCA, 1982
- Lou Reed, "Heavenly Arms," The Blue Mask, RCA, 1982
- Lou Reed and John Cale, "Style Takes It," Songs for Drella, Sire, 1990
- Lou Reed, "Dirty Blvd.," New York, Sire, 1989
- Lou Reed, "Halloween Parade," New York, Sire, 1989
- Lou Reed, "Romeo Had Juliette," New York, Sire, 1989
Lou Reed, "Endless Cycle," New York, Sire, 1989
- M.I.A., "Y.A.L.A.," Matangi, N.E.E.T./Interscope, 2013
- M.I.A., "Lights," Matangi, N.E.E.T./Interscope, 2013
- New Edition, "Mr. Telephone Man," New Edition, MCA, 1984
- The Flaming Lips, "You Are Alone," The Terror, Warner Bros., 2013
- Drake, "From Time," Nothing Was the Same, OVO Sound, 2013
- Marlene Dietrich and Rosemary Clooney, "Too Old to Cut the Mustard," Too Old to Cut the Mustard (Single), Columbia, 1952
- Anti-Nowhere League, "Woman," We Are… The League, WXYZ, 1982
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