Velvet Underground - Loaded

Loaded is the fourth and final studio album by The Velvet Underground, released in 1972. It's often considered their most accessible and mainstream-sounding album, especially when compared to their earlier, more experimental works. The album represents a shift toward a more rock-oriented sound, with catchy, straightforward songs that still retain the band’s signature edge and complexity.

The album opens with "Who Loves the Sun," a sunny, poppy track that introduces the lighter tone of the album. This is followed by "Sweet Jane," one of the band's most iconic songs, with its instantly recognizable riff and poetic lyrics. "Rock & Roll" is another standout, a high-energy anthem about the transformative power of music.

Despite the more polished and radio-friendly sound, Loaded still carries Lou Reed's sharp lyrical insights, often dealing with themes of alienation, love, and the complexities of life. The album was also marked by Reed's frustration with the band's previous label, as he had requested that the album be "loaded" with hits to make it commercially successful.

Songs like "New Age" and "Head Held High" have a more anthemic feel, while "I Found a Reason" is a softer, more introspective moment on the record. Overall, Loaded is a blend of gritty, straight-ahead rock and Reed’s unique poetic vision, making it a key album in the Velvet Underground’s legacy and a crucial moment in the development of alternative and indie rock.

Loaded is also notable because it was recorded without John Cale, who had been a key member of the band in its earlier, more experimental phase. With Reed now taking full control, the album reflects a more personal and focused direction for the band, even if it was not the grand artistic statement some might have expected from them. Nonetheless, it remains a defining record of the early '70s rock scene.