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Metal Machine Music

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

In July 1975 RCA released Metal Machine Music as a double album, Lou Reed's fifth studio album, only to withdraw it from sale again three weeks later. The record contains no songs or recognisable compositions, only layers of feedback and distortion at varying speeds. Reed tuned all the guitar strings to the same note and was influenced by the drone sounds of La Monte Young. He also said he had listened a lot to Xenakis and tried to release the album on the classical label RCA Red Seal.

It became the most returned album in RCA's history, although about a hundred thousand are said to have been sold. Critics rejected it. Lester Bangs saw integrity in it and the biographer Victor Bockris later called it a forerunner of New York punk. It also opened the door to Reed's later experimental work.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Metal Machine Music, Pt. 1 and notice how feedback and distortion take the place of melody and rhythm.

Track list

  1. 1Metal Machine Music, Pt. 116:06Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Metal Machine Music, Pt. 215:54Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Metal Machine Music, Pt. 316:09Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Metal Machine Music, Pt. 415:50Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs