METALLICA & LOU REED
LULU
Comprehending this album may take an intelligent fan of both Lou Reed and "Metallica" along with an additional understanding of the writing of folk musicians of the early 70's. The initial setup for this album was to be recordings of demos written by Lou Reed that reflected the writings of playwright Frank Wedekind. When Reed shared these demos it was not long before a collaboration began to form with the band becoming the backing band to Lou Reed's vocals.
The first single released was "The View", which not only should not have been the lead off single, but this song with "Brandenberg Gate" should not have made up the first two tracks on the cd. "Pumping Blood", "Iced Blood" and " Cheat on Me" in that order were the best tracks to lead of this very different musical collaboration.
The band as well as Lou Reed have each brought their own styles to this recording, so it is expected that they have crossed into a league of their own. Reed has always been more of a punk poet with one foot dipped into the folk lyrical content of a singer. This release has less of his monumental lyrics that drench all of his previous recordings. The common denominator between these two collaborators is that initially each recorded song had extensive lyrical content, but as time went on for each, the lyrical content was reduced to lines of poetry that dilute the power that put them on the map in the beginning.
The words are strong within the tracks, but can they be understood by today's generation who are more equipped to handle key lines or peppered F-Bombs? When "Pearl Jam" began the limited lyrics within the liner notes, "Metallica" soon jumped on board. The sounds build the feel, but the lyrics are the content that establishes the connection between the listener and the artist/band. Both "Metallica" and Lou Reed are clear in their delivery, but having the lyrics in front of me while listening to a new album, I am on the fence as to whether the fans will be able to relate.
Do the fans of "Metallica" really want to have their minds enhanced by the interpretation of Frank Wedekind", probably not. Still, they need to consider if they have been a fan since the days of "Ride the Lightning" or "Master of Puppets" that James Hetfield was a reader of smart writing. This is where he was able to draw from to pen great songs like "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Creeping Death", "Master of Puppets", Disposable Heroes" and "Welcome Home" that were the foundation of who "Metallica" was as a band.
There are many bands who try to write based on the writings of one or several authors and are unable to be a great vehicle. "Metallica", as with Lou Reed, have been able to do that for most of their careers. Will this CD have the staying power to let the listeners catch up to the mindset of the writing? Not this generation, who want instant gratification and are unwilling to look deeper than what they hear.
Musically, it is a strong set of tracks with "Metallica" doing what they have been doing for the past 15 years. It has little relation to anything including or prior to "The Black Album" in 1991. Robert Trujillo (bass) became a member of "Metallica" during some of their most turbulent years when Jason Newsted departed the band. Trujillo, although not part of "Suicodal Tendencies" when they released my favorite "How will I Laugh Tomorrow When I can't even Smile Today" and then joined for "Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu" and was involved in their biggest release, Lights...Camera...Revolution! and stayed for the next two releases.
He is the best choice to replace Newsted, but the mental state of the band in conjunction with their writing was in disarray. However, he never wavered and even delivered bass tracks that were retrospective of Cliff Burton. This can be heard throughout "LuLu" as there would be few bass players who could incorporate their own style into "Metallica" without taking away from the foundation of the band.
The deviation is a quick right turn and it leaves most of the fans from both Lou Reed and "Metallica" trying to hang on but the fingers are slipping as each track passes through the speakers. If neither had such an impact in the world of music, most may find this CD refreshingly new and challenging. It is the past precedence that will have the listener shaking their head.
The two albums that each feel are the basis for the sound and style are "Metallica" Master of Puppets and Lou Reed's Berlin. Having refreshed my ears with each of these releases I can see the intent. Somewhere in the process of writing or recording it gets lost and the final result leaves the listener questioning "LuLu."
RUSTY
11/8/11