Retro Record: Lou Reed, Transformer, 1972

The former Velvet Underground frontman, Lou Reed, became involved in one of the most experimental and innovative cultural circles, where the likes of Bowie and Warhol helped inspire and develop his ideas. It begins Reed’s alternation between comical songs and far more serious tracks like ‘Perfect Day’. A risky but paramount inclusion, ‘Walk On The Wild Side’, is lyrically one of Reed’s best: “Shaved her legs and then he was a she” evokes the cultural changes Reed and co. were leading. Singing about sex and drugs was not particularly taboo anymore, but culture hadn’t caught up to the idea of trans-sexuality. Singing about “coming out of our closets, onto the streets” was a shock to popular culture, but the risks Reed took have helped to lift restrictions on music.
Reed’s solo work is at its best here, the album has some of the best songs he’s ever written. As a collaborative effort, Bowie and Ronson are obvious influences on the album. Yet even more so is New York, Reed’s innumerable mentions of the city and its residents give the album a very real feeling. Transformer is a tour of NYC from its cultural leaders.
40 years old next month, Reed’s solo masterpiece is the serious side to glam rock, taking inspiration from some of the most innovative people of the last century. It is aside from everything else, still a great listen.