12) Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground

This is the one band that I have absolutely no real idea about. I know that they're on The List quite a lot and they were managed by Andy Warhol. I love the song "Femme Fatale", which features Nico on vocals, details a woman and how "You're written in your book, You're number 37, have a look". It's every guy's experience of the girl that's "been around", but they didn't know it. The whole album is really seemingly experimental as evident in the almost psychadelic "Venus in Furs", which is followed by the immensely bluesy "Run Run Run". It took me a while to really figure out why this album was ranked number 12 on The List above such greats as Nirvana and Bruce Springsteen. That's when I realized it, the somewhat sideways harmonies, the feedback, the seemingly "wrong" solos and notes, The Velvet Underground were the first Indie Rockers. They didn't fit in any genre so they created the genre that defines culture today. This is when the whole album finally makes sense, they don't care what kind of music they want to make they just do whatever they want. After you finally realize this the rest of the album just becomes absolutely amazing.

Favorite Songs:

"Run Run Run"

"Heroin"

"Sunday Morning"

This is a project I have wanted to start for some time now.

My Dad showed my this list of the 500 Greatest Albums by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Ever since I've tried to attempt to listen to all of the albums with rules and everything and it's amounted to me listening to about 50 of them.

I created this blog almost as an incentive to accomplish this huge task and it's a good way of documenting it.

The real meaningful reason for doing this is to really understand the roots of music. Why is Bob Dylan considered so influential. How did The Beatles change music? Who in the world is The Velvet Underground? I really want to explore the history and stories that these people and bands created. It's to open one's mind to all different kinds of music and how complex or simple it can be. And also, it's simply about listening to the greatest music ever created.

I have created some rules that I have to follow in order to really make this project meaningful.

1) You must listen to EVERY ALBUM!!! Even if you've heard it before, you have to listen to it again with the mindset of the project. This can make it more meaningful and thoughtful.

2) You must be doing something that allows you to focus on the music, so homework, television, video games, and things like that are out. Exercising, chores, and driving do count.

3) You are allowed to stop listening to an album but you must resume listening to it with in 2 days. These are the greatest Albums so they must be listened to in their entirety.

4)The List does not need to be completed in a specific order some of the music needs to be purchased which means it can't be obtained immediately.

Side Note- I will be using the music service Rhapsody which allows for a unlimited access

to songs for a subscription fee of $14.99. Other music I will buy or possibly borrow and return from friends.

Whenever I listen to an album I'll discuss some of the article that accompanied The List, my personal opinion and thoughts, and maybe it's social relevance then and now.

I really hope you enjoy my thoughts on these wonderful works of art and that it opens your mind to music you thought you'd never listen to. I will try and update this blog as often as possible with my latest "reviews" as all call them. Thank You for Reading!