•
Rating:
THE REVIEW
We are in the early eighties and Lou Reed, one of the greatest rock 'n' roll poets, releases this splendid yet unusual album "The Blue Mask". Yes, unusual because it does not present the sinister, decadent, and belligerent characters of previous albums, such as "Rock 'n' Roll Animal", "Metal Machine Music" or "Berlin", his great masterpiece of '73.
"The Blue Mask" is something different, composed by a matured Lou Reed, married and now in his forties. But this does not mean that he has calmed down: this album is dominated by a fragile serenity, behind which violence, insecurity, and fear are hidden, as can be noted in certain tracks like "The Gun" or the stormy "Waves Of Fear" and "The Blue Mask". However, tender songs are not lacking: "My House", dedicated to a teacher of his who passed away a few years ago, or the very sweet "Heavenly Arms", probably dedicated to his wife. This record sees the collaboration of excellent musicians (including Robert Quine, the former guitarist of Richard Hell’s Voidoid) who manage to create a clear and defined sound that blends with Reed's gentle and relentless voice.
Despite the fact that in "The Blue Mask" this is a very changed Lou Reed, with a much more balanced lifestyle, the strength of his poetry not only is still there, but has not diminished one bit and continues to offer strong emotions.
Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
Lou Reed's 1980 album The Blue Mask marks a mature phase in his career, showcasing a blend of fragile serenity and underlying tension. Unlike his earlier work, this album reflects his balanced lifestyle yet retains his poetic intensity. Featuring talented musicians like Robert Quine, it delivers a clear sound that complements Reed's distinct voice. The album contains both tender tracks and darker songs, making it a richly emotional experience.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Lou Reed
Lou Reed (born Lewis Allan Reed, March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and founding member of the Velvet Underground. He had a long solo career noted for albums such as Transformer, Berlin and New York and for experimental works including Metal Machine Music.71 Reviews
Other reviews
By TheBlueMask
"The Gun is imbued with a sense of anguish and tension: 'The man has a gun/ he knows how to use it...'."
"The album closes with the poignant 'The Day John Kennedy Died' and 'Heavenly Arms', dedicated to his wife, testifying how far away the '70s are."
