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Rating: 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.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 The Gun (03:41)
The man has a gun
he knows how to use it
Nine millimeter Browning
let's see what he can do
He'll point at your mouth
say that he'll blow your brains out
Don't you mess with me
carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
carrying a gun
Don't you mess with me
carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
carrying a gun
Don't mess with me
ooohhh, carrying a gun
Get over there
move slowly
I'll put a hole in your face
if you even breathe a word
Tell the lady to lie down
I want, ah, you to be sure to see this
I wouldn't want you to miss a second
watch your wife
Carrying a gun
shooting with a gun
Dirty animal
Carrying a gun
carrying a gun
Watch you face
carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
carrying a gun
The animal dies with fear in his eyes
with a gun
Don't touch him, don't touch him
stay away from him, he's got a gun
06 Average Guy (03:12)
I ain't no Christian or no born again saint
I ain't no cowboy or Marxist D.A.
I ain't no criminal or Reverend Cripple from the right
I am just your average guy, trying to do what's right
I'm just your average guy
an average guy
I am just your average guy
I'm just an average guy
Average guy, I'm just your average guy
I'm average looking and I'm average inside
I'm an average lover and I live in an average place
you wouldn't know me if you met me face to face
I'm just your average guy
average guy
Average guy
I'm just an average guy
I worry about money and taxes and such
I worry that my liver's big and it hurts to the touch
I worry about my health and bowels
and the crime waves in the street
I'm really just your average guy
trying to stand on his own two feet
I'm just your average guy
I'm just your average guy
I'm just your average guy
average guy
Average looks, average taste
average height, an average waist
Average in everything I do
my temperature is 98.2
I'm just your average guy
an average guy
Average guy
I'm just an average guy
Average guy
I'm just your average guy
I'm just your average guy
I'm just your average guy
Average
08 Waves of Fear (04:11)
Waves of fear, attack in the night
waves if revulsion, sickening sights
My heart's nearly bursting, my chest's choking tight
Waves of fear, waves of fear
Waves of fear, squat on the floor
looking for some pill, the liquor is gone
Blood trips from my nose, I can barely breathe
waves of fear, I'm too scared to leave
Waves of fear, waves of fear
waves of fear, waves of fear
I'm too afraid to use the phone
I'm too afraid to put the light on
I'm so afraid I've lost control
I'm suffocating without a word
Crazy with sweat, spittle on my jaw
what's that funny noise, what's that on the floor
Waves of fear, pulsing with death
I curse my tremors, I jump at my own step
I cringe at my terror, I hate my own smell
I know where I must be, I must be in hell
Waves of fear, waves of fear
waves of fear, waves of fear
10 Heavenly Arms (04:47)
Heavenly arms reach out to hold me
Heavenly arms entice you to dance
In a world of ill will, the dancers are still
Heavenly arms reach out to me
Heavenly arms soft as a love song
Heavenly arms bring a kiss to your ear
In a world that seems mad, all the dancers seem sad
Heavenly arms reach out to me
Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia
Heavenly arms come to my rescue
Only a woman can love a man
In a world full of hate, love should never wait
Heavenly arms reach out to me
Heavenly arms strong as a sunset
Heavenly arms pure as the rain
Lovers stand warned of the world's impending storm
Heavenly arms reach out to me
Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia
Ohhh-wohhh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Ooohhh-ooohhh-ooohhh-ooohhh-ooohhh, oh-woh-woh
Ooohhh-ooohhh-ooohhh-ooohhh, ohh-woh-woh
(Heavenly arms reach out to hold me)
(Sylvia, you mean so much to me)
(Heavenly arms reach out to hold me)
(Sylvia, you mean so much to me)
(Heavenly arms reach out to hold me)
(Sylvia, you mean so much to me)
(Heavenly arms reach out to hold me)
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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."
