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THE REVIEW
In the early '80s, Lou Reed managed to overcome his drug addiction, which had nearly cost him his life, and his alcohol dependence, marking a new phase in his life. Having left behind the excesses of the '70s and happily married to Sylvia, even his musical production reflects the change: the lyrics become more intimate and personal, Lou returns to playing the electric guitar and is supported by Robert Quine (guitar), Fernando Saunders (bass), and Doanne Perry (drums), a trio that perfectly combines power and precision. The pinnacle of this period is reached precisely with "The Blue Mask", a landmark in Reed's career.
The album consists of ten tracks, all of decent quality and with no significant dips in tension during the listening. "My House", which opens the album, is dedicated to Delmore Schwartz, a poet and a point of reference for Lou Reed. The following track, "Women", is perhaps the most easy-going song on the album and is followed by the lively "Underneath The Bottle", where the theme of alcoholism resurfaces. "The Gun" is imbued with a sense of anguish and tension: "The man has a gun/ he knows how to use it/......He'll point it at your mouth/ says that he'll blow your brains out"
. It's a sort of musical thriller! The powerful title track gathers all the adrenaline accumulated with the previous piece and releases it with blasting electric guitars and a frenzied drum. "Heroine" slows the rhythm again and paves the way for the wild "Waves Of Fears", where Reed expresses paranoia in the language of rock. The album closes with the poignant "The Day John Kennedy Died" and "Heavenly Arms", dedicated to his wife, which once and for all testifies to how far away the '70s are.
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Summary by Bot
The Blue Mask captures Lou Reed's triumphant return after overcoming addiction, showcasing intimate and personal lyrics. Supported by a skilled trio, the album balances power and precision. Its ten tracks maintain strong tension and emotion throughout. Standouts like 'My House' and 'The Gun' illustrate Reed's vivid storytelling. The album closes poignantly with tributes reflecting his changed life.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 purple
"The Blue Mask is dominated by a fragile serenity, behind which violence, insecurity, and fear are hidden."
"The strength of his poetry not only is still there, but has not diminished one bit and continues to offer strong emotions."
