"Loutallica" Metallica & Lou Reed - "Lulu" Review

Over the year, many odd musical developments have occurred but the announcement of Lou Reed and Metallica joining forces to work on an album together was possibly the most shocking event of 2011. From the inception, metal music lovers all around the globe have voiced their opinion on the collaboration between the two and the date is finally here where “Lulu” the bizarre offspring of Lou Reed and Metallica has been released.

The idea for the pair to work together began in 2009, when both Lou Reed and Metallica preformed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary Concert. Once they agreed to collaborate, the plan was for Metallica to simply re-record some unreleased Lou Reed tracks, but eventually evolved after Metallica provided significant contributions to the musical arrangements. It was at this time, Lou Reed felt Metallica would be able to bring his demos of a German expressionist play written by Frank Wedekind, titled “Lulu” to the next level and give it the extra heaviness it required. At this moment, the conception of “Lulu” was born.

The lyrics on “Lulu” were entirely written by Lou Reed and tell his interpretations of the play based on the same name, about a beautiful yet immoral prostitute. Written in the same poetic style that fans of Reed expect, lyrically “Lulu” is a rewarding yet sometimes difficult experience.

Now before I go any further with this review, I need to make one point absolutely clear that this is not a heavy metal album and can not be judged from a heavy metal stand point. The musical composition is decent at best and if you go into “Lulu” expecting a record like “Master of Puppets” you will be gravely disappointed. Metallica is pushing and experimenting with their musical abilities but this is not how Metallica should sound as most of the album sounds like uninspired demo recordings. Yet despite the countless great riffs Metallica have created over the years, none of them seem to be featured on “Lulu." Kirk Hammett, one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists of all time is no where to be found and Lars Ulrich's drumming is pretty lousy and all over the place. If you give "Lulu" a listen, you need to approach it with an open mind since the music is very abstract. In fact, for the majority of the record, Metallica feels out of place and out of their comfort zone, but still is this is not the worst part of the album.

Even though I had extremely low expectations for this album, I realized as it progressed that my main complaint with “Lulu” was the vocals. Without a doubt, Lou Reed is an acquired taste but his voice does not compliment the music at all and lacks the energy to bless the record and help deliver what the songs need. Reed's voice rarely alters from the same monotonous speaking tone and every time he enters into the song it is out of key and horrendous. All this does, is make the hour and a half long record uncomfortable to listen to especially when Metallica play loud and heavy. Also, fans of James Hetfield's singing style will be let down since the Metallica front man's voice is barely featured on any songs and when it is it is in a supporting and backing role.

Listeners of “Lulu” will either love or hate this record and I doubt many people will find a middle ground. Lovers of “Lulu” will claim it is a dark scary trip of a record and a unique crazy journey into a very mad world. Haters will declare it the biggest musical monstrosity of all time and every comedic expectation they thought they had will be brought to fruition and then some, case in point “I am the table!”. Obviously, I fall into the latter category as “Lulu” is mostly a forgettable and rubbish album for me.

Still, I would recommend giving “Lulu” a listen since it is very possible you will enjoy the record especially if you're into new interpretations of German expressionist drama (?). Just as a long time Metallica and heavy metal fan, I never went back and listened to “Ride The Lightning” or “Master of Puppets” and thought, “Hey, you know what, this could use some Lou Reed!” No matter the amount of people that say "Lulu" is clever and challenging is going to disguise the fact that"Lulu" is cringeworthy dog shit.

Unfortunately, all “Lulu” does for me is prove that two great treats while good separately does not automatically ensue they will taste great together. To conclude,"Lulu" is an unguided, tedious, and dull debacle which fails to reach its lofty aims and continues to show the decline of metal's biggest band.


Ranked on the Beavis and Butt-Head Scale:
1.5 Beavis' out of 5 Butt-Head's

Songs I Recommend:
The View (“I Am The Table!”), Pumping Blood, Dragon

Tracklist:
1. Brandenburg Gate
2. The View
3. Pumping Blood
4. Mistress Dead
5. Iced Honey
6. Cheat On Me
7. Frustration
8. Little Dog
9. Dragon
10. Junior Dad