h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How about Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music"? I remember somebody saying that if you like guitars with feedback, you might try this - except there are no guitars. Just feedback. For FOUR album sides, all exactly the same length.

Apparently it was a "statement" about what Lou owed under his contract. As one reviewer put it: " ... like a soldier who dives belly-first onto a grenade to save a few buddies, Lou took the risk of career suicide to stifle the enemy - Big Record Industry."

Lester Bangs, in his essay "The Greatest Album Ever Made", pays tribute to MMM: "... any record that sends listeners fleeing the room screaming for surcease of aural flagellation or, alternately, getting physical and distrubing your medications to the point of BREAKING the damn thing, can hardly be accused, at least in results if not in original creative man-hours, of lacking emotional content."

I can't say that I've ever listened to that album. Maybe I should be thankful.

But I do think it would make an interesting subject for a Guide entry, if you want to make a stab at it.


Geggs

There is nothing I could add to Lester Bangs' take on this ... umm, work. Lester and Lou got into great fights, and they deserved each other. This is not critical, they are both great talents, just ... I dunno, an acquired taste, I guess ...

i am energised to hear about shatner turning a musician

I once saw a piece on TV where Shatner did one of the tracks from this album - I think it was 'It Was a Very Good Year'. I don't know whether it was deeply sad or hilariously funny, probably a strange mixture of the two. I can't remember what programme the clip was shown on, but showing the clip was definitely taking the p1ss out of Shatner and suggesting he sticks to what he does 'best'.

Yes, I think I've seen that clip as well.

It is a truly moving experience.


Geggs