There is no happier day in my life than the day a new Metallica album drops.
I’ve been a Metallica fan since I was 9 years old and first had my skull crushed by “One.” They have been there through the ups and downs, and I’ve been there for their ups and downs too. In fact, I’d say that the only artist second to them in my eyes would be Johnny Cash.
Released this week, “Lulu” is “inspired by German expressionist writer Frank Wedekind’s plays Earth Spirit and Pandora’s Box, which tell the story of a young abused dancer’s life and relationships, and are now collectively known as the Lulu plays. Since their publication in the early 1900s, the plays have been the inspiration for a silent film (Pandora’s Box, 1929), an opera, and countless other creative endeavors.”
I’ve listened to the whole 2-disc album (including the near 20-minute closing track) and I can say that it is two great albums. Unfortunately, they are sandwiched on top of each other. “Lulu” is an interesting, dynamic and downright creepy art piece, and I call it that because that’s what it is: It’s a real artistic statement, in the vein of much of Lou Reed’s career.
And people are going to hate it.
This is not an album that you will put on just to check out a track or two. You will not have a favourite song on this record. There will be no singles or videos. This is an in-depth piece that is closer to an opera than rock or metal record. It needs to be heard fully and dug into to be enjoyed. Bold? Yes. Innovative? Yes. Sprawling and Epic? Yes and yes.
But is it Good…? Therein lies the rub…
I will say this: These guys definitely got to make exactly the record they wanted, and it’s a very interesting record when taken in the context of it’s creation. Two huge musical giants meeting and telling a very creepy and emotional story. In terms of how most people view and take in music these days, it’s bizzarre, disjointed and hard to listen to. It’s a departure from the tight, fast-paced technical songs we know from Metallica, and Lou Reed’s contributions while artistic and interesting, most times are just downright distracting and out of place. Like I said at the beginning, this is two great albums, one by Lou Reed and one by Metallica, but they don’t always work together.
Is “Lulu” something that will be blasted out of my car speakers along with Master of Puppets? No. But sometimes that’s OK too, and make no mistake I support artists making the music they want to make. In fact I think it’s bold for both of these artists to put out a record like this when they could easily have made something more “commercial” or radio-friendly.
One thing about both Lou Reed and Metallica is that they love to do what they feel and push the envelope artistically. That said, sometimes it gets pushed too far. I’m sure “Lulu” will find it’s place amongst my other Metallica albums, and over time will find the same in terms of their over all career. For now though, it’s appropriate Halloween music.
