Special 45th anniversary edition with bonus cuts! Along with the original album you get a whole LP of alternate takes and unreleased recordings. It's all pressed on 180 gram vinyl with a slight twist to the cover art. To top it off both Lou Reed and John Cale had a hand in the development of this 45th Anniversary edition. Here's what we had to say when we first copped this: "Sister Ray." End of review. Okay, I'm being told I have to write more here, but seriously - how can you pass up the Velvets' classic second album in a noice repro sleeve, on fresh white vinyl?? I know I can't. The aforementioned "Ray" is probably the definitive statement in the VU catalog, a 17+ minute paean to scag, transvestites and death in late 60s NYC that closes out the record in spectacular fashion. There's also the punchy, punky title track, the woozy and actually pretty hilarious "Lady Godiva's Operation," "I Heard Her Call My Name" and the Cale spoken word piece "The Gift." But seriously - "Sister Ray."

• music label: Universal Music 2013

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 12/2013