Anyone else out there agree that New York was Lou Reed’s best solo album? Not entirely sure how bold of a claim that is, as that record has always been considered one of his best, but because the sound, style, and era is so far removed from his more infamously decadent glam years, it can occasionally get lost in the shuffle. But whatever the case, New York is a bona-fide classic, an album that finds Lou really locked in, producing a tight and compelling collection of songs that have a markedly catchy, somewhat bluesy/soulful flavor in tone and style.
Indeed, Lou may have been a little older here, but he was also much wiser and clear-headed, as evidenced by the notably more topical nature of the songs, which helps give the album a little more added weight overall. It’s the same street-wise Lou as always, just a more mature/focused version, and the results were outstanding, as evidenced by this cool AF performance of “Busload of Faith” (a timely song these days) live on Letterman from 1989. R.I.P. Lou (and that mullet):
