"The Raven" offers an eclectic mix of rock, electronic music and spoken poetry, laying tribute to legendary American writer Edgar Allan Poe.
On his latest release, several big-name guest performers accompany vocalist Lou Reed. David Bowie provides the vocals on a track named "Hop Frog," and in a demonstration of Reed's wide cultural interests, the guests range from Willem Dafoe and Steve Buscemi to "The Blind Boys of Alabama" on the bluesy southern gospel, "I Wanna Know."
Dafoe recites Poe's poem "The Raven," accompanied by an eerie orchestration that justifies the mood of this Poe classic.
Buscemi provides the vocals for the lounge-style "Broadway Song." His voice is accompanied by an elaborate string and horn arrangement.
Guest appearances and extensive composition aside, this album will most likely find only Reed's most dedicated fans singing its praises. It would be difficult to recommend it to someone that enjoys The Velvet Underground and has not paid attention to Reed's progression throughout his 20-year-plus solo career.
Despite this, the creative variety that exists on the album is impressive. The tracks are arranged in a roller coaster of rocking melodies, melancholic, teary songs and the spoken poetry selections of Dafoe and Elizabeth Ashley.
There is also a remake of Reed's own classic, "Perfect Day." The voice on the song is another guest on the album, Antony. This international artist and member of Antony and the Johnsons puts his creepy, high vibrato to good use in performing this well-known Reed anthem.
The main single on the album is "Who Am I?," and it shines light on Reed's own life and experiences.
Overall, the album is not listener friendly. With each passing year and CD release, Reed's voice slips a little more. Including a track that boasts Poe's name and a rewriting of "The Raven," the listener must wonder if Poe himself would have approved of Reed's ode.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
