The Velvet Underground

VU, 1985's airing of previously suppressed Velvet Underground material, was such a strong seller than this follow-up set was released the following year. Obviously, the strongest material was placed on the previous set, making Another View not quite as essential. That said, "Coney Island Steeplechase" is another VU song that sounds like modern indie rock and the rougher version of "Rock and Roll" is a blast.

One objective part of me knows that these barrel scrapings are for fanatics and archivists. But another objective part of me knows that the barrel scrapings of a seminal, protean, conceptually accomplished band are their own reward. From the raw power of the instrumental "Guess I'm Falling in Love" to the dry lyricism of the instrumental "I'm Gonna Move Right In," from the tight studio "We're Gonna Have a Real Good Time Together" to the intense early "Rock and Roll," you don't have to know jacksh*t about the band to enjoy the music--on the contrary, you have to put aside your preconceptions. Because nobody experimented more successfully than these folks. (Grade - A-)