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CD Review-Lou Reed's Ecstasy

Lou Reed

Ecstasy

(Reprise)

Four Stars

Rock 'n' roll revolutionary and legend Lou Reed's first studio effort in four years, Ecstasy, is a beautiful, brutally honest and disturbing self-examination revolving around strained relationships, the loss of sexual innocence, the distressed streets of New York and a slew of other topics.

The Greek root for ecstasy means "standing outside yourself," and Reed captures this notion perfectly, becoming the storyteller, the poet, examining and relaying his observations and inner thoughts to all who are willing to listen.

Like other epic albums of Reed's past (New York, The Blue Mask) Ecstasy provides a lyrical powerhouse that evokes great emotion and a landscape of imagery.

Much of the imagery expressed on the twelve-song record revolves around violence and distress, shame and pain, and the corresponding music meshes perfectly with these themes throughout.

One of the more violent and sexually fierce songs on the album, "Rock Minuet" follows the trials and tribulations of an abused and confused young man, searching the streets of New York for salvation and redemption.

Reed sings in a slow, gruff lull, "Paralyzed by hatred and a piss-ugly soul/If he murdered his father he thought he'd become whole/While listening at night to an old radio/Where they danced to the rock minuet."

On the eighteen-minute opus "Like A Possum," Reed follows more of the despair found on American streets. "Smoking crack with a downtown flirt/Shooting and coming baby 'til it hurts/... Calm as an angel."

Ecstasy is a dark, hollowing listening experience, but taps into and confronts the human soul and mind like only Lou Reed can.