MOG Editorial Review

Lou Reed and company considered Loaded to be their attempt at a radio-friendly crossover, and it's a testament to the band's greatness that it transcends such a cynical ploy. Already cutting ways with Warhol, Nico, and John Cale, the album found Lou Reed and Doug Yule achieving a slice of rock 'n' roll perfect from the opening notes of "Who Loves the Sun." Throughout, the band casts its weirdness aside and tightens their songwriting, with songs like "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll" serving as perfect counter-culture anthems as a nation put the '60s behind them. Aside from a few stranger tracks like "Lonesome Cowboy Bill," Loaded is an album that even the least adventurous rock fans should own, a sentiment they'll agree with once they finish listening to divine closer "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'."