Loaded - The Velvet Underground

This does include the original Loaded album, with full-length versions of "Sweet Jane," "Rock & Roll," and "New Age" replacing the earlier edited ones. But that's less than half of the package; the rest of the two-disc, 33-track set is comprised of alternate mixes, alternate takes, and demos of the ten Loaded songs, as well as some songs that the group recorded during the Loaded era that didn't make it onto that LP. Some of this rare extraneous material surfaced on the Peel Slowly and See box, but a good half of this (17 tracks) was previously unreleased anywhere. Basically, it presents an entirely alternate version of the album, plus more where that came from. Those who aren't serious fans may well want to stick with the regular album release; many of the alternate takes/mixes are only subtly different. There are some real goodies here, though: a Dylan-ish demo of "I Found a Reason," a clumsy early version of "Sweet Jane," a previously unavailable outtake of "I'm Sticking with You," a more basic demo version of "Rock & Roll," a previously unissued spooky take of "Ocean," and "Love Makes You Feel Ten Feet Tall," the one song on this set that has been previously unreleased by the Velvets in any way, shape, or form (although Lou Reed would do it on his first album as "Love Makes You Feel"). With a lengthy essay by David Fricke, it's fascinating history, and pretty good listening on its own terms. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide