Album: The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground & Nico 45th Anniversary Edition (Universal)

Universally acclaimed as the most influential debut album ever, The Velvet Underground & Nico spawned not just imitators but entire genres of music. Its mix of candy pop, modal drones and chugging rock riffs presaged virtually all of punk and indie, while its leaning to the Dark Side of sex and drugs cast a long shadow over subsequent Goth and metal developments. This deluxe 6CD edition features both mono and stereo mixes of the original album, copious tranches of rehearsals, alternative takes and concert material – including the lengthy, meandering trudge-jams "Melody Laughter" and "The Nothing Song" – plus Nico's Chelsea Girl album.

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