Lou Reed - Hudson River Wind Meditations (2 LP)
Hudson River Wind MeditationsCheapest atlunchboxrecords.com
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In this album, Lou returns to his passion for drone and La Monte Young's influence. Many self-acclaimed Lou Reed enthusiasts might not know this work, but I believe it serves as a perfect companion piece to "Metal Machine Music," two records Lou crafted purely for his own satisfaction. You might categorize this as new age music, suitable for meditation, but it's equally fantastic for unwinding, reading, studying, or simply contemplating in silence. I genuinely relished it as a standalone ambient album. There's so much to appreciate here, and if you're a fan of experimental soundscapes, drone, and artists like Eno, La Monte Young, Tony Conrad, Steve Reich, Earth, and Reed's more provocative albums, you'll absolutely adore this record.
This album has faced quite a bit of backlash, both as a Lou Reed project and as a new age piece. Many folks seemed puzzled about what to anticipate from a 'new age' album crafted for meditation, not grasping that it's intentionally made for that purpose. It wasn't meant to be the next MMM (though they both share a similar function if you let them). As both a Lou Reed album and a new age piece, I'd say it's right on the mark. Initially, when I listened to the first two tracks, I was a tad let down that the instrumentation (which is mostly just rhythmic electronics) didn't expand more, but I quickly understood and appreciated its intent. Before long, I was playing this album while reading, writing, painting, trying to drift off to sleep, letting the sounds blend into the background of whatever I was doing, and it genuinely aids my focus. Then, to cap it off, Lou tosses in two extra, much shorter tracks that are less meditative and lean more towards the noisy ambience most people likely expected. These two tracks are just as enjoyable and wrap up the album nicely. Speaking of MMM, one day I thought to conduct an experiment with Lou's two 'noise' albums, but playing them both at once through separate channels. I played this album on the right channel via my DVD player, and MMM on the left through my playstation 2, and was instantly struck by the harmony they create.
This pressing is quite loud, and the noise is more noticeable than usual due to the music's droning, constrained nature. With my MC cartridges, there's excessive modulation in the initial section of side A. It's not great. I'm underwhelmed. The 2007 CD outperforms this in every aspect.
Let me share some thoughts on pressing: absolutely breathtaking! The sound is crisp, just as expected from a regular surface, but honestly, the overall experience is nearly as good as a CD. Truly!!! I mention all this because it's a thoughtful piece that requires peace and quiet to fully appreciate.
Great, peaceful, spotless, flat vinyl. I'm not usually into ambient music like this on vinyl. I'd rather have vinyl that really makes my speakers work. It would've been nice to have a download code, as this is something I could enjoy at night with my headphones without having to interrupt my trance to flip the records. I adore Lou and am a completist, so no regrets here. The bonus extras are a lovely addition.
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2026 | $37.99 | β¬41.23 |
| Feb 27, 2026 | $37.99 | β¬41.23 |
| Mar 7, 2026 | $37.99 | β¬41.23 |