Lulu
by Lou Reed
User Score
2.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 233
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 233
  3. Negative: 173 out of 233

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  1. georgeharrison
    Nov 13, 2021
    0
    All I have to say to this horrible record is, You don't mix battery acid and orange juice, do you?
  2. AlexSans
    Sep 16, 2020
    1
    De todos los álbumes este es el peor sus sonidos y melodías son desastrosos pésimos no tiene nada de bueno que aportar muy muy pésimo no me gusto nada de nada.
  3. RickRock
    Aug 14, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Life is too short to waste listening to this horrible mess.
    Avoid at all costs.    … Expand
  4. sorastrife2890
    Jul 6, 2019
    0
    painful listen .
  5. Jiano74
    Nov 10, 2016
    0
    Oh god what was this I have listened to so much Metallica and yes it is obvious that in recent years there music has been getting worse but this is the peak it surely can't get worse than this. I wanted to turn this off please don't listen to this album if you do you'll instantly regret it.
  6. DevinEYounanian
    Aug 21, 2016
    0
    I am the table. Really? What was this album? Lou Reed was just talking while Metallica played some riffs in the background. Embarrassing. One of the worst albums ever.
  7. Danm95VFF
    Mar 26, 2016
    2
    You know how there are a number of films such as The Room, Birdemic and Troll 2 that are infamous for being "so bad they're good"? Well this piece of work right here is quite possibly the musical equivalent of any of those films. There may not be as much ironic enjoyment to be found here as those films, but there are unintentionally funny moments, particularly in the lyrics, and "I am theYou know how there are a number of films such as The Room, Birdemic and Troll 2 that are infamous for being "so bad they're good"? Well this piece of work right here is quite possibly the musical equivalent of any of those films. There may not be as much ironic enjoyment to be found here as those films, but there are unintentionally funny moments, particularly in the lyrics, and "I am the table!" is as widely quoted in the metal community as "You're tearing me apart, Lisa!" is in the best-worst movie community. That humour is what stops the album from being rated a flat out 1.

    This project would have served better had Metallica not played on or slapped their name on it. Had it simply been a "Lou Reed" album, it would have sounded better musically and would have been enjoyed thoroughly by his fans. Metalica, on the other hand, need to learn when to say "no" if a collaboration is quite obviously not going to work. Maybe they're getting a little too much of the blame though, considering they didn't write the lyrics or compose all the music; they mostly serve as a backing band with some backup vocals here and there from James Hetfield which sound completely out of place with Reed.

    If you're more into Metallica than Lou Reed you will not be able to take this seriously. Maybe save it for a drunken night where you're walking best-worst films and need some suitable background music in between the films.    … Expand
  8. Xevon
    Feb 12, 2016
    2
    Honestly, Lulu is so bad that there really isn't much I can say about it. There is virtually nothing on the album worth listening to, with the very best offering sitting well below St. Anger's worst. The poetry is awful and doesn't fit with the music, nor does Lou Reeds droning voice chatting away above recycled garbage riffs. The high points are, predictably, where Lou Reed shuts his trapHonestly, Lulu is so bad that there really isn't much I can say about it. There is virtually nothing on the album worth listening to, with the very best offering sitting well below St. Anger's worst. The poetry is awful and doesn't fit with the music, nor does Lou Reeds droning voice chatting away above recycled garbage riffs. The high points are, predictably, where Lou Reed shuts his trap for two whole seconds for James Hetfield to shout out something irrevocably stupid like "I AM THE TABLE". If I had to say something positive about Lulu, it would be that the production was an improvement from Death Magnetic. Then again, it'd be very difficult for it not to be given how horrendous the production on Death Magnetic was. There isn't a single positive thing I can say about the song writing here. It's all awful beyond any belief, and there isn't a single song worth listening to here. If I had to pick one song, I'd pick The View, if only because Metallica's parts are slightly more frequent on this song, and all of the inanimate objects James Hetfield insists he is in the latter half of the song. Final verdict? Avoid this album like the god damn plague. Do NOT waste your money on this. Do not even ENCOURAGE this kind of behavior from musicians like Metallica. Dig a grave, bury this album alongside the now very dead Lou Reed (do you think Lulu was so bad it killed him?) and pretend this atrocity never existed in the first place - and maybe, just maybe, Metallica can salvage their reputation on their next non-collaborative effort.… Expand
  9. PAMIMED
    Aug 2, 2015
    0
    i BUYED THIS CD, THINKING IT WAS A VERY GOOD ONE. BUT IT WAS STINKING!!! DO NOT BUY IT. iT IS ONE OF THE WORST CD THAT I'VE HEARD IN MY LIFE. LOU REED SHOULD HAVE TO BE NOT A SINGER, BUT OTHER JOB OUT OF MUSIC.
  10. WXYZ
    Jan 19, 2015
    0
    What happened? Honestly, I thought at first I was listening to an old man talking throughout the whole album instead of actually singing. But actually, I wasn't dreaming. Oh well...
  11. vsl2020
    Nov 7, 2014
    0
    Metlicca is crap now...Lars and Kirk horrible at live..now this album..never again wanna hear their music.

    Terrible lyrics, horrible vocals, flat melodies, uninspired riffs, just about every misfire in the book is present on Lulu. Lars also play teribad here.! RIP Meallica
  12. godwinkent888
    Mar 27, 2014
    1
    This is the first time I have a truly hated album in my entire life. When an album's not that good, there should be at least one song that is good or at least sounds good to my ears. But this... ugh. I love Lou Reed and Metallica. I guess two good things don't mix together and form another good thing.
  13. wheels_of_fire
    Feb 8, 2014
    0
    It's a piece of disaster. I can't even describe how bad, awkward and wrong it is. Lou Reed?!?! Seriously?!?!
    A metal band with Lou Reed?!! How could this possible? It's a real shame after Death Magnetic. Go to hell Metallica. Don't forget; "I am the TABLE."
  14. goobyplz
    Nov 13, 2013
    0
    Probably the largest piece of c-rap ever made. This record is beyond bad. I dont even know what they were thinking when they made this. The equation with Lou Reed and a heavy metal band does not compute.
  15. ZachAlllenz367
    Oct 29, 2012
    0
    This is one of the worst albums of 2011 and that is saying something. I have no idea where Metallica got this idea to do this album with Lou Reed would be a good idea, seriously? They could of been doing the next best Metallica album but instead they did Lulu.....Metallica I'm disappoint
  16. funkydoodycool
    Oct 11, 2012
    0
    I'm afraid I'm going to have to join the long list of people who consider this album absolute crap. I've tried. Many times. But no, I can't get it. Right from the opening track, James Hetfield appears to be taking the piss out of himself.

    Metallica throw their instruments around the room, while Lou Reed talks over it. Utterly boring. If this were the first album that today's    I'm afraid I'm going to have to join the long list of people who consider this album absolute crap. I've tried. Many times. But no, I can't get it. Right from the opening track, James Hetfield appears to be taking the piss out of himself.

    Metallica throw their instruments around the room, while Lou Reed talks over it. Utterly boring.

    If this were the first album that today's youth heard of Metallica's, or indeed of Lou Reed's, they would forever foresake their earlier output, which would be a terrible shame.    … Collapse
  17. ricco94
    Aug 30, 2012
    2
    When The View was released I hoped it was the worst song of the album. It was horrible listening to such a lament (and the lyrics? I am the table? Who the hell wrote that?). But listening to the whole album was also worse. Little Dog is one of the worst songs I have ever listened to. It seems that Lou Reed had stomachache while "singing". Awful. I hope Metallica's 2013 record will beWhen The View was released I hoped it was the worst song of the album. It was horrible listening to such a lament (and the lyrics? I am the table? Who the hell wrote that?). But listening to the whole album was also worse. Little Dog is one of the worst songs I have ever listened to. It seems that Lou Reed had stomachache while "singing". Awful. I hope Metallica's 2013 record will be great, so I will forget this album.… Expand
  18. TJD2
    Jun 11, 2012
    1
    I AM THE TABLE!!!! lol Lou Reed you are the master troll. Metallica ALMOST redeemed themselves with Death Magnetic but now they're back to being the lowly sellouts they were always destined to become -_- RIP Metallica 1981-1992, 2008-2010
  19. Palp
    May 25, 2012
    2
    While I can understand what Metallica and Lou Reed tried to do on this record, their sounds are too different to fit well together. This album sounds like Lou Reed reciting dark, and unappealing poems that he had written, while Metallica can be heard jamming in the background and it ends up sounding like a mess. I gave this album several chances to grow on me but it truly is a waste ofWhile I can understand what Metallica and Lou Reed tried to do on this record, their sounds are too different to fit well together. This album sounds like Lou Reed reciting dark, and unappealing poems that he had written, while Metallica can be heard jamming in the background and it ends up sounding like a mess. I gave this album several chances to grow on me but it truly is a waste of time and a poor collaboration between very accomplished musicians. The only thing keeping this from a 1/10 is "Iced Honey", which is actually more or less listenable.… Expand
  20. EastonReviews
    Apr 20, 2012
    2
    Why Mettalica? One of the greatest bands of all time falls into the greasy hands of the old geaser Lou Reed. He talks, not sings, and you would not be able to tell this was Mettalica. For the die hard fans, my heart goes out to you, haha. But really, everything is garbage, I respect a change from the hard rocking band, but I did expect a change that was higher in quality than this.
  21. MG4390
    Mar 26, 2012
    1
    I remember listening to this album for the first time and literally laughing. I thought it was a joke, I hope it is, because if Lou Reed and Metallica seriously thought this was a good album then they BOTH need to hang it up. Terrible lyrics, horrible vocals, flat melodies, uninspired riffs, just about every misfire in the book is present on Lulu. I am giving it a 1 because, as II remember listening to this album for the first time and literally laughing. I thought it was a joke, I hope it is, because if Lou Reed and Metallica seriously thought this was a good album then they BOTH need to hang it up. Terrible lyrics, horrible vocals, flat melodies, uninspired riffs, just about every misfire in the book is present on Lulu. I am giving it a 1 because, as I mentioned, it made me laugh, and that has to count for something.… Expand
  22. MegWhiteley
    Mar 8, 2012
    3
    A bigger disaster, this album, Lulu is horrible, I don't like the music of Metallica, but I believe that is a great band, but my problem is that I like the music of Lou Reed, but this CD is terrible.
  23. DeSelle
    Jan 3, 2012
    0
    This is the worst album of 2011. Metallica seems to be playing a uninspired jam session with Lou Reed mumbling bad poetry to another tune. Both made a great contribution to music and maybe we should just forget that this ever happened.
  24. hit925
    Dec 30, 2011
    0
    NO METALLICA NO NO NO YOU WERE THE BEST METAL BAND IN THE WORLD AND YOU WENT AND RELEASED PURE GARBAGE LIKE THIS! LOU REED DOESN'T EVEN SINGS HE TALKS AND COMPLAINS LIKE AN OLD MAN!
  25. greendayrock92
    Dec 18, 2011
    0
    Once I heard the first line from the first song, which was "I would cut my legs and **** off", I immediately turned it off! Worst collaboration in the history of rock! Rob Zombie and Lionel Richie can breathe a sigh of relief! Like come on, "I'm Am the Table" What the hell does that mean??? And no I would not like "Iced Honey" its disgusting!!!
  26. OvermindD
    Dec 18, 2011
    1
    Unintentionally kitsch, laughably awful, and more than just a little misguided; I'm honestly in shock that album was allowed to exist. In a normal review I might detail each track one by one, but in this case that is very unnecessary. Simply put, Lulu is Lou Reed reading pretentious poetry over some of the most forgettable music Metallica has crafted. Attempting something new should beUnintentionally kitsch, laughably awful, and more than just a little misguided; I'm honestly in shock that album was allowed to exist. In a normal review I might detail each track one by one, but in this case that is very unnecessary. Simply put, Lulu is Lou Reed reading pretentious poetry over some of the most forgettable music Metallica has crafted. Attempting something new should be applauded, however, I hope all parties involved are embarrassed with this effort and never produce anything like it again.… Expand
  27. UnholyThrasher
    Dec 10, 2011
    0
    Lou Reed SUCKS!!! You think i'll buy it?? Hell NO! I would just download it and hear em all and delete it eventually! It sucks!! F#CK THAT! I know its a collaboration album.. Well it sucks! and TH1RT3EN was like 10 times better! And i Just hope their new album like they promised will be better and also better than Death Magnetic.. Possible similiarly to their 80s album! I JUST HOPE!!! AndLou Reed SUCKS!!! You think i'll buy it?? Hell NO! I would just download it and hear em all and delete it eventually! It sucks!! F#CK THAT! I know its a collaboration album.. Well it sucks! and TH1RT3EN was like 10 times better! And i Just hope their new album like they promised will be better and also better than Death Magnetic.. Possible similiarly to their 80s album! I JUST HOPE!!! And their fans will keep in touch with Metallica back like before back in the 80s! The "THRASHING" stops right after The Black Album! Load was Nonsence! ReLoad was ReNonsence! St. Anger... hmm.. The most worst album ever heard by the Heavy Metal Legends! As for Death Magnetic.. I Like it! Cause it kinda bring back their rocking! But could be better! What bothers me the most is that James voice is dead.. :( But well He's old now.. But if you look at Bruce Dickinson.. He's voice just stays the same! Well why can't James?!?!?! I just hope! I JUST HOPE! that their next album would bring back to the 80s! I really want that alot! Come on! We also wants this guy back....... JASON NEWSTED!!!! What i'm trying to say is that we all WANT THE OLD METALLICA FOR GOD SAKE!! Like the time when they were in Moscow (1991)!! That really blows me away! 100 over 100!!! I still love Metallica!! That is because they mae songs that reminds me of the memories you know! m/ Metallica m/ LULU'S CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  28. Jyotirmayak
    Dec 5, 2011
    2
    I dont know what to say of this album. Lou Reed and Metallica, separately, are both awesome. But this album left me confused. The music is without doubt very good. But the singing part (or the speaking part actually) is what i dont get. It confuses me.. Creeps Me out. I tried to expand my taste in music and hear this album but its not what i want!
  29. Fordy666
    Nov 30, 2011
    2
    Lulu has two alright songs on it, the songs that are alright are "Iced Honey" and "Cheat on Me" the rest of the album is just **** The lyrics for the album are just rubbish, such as, in the song "Frustration" Lou says some like "Kiss your breast and toes" what **** idiot would say that? The man is a wanker and Metallica are dick heads for working with him! What ever you do, don't wasteLulu has two alright songs on it, the songs that are alright are "Iced Honey" and "Cheat on Me" the rest of the album is just **** The lyrics for the album are just rubbish, such as, in the song "Frustration" Lou says some like "Kiss your breast and toes" what **** idiot would say that? The man is a wanker and Metallica are dick heads for working with him! What ever you do, don't waste your money on this bull****, buy something better. But i do recommend listening to the album on youtube for a laugh.… Expand
  30. joen00b
    Nov 28, 2011
    0
    This is an absolute joke of an album. It sounds like an old man reciting bad poetry over his grandson's garage band. I could go off on a lot of rants regarding Metallica releases in the last 2 decades, but I will stick to this album alone: It is trash. Artistically, it offers nothing to the listener. Musically it is a grungy mess of off beat noise. There is really no reason to buyThis is an absolute joke of an album. It sounds like an old man reciting bad poetry over his grandson's garage band. I could go off on a lot of rants regarding Metallica releases in the last 2 decades, but I will stick to this album alone: It is trash. Artistically, it offers nothing to the listener. Musically it is a grungy mess of off beat noise. There is really no reason to buy this album, or even steal it, to be quite honest. There is no reason to add this album to your collection, not for Lou Reed, not for Metallica, not as a joke.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2011
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 13 out of 31
  1. Mojo
    Jan 10, 2012
    80
    The shock in this collaboration is that it sounds savagely natural. [Dec. 2011, p.93]
  2. Q Magazine
    Dec 13, 2011
    40
    Occasionally it's so insane that you can't help but be swept along with it. Mostly, however, it's so over the top the more likely reaction is to run it off and make sure you don't hear it again in a hurry. [Dec. 2011 p. 122]
  3. The Wire
    Dec 8, 2011
    80
    Metallica's unrelenting sledgehammer style works as the perfect complement to Reed's vision of compassionless love, with monolithic chords deployed with almost surgical precision wile he dissects relationships w of masochism and power. [Dec 2011, p.63]
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