The Raven
by Lou Reed
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 5 out of 23
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    Of course it's pretentious, but the blend of reading-group rock, goth showtunes and gold standard hamming from Willem Dafoe and Steve Buscemi is surprisingly compelling after a while.
  2. Rolling Stone
    60
    Reed has once again stretched the boundaries of popular music and, in doing so, has honored Edgar Allan Poe's illustrious legacy, along with his own.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    Inevitably, it's a bit of a mess.... But if you like Poe, or Reed, and can tolerate the incoherence, there's fun to be had. [Feb 2003, p.105]
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  5. Dot Music
    60
    Probably makes more sense in a theatre than on your CD player.
  6. Billboard
    60
    Often falters distressingly.
  7. E! Online
    58
    Though perfect for hipster English-lit teachers, ravenous Reed fans will find themselves saying "nevermore."
  8. Junkmedia
    50
    The outcome is alternately brilliant and awful, adventurous and boring, incisive and pretentious, over-wrought and subtle.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    While that approach might have worked well on stage, on disc it's deeply unsatisfying.
  10. Blender
    40
    The format is so rambling and fragmented that is serves neither Poe the storyteller noor Reed the songwriter. [#13, p.97]
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  11. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Reed's wraparound originals are mostly vaudeville, which is to say laughable. [Note: The score listed is for the 2xCD version. The single CD version received a lower score of 1/5 stars.]
  12. Uncut
    40
    All albums are vanity projects, but this vanity may be in vain. [Feb 2003, p.76]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. leossongs
    Jul 16, 2019
    10
    The gorgeous epitome of Lou's lifelong literary ambitions, perfectly culminating his career on such a fitting dark note. Truly beautiful workThe gorgeous epitome of Lou's lifelong literary ambitions, perfectly culminating his career on such a fitting dark note. Truly beautiful work of art, a timeless classic for myself and the likes.… Full Review »
  2. EnriqueR
    Dec 9, 2006
    10
    Lou Reed is a classic. Classics should be listened, not criticised...Is a great albuem, for Reed fans and for Poe fans...and if you have Lou Reed is a classic. Classics should be listened, not criticised...Is a great albuem, for Reed fans and for Poe fans...and if you have anything bad to say, first you should listen "The Velvet Underground and Nico" and remember who Lou Reed is...… Full Review »
  3. Cosmo
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    Makes me want to dance! The most sensual party album of the decade
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