User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

The Raven
by
The Raven Image
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: Available in two different versions, the latest from Lou Reed is based on the writings of Edgar Allen Poe. The 2-CD set includes tracks with readings of Poe by various actors (such as Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi and Amanda Plummer), backed by Reed, while the single-disc set pulls only theAvailable in two different versions, the latest from Lou Reed is based on the writings of Edgar Allen Poe. The 2-CD set includes tracks with readings of Poe by various actors (such as Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi and Amanda Plummer), backed by Reed, while the single-disc set pulls only the more song-oriented pieces from the longer version. Hal Willner produces.… Expand

Top Track

Duchess
Duch of the terrace never grew up I hope she never will Broken down TV sits in the corner Picture's standing still Standing still Duch of the... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List ยป
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 5 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The good stuff is strong enough that anyone who cares about Lou Reed's body of work, or Edgar Allan Poe's literary legacy, ought to give it a careful listen.
  2. Playlouder
    80
    The Raven... does fly on the side of the bizarre, but it holds some rich pickings.
  3. PopMatters
    70
    In the end, what makes this fabulous disaster of an album work is the passion of Reed's performance.
  4. Billboard
    60
    Often falters distressingly.
  5. Junkmedia
    50
    The outcome is alternately brilliant and awful, adventurous and boring, incisive and pretentious, over-wrought and subtle.
  6. Blender
    40
    The format is so rambling and fragmented that is serves neither Poe the storyteller noor Reed the songwriter. [#13, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    10
    The Raven is downright awful, perhaps Reed’s worst album since Metal Machine Music.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Cosmo
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    Makes me want to dance! The most sensual party album of the decade
  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...… Expand
  4. 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.… Expand
  5. erat
    Feb 10, 2003
    7
    Vanity is beautiful.