Lulu
by
Lulu Image
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
2.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 231 Ratings

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  • Summary: Lou Reed and Metallica collaborated on this two-disc set of music based on Frank Wedekind's LuLu plays.

Critic Reviews

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]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. BBC Music
    Oct 31, 2011
    80
    Much advance word of Lou Reed and Metallica's excursion has been one of bewilderment and dismissal. It may well be, though, that in the fullness of time this is an album that is given the praise it deserves.
  3. Kerrang!
    Nov 17, 2011
    60
    LuLu is an album that will require many plays before the music contained within beings to make sense. [29 Oct 2011, p.50]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 31, 2011
    40
    It's not a successful union: the songs are too close to aimless, unfinished jams, Reed sounds as if he's trying too hard to be controversial and at 95 minutes it's far too long.
  5. Beats Per Minute
    Oct 31, 2011
    30
    The whole thing comes off as either an expensive major label joke or nigh-impenetrable high art concept. Maybe both.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Nov 1, 2011
    25
    An utter wreck that curiously, miraculously, might have been great.
  7. The Quietus
    Oct 26, 2011
    0
    Not only is Lulu the worst thing any of the players have been involved in, it's quite possibly a candidate for one of the worst albums ever made.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 71
  3. Negative: 50 out of 71
  1. ArturB20
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Metallica and Lou Reed have created in this album a complete masterpiece destined to become a cult album. I'm not saying this is the bestMetallica and Lou Reed have created in this album a complete masterpiece destined to become a cult album. I'm not saying this is the best album ever, but sure one of the greatest CDs in the last 5 years. The main reason is because they have created something new mixing their own styles in a conceptual way. Lulu is not only an album, it's something more and it's hard to explain it. Is when yo have listened all the CD, read its lyrics and watched all the art-work when you realize it's something special. Talking about Lulu's music, I think is awesome, specially Metallica's work, that explores new kinds of music with a great sensibility. It's true that in the beginning Lou's voice can seem strange in that melodies, but listening to it you see that this is a part of his poetry, of the sense of Lulu.
    Finally I want to say that the main problem for me is that this album should have been far away from mainstream and be a little work, but nothing that is done by Metallica nowadays will go unnoticed for their main audience, and specially his "purists" and detractors fans. But no matter what they say. Lulu is a GREAT album.    … Expand
  2. BillyB95
    Dec 1, 2016
    8
    Lou Reed and Metallica has brought something never done in music history. Reed's eccentric poetry fits in with the thrash metal riffs andLou Reed and Metallica has brought something never done in music history. Reed's eccentric poetry fits in with the thrash metal riffs and experimental sounds made by Hetfield, Ulrich and company. I know, both artists risked doing Lulu and it's need more than one hearing to appreciate this work. Also, this album is not for everyone.… Expand
  4. WD2
    Nov 1, 2011
    4
    The only saving grace for this album may be that it is not the worst album of 2011; Theory of a Deadman already clinched that honor back inThe only saving grace for this album may be that it is not the worst album of 2011; Theory of a Deadman already clinched that honor back in the summer. But Lou Reed's nasally delivery just doesn't fit, it comes off as some uninspired old fart recording his voice in the living room while a metal riff plays in the background. As Allmusic wrote, this would have worked far better with an ambient band such as Sunn 0))) than with Metallica.… Expand
  5. 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 aUnintentionally 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
  6. 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. ButWhat 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...… Expand
  7. 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 SINGSNO 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!… Expand
  8. Moo5e
    Nov 1, 2011
    0
    to give it a 0 is to say it hasn't any artistic merit, which it has. still, it hasn't got enough to score a 1. listen to it as a Metallicato give it a 0 is to say it hasn't any artistic merit, which it has. still, it hasn't got enough to score a 1. listen to it as a Metallica fan, a Reed fan, or not a fan at all, everything in this album sucks the same… Expand

See all 71 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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