The Raven by Lou Reed and Lorenzo Mattotti
Lou Reed meant this quite sincerely, but it’s really rather dreary,
Starting its life a staged and musical tribute to the works of Poe –
When it transferred onto CD, the next step should have been easy,
But from page to stage is queasy, a queasy way for art to go,
Good intent, but still that meant an uneasy way for art to go –
Lou Reed fans will dig it though.
The dialogue is overwritten, which editors should have forbidden,
Consigned them to the midden, still, the songs have moments though –
And while the writing can be coy, the illustrations are a joy,
Making this a novelty toy, an uneasy place for art to go –
Will its reputation grow? Right now it’s too hard to know.
Lou Reed fans will dig it though.
(If these witterings offend your eyes, truly I apologise). [Keir Hind]