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]