How Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music Became The Most Returned Album Of All Time

Jun 03, 2023

The former Velvet Underground musician sparked backlash with an album that challenged listeners.

For any major artist, the release of a new album is always an event, that comes with an air of mystery. No matter how much work went into it, there's no way of knowing how the world is going to react to a new slate of songs. Most artists would love for their albums to sell millions, and for their albums to top the charts, but unless you're someone like Taylor Swift, it'll be tough.

Years back, Lou Reed angered millions with Metal Machine Music, and album release so controversial, that people were returning it at an alarming rate.

In the mid-1960s, Lou Reed co-founded The Velvet Underground, a band that defied conventions and challenged societal norms. Their raw, gritty sound and provocative lyrics pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in popular music. From the haunting "Heroin" to the seductive "Venus in Furs," Reed's compositions showcased his ability to capture the essence of human emotions with stark honesty.

The Velvet Underground may not have achieved mainstream success during their time, but their impact was profound and far-reaching. Their self-titled debut album, produced by the legendary Andy Warhol, remains a landmark in music history. It paved the way for alternative rock, punk, and even experimental genres, influencing countless artists who followed in their footsteps.

After parting ways with The Velvet Underground, Reed embarked on a solo career that further solidified his status as a musical luminary. His 1972 album Transformer showcased his unparalleled songwriting prowess and featured the iconic hit "Walk on the Wild Side."

That album kickstarted what became a wildly successful solo career for Reed, and it showed the world that he was far more than just that guy from The Velvet Underground.

As great as things looked for Reed's solo career early on, he unleashed an album that, quite frankly, has gone down in infamy.

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Metal Machine Music was an avant-garde double album, comprising four sides of mind-bending noise and feedback, devoid of traditional song structures or discernible melodies. It was an unapologetic exploration of noise, a relentless assault on the eardrums, that, as you'd expect by the description, enraged those that spent their hard-earned money on the record.

While some hailed Reed as a genius ahead of his time, the critical and commercial reception to Metal Machine Music was, to put it mildly, less than enthusiastic.

The album sparked backlash, and droves of fans returned it.

"While Metal Machine Music was reputed to have initially sold 100,000 copies, it was also reportedly the most returned album in RCA's history. In a frantic effort at damage control, RCA pulled Metal Machine Music from store shelves and rerouted it straight into the cutout bins. Looking to stem additional loss, RCA canceled the album's release in England altogether," Magnet Magazine writes.

Nevertheless, Reed stuck to his guns about the album.

"It's the only record I know that attacks the listener. Even when it gets to the end of the last side it still won't stop. You have to get up and remove it yourself. It's impossible to even think when the thing is on. It destroys you. You can't complete a thought. You can't even comprehend what it's doing to you. You’re literally driven to take the miserable thing off. You can't control that record," he said.

Despite the initial backlash, the album has since found some fans.

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In one positive review, Pitchfork wrote, "Lou Reed's 1975 album has been called one of the worst albums ever made. The truth is it is the product of genuine love and passion, still exhilarating and bursting with possibility four decades on.

Other reviews have been glowing, as well.

As we stated earlier, Lou Reed's solo career was dealt a major blow with Metal Machine Music, but eventually, he was able to course correct, and find additional success.

Reed's popularity as a solo act soared throughout the years, with albums like Coney Island Baby, and New York, which further solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller. His introspective and introspective approach to songwriting, combined with his unique blend of rock, punk, and artistry, made him a true pioneer in the music industry.

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If you've ever got some time to spare, and really want to take a dive into one of the most polarizing albums in music history, then Metal Machine Music just might be worth a listen.

I’m lucky enough to write about film and television for a living, with some fun trivia sprinkled in, too. If you’re watching it, I’m writing about it, and having a great time doing so. Patiently waiting for the X-Men to enter the MCU and help take down Galactus!