The Raven
by Lou Reed
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 5 out of 23
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    30
    Reed coaxes great performances out of a few unexpected collaborators--Ornette Coleman delivers frenetic sax playing on “Guilty,” and downtown singer Antony warbles in a truly otherworldly soprano on “The Bed”--but these players are crowded out by the album’s sprawling mediocrity.
  2. The A.V. Club
    30
    Maybe it worked on the stage, but taken out of context the result is a two-hour "Huh?" of an album.
  3. Ink 19
    20
    Really, don't waste your time with this.
  5. Pitchfork
    20
    This album is as much of a baffling nadir as Metal Machine Music, with nowhere near the stoned bravado.
  6. Delusions of Adequacy
    10
    The Raven is downright awful, perhaps Reed’s worst album since Metal Machine Music.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  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...… Full Review »
  3. Cosmo
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    Makes me want to dance! The most sensual party album of the decade
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