Loaded (Vinyl LP)

Loaded was a fitting end for the mighty Velvet Underground. Lou Reed had penned an album seemingly loaded with hits, but by now, four LPs into the Velvets' career, a sad few record buyers appreciated the band. After recording the album, Reed called it quits and crawled to his parents' home in the suburbs - the ultimate anti-rock statement. Resignation permeates the album. Reed's voice is noticeably ragged, and bassist Doug Yule ended up recording many of the vocals for the final mix. Drummer Moe Tucker was pregnant, and Yule's brother Billy sat in on drums for most of the Loaded sessions, further alienating Reed from the already disintegrating band.

This was no longer the art-rock Velvet Underground, but a far more accessible version, relying on Reed's songwriting over the band's overall musicality. accordingly, the songs are either retreats into the faux innocence of parental ideals ("Head Held High"), or autobiographical pieces of teenage rebellion ("Sweet Jane").

"Rock and Roll", for instance, reads like text-book angst, where everything your parents do is, well, "it ain't happening at all". The album appropriately sounds like Reed's final bit of energy for the band. there's the saddened tone of "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'", in which the heroes walk with their "head[s] down", and "New Age", in which they mingle with "over the hill" movie stars.

Loaded closed a chapter in Lou Reed's chronicles, and solidified the Velvet Underground's significant niche in rock history.

Condition
Media: Mint (M)
Sleeve: Mint (M)

Our Grading Standards
We grade all vinyl using the Goldmine standard:
Mint (M): Perfect, unplayed condition.
Near Mint (NM): Nearly perfect with minimal signs of handling.
Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows light signs of play but plays with minimal surface noise. The most common grade for collectable vinyl.
Very Good (VG): Noticeable marks and some surface noise, but still an enjoyable listen.
Good (G): Heavy wear — for collectors only.

All records are graded visually and by play. Media and sleeve are graded separately.

About Peckham Soul

Visit our physical store at Linnégatan 2, 413 04 Göteborg.
Mon–Tue 11:00–18:00 · Wed–Thu 11:00–18:30 · Fri 11:00–20:30 · Sat 11:00–17:00 · Sun Closed.

We're a specialist vintage vinyl shop with roots in Peckham, London. From our Swedish store we ship across Europe and the EU. Every record in our collection is individually sourced, inspected, and graded. We stock soul, funk, jazz, reggae, punk, indie, psych and beyond — always original pressings, always honestly described.

Shipping & Returns
We ship carefully packed in rigid mailers to protect your record in transit. If a record arrives not as described, we'll sort it — no hassle.