The Velvet Underground's second album is a highly experimental piece, permeated with deliberate distortion, feedback noise, and distorted vocals.
The sound of this album departs from the conventional wisdom of rock music. John Cale's viola transcends its role as a string instrument, functioning as a noise generator. Lou Reed's guitar distorts violently, producing a saturated sound that exceeds the limits of the amplifier. In particular, the 17-minute-plus track "Sister Ray" overwhelms the listener with its chaotic progression of improvisation and noise. At the same time, the album also features a diverse mix of expressions, such as the recitation-centered "The Gift," which had a decisive influence on later alternative rock.
