pretty much this. like i said, i like them but i can see how people may not be partial to them. the main point, though, is it was pretty original music at its time.

Around 64 they started making music? Original because it showed despite Beatlemania and the stones, that there was other things going on as well? If it's that I can understand, if it's because of the music I don't really see it.

The only problem with this theory was that nobody bought it back then.

The Velvet Underground are the ultimate poser band, I doubt most people who namecheck them actually feel the need to listen to them, they just say they like them.

The bands they influenced were much much better than they were.

yeah...i agree with this. i've listened to them enough to say i really enjoy their music and i am also a lou reed fan...but i don't think i can say i've been hit with a big urge to pop on some VU recently.

That's a pretty good point.

I've never been a huge fan of them myself, but I think it's pretty much impossible for me to give them a fair listen because, on the one hand, I feel like I'm supposed to like them and on the other hand I strongly associate them with a particular breed of pompous douchebag that I went to college with.

& Nico is very overrated. Not bad, and 3-4 songs are actually very good. White Light/White Heat is the only Velvet album worth writing home about in my opinion.

What is so great about "The Black Angel's Death Song"? It sounds terrible and the violin playing is shotty.

Firstly, the "violin" is a viola and the "shotty" playing you describe is performed by a trained musician.
This leads me to believe it's obviously intentional.
Hardly surprising coming from an experimental musician. Not all music has to be musical.

& Nico is now one of my favorite albums; I revoke this statement... Although I stand by the bit about WL/WH being better.

Why would it be intentional? I understand VU created art, but I don't understand how screeching of the "viola" is supposed to tie in with everything else. I understand that Heroin's overall beat is suppose to simulate the use of heroin. I love the artistic feel of VU, but that song is... messed up.