Berlin

Lou Reed's 'Berlin' is a harrowing rock opera detailing the destructive relationship of a couple through bleak narratives of drug addiction, domestic violence, and suicide. Guided by producer Bob Ezrin, the album eschews rock convention for a grandiose, theatrical sound, utilizing orchestral arrangements and a cast of elite session musicians to score Reed's emotionally stark vocal performance. A critical and commercial failure upon release, the album's unflinching subject matter and ambitious production have earned it a modern reputation as a challenging but essential masterpiece in Reed's catalog.