The Raven

by Lou Reed

The Raven cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 28 January 2003
  • Label: Sire
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 1:15:07
  • Community rating: 2.75/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Constructed as a sprawling, theatrical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's literary works, the ambitious project bridges harsh rock dynamics with theatrical performance art. The dense arrangements interweave Reed's trademark distortion with dramatic spoken-word readings from several high-profile guest actors.

Genres

Descriptors: Avant Garde, conceptual, existential

Tracklist

  1. Overture (1:05)
  2. Edgar Allan (3:20)
  3. Call on Me (feat. Laurie Anderson) (2:07)
  4. The Valley of Unrest (2:26)
  5. A Thousand Departed Friends (4:55)
  6. Change (2:18)
  7. The Bed (3:32)
  8. Perfect Day (feat. Antony) (3:27)
  9. The Raven (6:30)
  10. Balloon (1:01)
  11. Broadway Song (3:12)
  12. Blind Rage (3:26)
  13. Burning Embers (3:21)
  14. Vanishing Act (5:23)
  15. Guilty (feat. Ornette Coleman) (4:54)
  16. I Wanna Know (The Pit and the Pendulum) [feat. Blind Boys of Alabama] (6:58)
  17. Science of the Mind (1:35)
  18. Hop Frog (feat. David Bowie) (1:46)
  19. Tripitena's Speech (2:19)
  20. Who Am I? (Tripitena's Song) (4:30)
  21. Guardian Angel (6:51)

Credits

  • Steven Bernstein - arranged by [horns], trumpet, trumpet [slide trumpet], flugelhorn
  • Jane Scarpantoni - arranged by [strings], conductor [strings], cello
  • Antony - backing vocals
  • Kate & Anna McGarrigle - backing vocals
  • Doug Wieselman - baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Fernando Saunders - bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Tony Smith - drums, backing vocals
  • Mike Rathke - guitar

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