Vintage Violence (studio album)
by John Cale

From Jboy56 03/26/2023 12:22 | #295473

A very accessible for a Cale album

From Crumpet 03/16/2018 17:22 | #211058

Cale himself says that this is a bad album, he feels there is very little originality, and while I think he’s being a bit harsh, I see where he’s coming from.

This album is very poppy and surprisingly un-experimental, most of the tracks not being very memorable. This album is very listenable though, it works well as soft background music.

The best tracks here are ”Gideon’s Bible”, “Big White Cloud” “Charlemange”, “Amsterdam” and, the best, “Ghost Story”, a hauntingly beautiful song that makes the album worthwile.

Overall, no where near Cale’s best, but a fun listening experience.

From Dankel 11/04/2017 19:11 | #200704

poppier than I expected - quite pleasent

His first solo album after splitting with VU. The most surprising aspect of this album is the lack of surprises. Simple arrangements, often pastoral in tone, Cale's vocals come to the fore here which is a pity. His montone drawl is painful listening when it's left out in the open like this. VU fans looking for something exciting and bold best look elsewhere.

ohn Cale first solo album, originally released in 1970, came as a pleasant surprise to many fans of Velvet Underground. After his departure from V.U. in 1968 Cale had among other things produced for Nico, and some may have expected a more radical album, but here Cale reveals himself as a brilliant songwriter capable of writing and producing in a very melodic way, and several of these songs may even have had hit-potentials. Especially the catchy "Gideon's Bible" with its Beach Boys harmonies could very well had hit the charts, given the right exposure.

Among other very memorable tracks is the great opener "Hello There", featuring Cale driving piano. The majestic "Big Cloud" is another stand-out; sound almost like a Robbie Robertson song.

There's a slight country feel to another favourite,"Please", and the haunting "Ghost Story" features lyrics that make you think of Keith Reid of Procol Harum.

This could very well be John Cale's artistically most consistent album; which obviously says quite a lot, and at any rate this is without question the first time he really proves himself as a prolific songwriter.