Lester Bangs was a music critic who wrote for Creem and Rolling Stone in the 70s and early 80s. He has been called "America's Greatest Rock Critic."
Bangs first encountered Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground in the mid-1960s (as a teenager) and became an early champion of their music, praising their raw and experimental sound. He continued to write about Reed and The VU throughout his career, even after the band broke up and Reed began his solo career.
But their relationship was not always amicable. In 1975, Bangs wrote a scathing review of Reed's album Metal Machine Music, calling it "the tubular groaning of a galactic refrigerator." Lou Reed was so mad about the review that he called Bangs to confront him about it.
Despite reviews and confrontations like this, the two were also friends. They bonded over their shared love of music and a mutual appreciation for each other's work. Bangs even contributed liner notes to Reed's 1978 album Street Hassle.
For the record, Metal Machine Music might be the worst album ever released by a major record label. But that’s for another day.
Okay, Brad. Once again...this is all cool but, why do we care?
Well, if you read the title and subtitle of this entry, I think it says it all.
A few days ago I talked about stage fright and how I am my own worst critic. I have my own inner-Lester Bangs. He’s a harsh critic but he’s also a friend. We share a love for all kinds of music. Sometimes I come up with a lyric or a song that resonates with him, and he praises me for it. And we both wonder why it doesn’t click with anyone else.
Other times he lambasts me for my efforts, saying things like “if you keep creating garbage like this ain’t nothing you make ever gonna vibrate with someone else!”
His review of my album Bad Men Of Good Fortune was a mixed bag. In fact, that’s what he called it:
“A refrigerator casserole. Everything in the fridge was thrown in a pan and cooked. It tastes okay but it’s best when you pick out the parts you like and leave the rest in the pan.”
And I actually agree with him. So now my inner-Lester Bangs has me trying to be more cohesive. I’m not sure if it’s going to work though.
I’m not saying I’m special because I loathe my creative output most of the time. I’m sure we all have our own inner-critic. Not everyone likes to admit they have one, though, right? You know the people I’m talking about. They do something stupid and decide to die on that hill instead of simply saying to the world, “I made a mistake” or “That was wrong. I apologize.”
Lou Reed should’ve apologized for Metal Machine Music.