Lulu (Lou Reed and Metallica album)

Lulu
Studio album by
Lou Reed and Metallica
ReleasedOctober 31, 2011 (2011-10-31)
RecordedApril–June 2011
StudioMetallica's HQ (San Rafael)
Genre
Length87:05
Label
Producer
Lou Reed chronology
The Creation of the Universe
(2008) 		Lulu
(2011)
Metallica chronology
Death Magnetic
(2008) 		Lulu
(2011) 		Beyond Magnetic
(2011)
Singles from Lulu
  1. "The View"
    Released: September 27, 2011

Lulu is a collaborative studio album between rock singer-songwriter Lou Reed and heavy metal band Metallica, released on October 31, 2011, through Warner Bros. Records in the United States and Vertigo Records elsewhere. The album is the final full-length studio recording project that Reed was involved in before his death in October 2013.[3] It was recorded in San Rafael, California from April to June 2011, after Reed had played with Metallica at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary Concert which led to them wanting to collaborate. The lead single, titled "The View", was released on September 27, 2011.[4]

Lulu is a double album that, conceptually, is based on the two "Lulu plays" by the German playwright Frank Wedekind (1864–1918). The majority of composition is centered on spoken word delivered by Reed over instrumentals composed by Metallica, with occasional backing vocals provided by Metallica lead vocalist James Hetfield. Reed wrote the majority of the lyrics. The album was released worldwide on October 31, 2011, and on November 1 in North America.[5] Upon its release, Lulu received polarized reviews, and an extremely negative response from many fans and several prominent critics. As of March 2023, Lulu has sold 280,000 copies worldwide.

  1. ^ Amorosi, A.D. (November 3, 2011). "For the record: George Benson, Lou Reed & Metallica". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  2. ^ Kielty, Martin (March 15, 2023). "Metallica's 'Lulu' Was Victim of Fan Ignorance, Says Lars Ulrich". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Lou Reed, Velvet Underground Leader and Rock Pioneer, Dead at 71". Rolling Stone. October 27, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  4. ^ "Metallica and Lou Reed post clip of new single 'The View' online — audio". NME. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  5. ^ Kane, Tyler (August 19, 2011). "Lou Reed/Metallica Collaboration Gets a Release Date". Paste. Wolfgang's Vault. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2011.