Synopses & Reviews
Containing a body of work that spans more than three decades, Pass Thru Fire is a stunning collection of the lyrics of an American original. Through his many incarnations-from proto punk to glam rocker to elder statesman of the avant garde-Lou Reeds work has maintained an undeniable vividness and raw beauty, fueled by precise character studies and rendered with an admirable shot of moral ambiguity. Beginning with his formative days in the Velvet Underground and continuing through his remarkable solo career-albums like Transformer, Berlin, New York, Magic and Loss, and Ecstasy-Pass Thru Fire is crucial to an appreciation of Lou Reed, not only as a consummate underground musician, but as one of the truly significant poets of our time.
Review
New York Post"This paperback collection of Reed ruminations is not only a lyrical walk on the wild side, it's a typographic wonder."
Review
New York Post "This paperback collection of Reed ruminations is not only a lyrical walk on the wild side, it's a typographic wonder."
“John Shelton Ivany Top 21”
“A comprehensive collection…A must-have for any fan…Crucial to understanding and appreciating Lou Reed."
Gallery & Studio, 2/09
“The revelation of Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics is how well many of Lou’s words hold up on the page.”
SwampLand.com
“I felt lucky when Pass Thru Fire arrived at my door. It made my day.”
Hartford Advocate, 3/7/09
“Perusing this 576-page volume should be a lesson in humility for any aspiring rock poet.”
Review
New York Post "This paperback collection of Reed ruminations is not only a lyrical walk on the wild side, it's a typographic wonder."
John Shelton Ivany Top 21”
A comprehensive collection
A must-have for any fan
Crucial to understanding and appreciating Lou Reed."
Gallery and Studio, 2/09
The revelation of Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics is how well many of Lous words hold up on the page.”
SwampLand.com
I felt lucky when Pass Thru Fire arrived at my door. It made my day.”
Hartford Advocate, 3/7/09
Perusing this 576-page volume should be a lesson in humility for any aspiring rock poet.”
New York Times, 11/13/13
In a 1987 interview, Mr. Reed talked about seeing his record albums as chapters in one huge, long novel: Theyre all in chronological order, he said. You take the whole thing, stack it and listen to it in order, theres my Great American Novel. Pass Thru Fire, the recent volume of Reeds collected lyricsdedicated to L.A., Laurie Andersonprovides another version of that novel, and even without the essential soundtrack, the lyrics possess a remarkable organic coherence, charting a harrowing journey through the bohemian underworlds of New York City, through the ravages of heroin and speed, and emotional terror, fury and alonenessand toward something like grace."
Synopsis
As the songwriter who brought plainspoken realism to rock and roll (New York Times), Lou Reed has long been considered a keen-eyed observer of the American social scene, as well as a brilliant musician. Reed studied with the poet Delmore Schwartz, and this fact, along with Reed's native incisiveness, makes it clear why Reed's lyrics have such resonance and power.
This definitive collection includes lyrics to Lou's earliest work and to his most recent recording. Its brilliantly innovative interior design has brought it praise and awards. The new volume showcases a master's work in all its searing beauty.
Synopsis
The complete lyrics of Lou Reed, founder of the Velvet Underground and among the most acclaimed lyricists of all time
About the Author
Lou Reed founded the legendary Velvet Underground in 1965 and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in New York City.