The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground's classic self-titled third album, released in March 1969, by MGM, was a departure from the band's first two albums in more ways than one. Gone was co-founding member John Cale, and in his place was a 21-year-old with Long Island roots named Doug Yule, who stepped right in. How indeed do you describe an album which includes such classics as 'Candy Says,' Reed's ode to Warhol superstar Candy Darling; the aching love song 'Pale Blue Eyes,' allegedly inspired by a girlfriend at Syracuse University who got away, with lead vocals by Yule; the inspiring 'Beginning to See The Light'; the spoken-word narrative and musique concrete of 'The Murder Mystery,' and the beautiful Maureen Tucker-sung 'After Hours'?.