2. Lulu
Ill take whatever heat comes my way for this pick, because I dont think anyone ever gave their collaboration with Lou Reed a fair shake from the moment it dropped. Their performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fames Twenty-fifth Anniversary Concert served as the impetus behind the decision to team up, and, frankly, can anyone blame them? If youre one of the greatest heavy metal bands extant, are you really going to say no if one of the most influential artists of our time wants to record with you? I didnt think so. Lulu is the experimental piece that Lars appeared to be hinting at all along, one last railroad spike straight into the hearts of those who had supported them without fail since the No Life 'Til Leather days. Its a curious yet compelling blend of avant-garde concepts, spoken word ramblings, and plundering riffs that never ceases to intrigue despite its scatterplot narrative about a German debutante-turned-prostitute. James Hetfield provides moody backing vocals to support Lou's intellectual warbling while the rest of the band builds a wall of distortion around them, which really is as odd as it sounds. With one fell swoop, Metallica laid to rest any notion that they had ever allowed outside pressure to dictate their next move, because, clearly, this wasnt driven by monetary desires. They took a chance on a high-minded piece of performance art that appeals only to a select few who are willing to open their minds wide enough to let Loutallica in. The musical side of things isn't arranged with the same complexity fans are used to, but the lyrics are what really merit attention here. For Lou Reed, Lulu was just another endeavor designed to reinforce the fact that he had remained impervious to external judgment. Like Metal Machine Music, he was content to do his own thing knowing full well the amount of people he would be ticking off in the process. There's something inspiring about an artist embracing his wild side until the very end and that's exactly what I'll miss most about Lou now that he's no longer with us. His writing throughout Lulu is full of quintessential Lou Reed-isms catering to the seedier side of human nature, and, if you stick with it long enough, you may just find yourself appreciating the effort.