“Growing Up In Public” by Lou Reed - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1980Album Chart of the Decade: 1980s

TJR says

As the decade turned, Lou was determined to break free of the drugs and alcohol addictions which had hung like a dark cloud for the best part of the 70s. The set was co-produced between Lou and his trusty keyboard player, Michael Fonfara, in the sunny Caribbean climes of Montserrat. His muse for this album, recorded in January, 1980, was British designer Sylvia Morales. The two were married in February, and the album released in April, presumably after the honeymoon! Once I get past the rather naff opener “How Do You Speak To An Angel?”, I find these pieces to be consistently decent, even if the generally straight pop-rock style never quite sets the heather on fire. Hits remained elusive, the album peaking at #158 in the US, and the sole single, “The Power of Positive Drinking” failing to chart.

The Jukebox Rebel
31–Mar–2011

Tracklist
A1 [04:08] 4.9.png Lou Reed - How Do You Speak To An Angel? (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Soft Rock / A.O.R.
A2 [03:15] 6.3.png Lou Reed - My Old Man (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) New Wave
A3 [03:31] 6.0.png Lou Reed - Keep Away (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A4 [03:00] 6.0.png Lou Reed - Growing Up In Public (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Songwriter
A5 [03:32] 6.5.png Lou Reed - Standing On Ceremony (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) New Wave
B1 [04:05] 6.3.png Lou Reed - So Alone (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) New Wave
B2 [03:10] 5.7.png Lou Reed - Love Is Here To Stay (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Soft Rock / A.O.R.
B3 [02:13] 6.3.png Lou Reed - The Power Of Positive Drinking (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Songwriter
B4 [02:44] 5.8.png Lou Reed - Smiles (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
B5 [03:25] 5.8.png Lou Reed - Think It Over (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Songwriter
B6 [03:20] 5.4.png Lou Reed - Teach The Gifted Children (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Blues Rock / Soul Rock

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