CD Reviews: The Velvet Underground

This three-disc set fleshes out the Velvet Underground's abrasive and sometimes-ugly second album with mono and single mixes, alternate takes and a 1967 live recording from The Gymnasium, New York, adding context to its white-noise exploration of sex, drugs and death.

Saying much more about the Velvets' fascination with the tensions between structured pop music, improvisation and noise-making than its predecessor, and exposing the tensions between Lou Reed and John Cale, it remains a vital album worthy of its expanded 45th anniversary treatment.

• The Velvet Underground. White Light/White Heat Super Deluxe Edition. Universal Music Group.

• 5 stars out of 5

Single download: White Light/White Heat
For those who like: Art rock, garage rock, psych rock, drone

- Jeff Harford