The Link... fairly obvious one is the City but Bowie, Iggy and Lou are all inextricably linked to one another through that amazing period from 70 on wards. As arguably between them they released some of the best music of their careers during savage drug addiction and subsequent withdrawal.

I love this album. It's bitterly depressing but beautiful at the same time. Sad Song the last track is really uplifting - the light and shade you get with great art.

The titular song of the album IMO has echos of the Weimar era (Cabaret etc..) the vibe of that period and the gothic literature of the 1800's across Europe and North America are clear influence to the Velvets; their look, feel and sound, they channeled that same seam of hedonistic darkness and sexual ambiguity amongst other influences. Same for Punk and Goth.. all branches from the same tree.

On one visit to Berlin spent some time Weder Havel just outside Potsdam. We visited Sanssouci which is Berlin's Versailles. While stunning it has a faded grandeur about it or at least did 20 years ago. Built by Freidrich the Great the Warrior King of Prussia and some say the founder of Germany.

Transpires that he was as a youth, more interested in art, philosophy, love and sex with men. Eventually he came to power and as well as being a talented general he also over saw the great enlightenment of Berlin and Prussia thus laying the bedrock for Berlin's alternative future and conscience that has carried forward to today. I nearly chose Sanssouci by Rufus Wainright as its Berlin based and about reckless gay abandon (Friedrick the Great links again).. about him picking up men in the grounds of Sanssouci and getting fucked up on drugs. But his voice gets on my tits.

"The Kids" is my favorite track on the album, not to be listened to on a 3 day wizz bender come down.

You may not like it, and thats perfectly fine. You might not agree with all my prattle but its just how I see it. Hopefully you enjoy a bit of Lou's finest most melancholic work. Because in 2 years he records Metal Machine Music and its impenetrable shite.

Peace