New Sensations or Growing Up in Public might be a good place to start. They're quite accessible for the new listener, and a good intro to his music. Also, New York had great reviews, and was generally seen to be a great album. I did not like it as much as I liked some of his earlier albums.
I love Berlin and Street Hassle, but both of those albums are a bit dark and gloomy. In fact, VERY dark and gloomy in certain parts.
I do NOT recommend Metal Machine Music. At all ... Ever ... To anybody. So ... do NOT – I repeat, DO NOT!!! – listen to that album until you've heard a lot of Lou's other music, and NOT until you think you can tolerate an album that "No one has listened to (it) the whole way through." ☺
Is it that bad!? Hahahahaha the way you describe it is hilarious, is it like the matrix 2 and 3?
The first time I heard Tom Waits (I started with Rain Dogs) it was really hard for me to understand, but that was 13 years ago. I’m a totally different person now.
I’ll go check out the others.
Have you listened to Tom Waits' albums Small Change, and Blue Valentine? Early stuff, for the late 70s, but classic Waits music. And great intros to his work. Also, Heartattack and Vine and The Heart of Saturday Night are good. Among others ...
Of course! Since then I’ve become we’ll acquainted with his music. Rain dogs, small change and real gone are my favorites but there are great songs on almost every album.
I just put on lou reed to explore his stuff! I was tempted to check out metal machine music but I resisted....for now...