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The End

a Studio release
by
Nico

Release Year: 1974

Date Label Catalog # Comments
1974 LP
Island Records
Added To Proggnosis Database on: 5/9/2003 12:00:00 AM
Entry Last Updated on: 9/13/2011 12:51:00 AM by: Rob
  1. It Has Not Taken Long
  2. Secret Side
  3. You Forgot To Answer
  4. Innocent And Vain
  5. Valley Of Kings
  6. We've Got The Gold
  7. The End
  8. Das lied Der Deutschen
Nico
Voice, Harmonium
Phil Manzanera
Electric Guitar
Brian Eno
Synthisizer
John Cale
Bass, Xylophone, Acoustic Guitar, Synthisizer, Organ, Marimba, Triangles, Cabasa, Glockenspiel, Percussion, Piano, Electric Piano
Vicki Wood
Backing Vocals
Annagh Wood
Backing vocals

Reviewed by Eric on 01 Jan 2004


Former fashion model and off and on member of The Velvet Underground, German born Nico had to say the least, one of the more interesting careers in music history. While much of this has been documented endlessly in books and web sites over the years, I will avoid getting into details, except to say that The End as well as her debut Chelsea Girl (my personal fave) are fascinating albums that will or should have appeal for progressive fans.
The End has been called the first ‘Goth’ album and I have to admit this stuff is very bleak and with my limited knowledge of the ‘Goth’ scene, it seems Nico was way ahead of her time. Covering the German anthem Das Lied Der Deutschen lead to some criticism back in the day, setting the stage for Bauhaus, Laibach, and Joy Division to explore their own flirtations with the darker side of Polit-Rock. Nico’s rich vocals throughout the album are both inviting as well as slightly un-nerving.
With names like Cale, Manzanera and Eno involved, how could you avoid The End? This is a stunning album of great beauty and innovation. A one of a kind work that has been imitated but never equaled, and while released in 1974, bears little resemblance to that era or any other.

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