‘The Velvet Underground’
“The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band.” This quote, widely attributed to Brian Eno, is the definitive summation of this wholly unique collection of artists mentored by Andy Warhol, but it’s not even referenced in the new documentary film made by director Todd Haynes. Rather than mimic the format or story arc of your standard music doc, Haynes instead creates a documentary film in the image of this group of prickly, iconoclastic bunch of genius-level musicians. It’s hypnotic, shocking, and wholly successful at lulling viewers into its very specific rhythm. As the kids would say, it’s a whole mood. If you’re looking to learn a ton about the band’s complete history and wealth of influences, look elsewhere, but if you’re up for getting on the VU’s level, you’ll certainly find yourself dancin’ to that fine, fine music.