Over the last twenty years Lou Reed appears to have evolved as a human being, but devolved as a recording artist. His non-musical pursuits are impressive: his recently-published book of collected writings is worthy of reading; his participation in the misguided 1993 Velvet Underground reunion tour (organized to help the financial causes of Moe Tucker and Sterling Morrison) was noble, as was his dedication to the late Morrison at the most recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies. He even played an iconic role in the Czech Republic's secession from the Soviet Bloc in 1989 (nicknamed the "Velvet Revolution" because it was partially inspired by his writings).

So it's indeed sad--and bewildering--that his music has become increasingly painful to listen to with each successive album. His latest work, Set The Twilight Reeling, is almost intolerable.

The obvious hurdle is that Reed stopped actually "singing" long ago, perhaps with the realization that his natural ability is so limited that it's pointless to even bother (although he did approximate a few melodies in his late '60s/early '70s heyday). But he isn't exactly reciting his words either, as a poet would--it's more a lurching effect nowadays, a nether-area inbetween talking and vocalizing that's just plain annoying.

Without melody, there's little left to focus on here except words (although it should be noted that Reed continues to use a crack band--these songs were recorded entirely live in Reed's rooftop New York City studio, and the musicians at least breathe life into their parts). Throughout the album, Reed's words are overly self-indulgent, visually unpleasant to the point of grotesqueness, and even callously mean. It's unfathomable why anyone would care to listen to his dull boyhood recollections of buying an egg cream (and no, it's not a metaphor), much less why Reed would choose to open with a song about it; "Sex with Your Parents Part II (Motherfucker)" is Reed's assault on right-wing politicians, and one that's even more tasteless than they are; "Hookywooky" is utterly inexplicable: it's the one song on which he attempts to carry a tune, which only results in a leering caricature of him as a drunk, dirty old man.

Much of Set The Twilight Reeling reeks of defensiveness--he literally spits out many of these lyrics, as if chiding his audience like a bad comedian who yells at his crowd for not laughing at his lame jokes, thus creating even more discomfort and bad will all around. At this point, it may be wise for Reed, as talented as he is, to reevaluate his choice of art form.