It seemed we had to wait until "Berlin" for a Reed album with full musical and lyrical conviction. Now, this live album, ["Rock 'n' Roll Animal,"] complements it. Together they make a good set.

One track, "Lady Day," is indeed from "Berlin" but the other four date back to the Velvet Underground: "Sweet Jane," "Heroin," "White Light White Heat" and "Rock 'n' Roll." Thus in one way we get the best of both worlds, old numbers in fresh, retrospective style….

It makes sense to choose these numbers from the live act because to take current songs would probably be mere duplication. However, on side two "Lady Day" overwhelms its neighbouring tracks, its potent structure coming over more powerfully than on "Berlin." A certain venom—not evident on the studio cut—in Reed's voice underlines the desolate cityscape of the lyrics….

The new sound of this dark classic ["Heroin...