The Velvet Underground's self-titled third album is a dramtic departure from its two predecessors. Restrained, spare and haunting, it contains a bevy of classics from a band that continues to have a huge influence more than three decades after calling it quits. Artsist as diverse as R.E.M., The Feelies and Sparklehorse have either covered songs from this album or taken musical and lyrical samples from it. It also contains some of band leader Lou Reed's best-ever songwriting. The two quiet masterpieces are "Pale Blue Eyes" and "Jesus," the latter of the two even managing to be surprisingly spiritual. Other highlights include the rocking "What Goes On," "Candy Says," and the (somewhat) hopeful "Beginning to See the Light." The only songs that don't work a the two overly arty experiments that conclude the album.Overall, an understated classic that will stick in your memory long after it has finished playing.