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The Blue Mask was Reed's first album after he overcame a long-standing addiction to alcohol and drugs, and it reveals a renewed focus and dedication to craft -- for the first time in years, Reed had written an entire album's worth of moving, compelling songs, and was performing them with keen skill and genuine emotional commitment. Reed was also playing electric guitar again, and with the edgy genius he summoned up on White Light/White Heat. Just as importantly, he brought Robert Quine on board as his second guitarist, giving Reed a worthy foil who at once brought great musical ideas to the table, and encouraged the bandleader to make the most of his own guitar work.
Tracklist
Side A
1 My House
2 Women
3 Underneath the Bottle
4 The Gun
5 The Blue Mask
Side B
1 Average Guy
2 The Heroine
3 Waves of Fear
4 The Day John Kennedy Died
5 Heavenly Arms