Helen Of Troy  by John Cale

Helen of Troy from 1975 is John Cale's sixth solo studio album and the third (and final) of his period with Island Records. It is considered one of his rawest and most "unfiltered" works. The label released the album in November 1975 without Cale's approval, who considered it unfinished (essentially a collection of demos). This rupture led to the dissolution of their collaboration.

The record was recorded at Sound Techniques studios in London in just three days. Cale was then between producing Patti Smith's historic Horses and a tour in Italy. It combines art rock, proto-punk, and experimental elements. It is darker and more aggressive than the previous Slow Dazzle, with intense alternations between lyrical ballads and "psychotic" outbursts.

I Keep a Close Watch, a classic ballad that Cale hoped (in vain) would someday be covered by Frank Sinatra, and Pablo Picasso, a cover of Jonathan Richman's (Modern Lovers) track, remain two of John Cale's fan favorites. The song Leaving It Up To You was removed from later copies due to references to the murder of Sharon Tate by the Manson family and was replaced by Coral Moon.