While listening to Doolittle yesterday morning on a walk, it occurred to me that, at moments, I might as well be listening to The Velvet Underground’s Loaded, had it been recorded 19 years later and in L.A. instead of N.Y.
You can easily hear Lou Reed half speak/singing those lyrics on “This Money’s Gone To Heaven.” 

This holds true even more so for Frank Black solo records in relation to Lou Reed, specifically. Take one of my favorites, “Los Angeles,” from Frank’s self titled release - that song could have been a highlight of Lou Reed’s Transformer (if you took out the David Bowie factor and added a couple decades, of course.) Those opening lines sound so much like Reed in voice and content, I HAD to write this here, what you are now reading. The song’s lyrics are almost a bitter-sweet West Coast parallel to Reed’s songs about living in, and observations of, New York City.  

Clearly, there is a lot of influence drawn by Frank from Lou. As a musician, I can tell you that its almost impossible not to let your heroes come through in your sound, but when it can be pulled off as unique an original, still, as Frank Black does, it’s a remarkable thing. 

Im sure this comparison has been made before, and Ive noticed it for years, but I just wanted to draw the line for anyone who is a fan of one and not the other - because you’re missing out. The output of both bands/lead men are staples in rock history that should be relished.