It is impossible to summarise the career of Lou Reed in a few glib phrases. Only David Bowie, arguably, has re-invented himself as many times as Reed, while ensuring that each image was potent, edgy and dangerous. He's been art-rocker, iconoclast, contrary noise merchant and junkie, yet he's always been fascinating. Few people, if any, will love his entire body of work: Reed's oeuvre is at times perverse and wilfully unlistenable (Metal Machine Music, anyone?) while at others he proves himself a master of melody and the songwriter's craft.
However, it is impossible to deny his standing as a colossus of the rock world: it's a tribute to Reed's standing that even punk rockers, with their scorched earth policy towards all pre-punk music, had a healthy respect and regard for Reed. Velvet Underground are one of the all-time greats, of course, yet in many people's eyes, Reed has produced his best work solo, since the demise of that band. Despite this, no book has to date attempted to analyse and celebrate the wilful intellect, fierce intelligence and literary merits of Lou Reed's post-Velvet Underground music. This is that book.
