In August, Chris released the single “House of 70s” – today we bring you all of the information on the album that track is from — DOO WOP IN THE DARK: A PORTRAIT OF LOU REED.
DOO WOP IN THE DARK brings together a unique mix of Lou Reed‘s own compositions, spanning his career from the Velvet Underground onwards, along with Chris’s own songs. Together it details the creative and often turbulent path of Reed’s life, from his teenage years through to his death in 2013.
The album echoes his critically acclaimed 2022 release honoring NICO, EULOGY TO CHRISTA. In fact, the idea for this album began then, with the track Union Square West.
This is Chris, on why he wanted to make this album:
For me, and many others, LOU REED is one of the holy trinity of BOWIE, IGGY, REED. Mythologised by us, in our minds, each of these tempestuous spirits brought something to the altar of rock ’n roll that no one else could back then in the 70s. They glamourized everything, no matter how squalid — especially Lou, with his raw poetry and his fearless, untameable spirit. He walked through fire and was perpetually, painfully honest. I miss the fire of his energy. I don’t wanna eulogise, but here I am eulogising. But more than that, I want to keep that spirit ignited and alive, from the mean streets of TAXI DRIVER in drag, copping speed and using his guitar as a weapon, to the singer of “Magician”, lamenting the passing of a loved one. Lou is the poet who moved through his career with spite, tears, fire, love and rage.
The album was recorded and produced by Chris and ALAN HOLDEN BERLIANT, Chris’s Sons of the Silent Age bandmate, with additional performances and production by long-time collaborator CHRIS BRUCE. JEBNI BRUNI also performs on the album. The stunning cover and promotional photography are by DERICK SMITH. The album is dedicated to ZAK BOERGER, Chris’s dear friend and collaborator who passed in 2025, and LOU REED himself.
DOO WOP IN THE DARK: A PORTRAIT OF LOU REED will be released by Shipwrecked Industries on Friday, October 16, 2026 in three formats: digital download, double CD set, and an abbreviated single 12″ vinyl album. All formats are available for pre-sale now via Bandcamp, where you’ll also get the digital download with the CD or vinyl.
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The tracklist for the two-CD set and digital download:
- Intro
- Real Good Time Together (Reed)
- Cerletti’s Way
- Black Angel’s Death Song (Reed/Cale)
- Sister Ray / The Murder Mystery (Reed/Cale/Morrison/Tucker)
- Bye Bye Johnny Viola
- A Difficult Man
- The Bed (Reed)
- Nothin’ but a Rock Song
- Babyface (Reed)
- House of 70s
- The Rachel Papers
- I Shared My Veins
- Rock and Roll Heart (Reed)
- Dirt (Uptown/Downtown) (Reed)
- The Bells (Reed/Fogel)
- Doo Wop My Future
- Doin’ the Things That We Want To (Reed)
- Dime Store Mystery (Reed)
- Magician (Internally) (Reed)
- One Too Many Mysteries
The vinyl release includes six tracks. When purchased via Bandcamp, the digital download of the entire album is included.
SIDE ONE
- House of 70s
- Dime Store Mystery (Reed)
- The Bed (Reed)
SIDE TWO
- Nothin’ but a Rock Song
- Doo Wop My Future
- The Bells (Reed/Fogel)