After decades of continually breaking new ground and pushing the boundaries of music, Lou Reed is still as much of a sonic innovator as he ever was. But in the coming months, the Velvet Underground legend is setting aside that aspect of his career in favor of revisiting a couple points in his illustrious career in some rather interesting ways. With a DVD documenting his Lollapalooza 2009 appearance is already announced for this July, Reed is also readying a collection of drawings that re-interprets his 2003 concept album, The Raven.

The 188-page hardcover book, done as a collaboration with Italian illustrator Lorenzo Mattotti, will add another layer to Reed’s reworking of Edgar Allan Poe’s words by giving the songs “vivid, abstracted and enigmatic paintings.” The collection is due for release July 13th and you can can pre-order it at fantagraphics.com.

Along with the two new releases, Reed is also scheduled to embark on a European tour starting July 2nd. Find the complete itinerary below.

Lou Reed 2011 Tour Dates
07/02 – Paddock Wood, UK @ Hop Farm Music Festival
07/04 – London, UK @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo
07/05 – Paris, FR @ Le Grand Rex
07/08 – Milan, IT @ Arena Civica
07/10 – Pistoia, IT @ Piazza Duomo
07/16 – Lecce, IT @ Italia Wave Love Festival
07/17 – Carhaix, FR @ Les Vieilles Charrues Festival
07/18 – Taormina, IT @ Greek Theatre
07/20 – Pescara, IT @ International Jazz Festival
07/22 – Gardone Riviera, IT @ Nuovo Festival Del Vittoriale
07/23 – Solgliano Al Rubicone, IT @ Piazza Matteotti
07/25 – Rome, IT @ Luglio Suona Bene, Parco della Musica Cavea
07/26 – Lyon, FR @ Les Nuits de Fourviere Festival