Which Pixies album is your favorite? Mine is Doolittle, which I knew back to front in my high school days. It's hard to believe the timeless alt-rock album celebrates its 20th anniversary today, but I'm not complaining because that means Black Francis, also known as Frank Black, the voice behind the Pixies, is in full force supporting his masterpiece.

While the Pixies themselves are juggling South America and our own southern states, Black Francis is giving the Bay Area a visit next week with a pair of shows at the Great American Music Hall and the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

His Great American Music Hall performance, next Wednesday the 18th, will be intimate and acoustic--a side of Francis most audiences don't get to see. Which cut would sound the best without the rest of the Pixies? My vote is for "Monkey Gone to Heaven", my favorite track from the album. On Thursday the 19th at the Mountain Winery, Francis will be the special guest of headiners The Swell Season, so expect some awesome Doolittle covers.