By 2005, it had been most 8 years since Adrian Belew had unleashed an all-new solo studio effort. That's non to tell he wasn't busy, though, every bit he toured/recorded with both King Crimson as well as the Bears during this time. And inwards the process, he became quite friendly with 2 of rock's exceed players -- Primus' Les Claypool as well as Tool's Danny Carey -- who happened to live major Belew fans. As a result, Belew invited the duo to play on several tracks on Side One. But live forewarned: they make non seem on the entire album, which is a shame, because the 2 best tracks -- "Ampersand" as well as "Writing on the Wall" (the latter of which is a tearing funk-rocker, quite reminiscent of early-'80s-era King Crimson) -- are the ones that comprise this stellar lineup. But that's non to tell the other tracks aren't worthwhile; other standouts include the noisy, repetitive epic "Madness" (which could guide maintain jibe snugly on Crimson's 2003 effort, The Power to Believe) as well as a tribute to pachyderms everywhere, the appropriately titled "Elephants." At barely over thirty minutes inwards length, or as well as then fans who guide maintain patiently waited this long for a novel Belew unloose may live disappointed initially, earlier finding out the skilful intelligence -- the guitarist volition live releasing 2 additional solo releases inwards 2005 (Side Two as well as Side Three).
Adrian has been around. Most good known every bit the vocaliser as well as a guitarist for prog-rock's longest lasting band, King Crimson, since its 1980s incarnation, he's every bit good worked with David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Peter Frampton, The Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails, Porcupine Tree, as well as Tori Amos, with others. This is his tenth solo album.
This album is only 33 minutes long, which perfect, inwards my opinion, but it withal costs the same every bit an LP. It's the get inwards a trilogy of albums to live released this year. The production is brilliant as well as open, verging on thin, but gives the instrumental seperation necessary for this type of record. Les Claypool of Primus as well as Danny Carey of Tool seem on the get 3 songs.
For guitarists as well as particularly progressive stone fans, Adrian Belew needs footling introduction. Having worked with the likes of Frank Zappa, David Bowie, The Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails every bit good every bit existence a fellow member of the novel "renaissance" version of King Crimson that re-emerged inwards the 80's, he's a wildly prolific instrumentalist who has every bit good released many solo albums. Much of his fourth dimension has been taken upwards past times both King Crimson as well as his other projection entitled The Bears with his solo textile having to live recorded during the brief breaks betwixt his other band commitments. His latest solo album, Side One, is the get of a 3 purpose projection with parts 2 as well as 3 existence aptly named Side Two as well as Side Three. Both of those albums volition emerge after this twelvemonth or early on adjacent year. Largely recorded as well as performed exclusively past times himself except for a duo of tracks, this album contains all the avante garde weirdness as well as quirky guitar playing that he's as well as then noted for. Wanting to tape for the get fourth dimension every bit a classic ability trio format, Adrian enlisted the services of Primus bassist Les Claypool as well as Tool drummer Danny Carey for a few tracks on this album.
The get 3 tracks (Ampersand, Writing On The Wall as well as Matchless Men) all characteristic Les Claypool as well as Danny Carey with Ampersand featuring Adrian's trebly guitar manner over an abstract 60's psychedelic feel. Writing On The Wall is to a greater extent than of the classic King Crimson audio with the ultra fuzzy guitar tone as well as Adrian uses a "distant" vocal manner to chant the only lyrics to the vocal "I come across the writing on the wall". Both Ampersand as well as Writing On The Wall make goodness from the pounding bass of Les Claypool as well as Danny Carey's intricate drumming style. The experimentation with the "power trio" format is a huge success with both of these tracks. Matchless Men i time again uses a 60's psychedelic vibe but with to a greater extent than of an eerie tone accentuated past times Danny Carey's bongo stylings. The residual of the tracks characteristic all instrumentation past times Adrian himself except for a duo of invitee appearances as well as arrive at from chaotic King Crimson styles with Madness to a Police influenced Walk Around The World. Adrian explores to a greater extent than ambient tones with the tracks Beat Box Guitar as well as Under The Radar as well as he fifty-fifty revisits the elephants (in reference to Elephant Talk) with a rail only entitled Elephants. It's a weird form of rail with spoken discussion vocals. The album ends with the rail Pause which is essentially a infinitesimal as well as a one-half of audio effects.
Track listing:
1. Ampersand (4:23)
2. Writing On The Wall (3:53)
3. Matchless Man (2:32)
4. Madness (6:54)
5. Walk Around The World (4:58)
6. Beat Box Guitar (5:08)
7. Under The Radar (1:39)
8. Elephants (2:15)
9. Pause (1:20)
Total Time 33:03
Personnel:
- Adrian Belew / vocals as well as instruments, producer
- Les Claypool / bass guitar (1-3)
- Danny Carey / drums (1,2), tabla (3)
- Peter Hyrka / violin (4,9)
- Gary Tussing / cello (4)
- Ian Wallace / vocalization of BBC
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