Release date: March 2019
Label: self-released
Produced by: Adrian Belew
Length: 31:16
Genre: progressive rock
Rating: 9/10
American guitarist, singer and producer Adrian Belew can boast that over the course of his rich musical career he has played alongside two of the most innovative and ‘chameleonic’ rock musicians of the 20th century, Frank Zappa and David Bowie, both of whom had a hugely important influence on his creative development. He earned his cult status as a longtime member of legendary British prog heroes King Crimson. He lasted longer in King Crimson than any other member in their history except the big boss Robert Fripp, who, against his usual habit, always favored Belew and didn’t replace him even in the late eighties, when it looked like David Sylvian would step into his spot. Belew still keeps in touch with Fripp in case he ever calls him back for another collaboration, and his 2009 departure from King Crimson was one of the few in the band’s history that wasn’t the result of clashing with the band’s authoritarian leader.
Adrian, who has left his mark on a bunch of side projects too, has also been running a mostly very interesting solo career since the early eighties, which kicked off in 1982 with the debut “Lone Rhino.” Since then he has recorded sixteen studio albums. His latest effort is called “Pop Sided” and contains eleven new songs. “Pop Sided” has all the artistic ingredients that put Belew among the most innovative guitarists and the most charismatic singers in the business: a pile of more-or-less witty guitar effects and eccentric solos, accompanied by his eclectic singing, which at times sounds like the Lennon-McCartney school of vocals. The opening “When Is It Coming Back,” seasoned with pleasant acoustic arrangements and soaked in a distinctly romantic atmosphere, is a prime example of that old ‘Beatles’ school. All you King Crimson fans will instantly be reminded of the cult track “Neurotica” while listening to the frenzied-neurotic “Obsession,” ruled by ‘flight of the bumblebee’-style guitar soloing, dissonant effects and Adrian’s half-psychotic vocal howling.
“The Times We Live In” is a clownish pop rocker with a recognizable ‘Beatles’ underpinning in both arrangement and vocals, while the goofy humor is completely typical of Adrian. The nostalgic “Everybody’s Sitting” sails successfully between pop and the avant-garde rock shore. “Lobsters and Hypocrites” is a kind of stylistic follow-up to the King Crimson classic “Indiscipline,” where Adrian, amid a heap of cheeky guitar effects, tells the story of his surreal encounter with some really strange characters. “Although” has a slight alt-rock undercurrent, while the central arrangement and vocal melody draw from the rich ‘Fab Four’ musical heritage.
“Take Five Deep Breaths,” which is somewhat reminiscent of the King Crimson standard “Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream,” is among the most experimental moments on “Pop Sided.” On “The Ladder of Life,” where the central arrangement once again tugs toward the famous Liverpool four-piece, you can also hear some Talking Heads influences, which is no surprise, since Adrian spent quite a few hours with them in the eighties. “Road Rage,” which sounds like a close encounter between “Abbey Road”-era Beatles and Berlin-period Bowie, is a lovely acoustic ballad that fits Adrian’s vocals like a glove. The melancholic “Wait to Worry” is another stylistically wildly varied mix, where dance rhythms cross paths with elements of pop, funk and prog. The closing romantic instrumental “Luminous” features a short but subtle guitar solo that would fit right in with the modern-day King Crimson too.
On the predictably eclectic “Pop Sided,” Mr. Belew captures the more accessible side of his creative voice in his trademark energetic, witty way, though fans of more experimental sounds will find plenty to chew on here too. The album is an excellent cross-section of his musical influences and accessible even to those who know Adrian best from the hit single “Oh Daddy” and have no idea about his status as a progressive rock icon.
Review by: Peter Podbrežnik
Track list:
1. When Is It Coming Back (2:29)
2. Obsession (2:47)
3. The Times We Live In (2:52)
4. Everybody’s Sitting (2:33)
5. Lobsters And Hypocrites (2:28)
6. Although (3:41)
7. Take Five Deep Breaths (3:10)
8. The Ladder Of Life (2:58)
9. Road Rage (2:28)
10. Wait To Worry (3:24)
11. Luminous (2:26)
Musician:
Adrian Belew – vocals, all instruments
