ADRIAN BELEW
Side One (Sanctuary)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Adrian names his new CD Side One, cuz, like, you know: there's only one side to a CD. What a clever boy. But then Adrain's always been a bit of a wise ass, along with being a crack guitarist, so he can be excused. Unlike most "guitarists for hire" solo records, this isn't a wankfest. No sir, Adrian prefers to attack his axe into submission, squeezing out ungodly bits and bites, always with a primal beat chugging things along. He fit equally well into the King Crimson and Talking Heads folds (quite a feat when you think about it), injecting both groups with his distinct manic technique, which he, surprise surprise, employs here as well. It's an angular, choppy style that veers wildly from tribal rhythms to jazzy skronk. It's big and it's bold and it just happens to all fit on one side.

© 2005 - John Sekerka